Texas Tech Accelerated 2nd Degree Program 2021

[Keg2334]

I’m not sure if it’s too early to start this thread, but anyone on here planning on applying to Texas Tech’s Second Degree program in May?

[ICUtoCRNA2, BSN]

@nevertoolate2021 your main coach is who you’re with all year. Most of them are med/surg nurses but a handful are ICU, ortho, or telemetry. We do have extra clinicals for specialty courses - I want to say we get something like 45 hours each in perinatal (L&D, neonatal, postpartum), mental health, and pediatrics. That will be with someone besides our regular coach. 

[kinsey]

28 minutes ago, nevertoolate2021 said:

@allipalmer sounds awesome. One question, it seems with other programs you do different clinicals (for example, maternal health)- how do you do that if you are working with one nurse the whole time? Are you exposed to only the area he/she works?

Also! If you sign up on the nursing website saying you are interested you will get invites to the zoom webinars they hold in the Spring to answer all applicants questions! They are SUPER helpful. 

[ICUtoCRNA2, BSN]

I second what Kinsey said! We’re happy to share our experience but definitely get your name on the radar with the admissions office. They did several webinars for prospective students last Spring so I would definitely reach out and get on the list for if they do them again this year. 

[nevertoolate2021]

Thank you so much @allipalmer and @kinsey!! Such helpful information!

[AleenaM1016]

On 2/14/2021 at 11:12 AM, allipalmer said:

@CSesh you don’t have to put a second location! My family is rooted in Austin so relocating wasn’t an option for us either. I just put Austin as my first choice and left the second choice blank. 

Hi! I am applying for Spring 2022 and am wondering where your clinicals in Austin are held? are they at multiple locations, or do they assign you one hospital? Thank you in advance!

[ICUtoCRNA2, BSN]

@AleenaM1016 you are placed with a clinical coach for the entirety of the program so you will be on the same unit all year. The only time you would be at a different hospital would be for any specialty clinicals (wound care, OB, pediatrics, mental health, and community health) but you should only have 1 or 2 shifts for each of those total!

There are hospitals all over town where we have coaches (though it can change year to year) and they try to place you with someone you'll get along with (which is super important since you'll be working with that coach 1-2x a week all year) as well as relatively close to where you live. I'm personally at St. David's North Austin Medical Center and I know we have coaches in Georgetown, Taylor, Round Rock, Pflugerville, and downtown at St. David's and Dell Seton as well.

[Jo222]

Hi! I'm planning to apply for the upcoming Spring but im worried about my GPA. I have 2.6 science and 3.1 overall, 2 years pct experience, and I have all the preqs done with the exception of medical terminology. Any hope here for me?

[ICUtoCRNA2, BSN]

@Jo222 yes! I would definitely still apply. I'd for sure recommend you reach out to the admissions office to get your name out there, attend any and all informational webinars, etc. I think having everything already completed on your application helps you, as does your PCT experience. They really do take a holistic look at your application so GPA is not the deciding factor! I know of at least one person in our cohort (and I'm sure there were others) who were admitted with a GPA under 3.0 - that said, I'd recommend trying to squeeze in a course over the first Summer session and retaking whichever science course you got the lowest grade to try to improve your science GPA before the application closes in July. If you can replace a C with an A, that'll do huge things for your science GPA since it's only made up of 5 courses!

[Jo222]

Thank you for the advice @allipalmer. I did retake my c to a but I averaged  when I calculate my GPA. Do they only count the best score?

[ICUtoCRNA2, BSN]

@Jo222 I *think* they only count the highest score but I’m not positive. 

[Laraaa]

Hi! I am looking into applying for Spring 22 semester and I just wanted to know if anyone has any information for the vbsn as far as how many people get in or those that have been accepted what your stats look like?

[DCV]

Hello all! I am applying right now and I see that many of you commented on the length of time it takes for Tech to receive all transcripts. Question, do I have to wait to submit my application in order to send my transcripts over? Furthermore, I completed a CNA training where I was in a nursing home for a week. I've also shadowed a couple of nurses. This is sort of the extent of my medical background. I've been a teacher for 9 years and have taught abroad as well. Would anyone know if they accept students with minimal medical experience like me? Your answers would be helpful. Thank you!