UF ABSN/Accelerated BSN Summer 2022

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Hey guys! I couldn’t find a thread for those applying for UF’s ABSN program in Summer 2022! I was thinking we could have a thread to support each other and share our thoughts!

I haven’t been able to find much on those admitted to UF’s ABSN program, but I found some things out when I emailed them! Their holistic approach worries me a bit since I feel like I am not well rounded, especially in the medical field. I’m really worried due to having 4 medical drops though if anyone knows how they handle those!

A little bit about me, I’m a senior currently attending UF in my last semester. I’m only taking anatomy and developmental psychology to finish out my prereqs for the program. My upper division GPA is decent at a 3.64 and my overall GPA is a little lower at 3.62. My prereq GPA is really good though at 3.86, but I’ll see how the two I have left affect it.

Has anyone even been able to touch the HESI though? I emailed when we were supposed to be able to register with UF and they said they had an issue with connecting to the Evolve portal. It’s still down and I’m getting even more nervous.

If anyone wants to ask questions, share thoughts, encourage each other, give advice, anything, I figured this thread might be a good place for us to start!!

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Hi Zoey! I am also applying for the UF ABSN program and this is the first thread I found about it. Thank you for making this! When you emailed them, what exactly did they say about their holistic approach? I don't have much medical experience either besides a shadowing internship I had for a college class where I went to the hospital and a couple of outpatient centers. 

I recently graduated from FAU this past Spring and I am finishing up with Anatomy 2, Microbiology, and Statistics at a community college this semester. Your prereq GPA is really good! Mine is around the same and I think you have a good advantage since you are a UF student! 

I just finished making an account for HESI and it seems like it's working now to schedule for an exam? I am kind of nervous for the exam, but I am thinking of taking it at the end of October or by the beginning of November max. Do you or anyone else have any good study resources for the HESI exam?

Wishing everyone the best of luck!! :) 

 

 

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Hello!! I’m so glad I found this thread, I was just about to make one because I thought no one else did!

A bit about myself, I am graduating with a BA in Health ED and Behavior from UF in December! I had previously applied to UF’s traditional BSN in 2020 but got denied. Since then, I am hoping my application is a bit stronger for their ABSN! I’m also applying to FAU, UCF, USF, and UNF so if anyone else is and has any advice or issues with their applications we can figure it out together! I have been working at Shands as a CNA for about 10 months and have some volunteer experience at NFRMC. I think my last 60 credits and cumulative GPA is around 3.8 and I got a 93% on the HESI. But despite this I’m still worried about not getting in because I hear even the most “qualified” get turned away. But I hope that isn’t what happens to us!! I know UF has a very holistic approach.

As far as the HESI goes, I studied using a Mometrix HESI review book from Amazon but that was about a year ago. I’m using my HESI score from 2020 when I applied to the traditional program. I know theres lots of resources you can use to study, even Quizlet saved my butt for a couple of the questions I crammed for 15 minutes before the test! If anyone has any questions we can try to figure it out together!

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A friend who got into the traditional BSN program is letting me use her Evolve practice book for the HESI and it has been super helpful. I highly recommend it, especially if you can find it used! Mometrix has been great too, especially since a lot of their online stuff is free. Since I originally posted, I have created a whole bookmark dedicated to studying the HESI if anyone needs some help. I finally got to register for the exam and I am testing the 16th. I'm hoping that allows me enough time to retake it if necessary.

When I asked about the holistic approach, they mostly just said that they want people who are well rounded and show drive! Volunteering and leadership was a way they told me I could show this.

I have heard from past and current ABSN/TBSN students that the 10 questions are a major factor and to spend a lot of time on them. If you are still in school, current students advised me to have either a professor or academic advisor look at them if possible. 

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4 hours ago, Laurendifiore said:

Hello!! I’m so glad I found this thread, I was just about to make one because I thought no one else did!

A bit about myself, I am graduating with a BA in Health ED and Behavior from UF in December! I had previously applied to UF’s traditional BSN in 2020 but got denied. Since then, I am hoping my application is a bit stronger for their ABSN! I’m also applying to FAU, UCF, USF, and UNF so if anyone else is and has any advice or issues with their applications we can figure it out together! I have been working at Shands as a CNA for about 10 months and have some volunteer experience at NFRMC. I think my last 60 credits and cumulative GPA is around 3.8 and I got a 93% on the HESI. But despite this I’m still worried about not getting in because I hear even the most “qualified” get turned away. But I hope that isn’t what happens to us!! I know UF has a very holistic approach.

As far as the HESI goes, I studied using a Mometrix HESI review book from Amazon but that was about a year ago. I’m using my HESI score from 2020 when I applied to the traditional program. I know theres lots of resources you can use to study, even Quizlet saved my butt for a couple of the questions I crammed for 15 minutes before the test! If anyone has any questions we can try to figure it out together!

Wow a 93% is awesome! Let me know how your other options go! I am currently only applying to UF, mostly because I missed the undergraduate deadlines for most other colleges. I have a secure job so if I get denied I can at least then apply for backups and UF again.

I think having the CNA and hospital volunteering work now really strengthened your application! The persistence and coming back stronger really shows something about yourself too. Do you have any other extracurriculars, especially some that strengthen you more?

I feel almost everyone who applies for an ABSN program is qualified since you do have to dig to find out they are an option. Those who apply, really do want it and work towards it, which is why so many qualified applicants are turned down. That is just my personal take on it at least!

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I honestly don’t have too many extracurriculars. I did a few random ones a year or so ago but a lot of it got cancelled because of COVID and I didn’t go back to them because I started working full time at the hospital. But I do have a few awards given by patients for my job so hopefully that helps!

I wish you a lot of luck on your HESI, I think you’ll do great! I personally didn’t think it was too bad, especially if you take a month or so to practice. I think the practice books help a lot to prepare you for the “style” of how the questions are asked on the HESI. That part I think is what helped me the most. Let us know how your test goes!

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Hi guys!! I'm also applying for UF's ABSN this Summer '22 cycle. I'm UF alumna and have a BA in a humanities-based major. I also don't have any hospital experience, but I've been a vet tech at an animal shelter full-time for over a year now. As a tech I do a lot of tasks similar to what I expect an RN does - setting I.V.'s , diagnostics, communicating with our doctors, medicating, etc. And so many illnesses are similar and treated with the same meds between animals and people...So I am hopeful that translates somewhat for my application. -eeek. :)

My GPA from undergrad is cum laude and I'm on track to finish all my pre-req's with A's. I've seen on some other school's forums that a HESI score of at least 80's is expected. I'm taking it mid Nov. I'll definitely look at the resources you guys mentioned. So far I've been using some apps like HESI A2 Mastery and Nursing School Study Prep. They have some free prep questions and a much larger question bank if you pay ~$12 a month.

 

Good luck to us all!

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Greetings! 

 

I applied to this program for the Summer 2022 cycle. I have my AA, and I am currently obtaining my BAS in Healthcare Management from PSC. I will graduate in the Spring. I have patient care tech, monitor tech, pharmacy tech, and LPN experience. I was a lead pharmacy technician for 3 years, and I recently graduated from an LPN program this Summer. I have only applied to UF, but I plan to apply to USF once their application cycle begins. I have taken the HESI in the past, but I am scheduled to take it again early November. I applied to the Jacksonville campus. I am nervous because of my GPA being just over the bare minimum. I hope we all make it in! Good luck! 

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Hi guys!

Sounds like you guys have a lot of great medical experience, even if it's with animals! I'd say it's the same experience as with a person and I'm sure it's been great practice. I'm sure you guys have a great shot, especially since you guys have past medical experience. Let me know how you all do on the HESI! I personally didn't think it was too bad when you study for a good month before taking it. I think the Jacksonville campus only accepts 40 people but it sounds like you have a good shot! We can keep each other updated on our test scores and any information we have! :) UF is holistic so it seems like a very fair process.

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Hi guys. I figured I would check this and see if there was a post. I am a current student about to finish my second semester in the ABSN program at UF (Jax). I'd be happy to help with any questions you have.

Our cohort here has a lot of recent graduates from UF and other schools, as well as about 25% older, career change students. I myself about in my early thirties, three kids, and was a high school math teacher and a bartender. I applied with a 3.52 undergrad GPA, 3.9 pre-requisite GPA, and 95 on my HESI. I have no prior medical experience and just some volunteer work with veterans. 

As far as the application goes, we have a very wide range of GPAs and HESI scores that were admitted. They really do use a holistic approach and your 10 questions are VERY IMPORTANT. Show your personality through them if you can. You don't have to write it like an essay. They are personal questions about you, so show them who you are. The focus should be the ability to organize, use time management, show empathy (this is huge), passion, and drive. This program is not for the faint of heart, it is very rigorous content wise and time wise as well. So what they're looking for are the students that will be most successful in the program.

Any questions you guys have, feel free to ask. Good luck!

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Wow! Thank you so much! That gives me a bit more hope for acceptance. It’s very impressive how you achieved all that you did before applying, I definitely think that shows their holistic approach. Thankfully, I think I exemplified all of those areas in my essays so fingers crossed!! Just curious, are you currently working while in the program? I applied for the Gainesville cohort and I’m sure the schedules are different in jax, but are you in class/in clinical for most of the days of the week? Thank you again for giving some insight!! 

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Specializes in Student.

I'm just starting to work now. I would not suggest working the first semester. A few people do though. If you don't have to, I wouldn't suggest it. Everyone says the 2nd semester is the hardest because we have 5 courses, but I personally thought first semester was the hardest. The first two semesters, we have 4 days on campus (most weeks). First semester is only 12 weeks because its Summer and it's definitely a learning curve adjusting to the schedule, the types of questions ask, filling in the gap in terminology, learning how to study for the program, etc. The last two semesters we have two clinical days a week (as opposed to one) so you'll likely be in class five days a week, but it's less intensive class wise I've heard.

I really, really, really use my weekends (3 days to study) and relax/unwind. But some people do work.

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