Uconn Mein 2017/advice please!

U.S.A. Connecticut

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Hello All,

I'm new here and would love your advice. I'm about to graduate Uconn with a B.A in psych. I recently decided to make the transition into nursing and hope to start an accelerated program in 2017. I'm doing bio and chem this semester, A&P 1+2 over the summer, then genetics and microbio in the fall. I currently have a 3.86 GPA, just need to do well in the pre-req's.

From my research, I found that Uconn, Fairfield, QU, Saint Joe's and Southern have accelerated program's. I am most attracted to Uconn because I like what Uconn has to offer having completed an undergrad there and because the Waterbury campus is just 10 min from my parent's house.

I'm a bit nervous about the application process since I won't be able to be reviewed for the Uconn program until August. Has anyone here been reviewed in August and gotten into Waterbury? What did you think of the program? Also, I'd love to hear advice from others in the state! Anything will help :)

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Hi, I graduated from the UCONN CEIN program in December and went to the Waterbury campus. I applied late and wasn't reviewed until August. I also had an outstanding prerequisite and I still got in (pending a B or better in my micro class that I was taking in the fall). I got my acceptance the second week of September.

My undergrad GPA was 3.65, and my prereq GPA was higher (all A's and A-, except 1 B+). The program is what it is. It is tough, requires a lot of learning independently. It is also extremely disorganized. On the positive side, you get a bachelor's in a year, which is amazing. Despite the many many frustrations I had with the program, overall, I'm glad I did it.

It's definitely worth applying. Good luck!

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Hi UCStudent, I just submitted my application for Stamford 2017 (although the postal service tells me that my documents are floating around New Jersey somewhere). AP 1/2 over the summer will be tough as those are such short semesters, but worth it if you can get it done with a good grade - you have an awesome GPA so I'm sure you'll be able to do it! I took Genetics online last summer through Asnuntuck CC and it was pretty easy - completely online and no lectures to listen to, so it saved a lot of time.

Hopeful - you sound a bit "meh" about the program - I've read most of the old threads and feel like I have a good sense of the disorganization and the amount of self-directed learning required - do you have anything else to add? (positive or negative). How have you found your job search post graduation? Also, someone in an earlier thread mentioned that they may revamp the program for 2016 - do you know anything about this? If you're working, do you feel prepared? Sorry for the barrage of questions, and thanks in advance for any input you may have (any input from current students/recent grads appreciated as well!)

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HC92,

You definitely need to be self motivated, organized and flexible. You will learn a ton, but the teachers range from pretty good to pretty awful. The most important thing to remember is that it is only a year! You can do anything for a year (that was my mantra). Figure out your learning style (as much as that is a cliche, it is also important). I am a big reader- I read almost everything assigned- and I also found videos on YouTube to get more information about things I didn't get. But, it is important to remember that not everyone works this way. I know students who barely opened a book, just studied from powerpoints, and did really well. Also, find a study group. I had several, and they were the biggest piece of my survival!!

I'm not sure about revamping the program (if they did, that's great! it needed to happen ;)). I have heard about a few things changing, but nothing concrete.

I haven't started working yet, but I did get a job and I start next week. I really lucked out, this job is exactly what I wanted, but I know others had a harder time. Yale and Hartford Hospital hired most of the students who got jobs right away. I know students who were looking for jobs out of state have had a much more difficult time. Also, start looking early. Look into hospitals with a Nurse Residency program- that's what I ended up in, and I've heard that it provides a ton more support, rather than throwing you into the deep end! Also, don't be afraid to look for a specialty job (psych, peds, etc) if that's what you're interested in. I'm not saying you'll definitely get it, but many new grads think they have to do med-surg first, but that's not always necessarily true.

As for whether or not I feel prepared, I have absolutely no idea!!! We'll see how I feel once I'm actually on the floor.

Good luck!!!

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Hi Hopeful, thanks for all of the great advice, it was really helpful to hear your perspective. I love your mantra, and I suspect I will adopt it as well. And congratulations on your new job - would love to hear how it goes for you. I am waiting on news from UConn and hope to hear soon. All the best to you as you start your new career!

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Hi!

I was wondering if someone would clarify for me exactly which degree is earned from the CEIN/BS program. I am confused as to whether or not it is a BSN or a second bachelor's degree with a focus in nursing. This was mentioned during the info session I attended last summer and, I am not sure I know what the difference is. Are graduates considered certificate nurses?

Thank you!

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Specializes in LDRP.
Hi!

I was wondering if someone would clarify for me exactly which degree is earned from the CEIN/BS program. I am confused as to whether or not it is a BSN or a second bachelor's degree with a focus in nursing. This was mentioned during the info session I attended last summer and, I am not sure I know what the difference is. Are graduates considered certificate nurses?

Thank you!

At graduation we received both a BSN diploma and a certificate for the nursing program.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
Hi!

I was wondering if someone would clarify for me exactly which degree is earned from the CEIN/BS program. I am confused as to whether or not it is a BSN or a second bachelor's degree with a focus in nursing. This was mentioned during the info session I attended last summer and, I am not sure I know what the difference is.

Thank you!

Are you and ADN RN?

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Hi sailornurse! No, sorry I meant that as RN hopeful and have since removed it. I am currently applying to programs.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Hi you can add 2b or future RN or even RNhopeful to your username

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Thank you for the info heb06004! Do you have an idea as to why they still give out both after transitioning the program to meet the requirements for a bachelor's? Other programs within the state use the term BSN and UConn's wording does not specify BSN. Are graduates able to apply for BSN positions both in and out of state? Thanks for your help I really appreciate it. I am just trying to make sense out of that confusing memory from the info session.

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Specializes in LDRP.
Thank you for the info heb06004! Do you have an idea as to why they still give out both after transitioning the program to meet the requirements for a bachelor's? Other programs within the state use the term BSN and UConn's wording does not specify BSN. Are graduates able to apply for BSN positions both in and out of state? Thanks for your help I really appreciate it. I am just trying to make sense out of that confusing memory from the info session.

Honestly, I'm not sure. Maybe it's just cause the name is still Certificate Entry Into Nursing (CEIN)? Probably just something they haven't phased out yet. And yes, you can apply for BSN positions in any state. I actually got a job up in MA and many of my classmates have jobs in CT or RI, so I definitely know it's possible.

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