I'm semi new to this site and was curious if there is anyone else out there in the application process for VCU's Accelerated BSN program to start in May 2014. I've started my application, but haven't turned it in, yet. This is the only program I want to go to! I don't know if I can wait until the end of January to get a decision!!!!
I finished my degree in Biology in May 2011 and I've been working in NOVA at a fast paced medical office ever since. Also, I've taken all of my pre-reqs except for A&P I and II (starting A&P I in a few weeks), but just a bit concerned about my grades/GPA from undergrad. I meet all of the requirements thus far, but not sure if it will be enough. Anyone else having similar concerns?
Also, would love to hear from any current VCU ABSN students - what were your stats like when applying, how do you like the program, etc.
I am really enjoying this nursing program! Not that I have anything else to compare it to... but all of the students in our cohort are great! Everyone is always helpful (other students, professors, clinical instructors, student services, etc). That being said, it is a difficult program. The professors expect you to do the work needed to stay up to date with lecture, but are also willing to help you outside of class with any trouble you're having with material.
The summer was a tad disorganized, but since it is only accelerated students that are attending classes, that is to be expected. The classes and tests are difficult, but everything that is expected of you is clear. I can't even begin to express how much I have learned since starting in May! The fall semester is more organized and requires more work (4 classes for fall, only 3 in the summer)...but again, help is always available for you (peers, teachers, TA's, tutors, etc).
I can also tell you that the admissions people are wonderful! They scour the applications to find the best 90 students they can. They will not select someone they don't believe will excel in this program.
As far as living in RVA goes, LOVE IT. I moved here from NOVA and it was a transition, but Richmond is really great! There is always a festival going on or something to occupy yourself with (yes, there are occasions where you have free time... and also times when you NEED to take a few minutes to regain your sanity).
Please let me know if I can answer any specific questions for you :) Good luck! I would also encourage you to make your own thread for your potential cohort... I'm sure there are others that are applying that have perused this forum :)
Thank you! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and insight! Are most students on the younger side or are there some that are a bit older (like me) and starting career #2? Best of luck with the rest of the program!
@bbcd - No problem! I would say 50-75% of our class is in their twenties, but we do have some students in their 30's-50's. Plenty of people that have children, too!
Thanks for the well wishes... see you in May, hopefully!
Hi alliegem, I applied to the ABSN for this coming summer. I wonder if you knew the percentage of ppl in your cohort that did Biology as an undergrad, as well as how many went to vcu for undergrad. Also are there any males in your cohort? Thanks!
First off, congrats on applying! I imagine you are getting pretty anxious for the decision date to roll around...I remember I was!
I am not positive what percentage of Bio majors we have... I would guess it is around 50%. We have quite a variety of majors, though, including sculpture, music, psychology, history, etc. If you don't have Bio as your first degree, don't think it will lessen your chances of being accepted. The accelerated program is, after all, for those of us who have decided on a second career. I believe we have around five students in my cohort that went to VCU for their first degree.
As for males, yes! Our cohort has the most guys thus far... we have 18 (or 19?) out of 88.
Please let me know if you have any other questions I can answer! And good luck!
Allie
P.S. - if you haven't found it already, there is a forum for the summer 2015 VCU ABSN applicants. I would encourage you to post there, too :) It helps having people to relate to!
Thank you so much for all of your really helpful posts- I really appreciate them. I applied to the VCU ABSN program starting in summer '15. I'm wondering if you know of any students in the program with you who commute from Charlottesville, or other areas that are equally far away from Richmond. I'm considering it (if I am accepted, of course!) and wanted to know your input.
There are quite a few people in our cohort that commute. We have some from Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Newport News and other places. I will say that I have a friend that was commuting from Charlottesville but wound up getting an apartment in Richmond. Financially, it was cheaper to get an apartment than it was to sacrifice the time driving and gas money spent.
The majority of our cohort lives in or very close to Richmond. Living further out makes being to clinical by 6:45 a.m. a giant pain in the ass.
I hope this helps! Let me know what else you have questions about :)
Thanks so much for your reply, Allie! How often are clinicals at 6:45am? Are there any semesters/day of the week that start a bit later with classes instead of clinicals? Do clinicals start from the very beginning of the program?
I'm trying to get a feel for how many days per week and how soon I would have to start getting there that early.
My fiance and I would be open to moving in between Richmond and Cville, but I'm just not sure of any good areas to consider. Richmond is a little too far to my fiance to move to keep his current job.
In the first summer semester, you will have two 6:45 am clinicals per week that start almost immediately. For our cohort, we were at the hospital or the SON (one on Tuesday and the other on Thursday) from 6:45 am - 12ish pm. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday we had class for all of the day (or most of it). The following semesters you have a bit more control over your schedule. Fall and Spring semesters have clinical options at the hospital that are from 1-9pm. Most of us can usually arrange our schedules so that we have one day off per week without any class or clinical (again, this is only after the first summer).
Even with the early mornings, there are people that still do the commute and it works fine for them! We have two classmates from Fredericksburg who didn't know each other prior to the start of the program... but they car pool practically every day of the week.
Thanks so much for your reply! Your information is very helpful. I think that's all I have for now- but I'll let you know should I think of anything else : )
I guess I should be hearing pretty soon! The wait is horrible!
kansasgirl1rn
15 Posts
Does VCU Accelerated Program have a good retention rate? Does anyone know what the retention at VCU Accelerated BSN program?