I wanted to start an offical thread for those applying to UF's accelerated BSN for the Summer of 2021! I know its still pretty early but I thought we could use this platform to support one another and share our own journeys through this process.
I am pretty nervous for this process. However, UF's hollistic approach toward each of its applicants gives me hope and reassurance.
Just a little about myself
I am currently finishing my last semester at USF. My last 60 hr credit GPA is pretty average as per UF's usual standards standing at about a 3.4. My cumulative is not too great so hopefully I am not penalized for having a low overall GPA. I have research experience and a publication to my name so hopefully that may hold some weight. Besides that, I have a lot of various volunteer experiences that are non-health care related.
I was specifically curious to know how much weight health care experience holds for admissions. I worked as a scribe for about one year where I was able to gain perspective into the nursing field eventually influencing my decision to pursue nursing. Besides that, I don't really have very much experience working directly with nurses or CNA's for that matter.
I was also curious to know more about the HESI A2 test if anyone knows more about that.
I would love to hear about everyone elses stats and experiences, how you are going about the admissions process in general.
Well, I've been advising students for 20 plus years specifically for the college of nursing and although I'm not a nurse myself nor have I ever applied to a nursing program I understand the anxiety and the stress (and yes, even the frustration) I know many of you are feeling. Try to take a deep breath, drink some wine if you need to, in fact have a glass for me since I don't drink anymore, and try not to stress. I know that's easy for me to say. I'll follow up with everybody just as soon as I can.
Thank you so so much for following up!! I did not expect to hear back since it’s the weekend! ? We look forward to hearing back, and I am so sorry to hear your twin babies are unwell. ? Hope they get well soon and thank you for all your efforts in reaching out to us here, I know it’s probably been just as stressful for you as well. I’m sure we can all rest a little now that we’re all literally on the same page. ? Take care, look forward to your email.
Now, where’s that glass of wine? ??
Hope everyone’s doing well, just letting y’all know my email response to ---------------------- which was basically the same. No new info. just that they’re working as quick as they can to finalize all decisions. I am no longer expecting to hear a response back by this Friday. I am so over this and am very disappointed in the level of disorganization and being told not this week, but next week we’ll know... It’s so frustrating to be told the same thing over and over again and not seeing the results change. --------------- is super nice and I know he’s doing his absolute best. I’m sure it’s not easy for him either because he sounded like he’s ready to send emails out now; however, he’s being held back by the people above him which really sucks....
I agree. I’m not counting on this week either judging by the tone of the email. I feel terribly bad for --------------------. This is all out of his hands and I can tell by his tone and the fact that he came in here at 10:45 at night to update us, he feels terrible about all of it. He’s not saying what the delay is. It’s not really covid related I know that much. He did say he’s doing everything he can to push it along. He’s hoping for sometime this week but can’t commit to anything right now. There’s something going on in the program right now obviously....
I just read this in another post from a current student in the ABSN program, I’m so nervous because I really don’t know what to expect anymore, ehhhhh.... ?
not sure if y’all saw this on the other thread but
“Hey all, I'm a current student in the UF nursing program in Gainesville, graduating this year (2020).
Seriously consider other schools to study nursing. UF was my first choice when I was applying, and had been for years, so I was ecstatic when I found out I was accepted. I didn't even consider other programs. But as the semesters have gone, I really wish I would have gone somewhere else. My reasons (and just about everyone else's in this program) (seriously, talk to any of them):
Disorganization: exams are scheduled in conflict with one another and with classes. We have to go to events and meetings that are scheduled during class time, but the meetings are mandatory (they take attendance and will email you about it) and all classes take attendance. You'll find out about meetings like this a few days before it takes place, and it'll always conveniently be on exam weeks.
Readings: I'm all for working hard. I don't have an issue with how difficult material is, in my opinion, it's what we all sign up for. However, we are human and have limits—there is only so much you can go through and absorb every day. After meeting with professors about material for guidance, it is clear that, at times, they merely glance at the chapter title and assign the whole thing…for numerous chapters/week. However, professors will constantly look at you with bewilderment and say "that's outside of your scope, why are you studying that?" when you ask questions about material that was assigned that you don't understand.
Exams: Alright, here's how exams go-- you need a 74% exam average in each class to pass the class. As well as a 74% average overall in each class. The former is usually the issue for most students (if not all). At the end of the exam, you can see how many/which questions you got wrong, which of course means you can calculate your pending exam score. Yes, pending. Depending on the statistics of each question (how many people got it wrong/right), you'll either get points back or lose points. How would you lose points? You get a question right, and because the majority of the class got it wrong, it gets thrown out. So you lose that right answer. I've seen people get kicked out of the program because losing those 2 points over having 1 question thrown out puts them below the required 74% average. We've tried fighting it, and were told "this is the way it has been, this is the way it has always been, and you knew that from the beginning of the program".
Communication: it's just not there. Between students and professors, between professors, between administration and students, between administration and professors. Just nonexistent. I don't know how else to put it. You find out about things at the last minute and different sections for the same class will receive different lecture material, including exam tips, so some classes are at an obvious disadvantage. We tried bringing this to the attention of our professors and the administration and were met with complete denial.
Flipped classroom: OH boy. Just mention those words to anyone in my class. Basically, you teach each other. Your professors are just there to take attendance. You go through part of the material with your group and then teach other groups. That's about it.
No transition: transition was supposed to be the last half of your last semester, where you're basically a nurse for free. Every nurse I've spoken with says they didn't learn anything until transition. Sure, you can study and have the knowledge, but really knowing how to apply it and practicing skills doesn't come in until transition. They got rid of it.
There's probably a lot more issues with this program, but these are the ones that have been most prevalent throughout the past year or so. Take it as you will. I know UF has really good ratings and is very highly ranked, and that the fact that it has its own hospital is very appealing from a health-profession standpoint. But genuinely, don't let it fool you. My cohort has lost over 25% of its students. That is, they were kicked out. For not meeting standards. You quickly learn that many of your professors say they want to help, but truly seem to do and say things for your failure. And if that's not the intent, it's certainly how it feels from the students' end.
I'm sorry if this is upsetting. I'm sorry if I've made any of you mad, that is not what I want. I just genuinely feel very strongly that all of you be fully aware of what you're getting into. If you've already accepted your acceptance, try to change things from the get-go. My cohort started too late--halfway through our 1st semester, and then throughout those that followed. We had meetings with faculty and administration. We pleaded for things to change, and in the end, we were told that it was too late for our cohort, that everything was already established for us, but that they would take it into consideration for cohorts after ours. I don't know if they've changed anything. If they have, good. If you start to see what I've said is still true, TAKE ACTION.
I really don't mean to complain. Although this does sound like venting. This is all just information I wish I'd known before I decided on UF. I have good grades, really. But I kill myself for them. I love learning about health and I've had a passion for helping others all my life. But I am unhappy. I feel completely unprepared for a career in nursing. The only thing that makes me feel better is that I'm not the only one."
Hey guys! I am a current student in the UF accelerated program and I wanted to address the message previously posted by another student. Nursing school is HARD and incredibly frustrating, so it can be easy to turn focus to the challenges and disappointments throughout one of the most difficult times of my life at least. However, there is much more good if you choose to look at it that way.
I attended UF for my first degree, so it was a no-brainer that I would continue my education here when given the opportunity. I have had my own frustrations, but if I had to go back I would absolutely choose to attend UF again and again. I believe in this time of uncertainty for ourselves, incoming students, and faculty, some of those frustrations are peaking for many, however, I think this is a good opportunity to consider what has been handled well or perspective on some of the negatives.
As far as the comments made by another student, I would like to add my perspective on the matters:
· There are many people and factors that play into our schedules and sometimes things are planned that conflict with one another. This is life. However, once it is brought to the attention of professors/advisors/whoever is involved in the conflict, they can communicate amongst each other and are given the chance to resolve a conflict. Although it can be hard to be sitting and waiting to know what is going to happen and when at the end of the day I cannot remember a single instance during my own experience that I have been required to attend two mandatory events at once. At some points during this program, you will have exams every week for upwards of 6 weeks straight. It is in the nature of an academically competitive, accelerated bachelor's nursing program to have many exams that require a lot of time for preparation. However, with so many exams, you will likely have responsibilities other than just studying during exam weeks, because it is oftentimes simply not possible to organize everything outside of exams. This is a challenge of time management, but I can only encourage you to know that every student is dealing with the same challenges and you will be able to adapt to the schedule changes, just as a nurse with a heavy patient load would.
· Many of our classes have numerous professors assigning pre-work, which can lead to an overload and a lack of knowing just how to approach the incredible volume of assignments. We have had this problem in classes, however, after bringing it to the attention of the faculty, they have taken much more care in the readings they assign and help clarify what information is important to know. I have found great solace in turning to the professors for many issues and have found that they often do not realize there is a problem unless we come forth with it. The professors have been flexible and adapted courses throughout the semester if they recognize a problem in the way the course is being handled.
· The 74 exam average is exactly correct and a requirement of the program. Unfortunately, it is the main reason that I have lost many classmates who would have been incredible nurses, despite their ability to perform well on exams. It is easy to focus on the fact that nearly 25% of students have been removed from the program because of this requirement, but I challenge you to consider the 75% who are still enrolled and managed to maintain exam averages. Additionally, not all of those students left because of their grades, but rather many left for various personal reasons, by their own volition.
· The method of “throwing out questions” that caused many students to lose points on an exam is not used on every exam question the professors evaluate. More often, they will accept multiple correct answers, helping those who may have a good rationale for an “incorrect” answer while still maintaining the score for those who answered it correctly from the beginning. They will not throw out a question simply because most of the class answered it incorrectly, BUT because there is an error in the question that it was deemed an invalid question. This leaves the total exam score out of 49 instead of 50, which can lower your score if you got that question correct. That can be frustrating and I myself have “lost points” on an exam but this is not a mechanism in place intended to hurt anyone and keep them from succeeding. I have personally never heard of anyone removed from the program because of this policy.
· As I said earlier, there are many players in this program, especially with adding another campus to consider for the accelerated program (Jacksonville). Many times this leads to errors in communication. Our professors and administrators are human, they are not all-knowing, and many will admit to roadblocks they experience in conveying the correct message at the correct time. Especially right now with the virus, communication that is accurate and timely is a HUGE challenge for everyone, but it is not intentioned to cause us additional stress but rather we have been told repeatedly that as soon as they know what is happening, we will.
· The flipped classroom method was implemented to allow students an opportunity to apply the material they were expected to learn in pre-class assignments and readings through activities and active learning in class. Instead of regurgitating from the textbook, professors allow us the opportunity to apply the concepts in various methods. I personally have not been a huge fan of some of the flipped classroom activities, but some of them have been great. I find that when you have put in the work and are prepared for class, in-class activities can help focus in on the more difficult-to-understand topics and evaluate what the professor thinks is most important. Many professors after communicating if a certain style of teaching has not been working for the students have been flexible and adapted the way they are providing class to accommodate the needs of the students first and foremost.
· Not having transition to nursing practice sucks, but this is simply a reality of the new curriculum that began with our cohort. That being said, saying that you are unprepared to be a nurse for not having 5 weeks of practicing as a nurse is a little overstated. The experience may help solidify your confidence and provide you with more practical experience to allow an easier step into the nursing world, but 15 months of clinicals and classroom experience is not nothing and shouldn’t be treated as such. I have learned so much since beginning my path to becoming a nurse and I would step out into a job tomorrow if I could. Additionally, in my experiences with nurses in the field, many of them have conveyed the most important experience that helps with knowing how to apply your education and practice skills comes with orientation in the unit you will be employed in. I wish that we were getting the experience of transitions, I really do, but this does not make or break my ability to apply what I have learned to the career I want.
As you have probably gathered from my comments above, I have found incredible and even surprising support from many of my professors. I have felt the most supported now than I have throughout my entire collegiate education. I have been overwhelmed, frustrated, and stressed beyond belief, especially now with a ton of uncertainty with the remainder of our program, but I still feel supported and as if many of our professors, peers, and administrators are here to ensure that we make it through this. They have adapted many policies, including suspending the 74 exam average, 74 minimum on the HESI, and allowing S/U grading to support the needs of students now more than ever. UF has made some mistakes, but at the end of the day, I am proud to say I am a gatoRNurse.
You can blame many of the issues on so many other things, but I think this program is a great lesson on many of the challenges we will experience as nurses. Have some empathy and evaluate why are these things happening. If there is still dissatisfaction, it is your responsibility to communicate it. If that is unsuccessful, there is probably a reason. But if you are communicating issues that are changeable in the correct way to the appropriate people, change is possible. So, just as the other student said, never be afraid to advocate for yourself and other students, just consider what exactly you're advocating for first.
Nursing school as a whole is hard, and guess what, UF is no different. Those of you who are currently in the program: were almost done, you will be an amazing nurse, and you have already overcome so much. Those of you looking to start the program: it can be confusing and difficult to read these messages, but I promise you that you can make the most of this experience if you choose to. Please understand that your attitude can determine just how you handle the stress of a nursing program. I encourage all of you to continue to consider UF and think very carefully about why you are doing this and allow that to remain your guidethroughout the ups and downs of nursing school.
Without even knowing anything or being in the program, I would be more apt to listen to the second person.
nursing school is hard AND we’re taking an accelerated program on top of it. when I read about exams being scheduled on the same day, I laughed. It’s college guys. we aren’t in high school. I went to a college prep private school, so I didn’t have any of that coddling, baby certain subjects can only test on certain days. that is absolute nonsense and it doesn’t prepare you for ANYTHING in life, which is why we now have people with Bachelor’s degrees complaining about it.
the first message sounds like someone trying place blame on everyone else but themselves. I made it through a masters degree in business administration at UF. At NO point was anything easy. We had finals for three-four classes all on the same day. We didn’t sleep for a couple days cramming, then when we were done, we went over to mother’s and got hammered. Florida is a elite school and their nursing program is elite as well. It’s a public school, but don’t let that fool you. There is a reason they are the #6 best public university in the nation and are the flagship nursing program in the state. It’s hard, very hard! But they produce the best also. Florida’s ABSN has 100% passing rate on the NCLEX.
as far as things being scheduled overlapping and things being last minute. how are you going to be a successful nurse if you can’t adapt to situations? Everything is fluid all the time. Like the second person said, communication is important. Instead of being frustrating and venting your way through it, address issues with teachers and staff. Conflict resolution. Personally, I don’t think that 74% exam average is ridiculous. That’s a C. If you can’t pass all your tests with a C, do you really know enough to be considered proficient in that subject? no.
Don’t let one persons opinion sway yours. As far as I know, professors have to approve all the candidates for admission. Maybe there’s a problem there. There could be conflict of schedules. UF started a week late this Spring session and removed Spring break, so they aren’t in the same time table they were on last year.
Relax. Take a deep breath. I feel pretty good about having advisors like ----------- & ----------------- that have our back and show so much empathy and compassion to us in this situation. 10:45 PM on a Friday and we were what’s on his mind. That right there means the world to me in my decision to attend.
Without even knowing anything or being in the program, I would be more apt to listen to the second person.
nursing school is hard AND we’re taking an accelerated program on top of it. when I read about exams being scheduled on the same day, I laughed. It’s college guys. we aren’t in high school. I went to a college prep private school, so I didn’t have any of that coddling, baby certain subjects can only test on certain days. that is absolute nonsense and it doesn’t prepare you for ANYTHING in life, which is why we now have people with Bachelor’s degrees complaining about it.
the first message sounds like someone trying place blame on everyone else but themselves. I made it through a masters degree in business administration at UF. At NO point was anything easy. We had finals for three-four classes all on the same day. We didn’t sleep for a couple days cramming, then when we were done, we went over to mother’s and got hammered. Florida is a elite school and their nursing program is elite as well. It’s a public school, but don’t let that fool you. There is a reason they are the #6 best public university in the nation and are the flagship nursing program in the state. It’s hard, very hard! But they produce the best also. Florida’s ABSN has 100% passing rate on the NCLEX.
as far as things being scheduled overlapping and things being last minute. how are you going to be a successful nurse if you can’t adapt to situations? Everything is fluid all the time. Like the second person said, communication is important. Instead of being frustrating and venting your way through it, address issues with teachers and staff. Conflict resolution. Personally, I don’t think that 74% exam average is ridiculous. That’s a C. If you can’t pass all your tests with a C, do you really know enough to be considered proficient in that subject? no.
Don’t let one persons opinion sway yours. As far as I know, professors have to approve all the candidates for admission. Maybe there’s a problem there. There could be conflict of schedules. UF started a week late this Spring session and removed Spring break, so they aren’t in the same time table they were on last year.
Relax. Take a deep breath. I feel pretty good about having advisors like -------------- & -------------------- that have our back and show so much empathy and compassion to us in this situation. 10:45 PM on a Friday and we were what’s on his mind. That right there means the world to me in my decision to attend.
I don’t think the first person was trying to place blame on everyone but themselves. If you read the whole thing they were just trying to let us know the struggles that come with the program. Struggles that I have noticed first hand as a current student at UF. And sometimes even with putting in effort things are not fair. I think both posts were accurate, but it is not okay to dismiss what the first person said as them “not taking blame” because that’s incorrwct
Without even knowing anything or being in the program, I would be more apt to listen to the second person.
nursing school is hard AND we’re taking an accelerated program on top of it. when I read about exams being scheduled on the same day, I laughed. It’s college guys. we aren’t in high school. I went to a college prep private school, so I didn’t have any of that coddling, baby certain subjects can only test on certain days. that is absolute nonsense and it doesn’t prepare you for ANYTHING in life, which is why we now have people with Bachelor’s degrees complaining about it.
the first message sounds like someone trying place blame on everyone else but themselves. I made it through a masters degree in business administration at UF. At NO point was anything easy. We had finals for three-four classes all on the same day. We didn’t sleep for a couple days cramming, then when we were done, we went over to mother’s and got hammered. Florida is a elite school and their nursing program is elite as well. It’s a public school, but don’t let that fool you. There is a reason they are the #6 best public university in the nation and are the flagship nursing program in the state. It’s hard, very hard! But they produce the best also. Florida’s ABSN has 100% passing rate on the NCLEX.
as far as things being scheduled overlapping and things being last minute. how are you going to be a successful nurse if you can’t adapt to situations? Everything is fluid all the time. Like the second person said, communication is important. Instead of being frustrating and venting your way through it, address issues with teachers and staff. Conflict resolution. Personally, I don’t think that 74% exam average is ridiculous. That’s a C. If you can’t pass all your tests with a C, do you really know enough to be considered proficient in that subject? no.
Don’t let one persons opinion sway yours. As far as I know, professors have to approve all the candidates for admission. Maybe there’s a problem there. There could be conflict of schedules. UF started a week late this Spring session and removed Spring break, so they aren’t in the same time table they were on last year.
Relax. Take a deep breath. I feel pretty good about having advisors like --------------- & ---------------------- that have our back and show so much empathy and compassion to us in this situation. 10:45 PM on a Friday and we were what’s on his mind. That right there means the world to me in my decision to attend.
I also think that you shouldn’t be so harsh as to judge a person based on a post. What she said was that exams and events are scheduled WITH CONFLICT OF ONE ANOTHER. Meaning they are scheduled at overlapping times. The person was not asking to be coddled. Your post was very condescending and rude in my opinion.
Nobody said dismiss, but the second post definitely discussed the issues in the program from a completely different perspective. Weighing pros and cons. Addressing accountability. It’s good for people to see both sides. I just personally do not see anything she addressed in her post as an problem or an unfair issue, except maybe the conflict of meetings and classes, which was directly addressed saying that as soon as administration was made aware, it was changed.
It’s good for people to see both sides, which is why I posted the second comment from the last threads. I think this is why UF is so selective in their admissions process and use this holistic approach with those targeted personal essay questions. The professors and the admissions committee are using those responses to find the best candidates for the program with its given structure. I remember they ask specifically about problem resolution in one of the questions.
its also important to remember that anything posted in the last has not been a normal situation with Covid. Disarray can only be expected.
I also think that you shouldn’t be so harsh as to judge a person based on a post. What she said was that exams and events are scheduled WITH CONFLICT OF ONE ANOTHER. Meaning they are scheduled at overlapping times. The person was not asking to be coddled. Your post was very condescending and rude in my opinion.
I didn’t judge her as a person, I broke down her comments in regards to the program. And that is not what she meant. Exams are during classes. Class times don’t change or overlap. She is talking about having more than one exam on the same day. It’s something younger people are not accustomed too. I know, I’m a high school teacher. Anyone who graduated high school in the last probably 10-15 years in the state of Florida, never had more than two tests a day. Most times, only one. That’s not reality, nor is it how it works in college, nor does it prepare students for the future. It actually sets them up for failure.
I think she’s probably a great person. A great student because she got into UFs program. She’s making it through it too she said. But that comment must have been terrifying to new incoming students and applicants, both last year and now this year. Most important thing to remember is 75% of student makes it through. That means 28 students don’t make it through. That sounds about right for most college programs
Charlotte.May
126 Posts
Thank you so so much for following up!! I did not expect to hear back since it’s the weekend! ? We look forward to hearing back, and I am so sorry to hear your twin babies are unwell. ? Hope they get well soon and thank you for all your efforts in reaching out to us here, I know it’s probably been just as stressful for you as well. I’m sure we can all rest a little now that we’re all literally on the same page. ? Take care, look forward to your email.
Now, where’s that glass of wine? ??
Have a restful weekend, ya’ll! ❤️