Hello Melissa! I have been following your journey and just wanted to thank you for documenting it! I just got accepted for the spring 2023 semester and look forward to it! I will be doing the part time evening and weekend program because I work full time and I also have 3 kids lol it’s been my dream and I’m so glad I finally get to start on it! Thank you for letting us in on your journey and for all the information as well!
Hello Angeline! You're so welcome. I'm glad it's helpful for at least a few. Congratulations on getting accepted for next Spring! 🎉It'll be here before you know it. You're going to have a really busy schedule with the kids, work, and school but YOU CAN DO IT. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. Let me know if there's anything that I've missed that you want me to talk about in my next video. 🙃
Thanks for all your updates and the information you share about Valencia nursing program. Im currently working on my prerequisites to apply for the program. Also, I want to thank you, because on you last video you said that to work as a CNA in Florida we just need the BLS certification which I already have and I got a job on Orlando Health as a CNA I am going to working start next Monday, so thank you so much. Good luck on your journey!!!!
You're so welcome! Congratulations on getting a role with Orlando Health!! 👏 As long as you're at least part time, you'll have your schooling paid for at Valencia. That's such a huge relief. Plus, you'll learn so many things. Thank you and I also wish you lots of luck on applying to the nursing program soon 🫶.
Yes. I got hire at the PCU in downtown so Im going to be learning a lot. I want it to have the CNA experience for my application to make it stand up. Thank You so much!!
@@soniamartinez5094 not only make it stand out but you'll learn so much while you're there and it will really help you see if nursing is definitely for you. My last position was at ORMC downtown. I really love ORMC. The cafeteria always has good food, too.
@@MDtoRN yes that's definitely my goal to really see if nursing is for me, because I also love teaching. Thanks for the advice and info about the hospital 🤗
Hi Melissa, congratulations! and thanks for keeping us updated. I wanted to ask you about the Benchmark exams: From where would you recommend me to study for them? and how has been your overall experience with those exams?. I heard that we are supposed to get 80% to pass them, but I am not sure about that. I also want to ask if it is true that if students don't pass the Benchmark, they don't pass the semester, even if they passed the classes? Sorry for the too many questions I am asking...I have to take 2 of them soon, and surprisingly (or not?) I don't have that information yet. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again for all your videos, help, and information
Hi Arlis! Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment and for congratulating me :). I don't have a lot of advice for the Benchmarks. I wish that I did but what I've learned is really that there isn't a one-size-fits-all to the Benchmark exams when it comes to studying. I have not found a single source that has helped me. They are not created for students to know everything on them but to gauge how well students are doing across the nation and how much knowledge they've acquired during the different phases of nursing school. I wish I had an ingenious answer to offer you but I, myself, never even learned the trick to this. I do think NurseThink resources may help. In my experience, you only had to pass the class with enough points (lowest is 770 points overall) no matter if you "passed" the benchmark or not. I do not know if they've changed the rules on this or not. Unfortunately, that is something only your teacher might know. Which classes are you in right now? If you are in Intro to nursing, I have heard that they have not adopted the national average grading scale which means that the score you receive on the benchmark is the score that they'll input into the grade book for that exam. All other classes have adopted the new grading scale to where if you meet whatever the national average is then you'll get full points for that exam. I feel that this is fairer. I think most students score about 60% average on all benchmark exams which sounds extremely low. This is why I'm glad that most of the classes have adopted the new benchmark grading scale. I'm sorry I don't have all the answers but I hope something I said was at least a little helpful. Good luck on your final 2 benchmark exams for this semester!!
How many hours per week would you estimate you spent studying and completing assignments? I’m planning to do the part time program as well but would love an idea of the time commitment involved (I also work full time).
Hi Shalyn! I've been asked this question before and it's a bit difficult to answer because it really depends on how you study, your specific teacher any what they assign etc. I would say since you'll be taking between 1-2 classes a semester part time that you'll possibly spend 15-20 ish hours (for two classes) a week studying if you read everything assigned, take notes, etc. There are ways to "wing it" by just glossing over the readings etc but, if you want to read everything, it'll take you quite a bit of time.
Thank you for the reply. I’m super apprehensive about beginning this program because of what I’ve heard and read. Your videos are very helpful and I’m glad I found you! I was accepted for the upcoming semester but I’m feeling very much on the fence right now.
@@shalyn9786 Hello again, Shalyn. So sorry I didn't see your reply message until just now. I can understand your apprehension and I like to be as honest as possible. I did not have a good experience at Valencia and neither did my group of friends. In that respect, I don't recommend it so it would make sense for you to feel apprehensive. On the flip side, my friends and I have ALL made it through the program and are all graduating in a few short weeks here so it is DOABLE. You will mentally go through some rough things, but that is true of most nursing programs. I do feel it is a bit worse at Valencia due to the way some teachers treat you, their rigid policies on some things, and their disorganization. What all that means is that you CAN make it through if you're mentally prepared and willing to fight for it. If you have the option to go to another school such as Seminole or UCF, I always recommend that first. I do expect that Valencia will try to improve some things as time goes on so it's likely you'll benefit from some of those improvements by the time you start! I'm so excited to hear that you got accepted for the Spring semester 🤩. This is just the beginning of your journey. Be strong and hang in there. Anything worth doing is worth fighting for!
Hi Melissa, I have been waiting for an update loll. Thanks 😊
Hi! :) It's finally here!! You're so welcome. You'll be at this same point next semester. It's getting real!
@@MDtoRN Yes I'm excited but scared at the same time.
@@danal.h3592 of course and that is natural! The last semester will go by quickly.
Hello Melissa! I have been following your journey and just wanted to thank you for documenting it! I just got accepted for the spring 2023 semester and look forward to it! I will be doing the part time evening and weekend program because I work full time and I also have 3 kids lol it’s been my dream and I’m so glad I finally get to start on it! Thank you for letting us in on your journey and for all the information as well!
Hello Angeline! You're so welcome. I'm glad it's helpful for at least a few. Congratulations on getting accepted for next Spring! 🎉It'll be here before you know it. You're going to have a really busy schedule with the kids, work, and school but YOU CAN DO IT. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. Let me know if there's anything that I've missed that you want me to talk about in my next video. 🙃
Thank you so much for sharing your journey! This is so inspiring and helpful
You're so welcome! I'm glad you're finding it helpful.
Congrats Melissa! We are almost there. I’m very happy you got to be in the ED!🎉🎉🎉🎉
We're allmoossstt there! 😅 Thank you so much. I think I'll learn a lot in the ED.
Thanks for all your updates and the information you share about Valencia nursing program. Im currently working on my prerequisites to apply for the program. Also, I want to thank you, because on you last video you said that to work as a CNA in Florida we just need the BLS certification which I already have and I got a job on Orlando Health as a CNA I am going to working start next Monday, so thank you so much. Good luck on your journey!!!!
You're so welcome! Congratulations on getting a role with Orlando Health!! 👏 As long as you're at least part time, you'll have your schooling paid for at Valencia. That's such a huge relief. Plus, you'll learn so many things. Thank you and I also wish you lots of luck on applying to the nursing program soon 🫶.
Yes. I got hire at the PCU in downtown so Im going to be learning a lot. I want it to have the CNA experience for my application to make it stand up. Thank You so much!!
@@soniamartinez5094 not only make it stand out but you'll learn so much while you're there and it will really help you see if nursing is definitely for you. My last position was at ORMC downtown. I really love ORMC. The cafeteria always has good food, too.
@@MDtoRN yes that's definitely my goal to really see if nursing is for me, because I also love teaching. Thanks for the advice and info about the hospital 🤗
@@soniamartinez5094 I also love teaching you could become a nursing teacher one day 😊. You're welcome!!
Congratulations 🎉 and best wishes for the future. Did you buy all your books through Valencia? Do you have to?
A lot of them but not all. I found some for free online after doing a search.
Hi Melissa, congratulations! and thanks for keeping us updated.
I wanted to ask you about the Benchmark exams: From where would you recommend me to study for them? and how has been your overall experience with those exams?. I heard that we are supposed to get 80% to pass them, but I am not sure about that.
I also want to ask if it is true that if students don't pass the Benchmark, they don't pass the semester, even if they passed the classes? Sorry for the too many questions I am asking...I have to take 2 of them soon, and surprisingly (or not?) I don't have that information yet.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks again for all your videos, help, and information
Hi Arlis! Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment and for congratulating me :). I don't have a lot of advice for the Benchmarks. I wish that I did but what I've learned is really that there isn't a one-size-fits-all to the Benchmark exams when it comes to studying. I have not found a single source that has helped me. They are not created for students to know everything on them but to gauge how well students are doing across the nation and how much knowledge they've acquired during the different phases of nursing school. I wish I had an ingenious answer to offer you but I, myself, never even learned the trick to this. I do think NurseThink resources may help.
In my experience, you only had to pass the class with enough points (lowest is 770 points overall) no matter if you "passed" the benchmark or not. I do not know if they've changed the rules on this or not. Unfortunately, that is something only your teacher might know. Which classes are you in right now? If you are in Intro to nursing, I have heard that they have not adopted the national average grading scale which means that the score you receive on the benchmark is the score that they'll input into the grade book for that exam. All other classes have adopted the new grading scale to where if you meet whatever the national average is then you'll get full points for that exam. I feel that this is fairer. I think most students score about 60% average on all benchmark exams which sounds extremely low. This is why I'm glad that most of the classes have adopted the new benchmark grading scale.
I'm sorry I don't have all the answers but I hope something I said was at least a little helpful. Good luck on your final 2 benchmark exams for this semester!!
@@MDtoRN Hi Melissa, thanks for taking the time to answer me back. Your answer did help me. Before, I had less information.
Thanks 😊
@@arliscueto8789 I'm so glad it was helpful. Have a great end of the semester!!
How many hours per week would you estimate you spent studying and completing assignments? I’m planning to do the part time program as well but would love an idea of the time commitment involved (I also work full time).
Hi Shalyn! I've been asked this question before and it's a bit difficult to answer because it really depends on how you study, your specific teacher any what they assign etc. I would say since you'll be taking between 1-2 classes a semester part time that you'll possibly spend 15-20 ish hours (for two classes) a week studying if you read everything assigned, take notes, etc. There are ways to "wing it" by just glossing over the readings etc but, if you want to read everything, it'll take you quite a bit of time.
Thank you for the reply. I’m super apprehensive about beginning this program because of what I’ve heard and read. Your videos are very helpful and I’m glad I found you! I was accepted for the upcoming semester but I’m feeling very much on the fence right now.
@@shalyn9786 Hello again, Shalyn. So sorry I didn't see your reply message until just now. I can understand your apprehension and I like to be as honest as possible. I did not have a good experience at Valencia and neither did my group of friends. In that respect, I don't recommend it so it would make sense for you to feel apprehensive. On the flip side, my friends and I have ALL made it through the program and are all graduating in a few short weeks here so it is DOABLE. You will mentally go through some rough things, but that is true of most nursing programs. I do feel it is a bit worse at Valencia due to the way some teachers treat you, their rigid policies on some things, and their disorganization. What all that means is that you CAN make it through if you're mentally prepared and willing to fight for it. If you have the option to go to another school such as Seminole or UCF, I always recommend that first. I do expect that Valencia will try to improve some things as time goes on so it's likely you'll benefit from some of those improvements by the time you start! I'm so excited to hear that you got accepted for the Spring semester 🤩. This is just the beginning of your journey. Be strong and hang in there. Anything worth doing is worth fighting for!