I'ved applied to VCU's 2015 accelerated BS program and now am waiting for January to come...3 months is going to go by too slowly but I'm so excited too!
I'm reaching out to any current applicants to learn about you and your background...please share! :) I'm currently an Athletic Trainer and have been working in this field for the past 11 years but have decided to take a turn in my career and become a nurse! I'm hoping my experiences will be in my favor.
Also reaching out to previous & current students to ask you your tips for success in the program. Please share anything that works for you!
I got my email this morning about being accepted into VCU program! I am very excited . I grew up in richmond but went to WVU for my undergrad. I was wondering if any students in the program have any insight, how they like it, or any information at all on helping the decision making process a bit easier!
I can't give you numbers on how many go directly into NP programs. I know many of my classmates want to pursue higher education after we graduate, but am unsure of the numbers that go directly into it.
I will say that once you work at VCUHS for one year, they will pay a portion of your tuition to further your education. So it may be worthwhile to work for a year after graduation and save some money in the long run! I know this doesn't directly answer your question, but I hope it helps some. :)
Hey @rbbeattie - I've been following the posts and checking back to see what I can help you guys with. I'm in the accelerated cohort above you, set to graduate December 2015.
For me, VCU was the only school I applied to. It was the only one I could finish the prereqs in time for and also a bit cheaper than the others since it's a public school and only 5 semesters.
This experience has been like no other. Nursing school is everything that everyone says it is and even more. I don't have any other nursing school experiences to compare it to, but I think VCU does the job well. There have been things that frustrate me, but once you bring attention to it, the faculty and staff work hard to rectify the problems. There are plenty of things that I absolutely love about it too. The teachers and clinical staff are simply amazing. I have never felt for one moment that they were out to get me or trying to make it harder on me; it's exactly the opposite. Our cohort is also quite close and I can't even tell you how many lasting relationships I will have at the end of this. You have a second family here at VCU!
I'm happy to continue answering questions - specific or broad :)
Did they ever give you an estimate for the cost of the program? I was thinking about 25,000 not including books and other supplies. Thanks for the information, I can tell everyone here appreciates it.
I received my acceptance letter this morning too! Congratulations to everyone and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for those on the waitlist.
Hi all! I just got accepted today, too, and will be attending! Is anyone looking for an apartmentmate? I want a single room but am interested in sharing an apartment with several others. Or does anyone have tips on where to look for available apartments? Congrats all on acceptances!
@wimeraww - They never give you a definitive cost for the program. There is an online "tuition and fees" calculator that you can select accelerated nursing for. I did the math, myself, and it does end up being around 25 grand without books, supplies or living expenses.
Congrats on your acceptance!
@jellyroll - If you can find a couple of roommates, there will be a 3 bed/2bath unit opening up in my building. I think the rent is going for $1500 which includes all utilities except cable/internet..direct message me if you're interested! Popular areas to live in that are close to school are "the fan," "carytown," "shockoe bottom," "museum district." I found my apartment on craigslist, and i believe a lot of other students did, too. :)
@alliegem - Oh that sounds great! I can't PM yet because I just joined today but I will PM you as soon as I can! Do you know about on-campus housing... like do we count as "upperclassmen" or "graduate students" in the on-campus housing things? Is it too late to submit applications for on-campus housing (or is unlikely we'll get any)? Thank you so much for the help!
Sadly, we are not graduate students We are considered undergraduates. Your first semester you will be considered a sophomore, in the fall a junior, and the following summer you'll be a senior. There is a dorm one block from the nursing school that a couple of my classmates stayed in. I don't know the name of it... but I don't think you will have trouble getting housing for the summer semester.
Congratulations to all that have been accepted! I am looking forward to meeting everyone.
@jellyroll - I, too, will be looking for an apartmentmate - I'm content with something on-campus or off-campus, as well. While I don't have a Facebook (unheard of, I know!), feel free to drop me a line via e-mail: [email protected] ! I just created this account today, so I don't think I can PM anyone yet.
Best of luck to all those still waiting to hear back!
@alliegem - Oh I see! Thanks for the helpful information. How did you find your fall housing for your first year in the ABSN program? I want to live on-campus, but am worried that there won't be any available single rooms left by the time we apply for housing.
@ketoo - I sent you an email :) Congrats to you too!
@jellyroll, I searched craigslist for apartments close to the nursing school. I would take the addresses and put them on google maps to see how far from the nursing school I would be. I'm about a mile away and one of the VCU buses stops two blocks from my apartment.
The summer is probably the easiest time to get a room on campus... all of the traditional students are home and most of the graduate students live off campus. It really depends on what you want to do! Don't panic, though. I'm fairly certain they won't open up anything until it's time for everyone to register for classes.
@alliegem-- did your cohort begin classes the week after the orientation? Also do you use a laptop or iPad for notes/lectures, etc? Do they allow lectures to be audio recorded?
We are considered undergraduates. Your first semester you will be considered a sophomore, in the fall a junior, and the following summer you'll be a senior. There is a dorm one block from the nursing school that a couple of my classmates stayed in. I don't know the name of it... but I don't think you will have trouble getting housing for the summer semester.
Rn0126
15 Posts
Hello !
I got my email this morning about being accepted into VCU program! I am very excited . I grew up in richmond but went to WVU for my undergrad. I was wondering if any students in the program have any insight, how they like it, or any information at all on helping the decision making process a bit easier!