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!

[DCV]

I've completed my CNA training but haven't sat for the test. Is it common to get accepted into the program if you didn't get your certification but did complete the training? Anyone?? Hope to hear from some of you. 

[ICUtoCRNA2, BSN]

@DCV I did! Last year they only required the training and not the test - I think it is the same this year. I was accepted and I had completed my training back in 2015. I had gotten certified as well back then but it expired in 2017 and I never renewed it.

[DCV]

Thank you @allipalmer! ?

[DCV]

Is there anyone who's gotten accepted with minimal medical experience? While I've had a variety of experiences: studied abroad, worked with immigration, taught in different countries, etc. I've only worked in a home for a week when I was completing my CNA training and shadowed a nurse during a different time... I'm not sure this will be enough for the application. Can anyone confirm if they've accepted with minimal medical experience?

[DCV]

And I meant a nursing home. Hope to hear from some of you soon. 

 

[twuiu20]

Has anyone in this thread finished with either the Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio locations? How did you like it? What was the most difficult thing about the program? I know its independent study, but is it manageable? How were clinicals? Did this program prepare you for the NCLEX?

[Adam Linden]

Finished the Austin program in 2020. Definitely loved the program. The faculty was very supportive. The most unique quality of the program is the clinical placement. You’ll be placed in a unit and you’ll remain there all year, completing about two 12 hour shifts a week. It’s basically like a hospital residency and you’ll have a designated preceptor that whole time. Extenuating circumstances arise and they’ll try to move you but the vetting process for preceptors and units that will accept you can be limited. Found that this program put me ages ahead of other nurse new hires. The pace is totally manageable, but you’ll need to be disciplined. Set up a calendar at the start of each semester with everything in it and stick to a plan. Don’t be scared to lean on your peers and find a good study group, could not have done this program without mine. Worked my butt off but still had time to spend with family and friends or pulling a bender every now and then. I think only 1 person was dropped from the program and that wasn’t school related and maybe only 2 of 28 didn’t pass the NCLEX the first time. They’ll have you buy UWorld and homework will be assigned during the program to complete sections of it. The questions are way harder than the NCLEX, it definitely sets you up for success, and you have access to it after graduation to continue utilizing it to prepare. 

[atxmitch]

I'm also from the 2020 Austin cohort and would reiterate Adam's comments about how much better the clinical experience is. The program is intense, but you only have to suffer for 1 year ? Good time management skills and having a strong study group are key to surviving imo. The 2019 cohort had only one person not complete due to health issues, and joined our cohort and finished. The 2020 cohort only lost one at the end of boot camp due to personal issues, but ended up in the 2021 cohort. The 2021 Austin cohort lost like 25% between 1st and 2nd semesters. I have some guesses as to why, but they are just that. 2019 had 100% NCLEX pass rate. 2020 there was 3 out of 27, and I was one of them. NBD. It happens. Not sure what 2021's pass rate was, but am aware that some did not pass the 1st time.

[ICUtoCRNA2, BSN]

I’m from the 2021 ATX cohort and agree with pretty much everything Adam and Mitch said. Time management is key. The clinical component was far and away the best part of the program. I took a job in the unit I did my clinicals on and def didn’t feel like a new grad when I started (I had many traveling nurses on our unit tell me the same thing, so I think that really does speak to how well this program prepares you).

Our cohort was definitely an outlier in terms of losing so many students throughout the year (we started with 40 and graduated 28). One didn’t pass boot camp, we lost I think 7 after Spring, several after Summer and another 1 in the fall semester. Honestly I’m not totally sure what the story was with all of them, but I do know we had a different experience as a cohort. Our entire year was online - only half of boot camp, our clinicals, and a few sims were in person. Even exams were online. We didn’t have much cohesion as a group, and I think that hurt us a lot in the long run. 

Clinicals for me personally were fantastic. I loved my preceptor and learned a TON, and I didn’t even apply anywhere else bc I only wanted to work on that unit after school. But others I’m my group were bounced around more because their preceptors quit, went back to get their masters, etc. I believe a lot of that has been corrected with less coaches this year and more vetting but can’t say for sure. 

The UWorld prep for NCLEX is fantastic. I don’t have data on my cohort but most of the people I talked to passed the first time with the minimum number of questions. 

It’s certainly not a cakewalk, but like Mitch said - it’s only a year. With planning, you can still have a life outside of school. I always took Sundays off for family time. You get two weeks off between every semester. IMO it’s 100% worth it and I’d still absolutely recommend it if you can commit to a lot of self study for that one year. 

[twuiu20]

Loved hearing y'all's experiences! I recently just submitted my Proof of enrollment for the courses I have remaining to retake in order to start the program, if accepted. How long after a letter of evaluation would you say y'all were contacted for an interview? Also, if you don't make it to the interview stage, would you get a letter showing that you did not get offered an interview?

[Adam Linden]

I think It was late September to mid October. I remember it was reaaaally nerve wracking how long I had to wait to hear anything. Not sure about the rejection letter bit. 

[ICUtoCRNA2, BSN]

Our cohort was faster. I think we actually had two rounds but our first round had interviews in late august and early September and got acceptance letters I think in late September. I’m not sure if they actually send anything if you don’t get an invitation.