You’ll have access to plenty of nursing student resources through the University of St. Thomas ABSN program. Admissions counselors, success coaches and instructors are each ready to guide students on their nursing journey. Additionally, we offer tutoring, academic advising, technology resources, peer-mentoring programs, NCLEX testing preparation and nursing boot camps.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at University of St. Thomas Houston, also known as ABSN@UST, is meant to offer a path forward for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and the desire to change careers to nursing.
Our accelerated nursing program provides a quality education that makes use of your previous degree and can be completed in as few as 12 months. Combining online, onsite and in-healthcare facility experience, this hybrid learning format allows you to enter the workforce as a nurse more quickly.
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However, with so much to learn in an accelerated timeframe, you’ll need plenty of nursing student resources to provide support and see you through this period of intense study. We’re committed to providing you with every tool you need to successfully graduate, pass your NCLEX-RN® exam and become a practicing nurse.
In this post, we’ll cover the different nursing student resources you’ll have access to in ABSN@UST and share how each helps you on your nursing journey.
1. Personalized Faculty Support
Nursing is a people-focused profession, and ABSN@UST is driven to provide you with people-focused student resources. The individuals who instruct and advise you during your time as an ABSN@UST student will be some of your most important advocates during the program, always ready to help when needed.
Before you even become a student, our admissions counselors will support you as an applicant. Then once you enter the ABSN program, our experienced success coaches and instructors will do everything possible to help you succeed as a nursing student.
2. Admissions Counselors
Our admissions counselors are proud to be the first resource that you’ll encounter as a prospective ABSN@UST student. The process of applying and getting into nursing school can be difficult, with variables across multiple subjects. Your acceptance depends on your academic record and prerequisites, plus other factors like which of our three yearly start dates you’d prefer. However, our admissions counselors are here to make the process as easy and accessible as possible.
Your counselor will guide you through the admissions process and answer any questions you may have. An admissions counselor can help you:
- Determine your eligibility for enrollment in our ABSN program.
- Discuss your education and professional goals.
- Devise an academic plan targeting your start date goal.
- Complete your accelerated nursing school application.
3. Success Coaches
During your time as an ABSN student, we pair you with a success coach who will act as a resource not only for academics, but also for multiple life circumstances as you participate in the nursing program.
Because of the accelerated nature of the ABSN program, your 12 months with UST will be busy and full of responsibilities. If you find yourself facing an issue that could interfere with your studies, your success coach will be ready to intervene and help you stay the course. They can help you develop a plan to succeed in the ABSN program, including:
- Working with your learning preferences.
- Forming study plans.
- Managing your time wisely.
- Setting incremental, achievable goals.
- Help you create a plan for how to succeed in nursing school.
With help from your success coach, you can overcome the most intimidating challenges as a nursing student.
4. Instructors
Our instructors are as experienced as they are driven to help you succeed. They’ll guide online learning, lead your cohort through mock clinical scenarios and help develop your skills and instincts as a nurse,. Always ready to talk about a technique or assignment, they know that with a hybrid ABSN program students have plenty of questions when learning remotely.
That open dialogue extends from online to onsite, as they’ll provide feedback during labs in real-time and ensure that you’ll be ready to take on more responsibilities during your clinical rotations. Our instructors regard it as their mission to guide you to your degree and your career beyond, so never hesitate to reach out and engage with them as a nursing student resource.
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5. Onsite Nursing Student Resources
In addition to the online coursework you’ll complete as a part of the ABSN program, you’ll devote a significant amount of time to skills and simulation labs at our ABSN Learning Center.
This lab is stocked with everything you’ll need to hone nursing techniques during your skills and simulation labs. The state-of-the-art equipment you’ll use is equivalent to that used in hospital settings, helping you become comfortable enough with techniques to treat real patients. High-tech medical manikins act as patient simulators, exhibiting an array of symptoms to identify and treat.
At the end of every session, you’ll debrief with your instructors and your cohort to identify areas for improvement. You’ll have everything necessary to hone your skills through our onsite resources, and by working hard, you’ll be able to make progress faster than you believed possible during your time as an ABSN@UST student.
6. Nursing Success Center
UST’s main campus houses the Nursing Success Center, a resource aimed at enhancing the educational outcomes of every nursing student. With access to the UST Nursing Success Center as an ABSN@UST student, you’ll get to take advantage of nursing student resources including:
- Tutoring
- Proactive academic advising
- Peer-facilitated study groups
- Web-based tutorials
- Student advisory board membership
- Technology resources
- Peer-mentoring program
- State board (NCLEX) testing preparation
- Nursing boot camps
7. Clinical Placements
Houston is among the fastest-growing cities in the nation and is filled with top-quality care providers. As part of your ABSN program experience, you’ll be placed with one of the greater Houston area’s top healthcare facilities to gain experience before achieving your degree and taking the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX).
During your clinical rotations, you’ll experience firsthand what it’s like to deliver holistic care to diverse patient populations under the watchful eye of experienced clinical instructors across a variety of specialties. Along with the experience you’ll gain from clinical placements, you’ll also get the chance to try out a variety of specialties and see which you might be interested in pursuing in your career.
You’ll gain a new perspective on healthcare areas including:
- Adult health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Obstetrics
- Pediatrics
These clinicals can help to shape your future career, and networking opportunities accessed through them can help you professionally after your graduation.
Begin Your Nursing Journey Today
The ABSN program at University of St. Thomas Houston has been shaped by student and instructor feedback, always with an eye toward adding more nursing student resources. We’re driven by your successes, both in school and your career, which means we’re committed to providing the resources you’ll need as a student and a practicing nurse.
Our admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have about the accelerated path to nursing. Then we’ll help you determine if our ABSN program is a good fit. Contact us today to find out how we can help you on your nursing journey. Now is the time to take the next step toward an exciting new career.