University of South Florida Accelerated BSN

U.S.A. Florida

Published

Anyone have any insight on this program? I'm in the process of applying and would love to know about the school!

Specializes in Quality management.

I am with you Lawyergirl!!! Can I be copied in any and all messages please and thank you. USF is my first choice and there seems to be a shortage of info on this site for this particular school. :)

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Apparently I can't PM yet...

Clinical sites-all the big hospitals around here: Morton Plant Mease, St. Joe's, University Community, the VA, etc. I'm not sure how you are assigned to the hospitals since my accelerated group wasn't given a choice that particular semester. We also did some outpatient sites, especially during community.

Uniform-white scrubs with a USF patch and white shoes. You pick your own scrubs. 1-2 sets is good at first, I never needed more than 3.

Equipment-the only big things are the PDA (not sure what they are using now, I think it is the iTouch or whatever) and a stethoscope. Littmann is strongly recommended, great quality, about $70-80.

For accelerated, the first semester was the worst for me because it was a lot of material and a new way of thinking (fundamentals, physical exam & assessment, pharm, and patho). A lot of people really hated the second semester (med-surg 1 and 2 at the same time, and psych) but you get through it. Third is boring. Fourth was my favorite (peds, women's health, leadership, and preceptorship (180 clinical hours on one floor)).

You really need to know how to study in a way that works for YOU and to know what the instructor's exams are like. Obviously, that doesn't always work, lol. I know I need all the little details in order to understand the big picture, so I would read the chapters (especially med-surg). But a lot of people got away with studying the powerpoints. Our group broke up the study guides and each did a little part--that worked great, but you have to trust your group.

My favorite part is how well my group bonded. We were a big family and it was great. I think all the clinical groups formed some sort of relationship with each other, you have to to get through it.

Hope that helps! You can also go on the CON website and find the student handbook. It has a lot of info that may give you more details.

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Specializes in Critical Care - Adults, Peds & Neonates.
Apparently I can't PM yet...

Clinical sites-all the big hospitals around here: Morton Plant Mease, St. Joe's, University Community, the VA, etc. I'm not sure how you are assigned to the hospitals since my accelerated group wasn't given a choice that particular semester. We also did some outpatient sites, especially during community.

Uniform-white scrubs with a USF patch and white shoes. You pick your own scrubs. 1-2 sets is good at first, I never needed more than 3.

Equipment-the only big things are the PDA (not sure what they are using now, I think it is the iTouch or whatever) and a stethoscope. Littmann is strongly recommended, great quality, about $70-80.

For accelerated, the first semester was the worst for me because it was a lot of material and a new way of thinking (fundamentals, physical exam & assessment, pharm, and patho). A lot of people really hated the second semester (med-surg 1 and 2 at the same time, and psych) but you get through it. Third is boring. Fourth was my favorite (peds, women's health, leadership, and preceptorship (180 clinical hours on one floor)).

You really need to know how to study in a way that works for YOU and to know what the instructor's exams are like. Obviously, that doesn't always work, lol. I know I need all the little details in order to understand the big picture, so I would read the chapters (especially med-surg). But a lot of people got away with studying the powerpoints. Our group broke up the study guides and each did a little part--that worked great, but you have to trust your group.

My favorite part is how well my group bonded. We were a big family and it was great. I think all the clinical groups formed some sort of relationship with each other, you have to to get through it.

Hope that helps! You can also go on the CON website and find the student handbook. It has a lot of info that may give you more details.

Woot! Thank you so much! :D It definitely helps.

As it relates to the shoes, would you say USF is very particular? (Okay if the shoes have a bit of color?)

The PDA or the iTouch...required of 2nd degree students or is that purchase optional?

ETA: I'm reading the handbook now and I see that it answers my question about the shoes (it details they must be totally white). I'll likely find something else that will answer my question about the PDA/iTouch, so no worries on that either.

Feel free to share other things as they come to you, however. :)

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Thanks so much for the long winded post SESHUN! What was theweekly schedule like?

LAWYERGIRL, All of the schools I have applied to require a PDA! It allows students to have constant and quick access to necessary info, especially during clinicals.

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Specializes in Critical Care - Adults, Peds & Neonates.
LAWYERGIRL, All of the schools I have applied to require a PDA! It allows students to have constant and quick access to necessary info, especially during clinicals.

Thank you for letting me know of your experience. :) I definitely understand why purchasing a PDA would be a good thing/recommended by the Program. However, in my attempt to get all of my financial ducks in a row now (before finances get a little crazy), I'm seeking out as much info as I can get. I've tried to read a majority of the older USF threads on the board here and if recollection serves me, MB37 finished the Program a few years ago w/ a 4.0 (w/out a PDA).

So, I'm just wondering...LOL! My pocketbook definitely prefers "we recommend" rather than "we require". :lol2:

It'll work itself out, I imagine. :idea:

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For shoes, I wouldn't say they have to be totally white, USF policy says that, but I guess it's up to how strict your instructor is. I doubt a blue nike logo or something would be a problem.

I believe the PDA is mandatory now. You also have to purchase software (called Nursing Central, I think?) and it so helpful to be in clinical and hear a drug name or a diagnosis and be able to look it up in seconds.

I remembered one other additional expense--the wonderful kaplan program. I think it was $350 or maybe $400. Required to pass preceptorship and possibly even other classes now, I'm not sure. Oh, some people fought that one HARD but the CON wouldn't budge.

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Specializes in Critical Care - Adults, Peds & Neonates.

I was going to send this question via PM, but thought others might benefit from the response(s). Umm...hopefully. :) I'm reading old USF threads now and I see that at one point in the Program, students were allowed to print from campus (free). A semester or two later, things changed and students had to print assignments, notes, docs, etc. from home (due to budget cuts).

Is that still the case? If so, did you find that (ink cartridges, paper, maintenance) to be a fairly serious expense?

I'm also reading that books must be purchased new (in order to get the access code for Blackboard).....Still the case?

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Specializes in ICU.

I may apply for Fall 2010 if UNF and UCF don't work. I really wanted to apply for May but I am not finished with Chem until May. All pre reqs have to be completed. Too bad they don't cut us alumni some slack.

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Do you need to have all the Pre-reqs finished before you apply?

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I was going to send this question via PM, but thought others might benefit from the response(s). Umm...hopefully. :) I'm reading old USF threads now and I see that at one point in the Program, students were allowed to print from campus (free). A semester or two later, things changed and students had to print assignments, notes, docs, etc. from home (due to budget cuts).

Is that still the case? If so, did you find that (ink cartridges, paper, maintenance) to be a fairly serious expense?

I'm also reading that books must be purchased new (in order to get the access code for Blackboard).....Still the case?

You can print from the Marshall Center for free (last I checked it was 30 pgs/day), but we were never there. Most people just bring their laptops to class and don't bother with printing the notes. If that's your thing, then yes, you will use LOTS of paper. You probably will print more than usual (weekly clinical logs, assignments, study guides, semester clinical evals, etc.) but nothing to worry about. I think I replaced my ink twice during the whole program?

Books are a funny thing. I think we had to purchase the fundamentals package of books (included a couple NCLEX study guides) new, but they may not even do that anymore. The thing is, the publisher they use includes a code with most new books that allows you to download the entire book onto your computer. SO convenient.

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Specializes in Critical Care - Adults, Peds & Neonates.
You can print from the Marshall Center for free (last I checked it was 30 pgs/day), but we were never there. Most people just bring their laptops to class and don't bother with printing the notes. If that's your thing, then yes, you will use LOTS of paper. You probably will print more than usual (weekly clinical logs, assignments, study guides, semester clinical evals, etc.) but nothing to worry about. I think I replaced my ink twice during the whole program?

Wonderful. :) I definitely tend to use a lot of paper. I'm a fairly fast "typer", but I like to take handwritten notes in class. I've found that I learn best this way, plus I MUCH prefer something in hand to study from when exam time rolls around.

Books are a funny thing. I think we had to purchase the fundamentals package of books (included a couple NCLEX study guides) new, but they may not even do that anymore. The thing is, the publisher they use includes a code with most new books that allows you to download the entire book onto your computer. SO convenient.

Cool. :up: Not sure I'll use it much, but I love that there's an option.

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