Utica College Online ABSN

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So, I looked through the archives and I couldn't find any recent reviews of Utica College's Online ABSN program. The courses are online and the clinicals are held near campus. Does anyone on here have any feedback for this program? I am not looking for advice on online vs. brick and mortar--that is research I have done a ton of: on here, elsewhere, via personal experience, etc, etc... Anyone go through this program? ♥️

44 minutes ago, sunnyjohn said:

Which program in FL? Miramar or St Pete? 

St Pete 

9 minutes ago, Jewel-onyeka said:

Hi, am looking at the Syracuse want to know about the program if all said is actually true

Still happy to chat! The programs run the same

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Just now, yoginurse2016 said:

St Pete 

So how is the program in St Pete? The reviews are unsettling. 

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You can email me [email protected] 

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Can anyone give advice on the Utica Fort Lauderdale program... is it possible to work part time, or weekends with this program? 
 

thanks 

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On 4/23/2019 at 3:10 PM, IntendingRN said:

@Futurenurse1096 I start Fall 2020 cause I have to take a Chemistry class this fall( also at Utica, all online). I'll be moving to Syracuse from Rhode Island. The Hybrid format is also what's got me locked in & the fact that it's a BSN program.

how was the program?

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Hi all! I was wondering how competitive this program is to get into. Do they deny a bunch of applicants or do they accept most? Also from current students are recent graduates, how has/was your experience at UTICA St. Pete been for you? I would appreciate as much feedback as possible!! ?

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Hey!

I just graduated from the program in St. Pete in May 2021... As far as getting accepted- It's not as competitive as a lot of other programs. You only need a 2.9 GPA and the required pre-reqs.

As far as the actual program- I started in Jan 2020, so the first 2 semesters were difficult to adjust to with COVID and virtual clinical but overall I liked the program. The director and professors at the St. Pete location are amazing and truly care about building good, well-rounded nurses. 

We went back into in-person clinicals in second semester for Med/surge, so still got a lot of real clinical experience! My Peds, OB, Psych, and Geri clinicals were virtual- however, I think they have almost gone back to all in-person clinicals at least for the st.pete location- Can't speak for NY and Miami locations.

I will warn that you need to be prepared to really teach yourself since the didactic, and now the labs, are all virtual- you will have in-person lab immersion dates where you will actually go to campus for lab to get your check offs done (Cath, trach, med admin, etc) and you'll do simulations and activities that actually really help you soak up the information that you're learning in didactic. Also, there's actually a really wide variety of clinical opportunities as well- I was able to do both dayshift and nightshift clinical shifts, which was rare to be able to experience night shift!

Overall, I enjoyed the program and liked that I could complete the program in 16 months and felt that I got a good education to start my nursing career. 

I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, I'll respond back as soon as I can.

-Chris

1
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11 hours ago, Christine said:

Hey!

I just graduated from the program in St. Pete in May 2021... As far as getting accepted- It's not as competitive as a lot of other programs. You only need a 2.9 GPA and the required pre-reqs.

As far as the actual program- I started in Jan 2020, so the first 2 semesters were difficult to adjust to with COVID and virtual clinical but overall I liked the program. The director and professors at the St. Pete location are amazing and truly care about building good, well-rounded nurses. 

We went back into in-person clinicals in second semester for Med/surge, so still got a lot of real clinical experience! My Peds, OB, Psych, and Geri clinicals were virtual- however, I think they have almost gone back to all in-person clinicals at least for the st.pete location- Can't speak for NY and Miami locations.

I will warn that you need to be prepared to really teach yourself since the didactic, and now the labs, are all virtual- you will have in-person lab immersion dates where you will actually go to campus for lab to get your check offs done (Cath, trach, med admin, etc) and you'll do simulations and activities that actually really help you soak up the information that you're learning in didactic. Also, there's actually a really wide variety of clinical opportunities as well- I was able to do both dayshift and nightshift clinical shifts, which was rare to be able to experience night shift!

Overall, I enjoyed the program and liked that I could complete the program in 16 months and felt that I got a good education to start my nursing career. 

I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, I'll respond back as soon as I can.

-Chris

This was extremely helpful, Chris. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being extremely hard) can you describe how the exams were? Were they strictly based off the textbook?

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Hi!

The exams, just like probably any nursing program, are not going to be solely off the textbook. The exams combined textbook readings, supplemental readings that are included in your weekly modules, PowerPoints, and other resources provided by the school. Also, hint hint- the professors love testing on charts and boxes from the texts that they think you'll just skim over. 

I wouldn't say the exams were a 10, maybe in the 5/6 range. I'm sure some students found them easier/harder than I did. If you're keeping up with your readings, assignments, and preparing for the exams correctly and understanding the material instead of just memorizing, then you should have no problem. The weekly assignments also help you prepare for the exams- I wish I had appreciated that more during the program instead. 

There is also virtual tutoring available multiple times per week and the tutors are all alumni from the program which was helpful. Before each exam, a blueprint/study guide is given out as well to help you focus in on topics that will be tested on as well.

I am a HORRIBLE test taker and I did fairly well- however, to be honest, I studied and applied myself so MUCH more during this program than I ever had before. The exams are also NCLEX based- which ultimately means they will be more difficult at first if you're like me and completely changed to nursing from a business background...but it also is setting you up from the first exam to be prepared to take the NCLEX.

The program really gives you all of the resources you need to be successful in the program- it's just a matter of how much you put into it! 

Sorry for the long responses, just trying to give the best picture for you!

-Chris

1
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2 hours ago, Christine said:

Hi!

The exams, just like probably any nursing program, are not going to be solely off the textbook. The exams combined textbook readings, supplemental readings that are included in your weekly modules, PowerPoints, and other resources provided by the school. Also, hint hint- the professors love testing on charts and boxes from the texts that they think you'll just skim over. 

I wouldn't say the exams were a 10, maybe in the 5/6 range. I'm sure some students found them easier/harder than I did. If you're keeping up with your readings, assignments, and preparing for the exams correctly and understanding the material instead of just memorizing, then you should have no problem. The weekly assignments also help you prepare for the exams- I wish I had appreciated that more during the program instead. 

There is also virtual tutoring available multiple times per week and the tutors are all alumni from the program which was helpful. Before each exam, a blueprint/study guide is given out as well to help you focus in on topics that will be tested on as well.

I am a HORRIBLE test taker and I did fairly well- however, to be honest, I studied and applied myself so MUCH more during this program than I ever had before. The exams are also NCLEX based- which ultimately means they will be more difficult at first if you're like me and completely changed to nursing from a business background...but it also is setting you up from the first exam to be prepared to take the NCLEX.

The program really gives you all of the resources you need to be successful in the program- it's just a matter of how much you put into it! 

Sorry for the long responses, just trying to give the best picture for you!

-Chris

Thank you so much for giving an honest and lengthy response. It's highly appreciated. How many months do you think you'll study before taking the NCLEX?

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No problem at all! I'm happy to answer any questions. I'm scheduled to take the NCLEX on July 27th. Graduation was May 15th, but I did take a week off before hardcore studying, so I will have studied about 2 months total. I have already started applying for jobs and I have a ridiculous amount of interest in hiring me so far. A couple of classmates were also offered tentative employment by our clinical sites as well. 

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14 minutes ago, Christine said:

No problem at all! I'm happy to answer any questions. I'm scheduled to take the NCLEX on July 27th. Graduation was May 15th, but I did take a week off before hardcore studying, so I will have studied about 2 months total. I have already started applying for jobs and I have a ridiculous amount of interest in hiring me so far. A couple of classmates were also offered tentative employment by our clinical sites as well. 

How long did it take for you to get your authorization to test? 

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