UW Oshkosh Acclerated Online October Cohort Applicants?

gaberdine · Feb 10, 2010

Ok, thanks guys!!

I still need to order them. I'm actually still in school (we have trimesters so I'm done in March) so I'm juggling the nursing stuff with regular school stuff. But I should be good with a month and a half of work time. What do you guys think?? I guess I'm not worried about the math, but I might start learning med terms prior to getting the book.

mercalli33 · Feb 10, 2010

the math book is really easy, its not really math, its about medications, dosages, and labels. the med term book is going to take more time. but you'll have plenty of time, i'm sure.

ejcl68 · Feb 11, 2010

Hi everyone, First of all congrats to all of of you who got accepted. I hope you don't mind me joining in on this thread. I am applying for Fall 2010. I'm from Michigan and also applying to three schools here(all Accelerated BSN). My question is how difficult is it to get into this program?? What are the key things they look at??I know in Michigan, most schools are only accepting ~ 20-25 % of applicants. :uhoh3: Because of the horrible job market, everyone and their mother wants to be a nurse(hopefully they actually want to help and care for people :)Also, how much of an issue is it to do this program out of state?? I guess you can do clinicals in your home area but there are mandatory on-campus things(three I believe??).

I am not sure how competitive my application would be since I have a 3.6 cumulative GPA in pre-reqs and just got my CNA through the American Red Cross. I also have volunteered at a hospital for the past year. My resume and letter of recommendation should be excellent.

In closing, any insight you can provide me on this program would be greatly appreciated. I actually just found out about this program today and will be very busy over the weekend getting my stuff ready. It looks like an awesome program and I'm excited about this opportunity. Thanks:)

mercalli33 · Feb 12, 2010

Hello! I highly recommend applying. I just got accepted into the May 2010 cohort and am soooo excited!! Your information sounds similar to what my credentials were when I applied. They say the October cohort can be more difficult to get into because more apply, but its worth it to try. They take up to 30 students each cohort and the amount of people who apply vary. Also it is a very competitive process. Apply, online interview, phone interview, etc. but never once did I feel intimidated or under pressure. Yes, you will have to go to campus three times, orientation, boot camp, and capstone. I know there are a lot of people who do it out of state, so you shouldn't be the only one. I am in state, but I have already met some people from my cohort some do live out of state. I hear from other students in the program right now or previously that they said the program was totally worth it and amazing! I am looking forward to getting started!! One thing that concerns people is the price, it is very expensive, but worth every penny, I hear. Other thing is that you are not allowed to work during the program, but this your job for a year. Let me know if you have anymore questions. It really helped me to have someone to ask questions during my application process and even when I start, so I know how you feel. Good luck! :nurse:

ejcl68 · Feb 12, 2010

Hi,

Thank you so much for the great information!!! I am a male going into nursing so wish me luck. I had a great job but for the past 3 years I never felt like I was making a difference other than helping the company make more money. So here I am and I'm very excited about this program. I am not worried about the cost but I just got my CNA and will not have any experience when I apply. Not to say 35 G's is not a ton of money but to get your dream it's nothing. I am looking for a CNA job but haven't gotten one set yet. However, I do have a year of hospital experience as a volunteer. Do you see this as an issue?? Also, some of my chemistry classes are old as well as microbiology - do you see any issues here?? I Since going back to school, I have a 3.7 cumulative so i am hoping they don't mind some of my older courses.

Last question: How much do they weight the GPA vs. letters of recommendation / resume / interviews?? I know some programs will deny people who have high GPA's but interview poorly whereas others just take the highest GPA's (even though some of those accepted are not very bright common sense wise if you know what I mean).

Anyhow, thanks and good luck to you. :)

mercalli33 · Feb 14, 2010

GPA and CNA experience are the two biggest things. Even if you haven't started as a CNA before you apply, its ok, but stress the fact that you have volunteered and that you are searching for a job as one. As soon as you do get a job, send an update to selection committee stating that you are working as one. I strongly recommend getting any sort of CNA experience, whether a nursing home can only let you work one day a week or if a hospital needs pool support, but any is better than none. GPA matters and the fact that your classes are old shouldn't matter, but if you do get in, I would recommend a refresher since you will have to take the TEAS and a lot of the material is based on those classes. Really it is hard to say about the acceptance part, it all depends on the other applicants and your application. Really emphasize that you understand the commitment involved in the program and that this is your dream job. They really look for someone who understands this isn't just a self paced program, that it is very rigorous and challenging. The time commitment is huge. The interview really aren't like that of a job interview. They really want to kind of get to know you and make sure that you know what you are getting into. The online interview for me was way more tough because of the amount of questions in a short time, only like 4 minutes a question, which I really like to explain myself, so I had to pick and choose the questions to spend more time on. I was just like you, nervous and with a million questions. I swear some of the counselors at the school already know me over the phone, lol, because I have contacted them so often, but everyone has been great and really supportive. I could only do the same for others who have questions. Please feel free to keep asking as you have them, everyone on here that I have talked to so far have been great!:)

sas818 · Feb 16, 2010

I actually don't think you need to take refresher courses, in my opinion. My chemistry and bio classes were VERY old and the TEAS is just their measure of how they think you will succeed in the program...it's not graded or required before you get accepted. I did fine with no studying required.

I don't want to discount the importance of GPA and CNA experience for applying, but I will tell you that I had a terrible undergrad GPA and I have never worked as a CNA...and I am currently in the program. What I did have, however, was killer job experience and resume, a 4.0 gpa in all of my classes I took after my 1st degree, and great rec letters. I think those saved my butt along with the fact that my interviews went well. I really think they look at your whole situation, not just your GPA/CNA status. Having any healthcare experience, not just CNA, will help you a lot.

mercalli33 · Feb 16, 2010

Refreshing for any course helps you be able to understand new things, especially if you remember something that you may have forgotten before you decided to refresh your knowledge. I took my last AP class a year or so ago and I am refreshing on all of that. It will only help me in the long run. The situation is different for every person in every situation! :-)

ejcl68 · Feb 16, 2010

Hi,

Thanks to all of the great advice. Your classes don't sound old at all - I am 1993 graduate ...now that's old:) But the only classes that are effected are micro, both chems, and some general educ. classes. Since I am a chemistry major and actually used my degree for work, I should be fine. The bad news is I have a C in micro and all A's and a few B's in the rest so I am hoping this doesn't hurt me too much. I am debating whether or not retake it in the spring/summer. Not sure if it will matter to them - either they take me or not(they likely won't wait on my micro grade). I also took Pathophysiology last semester and Human Nutrition so I feel pretty prepared for any program. But I definitely feel I need to brush up on a few areas before I start. Can you recommend a TEAS refresher book?? I'm only taking stats this semester so I have time to review. I also got a clinical pathophysiology book which I have found to be super helpful. It's more geared for doctors but I have found it to not be too complicated mostly due to the author.

I am just hoping they look at more than just grades because in Michigan, they tend to focus a lot on GPA and since so many are applying to nursing, it almost takes divine intervention to get in any program. Thanks and good luck to both of you. By the way, I am waiting on three other schools but this program to me sounds the most ideal. I hope I get a good chance.

Last question: Do you think they give preference to Wisconsin residents(take care of your own)?? I emailed with advising and they told me they have never had a student from Michigan (yikes). But she said they have students from other states.

I am thinking not many know about it in our state. I have a number of fellow students going into nursing and none of them mentioned this program. Of course, I am not telling them as to not increase my competition. I know it's bad but it's true!!

Thanks!!! :yeah:

gaberdine · Feb 18, 2010

Good luck future applicants. I think if you don't have a CNA license they just want to make sure you are familiar with the demands of the medical world, so you just need to prove that. But it's always worth a shot at applying.

Question for current cohorts... For those of you who bought the medical terminology book, is the CD essential? I'm trying to find a cheap price for the book, but some don't come with a CD. Can you get by without the CD? I know some websites that have pronounciations already. As that was one thing that the CD provided.

Thanks all!!

sas818 · Feb 18, 2010

gaberdine,

I didn't use the CD even though it came with my book. You can definitely find the pronunciations on the internet. You will eventually take an online test for med terms and it's multiple choice, no pronunciations.

ejcl68,

I don't think there is a preference for WI students, it's just that's where most of the applicants come from. My cohort has many students from MN, IL, CO, AZ, even OR.

ejcl68 · Feb 18, 2010

Thanks sas, I appreciate it. I applied and we'll see what happens. I'm hopeful. Maybe I will be the first Michigan student in the program.