University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) ABSN

poproxx · Jun 15, 2024

AE89 said:

You really never know. There is one guy in my cohort now who was an alternate. There was also another girl who dropped out right before classes started, and they called in another alternate, but unfortunately it was too last minute for any other alternate to take her place. There's also a guy who got waitlisted for the last cohort and then got in this time around. So you just never know!

Thank you for the positivity! I was reading other threads and some people were alternates in the late twenties and beyond and still got in. I know it's a long shot but, fingers crossed.

Nonizondi · Jun 16, 2024

AE89 said:

My cohort is only 5 weeks in so we haven't lost anyone.. I was intimidated with the 78% at first, but I think it's doable. I have a high A in all my classes right now. The professors really work with you and prepare you well for exams. They constantly emphasize how we can go to them for anything we need and that there are always resources at our disposal. If you got in, it must mean they think you are capable of excelling, so don't let the 78% scare you away!

Thank you. From the course catalog sent to me I see that some classes are hybrid or online. Can you tell me more about this course structure?
What passing score are students required to get on the dosage calculation exams?

Nonizondi · Jun 16, 2024

AE89 said:

I agree, cost of living is very expensive! If you move here, I suggest looking for roommates or moving to north Georgia which is just about 15 minutes away from the school. That's what I did. If you live in Georgia, you can get a regional tuition discount of about $2,000 per semester versus paying out of state tuition. If you move to Tennessee, you only qualify for in state tuition if you've been living there for at least 12 months whereas there is no time requirement if you move to a bordering state. Just something to keep in mind.

Thank you. I have been looking for apartments in nearby cities as well.

poproxx · Jun 19, 2024

Just curious, how many people were accepted into your cohort?

AE89, CNA · Jun 24, 2024

poproxx said:

Just curious, how many people were accepted into your cohort?

The maximum number for the ABSN cohort is 16. One girl dropped out last minute, so we ended up with 15.

Angie Ordonez · Sep 10, 2024

Hi! Thank you for creating this thread, there seems to be so little information online in regards to their absn program LOL I'm currently applying for Spring 2025. Is there any advice you could give me in regards to the application process, essay, resume?

AE89, CNA · Sep 11, 2024

Angie Ordonez said:

Hi! Thank you for creating this thread, there seems to be so little information online in regards to their absn program LOL I'm currently applying for Spring 2025. Is there any advice you could give me in regards to the application process, essay, resume?

Hi! Believe it or not, the website actually has more information now than when I first applied LOL. I see they posted a resume template which they didn't have before, so that's good. I would say just try to answer the essay questions thoroughly and to try to highlight any unique traits or experiences you may have that will contribute in a special way to the program. If you have any healthcare experience, make sure to highlight that. I am one of the few in my cohort that barely had any prior healthcare experience, but I think what helped me is that I had a lot of diverse life experience as well as cross cultural experience. So just try to play on your strengths. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!

poproxx · Sep 11, 2024

Angie Ordonez said:

Hi! Thank you for creating this thread, there seems to be so little information online in regards to their absn program LOL I'm currently applying for Spring 2025. Is there any advice you could give me in regards to the application process, essay, resume?

Hi! I would definitely say to highlight health care experience/volunteer work in your resume. If you don't have any then getting your BLS certification/first aid certification is easy and will work in your favor! It's also a requirement once you join the program so, you can kill two birds with one stone by doing it ahead of time. They seem to really look at health care experience, I'm only one of two people in my cohort who doesn't have any health care experience. In your essay I would really, really draw on interpersonal skills & cultural humility. All of the points are important but those two seem to be topics we keep going over in lecture through out all of our courses! Good luck! :)

AD3003 · Oct 8, 2024

poproxx said:

Hi! I would definitely say to highlight health care experience/volunteer work in your resume. If you don't have any then getting your BLS certification/first aid certification is easy and will work in your favor! It's also a requirement once you join the program so, you can kill two birds with one stone by doing it ahead of time. They seem to really look at health care experience, I'm only one of two people in my cohort who doesn't have any health care experience. In your essay I would really, really draw on interpersonal skills & cultural humility. All of the points are important but those two seem to be topics we keep going over in lecture through out all of our courses! Good luck! 🙂

Thank you so much for this info!

A couple questions: what is the weekly/daily schedule like, number of hours of in-person lecture per day? Also, clincials, are they 12 hours long and how often?

poproxx · Oct 9, 2024

AD3003 said:

Thank you so much for this info!

A couple questions: what is the weekly/daily schedule like, number of hours of in-person lecture per day? Also, clincials, are they 12 hours long and how often?

Of course! I remember how nervous I was when I was applying so ask me any question you have! We have 12 hour in-class clinicals on Monday, off Tuesday/Wednesday but it's strongly suggested we come in for about an hour on at least one of these days to practice skills. Class from 8:00 to 4:30 on Thursday & 9-2 on Fridays (lectures both days). That's our schedule for the first half of Fall semester. We are just now going into the second half of fall semester so our schedule is changing to 12 hour hospital clinicals Monday, 5 hour clinical Wednesday (off-site), 8-11:30 class Thursday, and 8-11 class Friday. Clinicals are 12 hours long and they are every week! I've heard going into second semester we will be having some clinicals twice a week. A lot of my cohort is able to manage work the first semester but are planning to quit for second and third semester since clinical hours ramp up! I know it sounds like a lot but, everyone in my cohort is doing really well. The professors are so encouraging and want to see you succeed. I think it's a great program. Since it is newer and they're making tweaks here and there to make the program even better I'm not sure if this schedule will stay the same for your cohort but, I hope it gave you a better idea on what to expect!

AD3003 · Oct 9, 2024

poproxx said:

Of course! I remember how nervous I was when I was applying so ask me any question you have! We have 12 hour in-class clinicals on Monday, off Tuesday/Wednesday but it's strongly suggested we come in for about an hour on at least one of these days to practice skills. Class from 8:00 to 4:30 on Thursday & 9-2 on Fridays (lectures both days). That's our schedule for the first half of Fall semester. We are just now going into the second half of fall semester so our schedule is changing to 12 hour hospital clinicals Monday, 5 hour clinical Wednesday (off-site), 8-11:30 class Thursday, and 8-11 class Friday. Clinicals are 12 hours long and they are every week! I've heard going into second semester we will be having some clinicals twice a week. A lot of my cohort is able to manage work the first semester but are planning to quit for second and third semester since clinical hours ramp up! I know it sounds like a lot but, everyone in my cohort is doing really well. The professors are so encouraging and want to see you succeed. I think it's a great program. Since it is newer and they're making tweaks here and there to make the program even better I'm not sure if this schedule will stay the same for your cohort but, I hope it gave you a better idea on what to expect!

Thank you so so much for all of this great info! By the way I just realized you were the person that posted about being an alternate - I'm so happy to hear you got in!

Have you heard if previous graduates tend to get into the specialities they want as new grads? I don't know much about the hospitals in TN and if they take new grads into specialities like ICU, ER, L&D, etc.

Also, do you happen to know of any good apartments near the campus or places other students have recommended. The rent in the area seems to be pretty high for TN.

poproxx · Oct 9, 2024

AD3003 said:

Thank you so so much for all of this great info! By the way I just realized you were the person that posted about being an alternate - I'm so happy to hear you got in!

Have you heard if previous graduates tend to get into the specialities they want as new grads? I don't know much about the hospitals in TN and if they take new grads into specialities like ICU, ER, L&D, etc.

Also, do you happen to know of any good apartments near the campus or places other students have recommended. The rent in the area seems to be pretty high for TN.

Yes! There were 3 alternates in my class who got in! I asked my professor this question and she said based on the need for nurses in TN that most people go right into their specialty right after graduation if you stay in state. I believe everyone from the first ABSN cohort got their desired specialty. I moved in with my parents so I'm not sure of pricing for housing but, a couple of girls in my cohort live in the off-campus school housing around UTC or in Georgia since it's only about 25 mins away! They have several roommates to make it affordable, I know it's not ideal but, at least it's only a year.