Texas Tech-Accelerated BSN Spring 2020

[kantwine]

I haven't seen a thread for those of us applying May 1st to the January 2020 cohort. I'm wondering how heavily they weigh the TEAS. Also, I have heard as long as you meet all criteria they typically give you an interview. Has anyone else heard this? I really like how they take a holistic approach to grant admissions. I'm wanting to apply to UTA but I feel like the main way you get extra points is by attending school there which I did not do! We'll see!

[Ag2017, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, jillhill81 said:

That was extremely helpful! One other question. What shoes have you and others been wearing? I do not know what to buy. Some are so expensive but I’m willing if they are worth it. Ok I do have one more question lol. What laptop do you use for the program?

I bought these. They weren't as comfortable as I would've liked but I put insoles in them and that helped. We are required to wear either white or black. Our teachers said as long as 85% of the shoe is either white or black, they are acceptable. https://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-Womens-Comfort-Trainer/dp/B07B3SDVBT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=new%2Bbalance%2Bnurse&qid=1573955939&sr=8-1&th=1

Also, I would highly recommend compression socks, I definitely could feel a difference when I wore them or didn't.

Also, for scrubs, you just need a red scrub top as close to true red as possible. I read the instructions that said go to a specific store and ask for TTUHSC brands, and the teachers didn't even know that was a thing. You can just buy any red top as long as it's close.

I bought a new laptop before the program started because my last one was on its final leg. I have an HP Envy x360 convertible and I love it!

[jillhill81]

Thanks for the details! I’m writing it all down ?

[bjensen4]

On 11/13/2019 at 10:31 AM, elizabeth11 said:

Any of ya'll here part of the VBSN program or have done the VBSN program in the past? I am considering doing the CAP testing here in January for the Spring 2020 cohort. Any suggestions or tips that may be helpful? I want to at least attempt it.

I am in the VBSN program, I am going to take all the CAP tests and study for them in case it could possibly decrease my work load. I am a surgical tech so I am not all that confident in my nursing knowledge outside of the operating room so I don't think I will pass them but maybe I'll surprise myself? I am curious if there are any testing materials available through ATI we can purchase to study with. I used their app to study for TEAS and I think it made a massive difference.

[bjensen4]

2 hours ago, jillhill81 said:

Thanks for the details! I’m writing it all down ?

For scrubs I bought the same brand that my work uses(they must be fairly durable if the entire health system is wearing them right?) because I already knew what size fits me and I find the task of shopping for clothes absolutley daunting! Also Amazon had them for pretty cheap. They are pretty "scratchy" right out of the package brand new, but I happen to know that after about 4-5 washes they soften up quite a bit. I have 2 pair I wear to and from work because I HATE picking out clothes in the morning(ADHD combined with wearing a uniform for 6 years straight in the USAF) so its something that alleviates stress for me. Heres the link. I was curious about shoes too, my entire career as a CST I've ALWAYS worn sneaker that i spray waterproofer on at work and the idea of not wearing sneakers makes me worried about my feet and back! I tried some leather Brooks Walking shoes a couple weeks ago and they gave me severe back pain! So I ordered some Adidas instead that are similar to my current work shoes.

What about lab coats? I notice that the handbook says length doesnt matter does this mean I can buy a white scrub jacket?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00794OFL0/ref=twister_B00DH95LT6

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794SH28/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Ag2017, BSN, RN]

3 hours ago, bjensen4 said:

For scrubs I bought the same brand that my work uses(they must be fairly durable if the entire health system is wearing them right?) because I already knew what size fits me and I find the task of shopping for clothes absolutley daunting! Also Amazon had them for pretty cheap. They are pretty "scratchy" right out of the package brand new, but I happen to know that after about 4-5 washes they soften up quite a bit. I have 2 pair I wear to and from work because I HATE picking out clothes in the morning(ADHD combined with wearing a uniform for 6 years straight in the USAF) so its something that alleviates stress for me. Heres the link. I was curious about shoes too, my entire career as a CST I've ALWAYS worn sneaker that i spray waterproofer on at work and the idea of not wearing sneakers makes me worried about my feet and back! I tried some leather Brooks Walking shoes a couple weeks ago and they gave me severe back pain! So I ordered some Adidas instead that are similar to my current work shoes.

What about lab coats? I notice that the handbook says length doesnt matter does this mean I can buy a white scrub jacket?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00794OFL0/ref=twister_B00DH95LT6

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794SH28/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So for scrubs, I bought laundau because they were cheap and I knew I'd only be wearing them for a year.

As far as Dallas goes, they actually encouraged us to just buy black sweaters. None of us have white lab coats, they are not required (I can't speak for any other location, because they might). I'm always cold so I bought a sweater with fur inside. They give you 3 patches the first day so you can have two for scrubs and one for a jacket.

[elizabeth11]

@bjensen4 that's my thought too. I figured I can only get some sort of insight from the program by doing the CAP testing. I've been out of the game entirely for goin on 8 years now so I know my chances are slim but I would like to try. I am going to see if I come across any good study guides, but no luck yet on my end.

[elizabeth11]

On 11/15/2019 at 10:45 PM, Ag2017 said:

Hi, I'm currently in the Dallas Cohort and can give you the exact cost for the program this year. It does seem like it's going up, because our last semester was so expensive in comparison to the last two. This way you have an idea. This does not include the scholarship you can apply for, and it does not include books. Also, you will have to pay about $300 for BON fees and NCLEX fees to take your test at the end.

Spring-$7955, Summer- $7783, Fall- $10139

On 11/15/2019 at 8:21 PM, Ag2017 said:

Hi Everyone!

I'm currently a student in the Dallas Cohort for the 2019 program year. I read some of the old posts and wanted to answer some questions and provide other info!

I didn't read too far in, so if you have questions you want answered, specifically about the Dallas Cohort, or questions in general, I'm happy to answer anything.

One thing about costs/financial aid, every semester there is a scholarship that you can apply for and every student gets it IF they apply. You can also reuse the paragraph you have to write for it. For the first two semesters it was $1000, and for the last semester it was $1500. You do have to submit a FAFSA application in order to apply. As far as other financial aid through FAFSA, as a second degree student, you will not qualify for any scholarships, only loans, so keep that in mind. Specifically for Dallas, there is a program called SkillQUEST, that also would be a good idea to look into. It's a state program that provides scholarships each semester. It is a very rigorous application process and they are looking for very specific qualifications, but you get $5000 per semester so it was well worth it. Just a thought!

Specific to Dallas, the hospitals we rotate at currently are Methodist Dallas, Methodist Charlton, Methodist Mansfield, UTSW, and Baylor. However these are not guaranteed that these are the sites they'll have available next year. Also, you will be assigned to one of these hospitals and stay there for your clinicals the whole year. This year, they chose who went where based on where we lived. This year, we had 26 students.

This program is intense, and you will be busy. They are going to highly push that you do not work. I did not, but there were a few people in the class that did and managed it. With that being said, it was mostly PRN jobs with flexible managers. You do make your own schedule after bootcamp, but that's based on your coach's schedule and you have to also factor in tests, class, etc. The do have some night shift coaches as well, whether that's helpful for some people. For Dallas, once we were assigned our hospitals, we had a meet and greet with all of the coaches and it was just a group open table and then we ranked who we wanted. Most of us got who we wanted, some didn't, but it all ends up working out, so don't worry too much about it.

There is no way to give you exact class dates that you'll have to go in, because they changed based on what's going on, and when they get your speciality clinicals scheduled. In the first semester, you'll be going a lot, but it really starts to decrease a lot during the summer and spring.

If anyone has any worries about getting a job, don't be. The majority of us already have jobs and have for over a month, and they are for great hospitals on great floors! Most of us got what we wanted. I got offered 2 jobs, both ICU at top hospitals in Dallas.

I am sure there are other things I missed because I couldn't read everything, but like I said, I'm happy to answer more questions if you have any!

Congratulations to everyone that was accepted and for the students in Dallas, I'll see you at the orientation in December!

Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to give us some insight of what is to come. I am trying to get mentally prepared for the program and get my mind right! Can you tell me more about bootcamp? how long is it? I work PRN and my manager was nice enough to let me cut down my required hours but I would still need to work about 4 shifts a month, which averages about 1x a week. I am hoping that during orientation next month they will be able to tell us more or less what our schedules will look like.

[Ag2017, BSN, RN]

15 minutes ago, elizabeth11 said:

Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to give us some insight of what is to come. I am trying to get mentally prepared for the program and get my mind right! Can you tell me more about bootcamp? how long is it? I work PRN and my manager was nice enough to let me cut down my required hours but I would still need to work about 4 shifts a month, which averages about 1x a week. I am hoping that during orientation next month they will be able to tell us more or less what our schedules will look like.

Hi! No problem, I got on here because I remember this time last year being upset because I knew nothing and it was frustrating! Bootcamp is 2 full weeks Mon-Fri. We usually left by 4, but sometimes 5. Just dependents on everything that have to be done that day (some days have more than others). You will not be able to work those weeks, and I remember myself personally working pretty much all the weekend in between. I would not recommend it because boot camp was incredibly exhausting. Like I said, you will be at school, do everything, take an hour or two break, study some more, and go to bed and do it again the next day. After that week, it is possible, but just remember you will be doing at least 2 shifts a week for clinical in order to meet the hour requirement at the end of the semester. I even did 3 at least 3 times that first semester because you don't have as much time as you do the second two semesters. So just be aware, it might not always be possible! Did I answer enough of your question?? Bootcamp is rough, I'm not going to lie but it really helps you feel confident going into your clinicals.

[Omgnursing, BSN]

Are y’all able to access ALL of the acme courses for the virtual orientation? I am only able to do the Title IX and HIPAA. When I try to click on the other ones, it takes me to another page and when I try to click on required courses and it says I don’t have any available. I already emailed someone about it but just trying to see if any of you guys are having issues too or know of a solution. Thanks!

[jillhill81]

try using the link that they sent in the emails

http://www.ttuhsc.edu/it/ACME/

That's how I completed them

[bjensen4]

3 hours ago, jillhill81 said:

try using the link that they sent in the emails

http://www.ttuhsc.edu/it/ACME/

That's how I completed them

That's what I was gonna say I followed the link from the email and had no issues.

[Omgnursing, BSN]

4 hours ago, jillhill81 said:

try using the link that they sent in the emails

http://www.ttuhsc.edu/it/ACME/

That's how I completed them

Oh okay. I was only emailed 2 links for HIPAA and title IX but none were sent for the others. I’m also wondering if it has something to do with me just finding out I was accepted after being on the waitlist for awhile. I just found out I got into the program last week so I know I am a bit behind compared to others.