THR ( Texas Health Resources )/ El Centro ADN program Fall 2013

joshsmother · Feb 27, 2014

When are you going to apply? I know that there have been some changes for admission so you would want to make sure you get the updated packet. Also the tuition reimbursement for books have changed so you will have to pay for the books up front and get reimbursed. The last I checked the package was 1700. I don't think anything else is different but if you have a specific question, feel free to ask away! And I wish you luck :)[/quote']
Applying in April after my Hesi. I did not know reimbursement changed. I planned to use it. How does it work now. Hoping for 30 points. Hesi wiill decide

trini_rn2be · Feb 28, 2014

Well for my semester, we were able to get the package of ebooks and then the bill would be invoiced to the tuition reimbursement department. This semester I found out that now you have to buy it and get reimbursed at the end just like you do for your classes and ATI. So just a heads up that you will have to come out of pocket 2500 because I know the package is 1700 and ATI is 250 and of course there are uniforms, supplies and other little fees you have to pay for. I just wanted to put that out there because it came as a surprise to the current J1 students and many could not afford to do it or had to scramble. I can also tell you that it is a lot more expensive to buy individually (I was one of the few students that did not have enough reimbursement to even qualify) so I mean sometimes you do what you have to but at least you have a heads up.

CSTtoRN · Feb 28, 2014

Do you mind sharing how many points you got in with and are you an employee?

trini_rn2be · Mar 1, 2014

yes I am an employee ( part time) and everyone in our class is even though it is not a requirement. An immediate, dependent family member of an employee is eligible as well. Also, you only have to be PRN to be eligible and as soon as you are hired on you are eligible to apply. As far as points, honestly I don't remember. I just looked at my paperwork and it does not say anywhere!!!!! At the time I applied, we had to have all the classes 5 pre reqs and 5 supporting classes done. On my hesi I had As on all the sections expect A&P which I had an 88 ( so overall score was a 91) and I do have another degree so many of the classes for the BSN, I already have. BUt, this is not the demographic of my whole class. Some ( most ) classmates had bare minimum classes and scores on Hesi and got in. I think to ease your mind you should go to one of the info sessions they have for the program. I know that more people are applying but if you have a GPA higher than a 3.0 and Hesi scores that are either As or Bs I really do not see why you would not get in and I say this because I know a lot of people in my class and the new class and well yeah.

Keep in mind the requirements have changed. I know it is now out of 40 points?? but the math requirement changed and I am not sure now what THR is requiring you to have. My class was the last class for the old point system and the first class for the new Concept based curriculum. So you will have to review the new packets online or contact the Center for Learning.

joshsmother · Mar 1, 2014

No more training sessions... I asked. I lost 2 points with this new system and feel less confident now.

CSTtoRN · Mar 1, 2014

Thanks for sharing! I actually applied for Spring and a C brought my GPA on the support classes down too much. I'm retaking it and I took another for a better grade but they changed the points for Fall. Hopefully my 28 points gets me in.

CSTtoRN · Mar 1, 2014

No more training sessions... I asked. I lost 2 points with this new system and feel less confident now.

Me too! I was hopeful with retaking my classes because I would have had another point or so.

joshsmother · Mar 2, 2014

How is the curriculum? So many people have said I should be able to stay full time during my first semester cause I am a tech and it will be easy for me. Is semester 1 foundations? I already do Vitals and stuff. Just curious. Thanks for all the help!!!!!!

trini_rn2be · Mar 3, 2014

Hey So don't feel discouraged first off... it seems to me you guys are competitive enough to apply so I would not worry too much. As for first semester. If you want to get any advice for nursing school coming in you will have to ask someone like me that started in August 2013 or later. Anyone who started before will be under the old curriculum. I would say this, with the old curriculum it seemed much more plausible to work full time etc. I can share with you what it is like and what we did and I guess you can judge from what you heard from upperclassmen. So, because we were the first class and I guess scheduling was off we were in class 4-5 days a week. I think this semester the J1s are doing 6 10hr clinicals for the semester and skills is 12 hours one day and class is like 4 hours the next day ( 2 2hr classes). So scheduling is a little better for them. Skills class included 4 check offs : Physical assessment, sterile dressing changes, insertion of foleys, IV piggy backs/ IV fluids, IM, SubQ, PO meds. Even though we just had these check offs were learned NG tubes, starting IVs, Trach suctioning and care. Among other things. Many worked full time but it was really tough for us. I think now that everything is settling in, you should be gone 3 days tops so it should be better time wise to be able to manage it all. But that is just your skills portion in a nutshell. Then of course you have your main lecture course, a path course and a professional nursing course. The main lecture course is what really needs attention because that is the one that has the HESI final at the end which is 30 % of your lecture,professional nursing and Patho class. Yep serious stuff! If you understand ahead of time the commitment you would have to have if you decide to do full time and of course have your family responsibilities then I think you should be fine. I know myself and I needed to be part time... preferably prn :) but that is just me. I will tell you it has been done and many in my class still are full time. I am glad to answer what I can, let me know if you need anything else.

joshsmother · Mar 5, 2014

Hey So don't feel discouraged first off... it seems to me you guys are competitive enough to apply so I would not worry too much. As for first semester. If you want to get any advice for nursing school coming in you will have to ask someone like me that started in August 2013 or later. Anyone who started before will be under the old curriculum. I would say this, with the old curriculum it seemed much more plausible to work full time etc. I can share with you what it is like and what we did and I guess you can judge from what you heard from upperclassmen. So, because we were the first class and I guess scheduling was off we were in class 4-5 days a week. I think this semester the J1s are doing 6 10hr clinicals for the semester and skills is 12 hours one day and class is like 4 hours the next day ( 2 2hr classes). So scheduling is a little better for them. Skills class included 4 check offs : Physical assessment, sterile dressing changes, insertion of foleys, IV piggy backs/ IV fluids, IM, SubQ, PO meds. Even though we just had these check offs were learned NG tubes, starting IVs, Trach suctioning and care. Among other things. Many worked full time but it was really tough for us. I think now that everything is settling in, you should be gone 3 days tops so it should be better time wise to be able to manage it all. But that is just your skills portion in a nutshell. Then of course you have your main lecture course, a path course and a professional nursing course. The main lecture course is what really needs attention because that is the one that has the HESI final at the end which is 30 % of your lecture,professional nursing and Patho class. Yep serious stuff! If you understand ahead of time the commitment you would have to have if you decide to do full time and of course have your family responsibilities then I think you should be fine. I know myself and I needed to be part time... preferably prn :) but that is just me. I will tell you it has been done and many in my class still are full time. I am glad to answer what I can, let me know if you need anything else.[/quote
What is your job title?

trini_rn2be · Mar 6, 2014

pharmacy technician

joshsmother · Mar 6, 2014

pharmacy technician

So how long are your shifts? I do 3 12's as a tech. They are long days and leave no time for studying when I get home cause I am physically worn out! Thinking I may try to move into a work clerk position.