UT Arlington

Okay, after being placed on the alternate list at TCC, I've had to regroup a little bit. I think I've decided to just go straight for my BSN at to do it at UTA. After talking with their advisors, I can get almost a full academic scholarship and be done with my BSN in the same amount of time that I would have completed my ADN. Honestly, I was going to immediately do the bridge after earning my ADN anyway, so this is probably a better option.

Any info on the school itself? I know the appliations for spring are due June 1st but I'm not sure when they notify the people that they select. Then select a group of students for an interview and writing sample and then choose the top 100 from that group.

Any thoughts or info would be appreciated!

BTW - I checked in with TCC and so far they have only called three people off the alternate list. Everything happens for a reason, who would have thought that a 3.8 overall and a 4.0 science in addition to a near perfect score on the entrance exam wouldn't get me into a two year school's program??

Well, if you can get a full academic scholarship, go for it!! I would also check into TWU. They have one of the BEST programs in the state. If you want to go ahead and get your BSN, I would apply to a few different schools. UTA has a good program, the only negative thing I've heard (from nurses who graduated from there), felt like their clinical skills were lacking when they graduated. You can get a really good education at UTA though. What is their deadline for the Fall/Spring?

I truly believe the only thing that kept you out was not having Micro finished. The point system they use can really work against you that way. However, your grades are obviously really great because like I told you before, I've NEVER talked to anyone who even made the alternate list with any classes missing. The sciences count the most.

I just wish you the best of luck no matter what you decide to do!!

I've heard the same thing from their nurses. But hopefully they are working to change that.

Honestly, I am very interested in TWU. Unfortunately, with the age of my kiddos, driving to Denton or Dallas just isn't really feasible (sp?) right now. I do hope to do their MSN program later on, they are the only one who offers the NP of Women's Health.

I go meet with my UTA advisor this afternoon so hopefully I will get some more information then.

Hey there..I am a UTASN grad. It is a GREAT school. Your clinical skills will only be lacking if YOU choose not to pursue opportunities and electives. Not to start a debate, but the TCC nurses (the ones I encountered IRL and not here) who said UTA skills were lacking are the same ones who "rotated through" the ICU for two clinical days while we spent 8 weeks/2 full days a week in the transplant/Cardiac ICU at big Baylor.

I was DEFINITELY prepared to go right into my CCU job after graduation. Yes, I can say my experience with postop drains and colostomies was a little lacking (can't find the roll eyes icon to insert here) but I could pull an arterial sheath, figure out physio changes from the Swan Ganz and wean a patient off the vent like no one else. But enough about that.

They have GREAT electives (like a whole summer of ER/Trauma where you clock about 300 clinical hours in the ER or alternatively, a whole summer in the NICU) that go even further in hands on experience. So like I said, if you graduate from there without clinical skills, is an individual choice and not the university's problem.

A BSN doesn't take much longer than an ADN and you are just as prepared. I have found the school to be flexible in their offerings, have great internet classes and wonderful clinical sites and instructors.

Just to clarify, I wasn't trying to be negative about UTA, just sharing what people I have talked to who have gone there have shared with me. The school is still up and running, they must be doing something right. As far as TCC is concerned, no debate needed. We are all biased when it comes to the school we went to/go to. I agree with what you said, your clinical experience is definitely what you make of it, it doesn't matter where you go to school.

Just to clarify, I wasn't trying to be negative about UTA, just sharing what people I have talked to who have gone there have shared with me. The school is still up and running, they must be doing something right. As far as TCC is concerned, no debate needed. We are all biased when it comes to the school we went to/go to. I agree with what you said, your clinical experience is definitely what you make of it, it doesn't matter where you go to school.

I was referring to people I've met IRL (see post) and not what I've read here. I won't even get into the whole BSN/ADN debate but to say it depends on the person and not the school as to what you get out of it. I've met ADN's who are completely inept and I've met BSN's who are the same.

Well, apparently I'm getting old because until your second post, I had no idea what IRL meant. LOL!! Got it!! Thanx.

Yikes, just when I thought I had things all figured out!

I know that there must be pros and cons to every school and/or situation. I'm just ready to settle down somewhere and stick there. You know what I mean?

Yikes, just when I thought I had things all figured out!

I know that there must be pros and cons to every school and/or situation. I'm just ready to settle down somewhere and stick there. You know what I mean?

Well, I know it's tough but you are lucky enough to have the grades to open lots of doors to you. Keep the faith. The right school will come up at exactly the right time.

mom2 -- I don't have any info on UTA, but I just wanted to say that my thoughts and prayers are with you. When I found out that it would take about the same amount of time to get a BSN, I wanted to go that route, but my problem is I don't have all my sciences finished (but I have all the basics like history finished). So, it would take me longer to get in than it will to get into a 2 year program.

Congrats on your scholarship! That is awesome! I look forward to hearing your other good news