UCF Traditional and Accelerated BSN-2014

Kristenleigh · Jan 30, 2014

Does anyone else have attempts for employment verification? I guess my employee hasn't answered the phone when they've called :/ and certified profile is closed today...I asked an advisor at my appointment today but she didnt know if that would prevent me from being accepted. Thanks!

missind33 · Jan 30, 2014

I didn't even include former employer information. I contacted the center and they told me it was fine, and that if there's any problems with the background check that they will contact you

Aquatica · Jan 30, 2014

Mine was attempted as well, but also did not go through because my manager didn't pick up. They won't make more attempts because it would cost more to do so, and UCF's package states that if anything will cost more to be done, that it will not be done. Employment not being verified, as far as I have been notified, is no issue. I asked UCF CON when my check came in if it was all clear and good, and she said it was. I would assume she would have notified me then and there that it needed to be verified if that were the case. I can't see UCF caring too much if you're employed or not anyways.

Kristenleigh · Jan 30, 2014

Okay thanks! Yeah that's what I figured but just wanted to be sure :)

zeus&lincoln · Jan 30, 2014

Hey all-

I graduated from the accel program in August and wanted to share a few things about the program... Things I wished someone had shared with me.

1. Try not to fixate so much on your stats. I know, harder to do than to say. However, people in our class ranged from excellent stats to mediocre, and their stats definitely didn't dictate what kind of nurse they'd become.

2. No, you do not need patient care experience to be successful in school. Most of us had zero patient care experience prior to entering NS. Some of us had long-time sick relatives so we had some experience with the hospitals and nursing lingo but aside from that nada! I would definitely encourage you to pursue a nurse tech position after your second semester of NS. You don't need a CNA license in FL to be a NT as long as you've done one clinical rotation in NS, hence applying after your second semester. Not only will the nursing skills come to you quicker as a tech but you'll form invaluable connections and networks that will certainly help you on the job hunt.

3. I found the first semester to be hard because of busy work, group projects and getting acclimated to full time school again. Second semester was difficult for some due to the sheer number of exams. You are literally being tested every week and sometimes multiple times during the week. This is also the first semester you are doing clinicals in the hospital. You have a med-surg clinical and then peds/OB-GYN. Then your third semester will be a breeze. You're taking adult 2 ,psych and a research course and having corresponding clinicals. Last semester is similar to the first in that you have tons of busy work, group projects and are juggling practicum and studying for boards.

Overall the program was great. I feel like I was prepared well. I will say that you will not be ready to be a "real-working" nurse by the time you graduate, so get that out of your head now. There is just too much to know to know it all, Too many skills that you haven't done because of time constraints or because they weren't available during clinicals. Do not worry about this at all. Find a good graduate program like FL hospital or ORMC with an extended training program and you will be prepared to take on a full patient assignment within 2-5 months post graduation. I've been working in the NICU at FL hospital and am just about to come off orientation and it wasn't until last week that I felt like a nurse... Like I could take on a full assignment and be competent. It takes time but is was definitely the right decision to pursue this career. There are so many options in nursing and so many options that you wouldn't have considered or known about until you are in NS. Good luck. You can inbox me if you have any additional questions.

lexipark · Jan 31, 2014

Hey all-
I graduated from the accel program in August and wanted to share a few things about the program... Things I wished someone had shared with me.
1. Try not to fixate so much on your stats. I know, harder to do than to say. However, people in our class ranged from excellent stats to mediocre, and their stats definitely didn't dictate what kind of nurse they'd become.
2. No, you do not need patient care experience to be successful in school. Most of us had zero patient care experience prior to entering NS. Some of us had long-time sick relatives so we had some experience with the hospitals and nursing lingo but aside from that nada! I would definitely encourage you to pursue a nurse tech position after your second semester of NS. You don't need a CNA license in FL to be a NT as long as you've done one clinical rotation in NS, hence applying after your second semester. Not only will the nursing skills come to you quicker as a tech but you'll form invaluable connections and networks that will certainly help you on the job hunt.
3. I found the first semester to be hard because of busy work, group projects and getting acclimated to full time school again. Second semester was difficult for some due to the sheer number of exams. You are literally being tested every week and sometimes multiple times during the week. This is also the first semester you are doing clinicals in the hospital. You have a med-surg clinical and then peds/OB-GYN. Then your third semester will be a breeze. You're taking adult 2 ,psych and a research course and having corresponding clinicals. Last semester is similar to the first in that you have tons of busy work, group projects and are juggling practicum and studying for boards.
Overall the program was great. I feel like I was prepared well. I will say that you will not be ready to be a "real-working" nurse by the time you graduate, so get that out of your head now. There is just too much to know to know it all, Too many skills that you haven't done because of time constraints or because they weren't available during clinicals. Do not worry about this at all. Find a good graduate program like FL hospital or ORMC with an extended training program and you will be prepared to take on a full patient assignment within 2-5 months post graduation. I've been working in the NICU at FL hospital and am just about to come off orientation and it wasn't until last week that I felt like a nurse... Like I could take on a full assignment and be competent. It takes time but is was definitely the right decision to pursue this career. There are so many options in nursing and so many options that you wouldn't have considered or known about until you are in NS. Good luck. You can inbox me if you have any additional questions.

Thank you soo much for sharing!! This is all such great info and congrats on making it through the program and finding a great career :)

Aquatica · Jan 31, 2014

Wow, that was some great advice. Thank you! I didn't know about the NT thing, so I'm glad you shared that. I assumed you'd have to be certified, but I guess not, which is great for someone like me who may need the cash but just has no chance at finding a flexible enough job. But if they know you're in school, then I'm going to go with they've gotta be flexible with you or they wouldn't want students in the first place. Awesome.

Well, January is finally ending today. Only 15 days of February until the REAL countdown begins. :nailbiting:

zeus&lincoln · Jan 31, 2014

Nope, you just need to have one clinical rotation in the hospital. A nurse tech is like a CNA but with an expanded job description. You can take out IVs, foleys, perform acchecks (blood sugar), EKGs, etc. Basically you can perform any skill you were checked off in Essentials. Definitely not a requirement to get a NT job while in school. I think I was one of three to do this. Many of my classmates got into great floors (ICUs and pcus) without teching.

Not to freak anyone out but you won't have time to work in this program until you're third semester of school. Not so much because of the difficultly of the program but because of the reading requirements, clinical rotations, class time, care plans, and every other project that you're required to do.

I would certainly not use this job for the money. The pay is crap and the amount of hours you'll be able to work is minimal. No, the hospitals aren't flexible with students. They are a business. If they need you to work and you're unavailable, you're of no use to them. That is why I would advise taking a per diem job. That's what I did. It allows you to set up your own schedule (...and you'll get it if they need you) and only requires you to work three days a month. I'd advise taking this position for the networking NOT to have enough money to pay your bills. Most of my cohort took out loans. Our loans were minimal and in 15 months, you'll be able to start paying them off. I am so glad I took out loans so I didn't need to stress about finances. I could devote myself entirely to the program. The job provided a little extra income but definitely didn't "pay the bills." I just didn't want anyone thinking that a NT job would solve their financial woes.

Again, some people just took out loans and didn't tech and they were perfectly fine. Found positions and excelled in school. I was neurotic about finding a job after reading about the harsh job market that I would be encountering so I wanted to set myself up in the best possible way I could. That's the only reason I took the position.

Aquatica · Jan 31, 2014

Thank you for the detailed clarification. I'm going to be going the loan route as well, so I don't expect bills to be paid from an NT job. I seriously don't expect it to pay for anything beyond my lunch (Or coffee! :coffee: ) one random day when I'm in need of it basically. :lol2: But it's those connections I itch for, just like you. I guess I was mostly just mistaken about the flexibility. I did a little research on it after your posting, and since I read mentions that it was mostly a position for students, I assumed they'd expect per diem type work only really. That would likely be what I aim for anyways though- just a day or so a week whenever possible. But whatever gets me in the door is worth it.

Thanks again! You're great insight into the program, and your praise of it definitely helps me feel more at ease about my choice to apply to UCF. I have heard plenty of chatter from those not in the program about how they've heard it's great, so even more word from someone who has 'been there and done that' is great.

Future-Murse · Jan 31, 2014

Zeus&Lincoln, thank you so much. It's nice to get a new grad students input on the program and what to expect.

ERNurse127 · Feb 2, 2014

Hi all,

Zeus&Lincoln gave you all wonderful advice! I just graduated in August 2013 from the accel program with her. Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions or need advice on something. I told myself when I graduated that I would always be open to helping out future nurses through my experiences or advice. I know you're all in a holding pattern, waiting on acceptance letters...I've been there and know how awful the wait is! Just hang in there.

I'm also about to finish up my Graduate Nurse program at Florida Hospital, in the ED. Being a nurse is 10000 times harder than I thought it would be, but also 100 times better. You're all in for such a great experience in school. I've talked to grads from other schools, and to other nurses and educators, and UCF has a great reputation for turning out great nurses.

I didn't have any experience in healthcare at all when I started, and I went on to do very well in school. Obviously, if you've had experience doing anything in healthcare, you'd be in a good place. But you'll be fine without it. Me, I had a hard time even pretending to do injections in oranges. Now, with practice, I'm fine with it, and am even pretty good at IVs, if I do say so myself. (This is thanks to IronMan2014's teaching, so make sure you are friends with him in school when you start doing IVs! I passed out on the bathroom floor the first time I practiced on him.)

One piece of advice I have for all of you: never let anyone make you feel less than valuable or worthless. It's a sad fact that some nurses take pride in disparaging other nurses. Being a nursing student (or a GN, or a full-fledged RN for that matter) can be humiliating at times, because you'll sometimes feel dumb that you can't pick up something quickly. But you will get there in time, you are valuable, and you have lots to offer patients and the nursing profession. I've even taught my preceptor a few things here and there, and I know my patients are thankful for me. Let's all work to stop the nurse-bullying trend and change the culture to embrace the Golden Rule!!

I can't wait for you all to get your letters and to start meeting each other. You'll make some of the best friends you'll ever make, and you'll keep them around - because no one else will understand what it's like to be a nursing student.

Good luck!

missind33 · Feb 2, 2014

Thank you so much! This process is scary and very intimidating! I've been very nervous about nursing school! And I'm nervous about the ability to find a job afterwards however you give me hope. Thank you!