University of Houston Victoria Second Nursing Degree

TXRN2012 · Nov 4, 2010

I'm in a little different boat but am looking for advice, too. I got an invitation to the interview in my email...still haven't gotten through the mail yet.
Anyway, I am torn between Lone Star ADN RN program vs UHV. ADN is a 2 year "part time" program. I can work if I need to, less intense, 1/3 the cost and closer to my home. But, UHV is only 1 year (so while more expensive, I am going to be out quicker making nursing salary), can't work if I needed to while going to school, further from home (I live in Cypress), and I am scared as hell about how intense it is and am totally afraid of failure! I know that I should just suck it up and go UH and be done with it because then I will have BSN besides ADN but I am just afraid! I read the info on the NCLEX pass rates but does anyone know what the drop out rate is? They were very specific in the info session that if you make anything less than a C, then you are out! So, it must happen....
What do you all think? Lone Star vs UHV?

Lonestar is a wonderful college, but I would go with UHV if you get an offer. I know a ton of people that were in my classes (pre-reqs) retaking stuff to apply to nursing school all over again because they only had an ADN. A BSN allows you greater opportunities. I would def struggle now and get the BSN, instead of dealing with the stress of re-applying to a BSN program later, and struggling later. That is of course assuming you would want to eventually go back for a BSN, which I see a lot of people do. Either way, good luck!

tebow · Nov 5, 2010

Go with UHV. BSN is the way to go.

Just getting the interview is hard enough so go for it because nursing school competition is hard.

I will be going for my UHV interview this November....good luck to all.

JSanz8 · Nov 5, 2010

Sorry I've been out of pocket. Wanted to answer some of your questions. If they are doing the interview the same way, it will be one question and you will go into a computer lab with a bunch of other applicants.

Our class took Pharmacology as an online class and I'm assuming you will still need to take it.

Clinicals for the first semester are from 8 - 4pm on Mondays at the skills lab at the Sugarland Campus; 8 - 3.30pm at your respective hospitals on Wednesdays; Virtual Clinicals from a book on Fridays that count toward your clinical hours. During the last 8 weeks of your last semester (which is what I'm doing now) you will have 201 hours of clinicals that you will need to complete at a hospital so your days may consist of 12 hour days and may also include weekends depending on your preceptor's schedule.

So far, we have been welcomed and respected, as students, at all the hospitals we've been assigned to. We haven't really had any issues.

As for the NCLEX, I just took my exit exam last week and I passed it with no problem. I still have a lot of studying to do and I'm as ready as I'll ever be but I don't think anyone will ever feel fully ready to take the NCLEX. BTW - The pass rate for UHV is so low because only 16 or 17 people graduated from their first class. This time around I think there are 38 of us so that will provide better numbers.

Hope this answers your questions and good luck on your decisions!

texanchiq · Nov 6, 2010

Thanks so much for your reply JSanz8!! That helped a whole lot!

Are you in contact with anyone who graduated from the previous class? if so, were they able to find a job easily in a hospital? I'm a little worried that hospitals might brush off applicants from a nursing program that is not too well known yet. Thanks so much for all your help!

JSanz8 · Nov 7, 2010

Hi. I do not know anyone personally from the previous class. However, I believe everyone that graduated found jobs and did not have any issues.

There are some of us that already have been offered residencies at Methodist hospitals around the area and we start on Jan. 18th.

advor · Nov 7, 2010

Hello!

I got an interview at UHV as well, and I am very excited! Does anyone know what the stats for this semester look like, eg number of applicants compared to the number they are accepting? And congratulations to others who recieved interview invitations as well!

texanchiq · Nov 7, 2010

Thanks once again for all your help JSanz8!!

I'm sorry that I keep bombarding you with questions lol. How many days a week do you wear scrubs? And is there class on campus on Tuesday and Thursday? And what is the virtual clinical lab that you mentioned that takes place on Friday's? (how many hours is it?) Also, what are Nursing Residencies? Are they like internships or a real job? And early congratulations on graduating and for your residency! :)

JSanz8 · Nov 7, 2010

The first and second semesters, we only wore our school appointed scrubs on Wednesdays. However, for skills labs on Mondays, we can wear any scrubs. For this last semester, we are supposed to wear our scrubs any time that we go to the hospital for our clinicals.

Virtual Clinicals are assignments that you do from a book with a DVD. The DVD simulates a hospital setting and walks you through different scenarios where then you have to answer questions. The books are typically collected either midway through and then at the end of the semester and checked for completion. Word of advice - if they are going to use Virtual Clinicals again, keep up with them. They can be very long and time consuming and count toward your clinical hours. Don't leave these assignments for the last minute.

For the first and second semesters, you will have classes on Mondays (skill lab), Tuesday and Thursdays.

Nursing residencies (internships) are paid nursing positions offered at some hospitals where they give you extensive training and a preceptor to work with instead of throwing you into a working environment cold turkey. Check the Methodist site for more information. I believe St. Lukes, MD Anderson and Memorial Hermann as well as the County have Graduate Nurse internship programs but they only take applications during certain times of the year.

tebow · Nov 7, 2010

JSanz8.....thank you for all the informations you are providing the prospective students....

What are the typical hours for clinicals(MW) and classes(TTH)? Classes/clinicals on Fridays? I am trying to get a guage as to the hours for childcare purposes.

JSanz8 · Nov 7, 2010

- Monday skill labs are typically from 8am - 4pm.

- Wednesday clinicals at hospitals vary but have been typically between 8am - 4pm.

- For the first two semesters we did not go physically into class but were responsible for completing our virtual clinicals and we also had online exams that we would complete at home.

- Tuesday / Thursday classes also vary depending on the semester but range any time between 8am - 4pm.

Now remember, I'm sure they are making changes and improvements to the program with each year that passes so what I have experienced may be completely different from what the next class will experience. Please keep that in mind.

I can only speak to what I've gone through so don't gauge your plans on what I've said.

To be safe and what the school says on the site is that it is a full-time, M - F program and they aren't kidding. It is a lot of work in a short period of time so I wouldn't plan on having much free time if I were you. It is doable but you must commit yourself fully to this program (and any other second degree program). You are literally condensing 2 years worth of work into one and they do not skimp out on what you will learn.

Hope this didn't scare you but I'm being as honest as possible.

jeanster · Nov 8, 2010

JSanz8,

Seriously...thank you so much for your information! I am still deciding between TWU and UHV. The only thing I am afraid of is how intense the program really is. I do not have any children and will not be working but I am truly frightened.

In your opinion is this program reasonable? I know it will be alot of work...but are you completely stressed and lacking sleep?

JSanz8 · Nov 8, 2010

The program is definitely reasonable. However, regardless of which program you select, you must manage your time wisely. I am not a night person and definitely need to sleep in order to function so I managed my time with the most intense studying taking place in the early am. Once 8pm hits, I can't function anymore so it was useless to even try since I would not retain any information anyway. You need to know yourself and organize accordingly. Good organization is the key to succeed. Procrastination is the worst quality to have so avoid it all costs.

As far as stress.....every nursing program is stressful. This certainly is not a lacksidasical field so expect to be challenged. I know the 'unknown' can be truly frightening but I have to say, I have no regrets enrolling in this program. The faculty has been very supportive and they truly want to see their students succeed. You will have plenty of support if you seek it out.