University of Houston-Victoria Second Degree BSN 2012

DJDAN · Jan 7, 2012

Did you try saving the attachment to your desktop first? Try that, and then open from the desktop. That was how i opened the attachment.

Silvertab09 · Jan 7, 2012

To DJDAN,

The attachment was a zip file, right? I tried saving it to my desktop more than once, and each time I would attempt to open the folders within it after saving it, most of the content just looked like lines of computer programming language. In one folder, I did find what looked like an orientation agenda in jpg format, but the picture was too small to read. And resizing it did not help. Maybe I'm saving it wrong? I don't know! LOL

WLB2012 · Feb 27, 2012

Hey guys! For the people who were accepted to this program do you mind telling me if I would have a chance to get in? I think my overall will end up being almost a 3.2 and my science/behavioral science GPA is like a 3.55. Are these stats anywhere close to the stats of the people accepted?

Thank you! :)

taniz24 · Feb 27, 2012

Well I think the GPAs were around 3.5 on average but many could be lower or higher.... GPA is not the only factor considered for admission so you may want to do better TEAS V... They look at various aspects.....

WLB2012 · Feb 29, 2012

Thank you for the helpful advice!

jellybean0583 · Mar 20, 2012

The class of 2012! How is it going? How has the semester been so far?

-graudate from class of 2011.

l3wilso · Apr 11, 2012

Thanks to everyone for the postings. I am considering UHV for second degree nursing. I working on completing about 6 pre-reqs that I need to apply for Spring 2013. However, the not working is holding me back or rather has me concerned. Everyone's posts has been very helpful.

saw46 · Jul 20, 2012

I am also planning on applying for Spring 2013 and these posts have informed me a lot. But I also found out U of H BSN has a really low passing rate on the NCLEX exam compared to all the other school in Texas. How has it been after graduating from this program in finding jobs, were most graduates able to get a job as a nurse soon after graduating? Did you guys also feel prepared for the NCLEX when it came time to take it?

Hk45, BSN · Jul 20, 2012

I'm currently in the UHV second-degree BSN 2012 program and our class also raised similar concerns to our faculty in the beginning of the year. Their explanation stated that the TxBON follows the traditional cut-offs for calculating success percentage on NCLEX (since most programs start in the fall), whereas we start in the spring to allow us to graduate in the winter (ahead of most new grads so we can prepare for NCLEX and apply for residencies earlier).

The previous class has been more successful than indicated on the website (I believe >80% passing rate?), but it has not been reflected due to most of the students from the previous class taking it after the cut off for 2011.

I actually don't really understand about the numbers and cut-offs, but I've been reviewing NCLEX prep books alongside studying the content presented, and I feel confident that this program will prepare our class for success, IF (big IF) you are able to keep up. This is a rigorous program and the majority of our faculty are PhDs. I know for sure that a couple of them are also NCLEX question contributors, which makes for hard tests but good practice! This is also a new program so the professors are actually much more helpful and will reach out to individuals who may need additional attention, instead of kicking them to the curb for one poor performance or grade.

If you have any other questions, hopefully we can answer them during orientation.

applejacks36 · Jul 20, 2012

saw46,

i am a graduate from the 2011 class, and i hopefully i can help address some of your questions. the nclex rates that are reported from tbon are from the first and second class. it is a new program, and only 3 classes have graduated at this point. the 4th class is set to graduate this december. for some reason, some of these students from the first two classes didn't take the nclex until after the results were posted (up to a year after they had graduated). while i was attending uhv they continously stressed the importance of taking the exam as soon as possible after graduation. this not only helps their pass rates to be more accurate, but ensures your success as well. you are more likely to pass on the first attempt while it is all fresh in your mind. if you wait a year, chances are you will have a harder time remembering key concepts. my class raised the nclex pass rate to 93%, and those 2011 pass rates should be released sometime this fall. the majority of my graduating class took our nclex exams in mid january and throughout february and early march. i took mine in early feb. and really felt that was the perfect amount of time. it allowed me to take a short break after graduation, and still gave me plently of time to practice and prep to take it. since i had been exposed to nclex all year, and had taken the time to practice and prep, nclex was a non-issue for me. i easily passed it in 75 questions. many others from my class were the same.

i can honestly tell you that by the time graduation came around i felt 100% ready to take nclex. they addressed the low pass rates, and came up with a plan to change it. they start to stress nclex on day one of class. you are also required to take nclex style exams in addition to your final exams in order to continue on in the program. at the end, every single student takes an exit exam that accurately predicts the student's probability of passing nclex on the first attempt. every single student is requried to score at least a 70.7 on the exit exam (that's a 90% chance of passing nclex on the first attempt) before they are allowed to graduate. if you don't pass with that 70.7, they will require you to do a nclex prep course, and retest in 2 weeks.

as for jobs, nursing is not reccession proof and in general things are a bit tighter right now. some hospitals have even cut their new grad rn residency programs due to many budget cuts. the biggest advice i can give you is not to be picky about what your first job is. i was, and i have had difficulty finding a job. i really wanted something in nicu, pediatrics, or l&d. these are very difficult specalitiy areas for new grads to be hired into. when spots do open up for them, it is highly competitive (700+ applicants for 2-20 spots). i went on a few interviews, and was contacted by my dream hospital (texas children's), each time i was competing with so many people, that it really is no surprise that i haven't found anything as of yet. (texas children's recently had up to 1,000 applicants for 2 nicu spots, and a few cvicu spots). so, as a new grad you have to be open to the idea that you may not land that dream job right away. many who were less choosy in my graduating class where able to find jobs a bit easier. i have now started to apply for any and every new graduate rn opportunity i can find. i have realized a year in med/surg may be just what i need to get my foot in the door, and will give me the experience and skills to help me to achieve that dream nicu job in the future.

TXRN2012 · Jul 23, 2012

AppleJacks is Right,,,,I graduated 2011 also, and from what I know we have >90% pass rate.

NCLEX Tips:

1 - Study the ATI books and take the practice exams. That information is really a great prep for NCLEX and will help you pass the school exams.

2- Take a review course after graduation. HURST was amazing.

3 - NCLEX 4000 has great questions to review as well.

4- Saunders CD in the book has great practice questions.

I took NCLEX, 2 months after graduation and passed with 75 questions. I was nervous of course and I doubt anyone ever feels 100% ready...but after I finished my exam...I knew I did well. The point is...you get out the program what you put in. Your success rate on the NCLEX will depend on the studying you put in.

Job advice:

During the summer session of school get your resume proof read and ready to send out. Request at least 3 letters of recommendations from faculty (ask before all your classmates bombard the instructors). Be READY to apply to nurse GN Positions (Paid Internships with training) in October!!! DO NOT WAIT until after graduation. Last, be flexible. Everyone has a dream job, but everyone has to start somewhere. Experience is experience. Be honest, no one is begging for a new grad they have to spend tons of money to train.

My story: I picked about 3 areas I would be content to work in and started applying to jobs in October. I interviewed at 3 places and landed 2 of the 3. Several of us have jobs. But as applejacks says, finding a job is a challenge for anyone. Good luck. Hope this helps.

saw46 · Jul 23, 2012

Thank you for the answers to my questions and extra advice and tips :) still feel like it will be a long time before I can hopefully get to the point you all are at but you guys helped reassure me that U of H will be a fine school to go to and I will keep this all in mind.