University of Michigan (UofM) Accelerated program

livingk · Apr 19, 2011

To people currently in the program...sorry to bug you, but I have a few questions if you are able to help me out...were there many students unhappy with their clinical locations in the 2nd semester? What are some of the areas that were available in complex needs? If you could do it over, would you elect a later pre-program orientation so that you got to select first or at least earlier for 2nd term instead? I had heard that if you had first dibs one semester, you got last picks for the next from another current student but I didn't realize that some semesters matter more than others.

Have you learned phlebotomy or how to start IVs at U of M yet? Would you recommend getting that training prior to or separately during the program? Are there any non-required classes and/or skills you feel that taking/learning before starting the skills blitz/actual program would really be beneficial?

Thanks for any and all help! I really appreciate you helping out us newbies who have lots of questions and curiousities about what we are getting in to....

kiwispring · Apr 19, 2011

alymo,

i had a 3.35 undergrad gpa. i applied the yr before and was waitlisted for the whole summer (obviously didn't get in). between the two yrs i applied (difference b/w my waitlist and acceptance), i took a CNA class, became bls cpr certified, volunteered abroad for medical missions, and did a lot of shadowing. i thought my downfall for my first application was my lack of experience/ evident interest in nursing so i aimed to get more involved the following year.

Dave 48103 · Apr 19, 2011

livngk: Some students really wanted an ICU placement at UM Hospital, and there were only 8 students that got those. And 16 people had to go to Oakwood and Henry Ford, but it sounds like their experience there was just fine. Other than that, the remainder got close to their top choices at UofM. There were 16 spots in pediatric oncology, and the rest were cardiac step down units, so, while not ICU's, still a good experience. It's hard to tell how they will do it this year, for you guys, so really, just make the best of the situation. You will learn plenty from all the experiences. Also, many of us are shadowing nurses in ICU's. I am shadowing in the PICU, Neuro ICU, CCMU and the ER, so that's almost equivalent to the high acuity care semester. I say just register when you register, and let things work themselves out.

As far as phlebotomy, they do not teach that at UofM. The nurses at UMHS do not start IVs, unless you are in a few select units. IV teams do all of that. I am going to take a IV class at WCC in June just to get some exposure. I think the skills blitz is a pretty good start, and you can always take advantage of open lab time to get additional exposure to some of the equipment. I can't think of any additional classes that I would take in prep for the start of the semester. We have given the school some pretty good feedback about things that we would change, so hopefully they will take some of those suggestions.

BTW, the average GPA for our class was 3.5

livingk · Apr 19, 2011

Dave, thanks for the info. I would love to have a clinical in pediatric oncology. Are most of the people who wanted ICU hoping to work towards becoming a CRNA? Is the shadowing that you are doing a part of your clinicals or something additional that you had set up? Shadowing sounds like a great experience. I think I've heard your name from my friend in the program. Are you the guy who set up the FB page? If so, I've heard that you are really outgoing and helpful, which is definitely the case based on all of your posts and help on here. Thanks again! :)

To alymo and applicants - I had just under a 3.7 undergrad GPA and an A in all prereqs. I trained and volunteered as a birth doula through local nonprofit programs, which is my only direct healthcare experience. I had the CNA course and certification and the CPR/First Aid certification. I also took genetics and a cinical and lab skills course for med assistants here at WCC (HSC 115) that covers a lot of hands on learning like giving injections, EKG placement, etc... I'd recommend the class this summer if you have time. It wasn't stressful at all and also provided a nice A&P review. Other extra courses I took were MTH 167, a math course for the WCC nursing program that is all about med dosage calculations, and healthcare terminology. I really recommend all of those courses, including the CNA course, if you have time. I am going to take phelbotomy this summer too b/c it is a skill I am intimidated by. If anyone wants to practice that with me (FUN! :) ), I'm taking it through lifelong learning and it begins on July 17th. It is only 3 sessions for current CNAs or people with healthcare experience.

I know more about last year's applicants and based on who I heard got in and didn't, I think that students who went to school full time while taking prereqs were looked favorably upon, especially if they took multiple science courses together because it gave them an idea of what kind of course load they could handle. I also think healthcare experience really mattered as long as you had grades that were competitive enough...because some people with lots of enviable healthcare experience (including volunteering at or working as techs at U of M) didn't get in if their GPA was too low or their prereq grades weren't high enough. I do also think they care about what you describe as your motivations and goals for going into nursing in the essay.

It seems that they really approached admission differently this year and have taken their time with deciding. I bet a lot of acceptance letters will go out by the end of the month! I hope to see all of you there at orientation and/or in August and wish you all the best. :)

livingk · Apr 19, 2011

Oops...I do know how to spell phlebotomy...I just didn't proofread.

Dave 48103 · Apr 19, 2011

livingk: yes, I'm the facebook guy :-) And i highly recommend that. I think you are right about what they look for in applicants. But only about half our class had any kind of healthcare experience, so those essays do count a lot. I read over some essays of people that didn't get in last year and I probably saw what the admissions team saw. I think most people wanted ICU just because it was different from the med surg floors, whether or not they wanted to go into the CRNA program. Also, there was some "trading" going on once people got their clinical section, another benefit of the FB page.

I think the IV class is good for your own use, but I don't know how much help it will be, since, like I said, other than checking IVs, you really don't get involved with inserting IVs. But any extra knowledge you get is a plus. Skip the Math class. Anyone who understands basic algebra will do fine with medical dosage. There are some good websites out there for practice. About 30 mins of your time and you should be all set. Plus, in my entire clinical experience, I probably had to do math about 4 times.

Shadowing is something I set up on my own. I have friends who are ICU & ER nurses, so I shadow them. It's a great experience shadowing someone you know because they really care about helping you understand what's going on. But you don't need to know a nurse. If you are interested in a certain area, just contact the nurse manager and tell them that you would love to shadow a nurse, they will be happy to set it up for you

Pvt. Parts · Apr 19, 2011

Wow. Some GREAT info from some of the current students!

Thank you SO much for the value you have added to this thread.

RNpatterson · Apr 20, 2011

I have to agree with Dave on the scheduling. There are great experiences available at every clinical rotation so just submit your preferences and take what you get. If it's not your favorite location, there is still an education to be had and it will still be an enjoyable experience if you make the most of it. I, too, have been able to set up shadowing experiences.

Regarding the question about courses to take before starting the program, I'm happy that I took the CNA and phlebotomy courses at WCC - the CNA course helped with the skills blitz in August and I think it gave me the extra boost of confidence with communicating with my patients during the first semester. The phlebotomy course didn't really help much but it's nice to have the extra knowledge. Beyond that, these classes don't offer a huge advantage so save your money unless you just want the additional education.

I am also taking the IV class this summer and last month I took a course on PICCs and Central Lines.

As you guys get your acceptances, feel free to PM us for additional info. We're a very vocal class and always happy to offer advice and share experiences. :)

livingk · Apr 20, 2011

Thanks to both Dave and musician's wife for all of the help and advice. The dept. chair of nursing at WCC talked me into the nursing math class since it's a prereq for pharmacology in their program. She knew I was a full time student there, and I did have space in my schedule when I took micro and she wouldn't let me in to pharm without having micro completed. I'm also considering taking medical ethics, nursing research methods, and stats (I took it back in 99) this summer b/c it seems silly to give up funded classes. I saw stats within 5 years was a prereq for a lot of master's programs, but I heard you don't seem to need the knowledge directly in the BSN program. I'm hoping nursing research methods will be helpful, though.

livingk · Apr 20, 2011

Hi to all of you considering or committed to U of M's 2nd career program for this coming year...I think I successfully made us a FB page. Please search for University of Michigan 2nd Career Accelerated BSN Program Class of 2012 and join! This way we can all share info and connect easier now and throughout the program. I have found being a part of the class of 2011 page helpful, too, so if you are applying for next year or are just considering joining the program in the future, sign up to follow us through the year. Let me know if you encounter any issues finding the page or joining. Thanks!

melierinrdh · Apr 20, 2011

I applied to UofM in Nov 2010...I still haven't heard a decision on my app status. However, they plan to release decisions by the end of April...and I'm expected to cough up $500 if I get in to hold my place? Fair?!? I think NOT!!

RNpatterson · Apr 21, 2011

melierinrdh -

Of the hundreds of applicants, only 70ish get accepted. They want to know who is serious about attending and deposit is deducted from your tuition. seems fair enough...