TWU vs UTHSC (accelerated programs)

PMHNP10 · Apr 14, 2008

[*]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 cannot help you much because I went through UT-H's RN-BSN program, but what I can say is that by choosing that school, I believe you have the opportunity to take up to 11 hrs of grad classes as an undergrad at undergrad rates--check with the student affairs folks to be sure, because I could be incorrect.

Once you graduate as a RN and get some experience doing whatever it is you want to do before returning for grad school, having attended UT-H and applying to UT-H grad school (which boasts about having a rating for their grad school in the top 5% of the country) gives you a bit of an advantage if you've made positive contacts with nursing faculty.

Good luck in the program.

TX_Engr2RN · Apr 22, 2008

I was accepted to the UTHSC 12 mos. fast track program, TWU 15 mos. fast track program, and TWU's 2-yr traditional program.

I ended up attending TWU in both the fast track (15 mos.) as well as the traditional (2-yrs) programs. In the end, I think I ended up taking 2.5 yrs to finish. I, for one, would NOT RECOMMEND the fast track program. And if I could go back and do everything over again, I would recommend the traditional program from the start. Why?? Here are my reasons:

#1.

TWU's fast track program is NOT what it sounds like it should be, or maybe it was because of the challenge of being a "start-up" program. I was extremely attracted to the idea of investing 12-15 mos. of my life to get this degree done and start contributing in the field. I was a bit reserved at TWU's program structure when I compared their fast track program to the traditional program. Their fast track program takes 4 full semesters (4-5 courses per Fall or Spring terms) and cram it into:

(1) Maymester/Summer

(2) Fall term

(3) Spring term

(4) Maymester/Summer.

My point here is: THERE IS NO TIME FOR YOU TO LEARN AND ALLOW THE MATERIAL TO "SINK-IN". All you do is cram, cram, cram, and hope you pass the tests.

You don't have time to ask questions, and in the truncated time table, they still require you to do outside school individual and group projects/papers in the same fashion as the traditional program. I didn't mind the work, but they did not work with the students to setup resources (i.e., RNs to interview or verify with local organization/group meetings to allow a group of students to attend) and only allowed 2-3 days to get things done WHILE expected to maintain didactic and clinical plans.

#2.

You get the 10:1 student:preceptor ratio, but that is true regardless whether you attend a fast-track or traditional program. I was told that that was a state mandate (I did not verify with state laws).

The only advantage of the fast track clinicals is during summer terms when you go to clinicals 2-3 days/wk for about 3 weeks, and you're done! You also are more likely to get the same patients back because your clinicals tend to be consecutive days. During the Fall and Spring terms, you go back to completing didactic and clinicals with students in the traditional programs.

#3.

Until TWU restructures their program to be more suitable for fast track, I honestly do not feel that a student can have adequate preparations. During the initial Maymester/Summer terms, there was so much information thrown at me that I regurgitated well enough on the exams, but had to relearn when I slowed down. I would have much rather invested the time and money to attend classes during summer terms to help reduce stress during Fall/Spring terms.

#4.

The big job fairs/hiring rounds by hospitals are more geared towards May and December graduations. I recall some of the fast track graduates had a harder time finding jobs because hospitals' HR were not as active with recruiting during the summers.

On a personal note, I was absolutely miserable AND A PILL to my family and friends while in nursing school, esp. during fast track. I felt like the biggest failure when I switched into the traditional program, but my quality of life improved by 10-folds! I had time to think through new materials/experiences from school, and a better attitude towards my family and what's left of my friends.

Fast track may be a good program for some of you, but do a thorough life assessment before you do it because in this short period of 12-15 months, you'll be testing all parts of your life and those you love. Good luck to you all!

jspacegirl · Apr 22, 2008

I was accepted to the UTHSC 12 mos. fast track program, TWU 15 mos. fast track program, and TWU's 2-yr traditional program.
I ended up attending TWU in both the fast track (15 mos.) as well as the traditional (2-yrs) programs. In the end, I think I ended up taking 2.5 yrs to finish. I, for one, would NOT RECOMMEND the fast track program. And if I could go back and do everything over again, I would recommend the traditional program from the start. Why?? Here are my reasons:
#1.
TWU's fast track program is NOT what it sounds like it should be, or maybe it was because of the challenge of being a "start-up" program. I was extremely attracted to the idea of investing 12-15 mos. of my life to get this degree done and start contributing in the field. I was a bit reserved at TWU's program structure when I compared their fast track program to the traditional program. Their fast track program takes 4 full semesters (4-5 courses per Fall or Spring terms) and cram it into:
(1) Maymester/Summer
(2) Fall term
(3) Spring term
(4) Maymester/Summer.
My point here is: THERE IS NO TIME FOR YOU TO LEARN AND ALLOW THE MATERIAL TO "SINK-IN". All you do is cram, cram, cram, and hope you pass the tests.
You don't have time to ask questions, and in the truncated time table, they still require you to do outside school individual and group projects/papers in the same fashion as the traditional program. I didn't mind the work, but they did not work with the students to setup resources (i.e., RNs to interview or verify with local organization/group meetings to allow a group of students to attend) and only allowed 2-3 days to get things done WHILE expected to maintain didactic and clinical plans.
#2.
You get the 10:1 student:preceptor ratio, but that is true regardless whether you attend a fast-track or traditional program. I was told that that was a state mandate (I did not verify with state laws).
The only advantage of the fast track clinicals is during summer terms when you go to clinicals 2-3 days/wk for about 3 weeks, and you're done! You also are more likely to get the same patients back because your clinicals tend to be consecutive days. During the Fall and Spring terms, you go back to completing didactic and clinicals with students in the traditional programs.
#3.
Until TWU restructures their program to be more suitable for fast track, I honestly do not feel that a student can have adequate preparations. During the initial Maymester/Summer terms, there was so much information thrown at me that I regurgitated well enough on the exams, but had to relearn when I slowed down. I would have much rather invested the time and money to attend classes during summer terms to help reduce stress during Fall/Spring terms.
#4.
The big job fairs/hiring rounds by hospitals are more geared towards May and December graduations. I recall some of the fast track graduates had a harder time finding jobs because hospitals' HR were not as active with recruiting during the summers.
On a personal note, I was absolutely miserable AND A PILL to my family and friends while in nursing school, esp. during fast track. I felt like the biggest failure when I switched into the traditional program, but my quality of life improved by 10-folds! I had time to think through new materials/experiences from school, and a better attitude towards my family and what's left of my friends.
Fast track may be a good program for some of you, but do a thorough life assessment before you do it because in this short period of 12-15 months, you'll be testing all parts of your life and those you love. Good luck to you all!

I am currently in TWU's fast track program, and the only thing that differentiates it from the regular program is that your first and last semesters take place during the summer, which is a bit more compressed than in the fall and spring. During the fall and spring, you are lumped in with the traditional students, and are on the same pace as they are. Most accelerated programs are 15 months and structured the same as TWU's, so I think it is unfair to single theirs out as being not well organized.

Are the summers stressful? Yes! Did I survive? Yes! We have only lost 3 out of the original 30 students we started out with, and that was because they didn't pass one of their classes.

Although I wouldn't have done it any other way, I will agree that the job outlook isn't as rosy as it is for traditional students, because most hospitals don't offer fall internships, and if they do, it's usually just for med/surg. I don't think any of us will have a problem finding a job, but it just might not be exactly what we wanted to start out with. The plus side is that you don't have as many other applicants to compete against.

Just my :twocents:

TX_Engr2RN · Apr 23, 2008

Most accelerated programs are 15 months and structured the same as TWU's, so I think it is unfair to single theirs out as being not well organized.
Are the summers stressful? Yes! Did I survive? Yes! We have only lost 3 out of the original 30 students we started out with, and that was because they didn't pass one of their classes.
Although I wouldn't have done it any other way, I will agree that the job outlook isn't as rosy as it is for traditional students, because most hospitals don't offer fall internships, and if they do, it's usually just for med/surg. I don't think any of us will have a problem finding a job, but it just might not be exactly what we wanted to start out with.

I am a fellow TWU Alumni, and I was not trying to single out their accelerated program. TWU is a good school and I am proud to be a graduate. My post was merely my views/opinions of TWU's fast track program, as that is the only program to which I was most familiar. Although I was accepted to UTHSC's fast track, I declined it because I felt 12 months was too fast... therefore I feel inappropriate to post about their program.

I agree with you... that it IS doable... and that it IS stressful. :wtosts:

:bowingpur My recommendation still stands, and I do hope those seeking accelerated programs think through beyond just time/$$, and include how such an intense program may affect all aspects of their lives before accepting.

I wish you and those in these programs (yes, even programs other than TWU's or UTHSC's fast track!) much focus, strength, and luck in becoming RNs. :nurse:

horus2001 · Apr 23, 2008

so it seems based on what i have experienced and what others have at TWU the real difference is the time of graduation (end of summer vs. may). it really does seem like a wash between the two schools. as far as the UT undergrad contacts for the masters, i think that may be true. i know it has helped several of my classmates. it makes it easier to apply to the programs since all of your records are already in the UT system, the scramble to transfer transcripts is not there.

what others have said about the impact to both your health and personal life is tremendous. the spouse that was supportive and understanding in the begining may show signs of weariness at the seemingly never-ending compressed papers-tests-objectives cycle. it can hurt relationships and unless you have some incredible child-care arrangements set up, you will stress of that.

for me, as the pain of the program starts to fade and the job opportunities present themselves, i start to think i would do it over again if i had to...

sbyramRN · Apr 24, 2008

UT would be my choice.