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?
As far as finding a job, honestly, it was hard b/c there were a overflow of new grads in May. So I know Jefferson had a hiring freeze, but I heard they are now hiring new grads again right now. I am moving out of state and I know when I was looking out of state I found lots of nursing jobs. There are jobs out there but they may not be exactly what you want. I don't start until October b/c I am doing a residency program but I know a lot of people from my class didn't have a job after they graduated. It helped it you did a nurse externship, but Jeff highly recommends that you don't work so its kind of a lose/lose situation. You will end up getting a job but it may not be as soon as you graduate.
This is my new mantra for myself: Do 2 Years Anywhere. Do 2 Years Anywhere. Do 2 Years Anywhere. ("Anywhere" preferably meaning a hospital, since it seems a lot of hospitals don't consider 2 years at an LTC facility the same as 2 years at a hospital. But if that's the only type of job I can get, I'll take it.)
The Philly job market has gotten so tough, I'm pretty much figuring that it's unlikely I'll get that "dream job" right out of school. (Not that I won't try for it, but I'm not going to depend on it.) It seems that once you have that magical 2 years experience, everything changes. So whoever takes me, I'm there!
Well when you get into the 3rd or beginning of the 4th quarter I recommend looking for places your interested in. I found most hospitals that have a residency program have set dates they start so I knew a lot started in June or early July. I knew I wouldn't have my boards done and I didn't want to risk moving and stressing about studying for the boards. Some would offer another round around October. I decided it was worth the wait. I interviewed with a hospital in Tucson but turned it down. I didn't get a good vibe from the manager on that floor. I also looked at places in Cali but they are competitive so I would contact the hospitals your really interested in and speak to the HR or nurse recruiters and see what you need to do.
Some make you type a little essay, get two references, etc. I am working in TX and I had a good experience from everyone I spoke with in the hospital. I will get 5 months of training. So hopefully I will be well prepared b/c I have spoke to others who feel like they are not prepared and only got like 6weeks of training. Its scary b/c that is your license on the line.
I hope this helps.
Tucson!! That's funny.. that's where I was primarily looking!! UMC's program.. which an HR person told me they discontinued.. and TMC I think?? I don't know, I'll be looking into it more later. TX is awesome too!! I'm glad to hear that its actually a possibility to relocate and do one of these programs, I can't wait!! Good luck!
I am sorry, I thought you were in the program! But it is fine! That's true, once we all get accepted we can help each other more! I can not wait either! I am very excited!!!!!
Good luck in your interview tomorrow!!!!!!!
I am sure, everything will be fine!!!!!
Hi again!
When you got your interview was it a phone call or an email? Also, how long after your app was entered into the computer did it take? Just curiousssss :)
In my case, I got an e-mail, then I called that lady and arranged day and time of my interview. I filled my application on-line on the 25th of August, I got an e-mail from the lady on the 3rd of September and, finally, I had my interview on the 5th of September. If you did it on-line, you can check if it is processed already or not. If you sent it by mail, probably, it will take a little longer.
Every case, I guess, is a little different. As I said before, I applied to FACT the year before and she had all my papers in her computer. I only had to mail her the transcript of my Statistics class that I took this Summer and fill on-line application again.
I hope that helps:)
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
When you got your interview was it a phone call or an email? Also, how long after your app was entered into the computer did it take? Just curiousssss :)
I received an email about a week after I did my online application. I then called the admissions counselor and made the appointment for a few days later. Because I had already been accepted to a program last year, all they had to do was update my file with my latest transcript.
If you filed your application online, you should be able to check its status online. But even if you filed online, you still had to mail your transcripts and letters of recommendation, and that can take a little time for everything to catch up. If you're worried, I have found that there's a very nice lady in the admissions office who answers all my questions quickly. I'll PM you with her name, since we're not supposed to post individual names here. But relax once they tell you they have everything! Just let the process move forward. They are pretty quick about it; I have no complaints in that area. The counselor said I would probably get a letter fairly quickly, but it has to go through the admissions committee, so no guarantees exactly when the letter will arrive.
My interview yesterday went fine. It was more or less just an update, do I understand the difference between FACT and the other programs, do I have any questions, etc. I didn't get a whole lot of questions, but that's because I've been through the process before. The admissions counselor recognizes me on sight now!
Accelerated, I know you are concerned about starting some studying before school, so I thought I'd pass along some info the counselor gave me. She said students find it valuable to do a medical terminology course before they start. That way, when the prof. is lecturing, they don't have to be worrying about "what does that mean?". Instead, they can start thinking about the big picture and how things fit together. You can find a medical terminology book on Amazon, I am sure. Or you can take an online course if you want a more rigorous approach.
Also, there's a thread going on in another forum, and one of the posters directed me to a sticky on Allnurses that has to do with pathophysiology. You might want to scroll through those posts -- at your leisure, of course!
I think the FACT and 2-yr uniforms are different because I'm almost positive last year's FACT class had the same uniforms as us. Here is what they look like:
The shirt - eh. They probably could have chosen a nicer one. The pants don't look that bad because the shirt covers them pretty low on the hips, but they are very uncomfortable and heavy.
When I was at Jefferson yesterday, I'm pretty sure I saw a FACT student walking down 9th Street, because she was wearing that top and white pants. AGGGGGH! I also think she was wearing a white tee shirt under the tunic; the shirt came up above that lovely square neckline. :chuckle
I have found this forum to be so helpful!! I have read through everyone's comments and I think its great to hear from former, current and future students. I actually just mailed all of my application materials yesterday, and completed the application as well. I am currently a college student now, working on a bachelor's in health studies because I didnt make it into the nursing program at my school . I was upset, but I was very happy to find out that there were options like FACT (and also Drexel ACE) out there for students who want to pursue a second degree. So I'm not giving my hopes up, and I am really hoping to get accepted to one of the two programs. I graduate in May (hopefully) and right now I am taking the rest of my prerequisites for the program.
From reading previous posts, I understand that there is a good age range of students entering the program but are there students who just recently graduate the month before (well, weeks before)? I feel like that might stop Jefferson from accepting me...or the fact that I dont have my second chemistry finished and I'm in General Chem I right now. Other than that, Jefferson is my first choice, and the only other school I applied to was Drexel.
I received an email about a week after I did my online application. I then called the admissions counselor and made the appointment for a few days later. Because I had already been accepted to a program last year, all they had to do was update my file with my latest transcript.
If you filed your application online, you should be able to check its status online. But even if you filed online, you still had to mail your transcripts and letters of recommendation, and that can take a little time for everything to catch up. If you're worried, I have found that there's a very nice lady in the admissions office who answers all my questions quickly. I'll PM you with her name, since we're not supposed to post individual names here. But relax once they tell you they have everything! Just let the process move forward. They are pretty quick about it; I have no complaints in that area. The counselor said I would probably get a letter fairly quickly, but it has to go through the admissions committee, so no guarantees exactly when the letter will arrive.
My interview yesterday went fine. It was more or less just an update, do I understand the difference between FACT and the other programs, do I have any questions, etc. I didn't get a whole lot of questions, but that's because I've been through the process before. The admissions counselor recognizes me on sight now!
Accelerated, I know you are concerned about starting some studying before school, so I thought I'd pass along some info the counselor gave me. She said students find it valuable to do a medical terminology course before they start. That way, when the prof. is lecturing, they don't have to be worrying about "what does that mean?". Instead, they can start thinking about the big picture and how things fit together. You can find a medical terminology book on Amazon, I am sure. Or you can take an online course if you want a more rigorous approach.
Also, there's a thread going on in another forum, and one of the posters directed me to a sticky on Allnurses that has to do with pathophysiology. You might want to scroll through those posts -- at your leisure, of course!
Thanks for the response, I was just curious to see what the turn-around time was after your application was complete...I checked my status online and it was complete as of yesterday so now I'm just playing the waiting game Do you know what the application preference column is for on the online app page? Does Jefferson use a ranking system of some sort?
I have found this forum to be so helpful!! I have read through everyone's comments and I think its great to hear from former, current and future students. I actually just mailed all of my application materials yesterday, and completed the application as well. I am currently a college student now, working on a bachelor's in health studies because I didnt make it into the nursing program at my school . I was upset, but I was very happy to find out that there were options like FACT (and also Drexel ACE) out there for students who want to pursue a second degree. So I'm not giving my hopes up, and I am really hoping to get accepted to one of the two programs. I graduate in May (hopefully) and right now I am taking the rest of my prerequisites for the program.
From reading previous posts, I understand that there is a good age range of students entering the program but are there students who just recently graduate the month before (well, weeks before)? I feel like that might stop Jefferson from accepting me...or the fact that I dont have my second chemistry finished and I'm in General Chem I right now. Other than that, Jefferson is my first choice, and the only other school I applied to was Drexel.
jojo
I don't think your age will hurt you...I met with an admissions officer and I graduated in June (this was before graduation), and it seemed my chances were pretty good. As far as your prereqs you can be provisionally accepted as long as the remaining courses are complete by the time you enroll in May. Good luck!! :)
When I was at Jefferson yesterday, I'm pretty sure I saw a FACT student walking down 9th Street, because she was wearing that top and white pants. AGGGGGH! I also think she was wearing a white tee shirt under the tunic; the shirt came up above that lovely square neckline. :chuckle
That's funny! I think I actually have a FACT student who takes my train in the mornings...I take the earliest train possible (~5:30) some days to get to work to start projects early, and there is sometimes one student wearing all white Jeff nursing scrubs (like the ones somebody posted!)....at least I know if I get in I can take the train in the morning and still be okay, depending on my clinical assignment!
I have found this forum to be so helpful!! I have read through everyone's comments and I think its great to hear from former, current and future students. I actually just mailed all of my application materials yesterday, and completed the application as well. I am currently a college student now, working on a bachelor's in health studies because I didnt make it into the nursing program at my school . I was upset, but I was very happy to find out that there were options like FACT (and also Drexel ACE) out there for students who want to pursue a second degree. So I'm not giving my hopes up, and I am really hoping to get accepted to one of the two programs. I graduate in May (hopefully) and right now I am taking the rest of my prerequisites for the program.
From reading previous posts, I understand that there is a good age range of students entering the program but are there students who just recently graduate the month before (well, weeks before)? I feel like that might stop Jefferson from accepting me...or the fact that I dont have my second chemistry finished and I'm in General Chem I right now. Other than that, Jefferson is my first choice, and the only other school I applied to was Drexel.
jojo
Jo jo:
I am a currect FACT student who just finished my first degree in May. I graduated May 10 and started FACT May 23rd! I have probably met 5 or 6 other students who just graduated, and a whole lot that have been out of school for only a year or two. I don't think that has any effect on your acceptance. As for the prereqs.. let's see.. at the time of my interview, I had 3 courses that weren't completed yet. (A&P I which was in progress, A&P II and nutrition). Hope that helps a little!!
I am a currect FACT student who just finished my first degree in May. I graduated May 10 and started FACT May 23rd! I have probably met 5 or 6 other students who just graduated, and a whole lot that have been out of school for only a year or two. I don't think that has any effect on your acceptance. As for the prereqs.. let's see.. at the time of my interview, I had 3 courses that weren't completed yet. (A&P I which was in progress, A&P II and nutrition). Hope that helps a little!!
Hi guys,
I am just curious, why did you decide to go into FACT and become a nurse, if you have Bachelors already in different field and, probably, can get a job by that speciality that you just finished your study?
. I was upset, but I was very happy to find out that there were options like FACT (and also Drexel ACE) out there for students who want to pursue a second degree. So I'm not giving my hopes up, and I am really hoping to get accepted to one of the two programs. I graduate in May (hopefully) and right now I am taking the rest of my prerequisites for the program. 
Do you know what the application preference column is for on the online app page? Does Jefferson use a ranking system of some sort?
AtomicWoman
1,747 Posts
This is my new mantra for myself: Do 2 Years Anywhere. Do 2 Years Anywhere. Do 2 Years Anywhere. ("Anywhere" preferably meaning a hospital, since it seems a lot of hospitals don't consider 2 years at an LTC facility the same as 2 years at a hospital. But if that's the only type of job I can get, I'll take it.)
The Philly job market has gotten so tough, I'm pretty much figuring that it's unlikely I'll get that "dream job" right out of school. (Not that I won't try for it, but I'm not going to depend on it.) It seems that once you have that magical 2 years experience, everything changes. So whoever takes me, I'm there!