UF ABSN/Accelerated BSN Summer 2022

[Zoey Miller]

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!!

[Zoey Miller]

Wow, thank you Lauren!! Do you know how much the critical thinking portion of the HESI mattered? It says it's preferred for people to score a 900 or higher, but I only got an 810 ? Obviously, the scores are far from the only factors, it just worries me quite a bit now. 

How do you juggle work and school? I would like to continue working (which is thankfully a coffee shop right in UFHealth!) to have some extra side money, but also don't want to overload myself.

Also MAJOR props to you for doing this program with 3 kids! That's INCREDIBLE!!

[Lauren McDonald]

I’m not sure exactly how much it matters. I just went and looked at my score and I received an 840. That part the exam is much easier for people who already have a background jt healthcare. I have none. What’s your previous degree in? Experience? GPA and stuff if you don’t mind sharing? I remember being in your position last year and I was on pins and needles until March. 

If you have good time management skills you could definitely keep working though. I would suggest full time. With classes back in person, it’s a tight schedule, you’ll be there everyday so some portion of the day. You may be lucky first semester to get one weekday off a week though. 

[abbyemma1999]

Hello everyone!

I just finished my undergrad (BS in Health and Exercise Science) in May 2021 and I sent in my application for UF's 2022 ABSN program in the jax location. I am wondering the chances of being accepted with little to none hospital experience besides volunteer work as an intern in a cancer center.

I have a 3.77 prereq GPA, and the last 60 credits of my undergrad had a cumulative GPA of 3.66. I earned a 93% on the HESI, I have some research experience but mainly a lot of work experience.

I was also wondering about the financial aid aspect of the program, and if it is a possibility to receive certain scholarships.

Any input is greatly appreciated! 

[Parker P, CNA]

Hey everyone! I recently applied to the ABSN program and was wondering if anyone could give me some words of encouragement or let me know if my stats make me a competitive applicant. 

I graduated from UF in May 2021 with my BSN in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. During my time there, I’ll be honest, my volunteering was limited, since I was having to balance work (to pay my bills) and school. However, I did volunteer at a local elementary school helping students in mathematics and English, got some shadowing experience under a CRNA, and was a member of the Minority Health Professionals Mentorship Program. 
Beginning in November 2020, I started working as a CNA on a Dementia and Alzheimer’s Unit, where I was given the award of employee of the month for my unit as well as for my facility. I built up a lot of great relationships with nurses and management and was able to get 3 letters of recommendation (including from a family member of a patient I took care of that I became very close with). 
As far as my grades, I received A’s in all my prerequisite courses (with the exception of Microbio; A-). My last 60 credits GPA averages to about a 3.7-3.8. 
As far as my HESI goes, I took it once and got a 93.2! 
My essays were pretty well-rounded and included a lot of references to my work as a CNA. 

I know the admissions process is pretty well-rounded but I wanted to make sure I would be a competitive applicant. Any words of encouragement or what you think my chances are would be greatly appreciated, since this is my passion and I’m terrified about getting in! 
Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!

[Zoey Miller]

On 11/23/2021 at 11:06 AM, Lauren McDonald said:

 

Hey! Sorry for the late reply! I got caught up with finishing the application and then the holiday season. My degree is in neuroscience and sociology. I do not have a bunch of nursing experience, but I worked in a psychiatric office for several years making appointments, taking basic vitals, etc.. I do have a lot of leadership and volunteering experience I am hoping will outweigh my lack of medical experience. My final GPA after graduating UF this semester was a 3.61, my prereq GPA was a 3.65.

 

When did decisions come out last year? I was told February for this year by someone, I think?

[smarie1202]

Hey everyone! I have also recently applied to this program at the Jacksonville campus. Super nervous and anxious waiting for decisions to come out. I'm hoping my application is competitive enough for acceptance. I graduated from UF's zoology program in 2016 and have been working as a zookeeper and veterinary technician since then. I don't have any human health care experience but am hoping my vet med experience will make up for that. I have done everything from monitoring patients under anesthesia, administering medications, running fluid lines, placing catheters, and most recently been able to intubate patients for surgery! I have a 4.0 pre-req GPA, an overall of about 3.3, and scored an 88% on the HESI back in November. Looking forward to hearing back soon and wishing everyone good luck!

[RH - Future RN, LPN]

Hey, 

I’m sure it may be common knowledge from previous threads, but I just verified with the admissions advisor for JAX campus .. she confirmed the final decisions will be sent at the beginning of March. Ugh LOL I’m so anxious and nervous. 

[JTwin01]

Hey everyone! I applied to the program last year, but was not accepted. At the last hour, I decided to apply again this year because my pre-requisites will no longer be up to date for the program after this year. 

I scored an 85% on the HESI, and I honestly do not remember what my pre-requisite GPA was. I have a Bachelors of Science in Liberal Arts with a focus in Population Health that I graduated cum laude from. Since last year, I have started my Masters in Health Education. I have no clinical experience, just medical office experience, and have recently been working as a substitute teacher.

I can say, that the UF-ABSN forum last year had A LOT more activity! I know there was a high volume of applicants last year. However, I'm wondering if there is a lower volume this year due to pandemic fatigue and everyone seeing the nursing shortages and what stress medical personell are under. The forum seems to be a lot smaller and less active this year.

Well, best of luck to all of you! If I don't get in this year, I may just continue with my graduate degree or try Rasmussen in Ocala (my twin attend Rasmussen for her ASN and had no problems finding jobs after graduation...and now has her BSN, so that may be something to look into if anyone doesn't get accpeted to UF!).

[Laurendifiore, CNA]

Best of luck to everyone! Time has flown by and I keep getting more anxious the closer we get to the February-March timeframe! I have definitely noticed that the forums are not as active as last year, because I used to read through them to get an idea of UF’s selection process and when their acceptances might be. I hope this is to our advantage and means it might not be as competitive this year because of all that has been going on in the healthcare industry. Until then when I hear all the decisions come out in March I will be waiting and working ???

[futuregatornurse23]

Hi everyone, 

I also applied for this 2022 cycle with no preference for location. My GPA for the last 60 was 3.5, Pre-Req 4.0, and HESI overall was 94.8% (100% math, 96% in Bio and A&P). I work in a cancer center, but I have a more clerical job than clinical. However, my job does require a great understanding and applicability of A&P, med term; you name it. I'm unsure of my chances, but I know this is highly competitive based on prior years discussion boards. The decision date is weighing on many of us, but I am choosing to remain calm and encourage you to. Take a deep breath; you got this. You’ve worked so hard to even get to this point; I know because I did too. I find comfort that I can always reapply next cycle, worst-case scenario. I won't give up on this dream. 

Question:

Did anyone get an "assessment link" at the end of December? I see that a discussion board for 2020 mentioned getting that, and if you didn't, it meant your application was no longer being considered. I'm not sure if this is still a process for this cohort. 

I wish everyone luck and peace.

[Laurendifiore, CNA]

I remember a few years ago when I applied to their traditional BSN that some applicants would receive a link to fill out and some may not. This was mentioned on their website at the time. However, it no longer says that for traditional or ABSN so maybe that is not in their process anymore. I feel like that’s something the advisor would have given us a heads-up about in her emails to all of us if it was still in their process. But I’m still not 100%; I’m just too mentally drained from applying to nursing schools to even want to ask ? I’m just gonna roll with it at this point. But if anyone wants to email the advisor and ask by all means go for it.

[Zoey Miller]

I didn't get an assessment link, but I got a request for my final unofficial transcript. I also just graduated from UF in December, so my application noted I had two prereq grades in progress. Could it potentially be the personality and learning type that is now built into the HESI?