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!
@alliegem first thanks so much for being SOOO helpful. I was wondering the same questions @bbcd had. Also, I was wondering if there was anyway you could explain a typical day while you have been at the program? Or is everyday different? Just trying to get a feel of how it will be!!!
May seems like such a long time ago even though it's only been 9 months.
We had three days of orientation (May 13, 14, 15), and classes started May 19th. In lieu of starting clinicals at the hospital that week, we had three days of "super skills" (May 20, 21, 22) which is essentially a crash course about basic things (and some advanced things) you may need for when clinicals actually start. After that, I'm pretty sure classes and clinicals went on as scheduled. The summer is busy... you're in class or clinical 5 days a week. The classes will be your entire cohort of 90 students on Mon, Wed, Fri and the clinicals are 10 people each on Tuesdays and Thursdays (unless they change it). The fall and spring semesters are a little better because you have more control over your schedule. This semester, I have class Monday from 9-11:50a and 1-3:50p, clinical Tuesday from 1:45-9:15p, off Wednesday, clinical Thursday 1-8p, class Friday from 9-11:50a. Class times are the only thing you can't change.
Since the lectures often contain patient data, the professors don't want you to audio record. However, they do have the option to "echo" their lectures which you can review online at any point. Again, the teachers choose if they want to do this, or not (they'll usually tell you on the first day of class if they echo). If they do, it's essentially their voice recorded against whatever powerpoint slide they are on. The majority of our cohort brings their laptop to class to take notes on (powerpoints have always been available by the start of class for you to download). If you don't have Microsoft office, please don't go buy it - you can get a free copy through VCU once you're enrolled... I'm pretty sure that our IT lady talks about this during the three days of orientation.
I've attached (I think...) a couple of photos of my schedules...one from this past summer and the other is this semester. I hope this helps!
Yes, Allie, thanks so much for being so helpful in answering all these questions for us!!
When do we start figuring out financial aid stuff?
Also, I plan on driving up to Richmond to visit the campus in the next couple of weeks. Any suggestions as to when/where to go? I think I saw that there are tours offered most Fridays.
And anyone else out there going to be commuting from Charlottesville?
@bbcd - no problem :) Dress code for class is whatever your heart desires. Clinicals you will have hunter green scrubs and whatever shoes (I think they say black, but no one follows it). You'll get plenty of info on that very soon!
@zoey - make sure you have your FAFSA for last year filled out... the summer semester is based off of your 2013 return. I believe that once you register for classes you will get an email from financial aid. You will also be given a contact name for someone in financial aid that only handles nursing students.
As for your trip to Richmond, you may want to wait a couple days to plan it. You guys should be receiving an email from our academic advisor sometime tomorrow. She will tell you that you'll need to set up a short meeting with her to go over a few things. They are doing it a tad differently this year in that some of us in the cohort above you may be available to give a quick tour around the SON after your meeting :) Otherwise, yes - there are tours pretty much every Friday that start in the lobby of the SON at 12:10 and go until about 1 (and then the info session starts after - but that's all about the application process which you don't need since you're already accepted!!!).
@alliegem I could not tell you how much this is helping me!!! I currently go to WVU but will be coming back once a meeting is set up to meet with an advisor etc. Like i previously mentioned I grew up in Richmond VA until I went to college so I know the area very very well. My parents still live in the short pump area, so I have the option of living at home, but I am also considering living closer as well. Do you have any suggestions on if commuting from short pump to school (which I know isn't too far) would be annoying or do you think living at home would work? Obviously living at home saves A TON of money, but just wanted to make sure it was doable!!!
@rbbeattie - I think a short pump commute is definitely doable! There are a couple of people that live on the Richmond side of short pump and they don't mind the commute. Keep in mind, you'll have to pay for a parking pass if you choose to do that. Depending on what lot you get, it's around $250-$300 per semester, I believe. I live a mile away and I take the bus, so I'm not positive on the parking prices.
Hi All! What an informative series of posts, thanks! I got my acceptance this past weekend as well and am debating the next course of action for myself. I'd be commuting from Fort Lee (Petersburg) and have two children. I guess my only concern is how hectic it all is. I just started a hybrid ADN program locally and would be dropping out of it for VCU's BSN. I'll know by Thursday and I will post my decision here as that will free up a wait list spot if I choose to decline. Congratulations to everyone!! @alliegem, about how much time do you spend for coursework and studying outside of class. Currently I feel like I'm spending 2-3 hours a day at least for the courses I'm in (but I'm hybrid so I'm doing the in class and out of class part together) and I'm wondering if that sounds about the same.
@ddaugette - I would say on average, you should expect to spend about the same amount of time (2-3 hours per day). The readings are what takes up a lot of time... if you're one of those people that can get away without reading, then it won't be as bad. :) Good luck in your decision making process! I'm sure you will choose what is right for you :)
Ok, for all of you on the waitlist: One more slot has been added. I'm declining my offer of admission so that I can continue in my current program. I wish you all the best! You'll all be great!!
@alliegem hi! I was wondering, do they have preferences on laptops and computers you use and things like that? I remember looking at a link once about it but cant find it anymore!!!
Rn0126
15 Posts
Hi!
@alliegem first thanks so much for being SOOO helpful. I was wondering the same questions @bbcd had. Also, I was wondering if there was anyway you could explain a typical day while you have been at the program? Or is everyday different? Just trying to get a feel of how it will be!!!
Thanks again!!!!