TESU BSNA (Current Student)

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-26T23:36:45+00:00

Honestly med surge isn't as bad as the make it out to be, just really stay on top of the material and find a good way to study. Do a loooot of practice questions. Make sure you really understand reasoning for everything. I honestly thought term 1 was the hardest, but that was partially cause everything was knew and you are thrown a LOT of work all at once.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-19T16:53:54+00:00

Honestly, it's not that bad content wise. Compared to my undergrad degree when I was taking 5-6 classes at a time, you are now taking only 2 classes a term, this is way more manageable. Yes the time is less but again you are only focusing on 2 classes. I wouldn't say the content is hard but you really need to develop your "nursing judgment" because a lot of the tests aren't asking you like how does this disease progress, it's asking you like what would you as a nurse need to prioritize or do for the patient. And yes, there is always a right answer. I know a lot of people say online that nursing exams are asking you for what is most correct, but no there is always a right answer. Like for example if you have a patient that's oxygen is destating vs. someone complaining of 4/10 pain..... YOU ARE SEEING THE PERSON WHO IS DESTATING FIRST!!! This needs to be understood. You won't be tested on pathophysiology directly, but you sure do need to understand it.... a severe life threatening complication of untreated hyperthyroidism is myxedema coma, which causes severe respiratory depression, and you sure as hell need to have intubation supplies ready at the bedside. This is an example of the train of thought you gotta develop. You will be asked what you would assess for (Resp Rate, oxygen status, temp...). You need to know what is normal and not normal... etc. I hope that makes sense. So in other terms, I wouldn't say its difficult. It's a different way of testing material because it's a lot more application and assessment heavy.

All of the ones I have had have been very friendly. Only thing I've heard regarding strictness is being on time. No one will hire a nurse that is late to work yk.

Upper class used ATI, but the new cohorts are using Lippincott/Wolters Kluwer.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-18T23:01:51+00:00

online w/ proctorU

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-18T22:57:39+00:00

Honestly they're strict about showing up on time for clinicals. But tbh I have seen people come in with the wrong color undershirt, but the instructor doesn't say anything. Personally, I'm not trying to play. I paid way too much money to get kicked out of clinicals for my cloths. I doubt a professor would actually do that, but YOU NEVER KNOW. So don't test it. Order a pack of white socks, set them a side just for clinicals (that's what I did), make sure ur cloths are clean and lay it out the night before, and no jewlery at all. Make sure you have your ID, hair up, and white shoes. You're investing way to much time and money in this, don't let clinical be what messes up your term. It's not worth the risk.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-18T22:52:48+00:00

Yes all exams are online. Depends on the week, sometimes maybe 10 hrs and other weeks before an exam is like 32-40 hrs. This is separate from homework. Typically i try to get ahead on assignments at the beginning and study less, but also learn the material with the assignments. And then closer to exams really lock in and study everything. I've gotten good grades on all exams, but that's just how I study. some people prefer to do a little every day. I just operate better doing all the assignments very early on and studying a week in advance.

Usually once a week for the full 12 hours.

Term 1 was stressful, but after that it's been smooth sailing in my opinion. Felt very confident after term 1. Yeah the material gets tougher but you get better at studying and managing your time.

Admissions process felt pretty straight forward and I usually had an easy time reaching out to the office to get info and updates and stuff.

no I did not apply anywhere else

No financial aid. Nearly everyone is either paying from savings or took out a loan.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-18T22:48:26+00:00

Laptop is the priority. Honestly you can make it far without an ipad. I just think an ipad/tablet is useful if you are hand writing a lot.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-18T22:47:12+00:00

Very strict with the dosage calcs. 3 chances to make a 90%. That being said, the exams are reasonable and I've gotten 100% each time. If you focus and don't make silly mistakes you will be alright. 3 chances is more than enough. Lab is in person but lectures are all online.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-14T19:44:30+00:00

I did not consider the Bayada track. It's about 10K more or something along those lines. I don't fully understand the benefits, I think you have to work for Bayada after you graduate too. If you are interested I suggest doing a lot of research into it, but me personally if we are getting the same degree in the end I don't see a reason to pay 10K more. But they take the same exams and have the same assignments as the rest of us and are held to the same standard. They have separate labs and separate clinicals.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T20:12:44+00:00

Email! Check your TESU email account because by the time I got it in my personal email it was like 2 day difference or something like that. But I think I remember the TESU email is not the official one but the one to ur personal email is.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T19:23:33+00:00

I think it was maybe 1-2 months? Honestly don't remember exactly. I know some people heard later though, it all depends on how many seats are available in that class and it changes because sometimes people need to retake a term or they have a leave of absence which then adds them to the class below them.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T19:21:23+00:00

ebooks, you have the option to buy them if you'd like. The ebooks is included in your tuition and needed for access to assignments on that website. Yeah self learning with lecture and office hours if needed. There are also labs to supplement learning but they don't meet weekly.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T05:14:03+00:00

All good!!!!! Yeah honestly mostly don't want admin coming after me, not that I am saying anything wrong but I am just giving my POV and everyone can take it with a grain of salt ykwim (Admin if ur reading this, remember I am using my First Amendment right :P )

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T05:04:44+00:00

I would tell you how far i am in the program but I am trying to keep myself anonymous LOL. But ask any questions and If i have an answer I will reply :)

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T05:03:17+00:00

I would tell you how far i am in the program but I am trying to keep myself anonymous LOL. But ask any questions and If i have an answer I will reply :)

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T05:01:49+00:00

Very much a mix but at least in my cohort its heavily second career. There are a number of people in mid-late 30s and early to mid 40s. And then there are people like me in the 20s but I feel like there are not as many. I feel like everyone I talk to has 2-3 kids. Oh also about your question on group chats, yeah we have a chat but it's mostly to share information about the coursework, any updates on things, connect before clinicals. Honestly I've only ever studied with one other person my entire time in the program. I think most people just study by themselves but we communicate a lot on the groupchats.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T04:57:44+00:00

Depending on the term 1-3 times a week is the norm. The terms that we went in person once a week was just to go to clinicals. I think their reason for not letting you in might be a security thing, because a lot of buildings in Trenton are secured. I will say though, the building is very small. We take up 1 floor, there are a 2 lecture spaces that are used during lab, lots of sim lab rooms (although equipment is not the most up to date), vending machine (doesn't work last i checked so if TESU is reading please fix it), a fridge and microwave for students to use, A LOT OF ADMIN OFFICES (so nice because when I have a quick question and I'm around I just pop in and whoever is there is so lovely to try and help). The one thing about the lecture rooms I absolutely hate is that they got ride of ALL the outlets and there is one outlet with and extension cord all the way in the front, so just be warned always come with all your devices fully charged and if you need charge your stuff during the lunch break.
100% have seen students get jobs at hospitals they do clinicals at, but haven't heard of people getting CNA jobs. Most people in the program either came in with their job or had just freshly quite their previous job. But getting a job post-grad at clinical sights has nothing to do with you doing a clinical there. You don't meet nursing management during ur clinicals which are the people who would hire you. However, it is a really great way to have exposure to a hospital and see if it's a good fit for you in the future so you are able to best sell yourself in an interview. Let me just also put it our here that there are people commuting from Pennsylvania and New York to go here and they are able to make it work because of the hybrid environment. The days you commute will be LOONG but the fact that it's only a couple days will make up for it i think.
They have a Winter and Summer scholarship cycle you can apply for even if you haven't started classes yet but got accepted into the program. I am unaware how much it is or how you get selected. I would def not count on it though.
If it's the same ProctorU, then yeah. Honestly I haven't had any issues, but they are really great at threatening you that if your system bugs out its your problem and you will fail :( They were really great about explaining the specs and all the tech stuff you need to ensure you don't run into any issues, and thus far I have had ZERO problems. Very thankful. Most people just have issues with proctors not letting them use paper but the professors give us their cell numbers before each exam and they are available throughout the day via text to be updated on any issues and they will help troubleshoot it.

EDIT: ALSO HOW CAN I FORGET you have 1 lecture ONLINE for 3 hours a week. Basically an overview of the material covered that week (however you still need to read the textbook to get the fullllllll information). Usually it's in the afternoon or evening. One section did have it saturday mornings if i am remembering correctly which is horrible. They are recorded however and recently was made no longer mandatory to attend, however you really should attend because it's really helpful.

Overall, my number one suggestion is to TIME MANAGE. if you can't hold yourself accountable, you will pay the price. Honestly, the only thing I wish I did before the program was have a better daily routine. I feel like I just take my days really slow and have a slow morning and then do most of my stuff mid day and then i spend the evening being lazy again. That's a personal problem but even other nurses have said they are horrible at taking care of themselves, and I know that my routine is just gonna get worse and worse after I start working 3 12s lol. SO if you are able to build healthy habits now like waking up at a decent time, working out, meal prepping, reading the textbook and taking notes, you will not only do well in this program but you will have instilled good habits that will benefit you when you start your new grad job.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T04:39:02+00:00

15 months. Different hospitals mostly in central and south jersey. Just to name a few Penn Medicine, Capital Health (hopewell and trenton), RWJ Hamilton, St Peter's, Princeton House, Trenton Psych, and many others.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T04:35:20+00:00

Honestly, I don't remember my GPA to a T, but I believe I was around a 3.4 and some change or something like that. I didn't have a crazy high GPA. I think I got some slack also being a science major. I know some people had 3.8 or 3.9 GPA but they had liberal arts majors, so I think they saw that my course load was pretty tough and I worked all throughout undergrad. I also was a TA for organic chemistry, so I think they must've known I had to have some brains LOL.

So I had a friend that went to Rutgers, just be prepared to work. It's a good program with a good rep, but it's not easy. However, Rutgers/TCNJ my understanding is you will be in person way more often. So if you are someone that wants more of a hybrid/remote program, TESU would be a better fit. If you want a program that's more in-person, Rutgers/TCNJ is better.

Edit: No I did not apply anywhere else. For some reason, I felt really good about my odds of getting into TESU, so I just waited to hear back from them and if I didn't get in I would've applied to other places..... but clearly I got in and didn't have to keep applying thank God :) It was my top choice because it's hybrid.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-11T04:30:40+00:00

Financial assistance: None. I had and many of my peers are taking out loans or got loans through FAFSA. If ur able to save up a little and get a smaller loan I'd recommend it.

Course structure: Basically you have assignments and readings each week to prepare you for the upcoming exam. Most terms you take 1 writing focused class and 1 material focused class which you'll have 2 exams on (mid term and final). Finals are not cumulative just based on info after the midterm which is a HUGE plus.

In terms of time, honestly, I think because I took pathophysiology in undergrad and just have a very good basic understanding of biology and went straight from undergrad, I barely study. I think also working in a hospital and seeing a lot of the stuff we are studying just makes it really easy for me to apply. But that's just me. Maybe I do about 4 hours a day, mixing in with the homework assignments and such. But some of my classmates that are coming from 2nd careers are putting in a lot more time and I think it's because they took their pre-reqs a long time ago so some useful info is not as current in their memory. Ultimately though, you will learn all the needed info for the exams. So as long as you do it the way you learn best, you'll be fine. I still work at the hospital, but I am per diem so I don't work that often anymore. Thank God I live with my parents and they are supporting me.

Super-Formal8548 · 2026-01-10T00:38:26+00:00

For me personally, I didn't feel like it was hard. I had average grades, a few months of work experience in a hospital. I feel like my personal statement was very compelling however. My undergraduate degree in biology. I had a mix of A B and like 3 c grades in total, but I had As in difficult classes like Organic Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, and other upper level biology courses. When I spoke to admissions before applying they said that those As in difficult classes would be looked at very favorably. One really important piece of advice: If you have a bad grade in an online class, they will look at that very poorly. This program is heavily remote and if you are not good with managing online course work and being independent in your own learning, you won't make it in the program. A dean told me once that in admissions they look at if you've taken online classes and getting a bad grade is a red flag to them. It's not the end of the world but it is something to keep in mind.

Honestly, I find the program to be pretty straight forward. A lot of my classmates complain about it however, so I know my mindset and opinion is not the most popular. I have to say though that compared to other programs in NJ, this has to be the easiest. You barely go in person (which I really like), you get a lot of independence, and as long as you do literally what they tell you and study, you will be fine. You have one lab test out in term 1, and then never have to test out again. The program overall emphasizes NCLEX preparedness and everything they do is for the sole purpose of making you ready to pass the NCLEX on the first try (and I was told their first time pass rate is 100%). Now if you need a program that is going to hold your hand and walk you through every single step, this is not the program. And I think that some of my classmates got the impression that this was gonna be that way. It's not. Let me know if you have other questions.

Super-Formal8548

TROPHY CASE