TWU Fall 2013 Applicants

Ladybug3 · Apr 17, 2013

Hello future nurses!
Congrats to those who've been accepted! I am currently wrapping up my first semester at TWU Houston campus in their nursing program. Another student and I were chatting yesterday about how far our entire class has come in the last four months and how familiar we are with everything you all are going through. I remember how lost I felt and how happy I was getting my acceptance letter and how relieved I was when a current student reached out to us, so I put together a few pointers for those accepted (I've also requested access to your facebook group).
1.) Immunizations, background checks, and drug checks-- I did my immunizations at UTHSC health clinic. It was the cheapest option for me since I had to do titers and all kinds of work (couldn't access my childhood records). It was a little expensive, but most students went that route. You will be asked to complete your fingerprint background check on your own time on your own dime. Please read this next part carefully: if ANY of you have ever been in even the slightest amount of trouble (i.e. something stupid you might have done even ten years ago) I recommend getting started on your declatory order with the Board of Nursing ASAP. We had about six students forced to drop our clinical class because this process takes so long. Our drug test was done on orientation day. They may do it different for you all, but there was an incredibly long line, so be prepared to stay for a while. You're also going to need to show proof of health insurance when school starts, so if you don't have it, get it.
2.) Schedules and books-- This was a big question for me before I started so here's the layout of my schedule. Keep in mind that everyone's schedule is slightly different (clinical days and lab days vary), but lectures are all the same in the same room. They might put you in a Saturday group too, so be prepared. Monday: 9am-12pm Concepts lecture and 2pm-4:20pm Assessment lecture, Tuesday: Concepts lab/clinical 6am-2pm and Pharmacology lecture 4pm-7:20. Wednesday Assessment lab 9am-1:30 pm. Friday Pathophysiology lecture 8am-12pm I know it looks like a lot and that's because it is. If you work like I do, serious time management skills will be required. As far as books, there is a huge list of them, but my opinion and most of my fellow classmates will tell you not all are needed. EVERYTHING you can possibly buy for Assessment, BUY IT. Concepts, I'd say yeah, buy that giant book, you'll use it. As far as Patho and Pharm? You don't need the book. You might use them for reference so if you have the cash it doesn't hurt, but don't worry about those classes right now.
3.) People at your disposal-- You will be assigned an advisor (faculty member), a mentor (J2 like myself), tutors for every class (usually seniors) and all of your fellow students. Use all of them. Your advisor is mostly there to keep your degree program in check and help you with any special circumstances you might have (they can also help you find work in the summers). Your mentors are there to give you their personal experience (basically exactly what I'm doing), they are incredibly helpful. You will get to know your tutors as you will most likely be attending all of their sessions. They are just there to help and they do a great job. As far as all the other students go, they will be your support system. I'll write a little more about your use to each other in the following paragraph.
4.) Difficulty level-- Okay, this is the part I've been waiting to write about. I know everyone is feeling exactly what I was when I found out I was accepted. Jubilance. And you should. But you should also be warned and prepared about the difficulty level of this program. It is ANYTHING BUT EASY. I probably spent more hours studying this semester than I spent on my entire associates degree. Class difficulty level in my and most students' opinion is as follows from most difficult to easiet: Assessment, Pharm, Concepts, Patho. Do not attempt to read the material the weekend or night before the exam. Nursing school does not work that way. On your first day of Assessment class, your instructors will give you a pie graph of hours studying needed, they are not kidding. You know that awesome GPA you have that you're so proud of? Things are going to change. I have no right to tell you that none of you will make straight A's, but I can tell you I don't know of a single person in my class that has.
Make friends. Form a study group and use them to your advantage. The students in your class will become very close to you in a very short amount of time. You will laugh with them and cry with them. You will watch some drop the program and some do better than you. No one will understand what you are going through better than them. My husband still doesn't understand what the word 'check offs' mean!
5.) During semester costs-- Mainly parking and lunch. There is a parking garage right behind the building where most people park because of it's convenience that costs either $9 per day or $80 a month. You're most likely better off getting the pass since you will practically live on campus. There is also another parking lot across the street that's $5 a day but it's slightly inconvenient and out in the open. There are tons of fun places to eat for lunch within easy walking distance (Starbucks, Chipotle, Subway, Salata, a sushi place and a grill) but prices add up. Most students bring their lunches and store them in one of the refridgerators we have on two different floors. You'll also spend a little money in the cafe/student store on the first floor. Little things, like coffee or pens or snacks or whatever. Our Student Life center on the 2nd floor often offers free coffee and breakfast for students, so use it. Also, if you join TNSA or Student Government you'll get free lunch twice a month.
Please note that I do intend to frighten any of you. Your achievements thus far are incredible, and that's why you've been accepted to one of the best nursing programs there is. The payoff when you've finished the semester or when you finally get a good grade on that exam or check off you worked so hard for feels like you just won a marathon. You will meet people in all different walks of life and they will be there from registration to graduation. I just remember how confused I was when I was exactly where you are and I am just trying to help.
Bottom line is to be prepared for what is ahead of you. If you can gain access to your assessment book and start reading it this summer, do it. That book will become your new bible. But have fun this summer! It'll be the last of your social and family life you'll see in a while!
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask. I just finished my third round of exams and kicked butt, but have finals coming up soon, so I need to study!
Congratulations again to all those accepted to for those that weren't, don't give up! Best of luck to everyone.

Thank you, I appreciate it

guest2512 · Apr 18, 2013

Thank you so much for writing all that!!!

victo · Apr 18, 2013

Thanks for your help. I have been leaning towards TWU and I will probably attend. Thanks again, I appreciate your input.

teddyjames · Apr 18, 2013

Thank you so much for writing this. This is extremely helpful. I do however have one question. I know you mentioned health insurance and I was wondering if you were familiar with any that are affordable? I did not know we were required to have health insurance, just malpractice insurance.

Moneca · Apr 23, 2013

Please what do you guys recommend me for the TEAS test? How is the science portion? what I really need to study? Please help. Thank you. :)

Ladybug3 · Apr 23, 2013

Please what do you guys recommend me for the TEAS test? How is the science portion? what I really need to study? Please help. Thank you. :)

I used the Ati booklet.

I did take it but I don't remember much but I did find a message a friend sent me that was pretty accurate. I was only able to skim two hours before the exam and I got an 83. I hope this helps

The first section was reading. It was mostly answering questions about a few paragraphs you just read. Some of the questions would give you a few sentences and ask which one is considered an 'opinion'. I actually had trouble with this section. I was always behind on time and ended up not getting the last question answered. I think you have to be prepared to move quickly through the questions.

Math was about 30-40 questions that seemed pretty easy, but that's where I'm strongest. Even the few questions that required a simple formula provided the formula, e.g., converting Celsius to Farenheit. There were 2-3 metric conversions but even then, they gave the formula; example, how many centimeters in a yard, and then they give you the equivalency of inches to centimeters. If dimentional analysis is something you can do, then this won't be a problem. Know how to do this: (3x + y)(x-2). There are a few of those. There was a question or two over roman numerals, so just know the lesser used numerals like L, D, C, and M.

Science was a bit of a problem. I'm a chemistry guy and not so much a biology guy. The science section was about 75% biology in my estimation. Chemistry was just some general concepts about mass number and atomic number. There was one question where you had to balance an equation to get the answer. Know about covalent, ionic bonds. Biology-wise there were a few questions about meiosis vs mitosis, diploid vs haploid, etc. Cell membrane structure was covered some. The test hit on natural selection vs adaptation some. There were a couple of questions on genetic using the old red flower crossed with white flower outcome scenario.

Grammar was the last section. It was mostly looking at a single sentence and picking out errors like punctuation and verb tense. There were a few questions where you would choose a couple of words that would best complete a sentence. You need to know about conjunctive adverbs, and pick out word modifiers like pronouns

root.user · Apr 25, 2013

Hey everyone and congrats on those that have received the letters and emails so far.

Just a quick intro: I am a current Junior 1 at TWU-Houston and about to finish up this first semester. Looks like someone else beat me to the punch on giving the Houston crowd a heads up. On the other hand it is probably more information and better written than what I was thinking. The only real difference for me was my clinical and labs landed on Weds/Thur.

The other reason I got on today was to test the waters in an idea that was floated past me. It is possible that we may be able to set up another event (around orientation days - yes plural) or incorporate a 1-2 hours into an orientation day to talk about developing critical thinking skills and nursing school test taking techniques.

So far the idea is still in its infancy, but may be something that is ready to go by August. Are there any Houston people (accepted or pending) that would be interested?

Ladybug3 · Apr 26, 2013

Hey everyone and congrats on those that have received the letters and emails so far.
Just a quick intro: I am a current Junior 1 at TWU-Houston and about to finish up this first semester. Looks like someone else beat me to the punch on giving the Houston crowd a heads up. On the other hand it is probably more information and better written than what I was thinking. The only real difference for me was my clinical and labs landed on Weds/Thur.
The other reason I got on today was to test the waters in an idea that was floated past me. It is possible that we may be able to set up another event (around orientation days - yes plural) or incorporate a 1-2 hours into an orientation day to talk about developing critical thinking skills and nursing school test taking techniques.
So far the idea is still in its infancy, but may be something that is ready to go by August. Are there any Houston people (accepted or pending) that would be interested?

I would

tessthebest · Apr 26, 2013

Me toooo:) we can take all the help we can get from people that have already been in our situation!

Moneca · May 24, 2013

Hey Ladybug3,

Thank you so much for taking the time of answering my question. I am studying the ATI, however I am using another book that is more complex and has a lot things that the ATI does not provide. My questions is how much physics is on the test? I am not a physics person and either geologist, that is why I am so concern about the test. Also, what was your score on the test? because I am planning to apply but my GPA is 4.67 and they said is too low, so this summer I am going to retake a class and raise my GPA. Do I need to know all the formulas for the condensation, and all that stuff? also, I want to know what I need to study for anatomy? I hope you can tell me a little bit more. Thank you so much.

Moneca · May 24, 2013

Sorry my GPA is not 4.67 ( I wish) is 3.47. Thanks. Also, I only have an A on my first attempt, that is statistics.

Ladybug3 · May 25, 2013

Sorry my GPA is not 4.67 ( I wish) is 3.47. Thanks. Also I only have an A on my first attempt, that is statistics.[/quote']
Give me some time to go over the book and see what I can remember. I took it a year ago and was pregnant and had horrible pregnancy brain. I will see what I can remember and post it as soon as I can