TWU vs UTHSC (accelerated programs)

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I am accepted into the accelerated programs at UT Houston Texas Woman's University (I know, terrible problem to have! J ) Both are excellent nursing programs and I am trying to figure out how I choose one over the other and wondered if you have any experiences with the programs or advice that might help me narrow it down. Is there a difference in the professionalism and preparedness of the students that you have seen? Here are the basic differences that I know of:

Differences: UTHSC: 12 month program (May - May), theory/didactic classes all online, slightly more expensive, 1:1 student/clinical instructor ratio

TWU: 15 month program (May - August), theory/didactic classes online and in person, slightly less expensive, 10:1 student/clinical instructor ratio

Similarities: Both accelerated BSN, excellent clinical experiences, school reputation

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i will comment on this since i was in the 1 year program. 12 months is too short, i think 15 months would have been better. TWU's program will be a mass of confusion because it is the first year and they are still finding their way. BUT...UT is also in a state of confusion and change because they never make up their minds or communicate across groups and don't always tell you everything you need to know.

just on the clinicals alone: i would choose UT, the one on one preceptorship is great, it really gives you a great chance to learn and work almost as a nurse. i have done a few clinicals which were 10 to 1 with a clincal instructor running the show. they were good when the instructor was really excited to be there, when they were apathetic...well let us say you go to go home a little earlier than the students whose instructors were serious about the experience.

the only caution i would have about the preceptor clinicals is who you get. some preceptors i have had are amazing and i would trust with my life, others were not thrilled to have me around i spent most of my time sitting on my hands at the nurses station. the only other issue is night/day shifts. since they need to get 40 preceptors, you might get a nightshift clinical. not a bad thing if you have a great preceptor or are in an ICU clincial. i had the unfortunate combination of nightshifts and a lazy preceptor and it made for a miserable experience, especially at 4:00am.

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Just curious...how prepared were you when you got out into the field? I know that everyone feels like a fish out of water when they get out of school, but did you feel like it was too much too fast?

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i thought you got in to the regular 2 yr program at TWU....i also applied to the fasttrack but i got into the 2yr instead...im going to accept cause i was offered several scholarships.i'm looking forward to it , and im going to take patho this summer as someone here recommended.

go to both schools and decide, but i feel twu made be feel so welcomed and appreciated.

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i just read your previos thread....wow congrats......(now reject twus offer so i can have a spot)...lol

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i thought you got in to the regular 2 yr program at TWU....i also applied to the fasttrack but i got into the 2yr instead...im going to accept cause i was offered several scholarships.i'm looking forward to it , and im going to take patho this summer as someone here recommended.

go to both schools and decide, but i feel twu made be feel so welcomed and appreciated.

I did originally get into the 2 yr program at TWU, but a spot opened up and they called to offer me a spot in fast track. Still trying to decide but leaning towards UTHSC based on their 1:1 preceptorship and reputation in the community.

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i thought you got in to the regular 2 yr program at TWU....i also applied to the fasttrack but i got into the 2yr instead...im going to accept cause i was offered several scholarships.i'm looking forward to it , and im going to take patho this summer as someone here recommended.

go to both schools and decide, but i feel twu made be feel so welcomed and appreciated.

I did originally get into the 2 yr program at TWU, but a spot opened up and they called to offer me a spot in fast track. Still trying to decide but leaning towards UTHSC based on their 1:1 preceptorship and reputation in the community.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i will comment on this since i was in the 1 year program. 12 months is too short, i think 15 months would have been better. TWU's program will be a mass of confusion because it is the first year and they are still finding their way. BUT...UT is also in a state of confusion and change because they never make up their minds or communicate across groups and don't always tell you everything you need to know.

just on the clinicals alone: i would choose UT, the one on one preceptorship is great, it really gives you a great chance to learn and work almost as a nurse. i have done a few clinicals which were 10 to 1 with a clincal instructor running the show. they were good when the instructor was really excited to be there, when they were apathetic...well let us say you go to go home a little earlier than the students whose instructors were serious about the experience.

the only caution i would have about the preceptor clinicals is who you get. some preceptors i have had are amazing and i would trust with my life, others were not thrilled to have me around i spent most of my time sitting on my hands at the nurses station. the only other issue is night/day shifts. since they need to get 40 preceptors, you might get a nightshift clinical. not a bad thing if you have a great preceptor or are in an ICU clincial. i had the unfortunate combination of nightshifts and a lazy preceptor and it made for a miserable experience, especially at 4:00am.

Horus (or any other current/former UT bacc2 student), would you mind expanding on your clinical experiences?

Also, I had a few other general questions I have concerning the accelerated (bacc2) program at UT:

  • How difficult is it to maintain decent grades? I'm normally an A student, but I realize it may not be feasable to keep a 4.0 in nursing school alone much less the bacc2 program.
  • Do you think graduates from bacc2 have any more or less chance of admission to graduate nursing programs? (due to potentially lower GPAs and less classroom time)
  • Do you interact with other students at all or is it pretty much a solo venture? I'm still not clear on exactly how often the bacc2 students are on campus.
  • Any idea how many failed out / dropped out?
  • Is it true there is a 100% NCLEX pass rate for bacc2?
  • Do bacc2 students use the clinical labs on campus?
  • Are there good study places on campus or do people generally study solo? I know I will not be able to just stay home all day; I will need to develop some sort of routine as if I have a set class time so that I get it all done.
  • Did you feel like the bacc2 students missed out on the interaction with professors or is the clinical preceptorship enough interaction to feel well supported?
  • Are tests for bacc2 given online or do you take them at the school?

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I dont know anything about UT but...

I agree with horus2001- the 12 months is way too fast. I am in a "regular program", and can barely keep up with that. I cant imagine doing 2x the work!

The 10:1 ratio isnt that bad. For all the clinicals that I have been in, I was alwasy assigned to a nurse to follow- my clinical instructor would come around and make sure we were doing okay and quiz us. I like it b/c if I dont like the nurse I am with that day, I dont have to be with her for the rest of the semester. I am learning a lot!

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would you mind expanding on your clinical experiences?

some have been great: the icu, psych, pedi and professional role (adult 3) have been really enjoyable.

i did a round at a major hospital med/surg at night(fall), worst experience ever. it was night, difficult to switch my circadian cycle back and forth. my preceptor was not from the US. after about 11:00, each ethnic group of nurses sat and chatted until blood draws (4:00am). i just sat by myself or wandered the floor. the other med/surg was ortho (first clinical of the summer), i was not used to poop, fluids, bathing 90 year olds...

  • How difficult is it to maintain decent grades? I'm normally an A student, but I realize it may not be feasable to keep a 4.0 in nursing school alone much less the bacc2 program.

you can do it but it is not really worth it if you want a life. mostly employers look for people who are personable, not A students. i know students who were A's students who did not get job offers because they did not mesh with the culture of the hospital.

  • Do you think graduates from bacc2 have any more or less chance of admission to graduate nursing programs? (due to potentially lower GPAs and less classroom time)

i don't think there is much of a difference. the big one, CRNA requires two years of work (ICU) before entering the program so grades are not as big a deal. The other programs depend, the geriatric program is in dire need of students so it is not as competitive.

  • Do you interact with other students at all or is it pretty much a solo venture? I'm still not clear on exactly how often the bacc2 students are on campus.

we are on campus every tuesday, any time we have simulation labs, or group meetings or tests.

  • Any idea how many failed out / dropped out?

between us and galveston, we lost about 12 (maybe less). the killer was ob/pedi.

  • Is it true there is a 100% NCLEX pass rate for bacc2?

i think it is like 95% but everyone did pass last year at some point.

  • Do bacc2 students use the clinical labs on campus?

yes, sim labs and a lot of time on the 4th floor,

  • Are there good study places on campus or do people generally study solo? I know I will not be able to just stay home all day; I will need to develop some sort of routine as if I have a set class time so that I get it all done.

most people found a place to study. the parking is expensive and 10 dollars a day to study is pricey. some hung out at cafes and bookstores others at home.

  • Did you feel like the bacc2 students missed out on the interaction with professors or is the clinical preceptorship enough interaction to feel well supported?

i did miss some of the interaction but most of the professors are good about office hours. you do get to know some really well, mostly the ones you do clinical instruction with.

  • Are tests for bacc2 given online or do you take them at the school?

all tests are taken at school, most are in the computer lab, a few pen and paper.

the first class is on-line, open book-nursing research is the class. mostly they are not open book and some are comprehensive. our ob/pedi was comprehensive over 1600 pages of text, not open book.

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Just curious...how prepared were you when you got out into the field? I know that everyone feels like a fish out of water when they get out of school, but did you feel like it was too much too fast?

when you get out of school, you are a baby nurse no matter where you come from so don't worry. the school is the foundation, the work is the real experience...

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I declined the offer from TWU for fast track. It was one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make but I weighed it carefully and feel like the UT Houston accelerated program is the best for me. The main factors that made me choose UT is the fact it is 12 months (vs. 15 mo at TWU) and I need to be back in the work force asap since I'm taking loans to finance my education. Also someone mentioned to me a very good point that the traditional BSN program at UT is 15 months and is a better program than TWU Fast Track (their opinion).

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