Texas Tech 2nd degree BSN program 2015

[evenursetobe]

Hey I was looking for a new thread on the people applying for the Texas Tech 2015 accelerated 2nd degree BSN program, specifically Austin, and couldn't find one so I thought I would start one. All the previous threads have been really helpful. Is there anyone applying for the Austin location?? Anyone already have their CNA or planning on getting it soon??

[L6870]

Thank you so much for your help! How are you liking the program so far? What's it like?

[kaseyroo]

@L6870- I like the program! Like all programs, it has had its ups-and-downs. Overall, I loved how short it was and how AWESOME my clinical experience was. I had a fantastic coach and I learned SO much. Students in this program graduate with exceptional clinical skills and are exceeding expectations of new graduates in Texas nursing programs.

The program is very fast-paced and it is impossible to learn all of the information. There were times where I felt like I was on my own/didn't have enough help/didn't have enough resources. In this program, you need to be assertive and be able to advocate for yourself when you feel like you need something. It is definitely not a perfect program.

I really did enjoy it and I can tell you.. I am SO glad that I am almost done! :)

[Thenurseofmordor]

I apologize in advance for any spelling or punctuation errors, I don't care.

I'm going to add my comment regarding the 2nd degree program at TTU. I graduated from the Abilene campus in August of 2014. Was fresh out of first degree of unspecialized sciences, no previous hospital experience. 3.3gpa and 98percentile on the entrance exam.

I can only speak for the Abilene campus and my own experience, each campus is run a bit different and we where told that big changes where going to be made to to format of the program after our cohort. That being said:

The program was the best academic experience thus far in my life. Very well run, the staff in Abilene where fantastic. The second degree is the pride and joy of TTUHSC and they let you know it in Abilene. Catered food at most of the meetings, deans and president visiting often and open to discussion. Very little busy work in most of the courses and my experience at the hospital right next to the campus was great. I graduated with a 3.93 full summa cum laude honors and it was hard but really not that bad.

There where a few that failed and one that got kicked out for cheating, all of these people lived over 50miles from the campus and EVERY person that lived over 50 miles away in the class failed. So my advice is to live nearby, it truly does make a difference. It is a online program but it is no exaggeration that you will be at the school or hospital at least 3-4 times a week the entire program.

I received around 10k in scholarships from TTU while in the program just for filling out the scholarship application! and i did nothing special but keep good grades, many people received similar amounts in my group.

The only major downside I have discovered while searching for jobs in the DFW area is that The big Baylor ICU and ER do not accept 2nd degree student new grads for their internships as I was told by HR and I did not get any interviews for several months after getting my license and applying for around 30 residency positions. In the last month I have gotten ACLS and Pals on my own and changed my résumé to say just "BSN Summa cum laude" rather than "2nd degree BSN summa cum laude" and in the last 2 weeksI have had 10 interviews and job offers from parkland, Methodist, HCA and several smaller hospitals. I have literally had to turn down interviews and positions... So things are going very well!

Best of luck to all of you wherever you may end up.

[mbs213]

Can anyone give me an idea of what to expect for the interview?

I have it in about a week? Any questions I should expect? I was thinking tell me a little bit about yourself, and why do you want to be a nurse? Any other help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Thenurseofmordor]

I had three nurses interview me, the campus education director, a faculty member and a local hospital nurse. Very calm, standard face to face interview. Dress very nice, suit and tie or etc

Why the Accelerated program over the traditional?

Why will you be successful in an online program?

Are you self motivated?

What kind of support family/social system do you have?

How do you manage stress?

Why do you want to be a nurse?

Will you try and work or volunteer during the program? -answer should be no

Will you be willing to attend another campus for the program, such as Abilene or Amarillo?

Relative experience? -very important, even if not medical, even if it's waitressing, you need to show you have time management skills

Also very important; you need to have several thoughtful relative questions to ask your interviewers about the program.

[mbs213]

Had my interview on Monday. It went pretty well. Was prepared for each question. There were one or two things I forgot to mention during the interview that I wish I had. Hope it wasn't a deal breaker Did anyone have a lot of back and forth? Because it seemed to me like there wasn't much at all with mine. It seemed like that was the nature of how they interviewed though.

[future.rn.bsn]

Hi everyone! I got invited for an interview for Spring 2017 and I was wondering if someone could shed some light on bringing resumes, headshots, etc. to the interview.... Thank you so much!!!