I figured I would start a new thread for people applying to the UVA CNL Program for 2016. I have to admit I'm pretty nervous about applying, and I really hope it all works out. I'm graduating from Virginia Tech this May with a degree in Psychology. I haven't completed all of my pre-reqs yet, but my gpa is decent, and I'm a nationally certified EMT. I'm nearly done with my application, but a little nervous that my references won't submit their letters in time :/ let me know how your process is going!
Naming my favorite parts of the program is difficult while studying for finals, but i'll try
I have to say, looking back, it is incredible what we've learned in 6 months. We have some really incredible professors that can present complicated material in interesting ways. The small class size is also a plus (ours is 32) -- it lends for some good discussion and makes it easier to ask questions. Your professors know who you are. For me, the small class size was a big reason why I chose this program, having come from a large university.
I also appreciate that some of our professors are very diligent about including the most up to date research in our lectures.
Clinicals are also great, but of course, you have that with every nursing program. I believe ours is different because we are paired 1:1 with a nurse for each clinical, which is a plus. I love clinicals, getting to be in the hospital and putting what we've learned in the classroom to practice. The downside to that is that you do end up at the mercy of each preceptor's (that's the name for the nurse you shadow) schedule, so a fair amount of my classmates have had to do 12 hour night shifts during the week. That has been difficult for some of my classmates.
That said, we do only have classes on Thursdays and Friday throughout the program. That's a pro or a con depending on how you look at it. The pro is that we have the rest of the week to study (which you will definitely need) and fit clinicals in (and mayyyybe a job), but the con is that class is from 8-4 twice a week, which can be tiring when you power straight through. Lots of coffee.
The workload is really intense, but that's the way nursing school is. I'm not sure I appreciated how intense it would be when I applied, but I also feel as the months have gone on I've adjusted. It can be *really* rough at times. Also because this program is accelerated, our summer classes are packed really tight. You cover a TON of material in a very short time. Like OB-GYN was a two week class, and I believe pediatrics, which we will take this summer, is 8 days. Just something to keep in mind.
All that said, I'm very glad I chose UVA and I recommend the program! No nursing school will be a walk in the park, and if it was, you wouldn't be prepared :) This program DEFINITELY prepares you, for better or for worse!
Naming my favorite parts of the program is difficult while studying for finals, but i'll try
I have to say, looking back, it is incredible what we've learned in 6 months. We have some really incredible professors that can present complicated material in interesting ways. The small class size is also a plus (ours is 32) -- it lends for some good discussion and makes it easier to ask questions. Your professors know who you are. For me, the small class size was a big reason why I chose this program, having come from a large university.
I also appreciate that some of our professors are very diligent about including the most up to date research in our lectures.
Clinicals are also great, but of course, you have that with every nursing program. I believe ours is different because we are paired 1:1 with a nurse for each clinical, which is a plus. I love clinicals, getting to be in the hospital and putting what we've learned in the classroom to practice. The downside to that is that you do end up at the mercy of each preceptor's (that's the name for the nurse you shadow) schedule, so a fair amount of my classmates have had to do 12 hour night shifts during the week. That has been difficult for some of my classmates.
That said, we do only have classes on Thursdays and Friday throughout the program. That's a pro or a con depending on how you look at it. The pro is that we have the rest of the week to study (which you will definitely need) and fit clinicals in (and mayyyybe a job), but the con is that class is from 8-4 twice a week, which can be tiring when you power straight through. Lots of coffee.
The workload is really intense, but that's the way nursing school is. I'm not sure I appreciated how intense it would be when I applied, but I also feel as the months have gone on I've adjusted. It can be *really* rough at times. Also because this program is accelerated, our summer classes are packed really tight. You cover a TON of material in a very short time. Like OB-GYN was a two week class, and I believe pediatrics, which we will take this summer, is 8 days. Just something to keep in mind.
All that said, I'm very glad I chose UVA and I recommend the program! No nursing school will be a walk in the park, and if it was, you wouldn't be prepared :) This program DEFINITELY prepares you, for better or for worse!
Thank you so much for the response, hs4zu! That is some really wonderful information to have. It makes me excited for the program. The cons do sound intense, but like you said, I would expect nothing less from a nursing school. The 1:1 in clinicals sounds especially appealing to me. Which of the courses/clinicals have been most challenging to you so far? Thanks again!
P.S. I got a call for an interview today!!! Beyond excited :)
I graduated this past May but thought I would answer your question about which classes I thought were the toughest. I think the Fall Semester of the first year is the most challenging. Its a lot of work and can be difficult. I thought pharmacology was difficult but doable and patho. With that said, the patho professor is by far the best out there. She is incredible and you will learn a ton. The added pressure of having to get a B or higher is what makes all of it challenging. haha. I have never been a C student but having that lingering in your head makes everything seem difficult. The fall semester they also have you do your first med-surg clinical and then the second half of the fall semester is pysch. So its just a lot going on. I never found any clinical difficult. I just dove right in and made sure to always be hands on. Don't let yourself be a shadow during this time, be an active participant or you won't learn as much as you could have! I was fortunate to spend my first med-surg in the Emergency Department and then I did my capstone which is a year long project in the ED also so I would say I missed out on the typical med-surg floor because of this. I now work in Orthopedics/Trauma split specialty floor which is considered med-surg but again not the typical floor. I didn't get 1:1 in psych and I didn't expect to because there is not a lot of places to put students and UVAs 5 east is small so I shared a preceptor. :)
I wish you all the best on your interview!! I interview on Saturday for the Acute care NP program!!! THRILLED but nervous :) Let us know how it all goes!
Thank you so much for the response, hs4zu! That is some really wonderful information to have. It makes me excited for the program. The cons do sound intense, but like you said, I would expect nothing less from a nursing school. The 1:1 in clinicals sounds especially appealing to me. Which of the courses/clinicals have been most challenging to you so far? Thanks again!
P.S. I got a call for an interview today!!! Beyond excited :)
I wish you all the best on your interview!! I interview on Saturday for the Acute care NP program!!! THRILLED but nervous :) Let us know how it all goes!
Congratulations and good luck!! Thank you for your input from the program :) It is much appreciated, and I like getting to know more of the ins and outs. The pressure to get a B would probably be the hardest part for me too, and I feel the exact same way. I've never been a C student overall, but knowing that you have to do well is hard. I'm hoping it'll just be more of a motivator though!
One more little question. Did you know of anyone who ran Rescue (i.e. volunteer rescue squads in the area) during their time in the program? Thank you!
I completed my interview today! It went much better than last year, I might have triumphed over my phone-phobia.
It sounded like they would maybe be wrapping up interviews next week. Let the wait begin! (* * Jeopardy music * *) I wish you all happy news in two weeks! If not, keep calm and stay awesome!
I just had my interview this morning! I thought it went great :) the interviewer was so sweet and very complimentary, so I was definitely fortunate. I'm excited for decisions to be made! This wait is going to be so hard. I hope everyone's week went well!
Hi! I'm actually not at all sure how my interview went and it's making me super nervous. It was very conversational but I just have no idea. I feel like everyone who got in in the past felt really great about theirs it's going to be a long two weeks!
it's going to be a long two weeks!
hs4zu
6 Posts
Hi Carolid!
Naming my favorite parts of the program is difficult while studying for finals, but i'll try
I have to say, looking back, it is incredible what we've learned in 6 months. We have some really incredible professors that can present complicated material in interesting ways. The small class size is also a plus (ours is 32) -- it lends for some good discussion and makes it easier to ask questions. Your professors know who you are. For me, the small class size was a big reason why I chose this program, having come from a large university.
I also appreciate that some of our professors are very diligent about including the most up to date research in our lectures.
Clinicals are also great, but of course, you have that with every nursing program. I believe ours is different because we are paired 1:1 with a nurse for each clinical, which is a plus. I love clinicals, getting to be in the hospital and putting what we've learned in the classroom to practice. The downside to that is that you do end up at the mercy of each preceptor's (that's the name for the nurse you shadow) schedule, so a fair amount of my classmates have had to do 12 hour night shifts during the week. That has been difficult for some of my classmates.
That said, we do only have classes on Thursdays and Friday throughout the program. That's a pro or a con depending on how you look at it. The pro is that we have the rest of the week to study (which you will definitely need) and fit clinicals in (and mayyyybe a job), but the con is that class is from 8-4 twice a week, which can be tiring when you power straight through. Lots of coffee.
The workload is really intense, but that's the way nursing school is. I'm not sure I appreciated how intense it would be when I applied, but I also feel as the months have gone on I've adjusted. It can be *really* rough at times. Also because this program is accelerated, our summer classes are packed really tight. You cover a TON of material in a very short time. Like OB-GYN was a two week class, and I believe pediatrics, which we will take this summer, is 8 days. Just something to keep in mind.
All that said, I'm very glad I chose UVA and I recommend the program! No nursing school will be a walk in the park, and if it was, you wouldn't be prepared :) This program DEFINITELY prepares you, for better or for worse!