UTHSC SON Accepted into accelerated

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Hello-

If you have been accepted into the UT Health Science Center School of Nursing Accelerated program and have questions/comments about the whole process-post here! We can all get through these hoops together:yeah:

cool are there more of you? are u in the fb group?

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Finally home from work! I interviewed on the 2nd to last date I believe...Wed Feb 11th I think it was, you?

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I didn't know there was a FB group, what's the name of it?

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Meeting up sounds great! Rolly-I am also sometimes nervous about the program-when I think that I am going to be a nurse in a year? Yikes! BUT-I know that we can do it and they are a great school. We made it this far and we can all keep on going. No talk of not making it!!! Everyone will.

I honestly am not going to buy another thing until I figure out where all of this money is coming from. Not even a book. I would love to start reading and stuff and maybe practicing taking bp. etc. but not only do I not have the money for all of the stuff yet-but also still working ft (until the 21st), and classes to finish up.

I know there is at least one guy in accelerated-although Se7ven I did not know until I saw you on fb ;) Are you ready to be surrounded by women for a year?

I think we should get lunch on the 13th but I don't know. Luckily I packed some almonds for my interview b.c. I was seriously the LAST one. Really. I waited in that room until the very end -5 hours or something!

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Hey Ellie! I am working until the 21st and finishing up classes as well. Busy busy already! What's the link to the FB group? I want to join! Can you PM it to me?

I haven't bought anything yet, I am trying SO HARD to wait until orientation is over and until i hear about FA and Scholarships. What have you bought already? I can't wait to register either, but sadly my class at HCC is still going and grades won't be posted for another week at least. Oh well!

I need to be more positive, I will make it, I have no other choice! It's time to put my positive pants on : )

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I cannot WAIT to be surrounded by women! ;). (Although I will need to stay focused not distracted lol!)

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Hey again everyone.

Sorry I kind of just disappeared. I had to study for finals and I finally finished taking my last one today. Woo hoo!!!

I can see you guys are anxious about your upcoming orientation so I asked my friend from the Bacc2 program if she could give some insight on all of your questions. Hopefully, we cover all of the bases.

*This info. is based on last year's Bacc2 orientation so this may be subject to change.

-Schedule: Bacc2 program, RN-BSN program, RN-MSN program will hold a joint orientation. Upon arrival at the school, everyone will receive a UT goodie bag that includes a lot of useful information. Everyone will meet up in the auditorium and speakers will be present to discuss: UT, campus safety, financial aid, the school's different clubs (UT Student Nurse Association, Student Government), the various ceremonies (pinning and graduation), and any questions you guys may have. Then there is a 1 hour break for lunch, which is provided for. They had pizza, cookies, cake, and soft drinks on the menu last year. After lunch is over, each program splits up into their prospective groups. Bacc2 will all be in a room where they hear firsthand experiences and nursing school afterlives from the recent graduates of the previous Bacc2 program. The past graduates discuss their struggles, their future, and answers any of your questions. Some even hand out contact information (cell #, email) in case you need any help. Then, you're handed your booklist, meet advisors, and meet your professors for your first semester courses. The professors go over their syllabus, tells you what books you need, and what they expect from you in terms of assignments or tests. Afterwards, everyone is free to go. My friend said that the orientation does not last till 4, maybe 3 if thats any better.

-Attire for Orientation: There is no standard or preferred attire. Most arrived wearing slacks and a button up or blouse. Interview attire may be a bit overboard but then again, there were some that chose to wear jeans and a t-shirt. The decision is yours.

-Classes: For her program, their first semester courses included: Health Assessment, Research, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Adult Care I, and Professional Practice & Leadership. Yes, that is a total of 6 classes but before you guys faint, they did not take all 6 classes simultaneously. Instead, they took their courses 3 or maybe 4 at a time. For example, Health Assessment, Pharm, Research, and Patho were taken simultaneously and completed a little bit before Adult Care I and Professional Practice & Leadership started.

-Clinicals: Yes, clinicals started during July. After the program was oriented to lab and completed check offs (you have to demonstrate to a professor that you're able to accurately measure vital signs: blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate as well as being able to complete a full head to toe physical assessment). Do not worry, you learn all of this in Health Assessment. In July, you are given your clinical assignment (what hospital you're at and what floor you're on). The first 3 clinicals is basically like a warm up to get you acquainted with your hospital surroundings. You'll learn about care plans and you'll discuss your day in post conference (occurs at the end of the day with your clinical instructor). After this initial period, you'll be attending your clinicals solo. You get to pick the days that you want to come in but keep in mind that your schedule has to coincide with your preceptor's schedule as well. You will have to complete four 8 hour shifts and each instructor will let you know how many careplans they require of you. Also, you will have to post your shift hours so that your clinical instructor knows your schedule and can pay you a surprise visit. Yes, this seems like a requirement--at least 1 surprise visit. Every semester, your shift hours will increase. By the second semester, we were required to work nine 12 hour shifts. Just make sure that you schedule your clinical hours to where you will still have time to complete your school assignments, study for your tests, and most importantly, SLEEP!!

-Financial Aid: The process is very lengthy for some folks. I'm not sure if you guys have heard about this but the John S. Dunn Research Foundation has recently awarded $1.2 million in scholarships to the UT Nursing School. You can read the full story here: http://publicaffairs.uth.tmc.edu/media/newsreleases/nr2009/son_award.htm

Basically, his scholarships are geared toward the accelerated program. There were a few people in the previous Bacc2 program that received full scholarships thanks to this foundation. With this new donation, I'm sure more people from the Bacc2 program will receive full scholarships, if not some form of scholarship. But this is not set in stone though. There were some people in last year's program that received scholarships of various amount (i.e. $1000/semester or more). It really just all depends but make sure you fill out the UT scholarship application.

-Books, Scrubs, Stethoscope, other necessities: You guys will have plenty of time to buy all of this and to be able to read the books if you manage your time wisely. For now, just enjoy your brief vacation before school starts :D.

*Ok, I hope this answers some of your questions. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask. Actually if you guys want, we could do a group chat via msn or aim. I'll grab my friend and we could give you guys feedback about the classes, the professors, study tips, etc.

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:yeah:Thank you!!! Have I mentioned before how much you rock :redbeathe This is so helpful and I really. really, really appreciate it as do the rest of us I am sure Congrats on being done with the final!!! Yay! I need a little smilie bowing down to you for being so helpful to us....the info. is great!

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Thank you so much! That is so sweet of you to take time out of your schedule to help the wondering out! Have a great night/weekend : )

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Oppa84, thank you soooo much! The info is very helpful.

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i went today to get the id badge. it took less than a second and the picture is whack so people make up or dress nice because you only have one chance to look good.yes i am also a guy. on fb acc same user name i hope i get the scholarship. thank you for all the information.

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does anyone know where they're going to park for orientation? i think it would cost a fortune to park in the garage all day...

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