UTMB BACC2 Spring 2012

U.S.A. Texas

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I wanted to start a thread for those applying for UTMB's 2012 accelerated nursing program. The application is open April 1-July 15. I was told invites for interviews start after the application is closed and interviews start end July-August. Does anyone have any additional information? Has anyone applied before? Know of any interview questions? Please share everything you know!!!!!!!

Good luck to everyone

Sound just like the speech the student gave at the open house a few weeks back. Good info. I was also glad to hear that each class is taken back to back and not all at the same time. As for the TEAS scores...they said that those were mainly used as a screening tool and not so much as a ranking tool. The impression I got was that it goes by pass/ fail or groups i.e. everyone over 80 ect.

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has anyone heard yet? :)

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Nope. I haven't heard anything yet. MyStar hasn't been updated either as it still shows my application as incomplete. I have it in writing from UTMB that my application is complete and that they are still in the process of updating the system.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Have a great Sunday!!

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Thought you would like to know....

Heard that we should be receiving an email regarding interviews within the next couple of weeks.

Good luck to everyone!! :)

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That sounds great!!! I'm super excited/stoked/nervous all at the same time! I received an email from the pre-admission advisor/counselor about interviews not being until September due to the staff being on break for summer. :) So soon!

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Specializes in Psych, OB-GYN.

Word to the wise - if you're accepted, purchase your scrubs ASAP!!!! My program begins in 1 week and I'm still struggling to find some instock. Unless you're a size 3xL, it seems the entire country is out of burnt orange scrubs (at least if you want pockets on them!!)

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Just wondering if anyone has heard anything yet? Will invitations be sent via e-mail or postal mail?

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I haven't heard anything yet...

How did you get it in writing that your application was complete?

I just got verbal confirmation.

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What I meant by "in writing" was...I have email correspondence stating that my application is complete.

I haven't heard anything yet either.

Interview invites will be sent via email.

Good luck to everyone!

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I am also in the 2011 BACC2 class with JThig, and I just wanted to reinforce a few things he said to you guys.

I would say the biggest thing you need to know about the program is the online format and how little interaction you have with the faculty for the classroom portion. It really is what JThig said, you log on to Blackboard at the beginning of each new class, you get a schedule of when the tests will be and what sections will be on that test, and then you are supposed do whatever you need to do to be prepared for that test. It was kind of shocking the first few weeks to see how different it was from my first time through college. Yes, some of your courses may have some pretaped lectures or audio to accompany the powerpoints. But, if you need that classroom learning experience to learn, DO THE TRADITIONAL PROGRAM!

I'm not trying to talk anyone out of BACC2, in fact, I think it's probably easier than the traditional in some ways. You don't have to be on campus nearly as many days, so it gives you time to study when it is best for you. You do have group projects occasionally, but they tend to be powerpoint presentations that you can do via email. Also, there's not really "homework" assignments other than the group projects, the only one I can think of right now was in Pedi. I also think that because the BACC2 program is so short, they don't expect us to learn some topics as in depth as they would in the traditional program. Our Pedi and OB classes this summer were each less than 6 weeks long, seriously! You can't possibly learn every little detail in 6 weeks, and the teachers don't expect you to either. I know in Pedi, there was info for lab on hearing tests for kids and we didn't even touch that stuff. The teachers focus on what they feel will be covered on the NCLEX, so that does cut out some of those lesser priority topics.

If you're reading this and stressing out about "Did I apply to the wrong program?" - don't worry! Interview with confidence and wait to hear about your acceptance. You can decide to drop down to the traditional program after you're accepted, I know several people who did that and are so happy with their decision. It's also not a bad thing if you have to switch to the traditional sometime during the first semester. Our class started as 80 and now we're in the mid-60's. The people who switch programs are not frowned upon. The UTMB staff wants everyone to graduate, so they will help you to do that in the way that is best for you!

Just remember that you know yourself the best and are the best judge of your strengths and limitations. No matter the program, everyone will graduate with a BSN and be just as prepared as the next to become an RN! You can do it! :D

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CLaker,

Thanks for the insight on the BACC2 program. I'm not actually applying this cycle, but thinking about it for 2013 or 2014. You mention not having much face to face time with the faculty for the classroom portion, which I'm ok with. Other than that, how many days/hours a week would you say you are required to be on campus for skills and other activities?

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The days on campus really varies. Anytime you're starting a new course that has clinicals, plan to be there 2-4 extra days for skills labs. Also for Health Assessment, which you will take in January. So some weeks you will be there 3 (usually not 4) days in one week, and some weeks you'll only be there on Tuesdays for a test and seminar. There are a few weeks during the summer where you won't go at all, but you're trying to cram in all of your clinical time, so you'll need all the extra days you can get!

I will tell you that you will hear this phrase from the faculty so much, it may make you sick - "Be flexible!" - and they mean it! I don't know how it is for the traditional program, but for BACC2 they send out a calendar before each semester that shows you exactly what you'll be doing every day. But that doesn't mean they won't change it on you at the drop of a hat! And everytime you'll hear them say "As a nurse you need to be flexible!". :uhoh3: Ugh! So be prepared to be there a little more than what they will tell you in the interview, but it's still not nearly as much if you are in the traditional program.

And a little note about online tests... There's only a few classes where you can take the tests from home and not go campus. You'll have one of those each semester, but all of your other classes will have tests that you either take in the computer lab at the library or a scantron test in a classroom. Also, every class that has clinicals has a 20 question math test you take before you can handle meds in Clinicals. You have to get 90-100% to pass and you have 2 attempts I believe. They really aren't that bad though, so don't fret too much about those!

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