I have been accepted into the TJU FACT program that begins in May but the orientation isn't until a week before classes begin and I would like to get a better idea of the scheduling. I know it's 5 days a week but does anyone have some more specific info? i have to arrange for child care and transportation and a general idea of the class/clinical hours would be helpful.
also...anyone else out there starting the program with me in May?
I think most people take the train to class, because it is really expensive to park every day in the city. Not to mention tolls if you are from across the river. For clinical, you may or may not have to drive, depending on your clinical site. For that first month (or 3 weeks, I forget) when you have class every day and you haven't started clinical yet, definitely think about taking the train. You'll be so exhausted every day that it will be nice to sit on the train and relax or do some reading. :)
Has anyone purchased the software for their PDD? I've ordered my bundles online already, but was wondering when/where I can purchase the software?? and which one I have to buy?
This may have been asked in a previous post but I didn't want to read all 28 pages. But typically how long does it take to hear back from the program? I definitely plan to apply this upcoming September 1st since I know the sooner the better but I plan on taking my pre-reqs while working. However, if I get into the program, I plan on quitting my job and solely focusing on my pre-reqs so I'm not overwhelmed, basically I just want to cover my bases in case I don't get in. I just want to know the time frame from applying to accepted.
I applied as soon as the application came out I think it was around September 13 and had my interview in late October and was accepted November 3. The turn around is really fast and I highly recommend sending your stuff in as soon as the application comes out. Do the essay and everything before hand so you can just fill out the application and send it in. Hope this helped and good luck! : )
I am in the current program and it is such a great experience so far! I just want to ask for any advise from people who graduated from the program on how to manage everything. There are a lot of assigned readings, guided readings and powerpoints on top of school work on all 7 classes! I just noticed that the exams are scheduled all in one day! Aside from med calc, we have not done any tests yet. What should we expect? I know the mini tests are only 10 questions so that means if you get 3 mistakes-you fail (scary!) how about midterm/final (all i know is patho,pharma and nurse mgt are together) ? How do we prioritize ? study tips? What is the best way not to overload and focus on just what is really needed?
Nothing that's covered is very hard in and of itself - it's the pace that'll get you. The best advice I can give is don't fall behind in your studies, thinking you'll catch up later - there is no later.
They really try to help you - they have a very high graduation rate (it was still 100% when I graduated - I don't know if that's still true) and a very high NCLEX first-time pass rate (also 100% when I graduated.)
Oh, and be flexible - the program always seems to be disorganized. Times will change, locations will change - often with next to no warning. If you let it bother you, you'll still have to make the changes, plus you'll raise your blood pressure.
No school can adequately prepare you for a career in nursing, but it'll prepare you to get started, which is about all you can ask.
Hey Beatarmy,
I also got accepted into the FACT program for this coming May, and I guess my biggest concern is do you even have a life aside from school for that year? Because my biggest concern is I won't be able to even see the people I love all that much. I know school comes first, and it will be a big adjustment, but I'm sure there are people who had significant others or worried about even being able to see their friends or talk to them much. I have this awful idea in my head that it's like I will be in another country for a year, even though I live in the city. So since you have completed the program, is it at all that bad in the sense that it's just you and Jefferson for a year in solitary?
I also got accepted into the FACT program for this coming May, and I guess my biggest concern is do you even have a life aside from school for that year? Because my biggest concern is I won't be able to even see the people I love all that much. I know school comes first, and it will be a big adjustment, but I'm sure there are people who had significant others or worried about even being able to see their friends or talk to them much. I have this awful idea in my head that it's like I will be in another country for a year, even though I live in the city. So since you have completed the program, is it at all that bad in the sense that it's just you and Jefferson for a year in solitary?
To be honest, I did not feel like I had a life that year! I studied, went to class or had clinical seven days a week. I learned how to study (or catch a quick nap!) in any 15-minute interval I had. It literally took me about 3 months to re-learn how to relax after I graduated. And as for "vacations" and "breaks', forget it. There was *always* something we were supposed to be working on, even when we were "off" on our (short) breaks.
Your mileage may vary. I'm sure some of my classmates would have a different perspective. I am also sure I could have done a lot less work and still passed all my courses, but merely passing was not my goal!
I feel like I don't have a life in this program either, but it IS accelerated and the instructors constantly tell us that we got what we signed up for, lol. However, I do make sure I work in breaks here and there, because if you don't you will have a mental breakdown easily! Usually, Friday and Saturday nights I do nothing or go out with friends. Other days, I try to study during the day to free my evenings. But when it's test time I go into lockdown! lol With my study schedule, I'm doing really well in the program. But everyone's study schedule is different....whether you need to study more or less depends on how you learn best. Congrats on your acceptance and good luck!!
I feel like I don't have a life in this program either, but it IS accelerated and the instructors constantly tell us that we got what we signed up for, lol. However, I do make sure I work in breaks here and there, because if you don't you will have a mental breakdown easily! Usually, Friday and Saturday nights I do nothing or go out with friends. Other days, I try to study during the day to free my evenings. But when it's test time I go into lockdown! lol With my study schedule, I'm doing really well in the program. But everyone's study schedule is different....whether you need to study more or less depends on how you learn best. Congrats on your acceptance and good luck!!
MPHgirl, can you give us an example of your styudy schedule....
To be honest, I did not feel like I had a life that year! I studied, went to class or had clinical seven days a week. I learned how to study (or catch a quick nap!) in any 15-minute interval I had. It literally took me about 3 months to re-learn how to relax after I graduated. And as for "vacations" and "breaks', forget it. There was *always* something we were supposed to be working on, even when we were "off" on our (short) breaks.
Your mileage may vary. I'm sure some of my classmates would have a different perspective. I am also sure I could have done a lot less work and still passed all my courses, but merely passing was not my goal!
Thanks for the reply AtomicWoman and MPHgirl. I'm just so worried for May's arrival. I've always been the type of student that studied the night before a test cramming and getting B's in my classes was okay with me because I had a life that was more important then getting straight A's. But I know that's not going to be possible when I'm at Jefferson, and that's okay with me. I guess I'm just going into this with a horrible idea that it's like the end of my life lol. I'm nervous and scared of getting too overwhelmed, because to me, seeing the people I love is a big part of my life and happiness. And of course I realize it will be an adjustment, but I need to have SOME time to myself during the week or I know I'll go insane. But the option of getting it done in a year rather then breaking it down into two was too tempting to pass up for me. I'm 23 and want to be done school ASAP haha. I realize I'll have to give up a lot of my time and life for this one year, I guess I'm just not sure what to expect. I heard that lectures are usually two days a week and clinicals can range from two-three days a week. Can you provide any idea of what a typical week is like and how you adjusted to adding free time in where you could? I would really appreciate it because everyone's got me thinking I'm signing up for the Armageddon or maybe that's just my head talking haha.
In a typical week, you will have lecture on Thursdays and Fridays for half the day. Your clinicals may be on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Most of the time you will have clinical two of those days (12 hrs each day). For your OB and Community Nursing rotations you may have 3 days of clinical (8 hours each day). Then you study in between as much as you can, but do take breaks! Your mind and body will need it. The best time for breaks is after exams. For example, we just had three exams today. I plan to relax the entire weekend :) Overall, I feel that having a balance is most important: school, volunteering, relaxing/hanging with friends. And yes, they do strongly encourage FACT students to volunteer in addition to the vast amount of studying and work required. Everything is doable though, you just have to find your own routine.
It literally took me about 3 months to re-learn how to relax after I graduated. And as for "vacations" and "breaks', forget it. There was *always* something we were supposed to be working on, even when we were "off" on our (short) breaks.
AtomicWoman
1,747 Posts
I think most people take the train to class, because it is really expensive to park every day in the city. Not to mention tolls if you are from across the river. For clinical, you may or may not have to drive, depending on your clinical site. For that first month (or 3 weeks, I forget) when you have class every day and you haven't started clinical yet, definitely think about taking the train. You'll be so exhausted every day that it will be nice to sit on the train and relax or do some reading. :)