USF College of Nursing

MB37 · Sep 15, 2007

Definitely apply, it changes a little each semester. They never told us the exact cutoff, but that sounds about right. I know it was higher than 3.5 for upper division. I'm in accelerated, and that cutoff has dropped a lot since they added the Pinellas program for my class (started in May) - I'm in Tampa, and I know that we needed at least a 3.5, but the Pinellas folks were selected after us and some of them had less than that even. Are you taking anything this fall that might raise it a little if you're borderline? Also, remember that if they accept their top 48 and get to 3.72, inevitably a couple people will turn it down for whatever reason and they'll have to accept at least a couple off the wait list. You should have a good chance at least. Good luck!

MLH821 · Sep 15, 2007

Thanks for the reply. I already applied, I'm just wondering what my chances are. I'm only taking 2 classes this semester, so it probably won't help my gpa too much, but I'll apply again for the summer admission I guess if I dont get in. I'm also considering going to HCC to get my ASN, then back to USF for the RN to BSN. How do you like the accelerated nursing program??

moonischasingme1 · Sep 16, 2007

Hey,

I'm a 3rd semester CON student. I got in for Fall of '06 and my GPA was a 3.701 (hey, that point 01 is important1), so I think if you have all of your pre-reqs done, then you should be good.

GOOD LUCK!!

MB37 · Sep 17, 2007

The accelerated program isn't very accelerated. After we had all finished our supposed semester 1/4, faculty had a meeting and decided to stretch it out over 5 semesters. This caused some students to drop out of the program and apply somewhere closer to home, family, etc., and others to consider/apply for transfers. It was supposed to be two semesters with accelerated and upper division together, then two ultra-accelerated semesters, and they decided this was no longer doable even though every other program in FL is that short or shorter. Instead, we have one ultra-tough semester (Med-Surg 1&2 together with Psych in the spring) and then spread the rest out over summer and fall. Nothing I can do about it now, and maybe it'll allow me to work at a crappy paying tech job those last two semesters or something. My feeling about the accelerated program are...um...mixed?

The school in general is great though - when you read all the posts in the general nursing student forum about instructors who are "out to get" students, and about 60% fail rates, so far we've seen none of that. The faculty seems genuinely interested in helping as many of us as possible to become good, safe nurses. Good luck to you again!

woody62, RN · Sep 19, 2007

The accelerated program isn't very accelerated. After we had all finished our supposed semester 1/4, faculty had a meeting and decided to stretch it out over 5 semesters. This caused some students to drop out of the program and apply somewhere closer to home, family, etc., and others to consider/apply for transfers. It was supposed to be two semesters with accelerated and upper division together, then two ultra-accelerated semesters, and they decided this was no longer doable even though every other program in FL is that short or shorter. Instead, we have one ultra-tough semester (Med-Surg 1&2 together with Psych in the spring) and then spread the rest out over summer and fall. Nothing I can do about it now, and maybe it'll allow me to work at a crappy paying tech job those last two semesters or something. My feeling about the accelerated program are...um...mixed?
The school in general is great though - when you read all the posts in the general nursing student forum about instructors who are "out to get" students, and about 60% fail rates, so far we've seen none of that. The faculty seems genuinely interested in helping as many of us as possible to become good, safe nurses. Good luck to you again!

I took several graduate nursing course at USF between 1996 to 1999. My professors were pretty good. I loved on that taught pathophysiology. He was a nurse who had returned and gotten his M.D. He was a great teacher and he made learning fun, if it ever can be. :uhoh3:

Woody:balloons:

MB37 · Sep 20, 2007

Yup, the professors ar USF are really good. Most of them make the effort to make learning interesting, and they really want to help you to succeed. I also loved my patho professor, and he was an MD too, but I don't believe he was ever a nurse. I plan on going to grad school eventually, although I don't want to commit to as specialty until I've gotten a chance to practice for a few years, and it will probably be at USF also since I think we're going to be stuck in Tampa for the foreseeable future.

Journey_On, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2008

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I had a question specifically for USF CON students.

In my Pharm class, we were recommended to get a drug guide. I know I will need one when I start clinicals, but I kind of want to get one now anyway (I am really enjoying my Pharm class and am really interested in learning about prescription drugs).

I have searched through some threads on here about drug guides, and the majority of the members seem to like Davis. However, the only one I have looked through or have really heard of is Mosby's (the one my Pharm professor recommended).

She also said that drug cards were fine (like MediQuik) as long as they had the drug action, classification, and something else I can't remember at this time.

To the students who are or were in USF's CON, what drug guide or drug cards did you use? I went to the USF Health Bookstore today and saw several.

Also, do you get a new drug guide every year? Do any of you have PDAs? Then I hear you can update those much easier than buying a new drug guide every year.

I know it's a lot of questions, but I appreciate your opinions and feedback. Thank you!

MB37 · Jan 18, 2008

We were required to buy Mosby's, although we don't start passing meds for two weeks so I still haven't really used it. For pharm, I just looked stuff up in the pharm book. Only 1/10 in my clinical owns a PDA, and I'm not sure if she even brings it to clinical - I've never seen her use it. I'definitely wait to buy one, maybe ask your TC what s/he recommends or see what's common at your site - I've never seen any of my preceptors pull one out either, although my personal NP uses one to look up drugs when I'm in her office.