UW Oshkosh accelrated BSN applicants...!!!!!!!!!!!!!

erin1205 · Sep 24, 2008

Hi there! I am currently in the accelerated program through UW Oshkosh. I'm actually at the end of the program and will graduate on October 10! It's been a LOOONG year, but ultimately, I am glad I went this route. It's a very intense program, and school will quite literally be your life for the year. I'd be happy to tell you more about the program...any specific questions you have?

JCBJLT · Sep 24, 2008

Congratulations! You must be so excited to graduate. I saw your earlier post about applying and then getting in. Well I have applied and really think I have a good chance of getting in, but you never know! I am wondering about scholarships and if any students worked hard to get them. How many hours a day did you spend on course work during the first few months? Once clinicals started were you able to rest? Loks like course work slows down a little when clinicals start. I am guessing the most shifts you worked are four days a week? I start CNA training on Monday. I am waiting for them to review my transcript so I do the first interview. I majored in Natural Sciences (chem, bio and minor in psych) Any way thanks for responding and again Congratulations!

erin1205 · Sep 24, 2008

Well, first and foremost, good luck!! I found that the hardest part of the application process was making sure all my ducks were in a row. The phone interview was a bit intimidating but they were very nice! I know that the biggest things they look for is someone who has done well in previous studies, and if you have CNA pr other healthcare experience, that is a big plus. But that is not to say that its required. About 8 students in my group didn't have any previous experience.

The first few months of the program, up until probably about bootcamp, I spent 8-10 hours a day reading and doing schoolwork. As time went on, I figured out away to study more efficiently and really had to adapt my studying to what I was used to before. Once clinical started, I wouldn't say things slowed down, they just changed a bit. I found it much easier to do a course while doing clinical because I had the immediate "real world" reinforcement of what I was reading everyday. But I am definitely the type of learner who gets more out of doing than reading, so I'm sure it varies from student to student.

The shifts worked during clinical totally varied. I was lucky and never had a preceptor that worked nights. I usually did 12 hour days, three days a week. But I know other students in my group who had to start late on some clinicals and really pack in the hours at the end. Some also had nights, or only weekends...it just depends on who they find that agrees to precept you and what that nurse's schedule is really like.

In general, if I didn't have clinical, then I was able to take my weekends "off". I quote that because occassionally, there would be a test over the weekend, or a clinical. Ultimately, this program will be the focus of your life and everything else takes a bit of a back burner. BUT, I would definitely do it this route again.

As far as scholarships go, I didn't pursue it very far. I started looking and just about everything I found was not applicable to us because this program is seeking a degree of the same level that you already have. It is considered a lateral move, and most scholarships don't honor that. But, I'm sure there are some out there if you really do your homework. I know Affinity healthcare in the Fox Valley will pay you $10k toward school for an agreement that you sign a 2-yr contract with them. A couple students in my group did that, and if you are in an area of an Affinity site, that might be a way to go. The other plus of that is that you will do your clinicals there, and be pretty much set up with a job straight out of school. I don't know where you live, but that could be a way to go. If you are not close to an Affinity facility, you could look at your local hospitals and see if they would do something similar for you. If I could go back, that is what I would have done.

Good luck with the application process and let me know how it goes! And if you have any other questions, let me know-I'm happy to help!

Cari001 · Feb 18, 2009

i am planning on applying for the october 2010 cohert. i know it's not for a while, but i have a lot of work to do in the meantime. i'm very excited to start the program. i'm pretty concerned about getting accepted, because i have 4 pre-reqs left to complete, and i still have to get my cna license and experience working as a cna. how did all of you manage working as a cna, taking pre-reqs, and working at your other jobs (if you still have to work)? i have a great paying job and cannot quit (although i wish i could)! sue told me that there was an instance where an applicant only had a 3.0, but had experience working as a cna. i'm having a hard time believing that this person got accepted! i currently only have a 3.0 from my previous degree.

i would love to hear from anyone who remembers taking the pre-reqs and working as a cna-- while managing their current job/career. i'm really nervous to begin this process and i just need someone to push me!

thank you guys and good luck to those who begin the program!

jilajila · Mar 1, 2009

I too applied for the October cohort! I really want to get in. It would be great to be a BSN in only 1 year.

I am worried about the clinicals. I have kids who need childcare for after school until my husband gets done with work. Third shift would be tough, but I think I could handle that better than 2nd shift. But who knows, I may not even get in! I have no CNA experience, but I have a master of science in biology, a master of education and a BS in biology. My BS gpa was only a 2.75. But my two master's degrees are 3.6 and 3.8. I hope they look at that.

I am just finishing my CNA course next week. I'm not sure I want to BE a CNA though. I am a teacher part-time at the local college and I get much better pay doing that. But I wouldn't mind working a few shifts here and there as a CNA. Not sure if I can find something like that though.

Anyone else out there applying for the October cohort?

Let's rally together while we wait to hear the news!

Cari001 · Mar 2, 2009

Hi Jila ~ If you don't mind me asking, what was your GPA in your pre-reqs? I still have yet to complete mine. I start the CNA course next week and I'm excited!

jilajila · Mar 2, 2009

That's a hard question because I have poor undergraduate grades (mostly C's) but mostly A's in my graduate level science grades so I'm hoping that will make up for it.

Let's keep our fingers crossed for us.