USAGPAN 2021

antsrt4, BSN · Aug 26, 2019

are you applying for FY 2020? Either way good luck! The GRE has been by biggest challenge/hurdle so far....

Bonnie Bailey · Aug 27, 2019

@antsrt4 I didn’t submit an application this year for the 2020 cohort- I’m applying for the FY 2021 cohort ☺️ How about you? I’m planning on taking the GRE in late November/early December!

antsrt4, BSN · Aug 27, 2019

15 hours ago, Bonnie Bailey said:
@antsrt4 I didn’t submit an application this year for the 2020 cohort- I’m applying for the FY 2021 cohort ☺️ How about you? I’m planning on taking the GRE in late November/early December!

I sent you a PM...cheers

Ryan Sellahcs · Sep 7, 2019

Hey everyone. My name is Ryan. I will be applying for the 2021 cohort. I am a prior service Marine infantryman. I deployed to Afghan in 2012 and Japan 2014. I got out in 2015 and went to Nursing school on my G.I Bill. I've been a nurse for one year at a Level 1 Trauma Center in the ER but I am transferring hopefully to the Trauma ICU this November. For everyone who wants to talk stats here are mine thus far.

Experience by commission: 1 year ER and 1 year and 2 Months Trauma ICU. I spoke to the program director and was told that ER experience counts for the Critical Care experience but I know I need ICU knowledge so I am going to make my year in the ICU count.

GPA: 3.82. I am currently taking two MSN courses and I will take the Iowa Central Community College Intro to Organic and Biochem. Hopefully, all these will be A's. How was this course? Any advice?

Certifications: I have my CEN and TCRN. Plan to take my CCRN around April. I also have TNCC and TCAR.

I will take the GRE over winter break. I have 8 weeks to study and take the test. Does anyone have any advice about the test? I am a good test taker but still nervous about it. Any study programs that ya'll used?

Ryan Sellahcs · Sep 7, 2019

Also, I was attempting to join the reserves but changed my mind to go for the CRNA programs so most of my packet as far as the Army is complete. I have spoken with my recruiter ALOT about this program so I may be able to answer some questions about what I have learned and about MEPS. Let me know if yall have any questions. I am really excited about this opportunity to network and pursue this program.

HowdyHowdy, LVN · Sep 9, 2019

I am going to follow this thread really closely. I plan on pursuing this same route, maybe a year behind you guys. Currently working as an LVN in a major ER, transferring to ICU in May when I finish my RN.

@Bonnie Bailey - really curious about your experience with the ICC Ochem class. I have already taken Intro Chem with Lone Star here in Houston for my BSN and would like to do what you did.

Good luck to all of y'all. Looking forward to see how everything goes for everyone.

Bonnie Bailey · Sep 9, 2019

@Ryan Sellahcs Good luck to you! Let’s keep in touch on the thread with our progress! @HowdyHowdy I’m taking the ICCC chem course now and it’s a good amount of work but the course does well in making sure students grasp the information. There is no lab component so that’s nice. The tests are proctored and the student is responsible for securing a proctor and submitting the paperwork to have their proctor approved. I recommend renting the book (it’s only available through ICCC bookstore) and there is a required $42 online homework subscription- just FYI. If you are a veteran or a military spouse, you will enjoy in-state tuition which is about half the cost of nonresident rates! In full disclosure, I heard back from the program director about this course and he wrote, “This course would work, but I would suggest to take a graduate level course in order to set yourself apart from other applicants and to make yourself more competitive.”

I’m taking my GRE at the end of the year and I plan to use Magoosh to prepare. I’ve heard great things about it!

-By the time I commission, I’ll have 16 months ICU time.

-I have a 4.0 BSN GPA and a 3.7(ish) science GPA. These are the two GPA’s I was asked to provide when I spoke with the program director about whether or not I am a competitive applicant.

-I was active duty army for 6 years and my husband is still on active duty. We are a military family through and through! My kids love telling dinner guests that they are “army brats” ?

-GRE is TBD

I plan on contacting a recruiter in January to get my packet started. I called my nearest AMEDD recruiter last month (August 2019) and he felt it was too early to get started. I agree with him but I wanted to plant a seed for when the time comes ?

p.s. We are stationed at Ft. Sill and my husband has been an instructor at DCC since it’s inception in 2016. If you have any questions about DCC, please ask! There are previous USAGPAN threads with a lot of information about what DCC is- I recommend starting there ☺️

HowdyHowdy, LVN · Sep 10, 2019

3 hours ago, Bonnie Bailey said:
In full disclosure, I heard back from the program director about this course and he wrote, “This course would work, but I would suggest to take a graduate level course in order to set yourself apart from other applicants and to make yourself more competitive.”
-I have a 4.0 BSN GPA and a 3.7(ish) science GPA.

I wonder about the ICCC course then. It would be tremendously convenient for me. It would save me from taking the Chem 1 and Chem 2 prereqs that are required to get to O Chem 1 at my local CC, and would save me money, even compared to the ridiculous OOS tuition.

Also, for your BSN GPA, is that in reference to a traditional 4 year undergrad BSN? I ask because I didn't do a traditional 4 year. I'm currently an LVN in a one year RN transition program. After that I will be doing a 9-12 month online BSN program through UT. Wonder what exactly they would count in a BSN GPA.

Bonnie Bailey · Sep 10, 2019

That’s a great question as far as your BSN GPA. I interpreted it as nursing-specific courses but your situation is different than mine. I’m sure either the program director or the Baylor liaison can answer your question!

HowdyHowdy, LVN · Sep 10, 2019

17 hours ago, Bonnie Bailey said:
That’s a great question as far as your BSN GPA. I interpreted it as nursing-specific courses but your situation is different than mine. I’m sure either the program director or the Baylor liaison can answer your question!

Yah I may have to look into that. The 1 year BSN program through UTH isn't hard to earn a 4.0 in. It would be really great to have that as what's counted as my GPA. My undergrad cGPA is a 3.57 and my sGPA is a 3.84, so not bad, but a 4.0 is better still. I still have Ochem to take as well.

Really excited to see this thread play out.

Ryan Sellahcs · Sep 11, 2019

Hey @Bonnie Bailey and @HowdyHowdy great to meet ya'll!

The ICCC course is just so convenient! I am in the same boat as HowdyHowdy. I took an Introductory Chemistry course during my prerequisites so it just makes sense. I am planning on applying this cycle and if I am not selected going back and taking all the other chemistry courses. @HowdyHowdy I feel like they will include all of your nursing courses for the BSN GPA. To my understanding in LVN school, you get all the actual "NURSING" course and then the BSN is the research, leadership, and executive topics.

Today I got the ETS 3 pack study guide and the "5 lbs" book of study questions. Hopefully, this will be enough to score well. I am worried about the GRE but I feel like with any test if I study enough I can get a fair score.

@Bonnie Bailey, what is the criteria for a preceptor just out of curiosity? I emailed the director last week and she said someone with a strong academic record 3.8 or greater should be fine taking a community college course and that those below a 3.8 would benefit taking a graduate course to prove their academic ability. I know from reading past threads that they have seen this course many times lol.

Does anyone know anyone who has actually attended the school?