Monday - Baylor DABSN Orientation and Foundations Notes:
Welcome & Key Roles:
Dr. Houghton: Coordinator for 1st trimester & first 10 weeks of 2nd trimester.
Dr. Oliver: Takes over as coordinator halfway through 2nd trimester.
Coordinators: Teach, ensure smooth running, seen in immersions.
First 2 weeks on campus: Immersion in skills labs.
Dr. Lina (Angelina) Wynn: Lead faculty for NURS 3330 sections 1 & 2. Specializes in underserved populations, health promotion, diabetes/cardiometabolic issues (especially Vietnamese Americans). Contact: Angelina_wynn@baylor.edu (email preferred), can also text; always state your section. Office hours (first 5 weeks): M/W/F 9am-3pm, T/Th 3pm-5pm. Can schedule other times via QR code.
Dr. Liz Szabo: Lab Coordinator for NURS 3330. (Navy nurse, specializes in population health).
Chain of Command: Your theory/lab faculty first, then Dr. Szabo (lab coord.).
Student Services: Your Support Network
Student Services, based in Dallas for nursing school (with additional Waco resources), offers comprehensive program and personal navigation support.
Director of Student Services: Leads the team.
Dr. Howden: Primary faculty contact, assists with class officer elections and student involvement.
Tina Glasby: Central academic support contact. Helps with study strategies, adjusting to nursing school, stress management, and general support. Main general contact for questions and coordination.
Lauren Noble: Dedicated career services counselor for nursing students. Aids with resumes, cover letters, mock interviews, and nursing-specific career fairs.
Shannon (Shan): Care case manager. Provides mental health resources (telehealth, Sparrow House, Baylor Live 24/7, nutrition counseling, etc.), emergency assistance, referrals, and early outreach for health concerns. Reach out early to skip long wait times; proactive referrals and check-ins can prevent bigger issues.
Chaplain (Spiritual Life): Baylor has its own chaplain for confidential pastoral care, spiritual support, missions, and community service. Currently open position; contact main Baylor Spiritual Life Office. Confidential support for spiritual matters. Most other faculty and staff are mandatory Title IX/Clery reporters.
About Baylor & the Program
Baylor grad & nurse (transplant ICU, primary care).
Baylor School of Nursing Ranking: #39 nationally for undergraduate nursing.
Dallas Campus: Near Baylor University Medical Center (Baylor Scott & White system). Two buildings: academic & simulation/lab. Used for immersions. Program location for clinical, labs, didactic work.
Waco Campus: Hosts pre-nursing students & office.
Distance Accelerated BSN (DABSN): Your track is accelerated, three trimesters per year (total 12 months).
Academic Structure and Program Delivery
Our accelerated 12-month program is short but intense. It requires an average of 45-50 hours per week, increasing to approx. 60 hours during exam weeks.
Course Types:
Didactic (Lectures): Synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on my own time).
Lab (Health Assessment & Professional Nursing Practice): Includes both online components and mandatory on-campus immersions.
Clinicals: Consist of 7 rotations total at sites across Texas.
Program Schedule Layout:
Pre-immersion (First 5 Weeks): Daily live sessions to build our foundation.
Immersion: In-person labs and simulations. We will have 2 immersions this year for hands-on practice before clinicals, usually 3 days each. Immersion is a great time to meet face-to-face and bond with your cohort. There will also be a Baylor bookstore session to get gear. Expect orientation and tours, and a manual will cover housing (e.g., Home2 Suites).
Post-immersion: Clinical rotations begin, typically scheduled Wednesday through Saturday; Mondays and Tuesdays are often reserved for exams or live sessions.
Clinical Rotations Breakdown (Total 700 hours):
Fall: 1 clinical rotation (your first).
Spring: 3 rotations (Med/Surg, Mental Health, Community).
Summer: 3 rotations (Med/Surg, another Med/Surg or similar, Childbearing/Child Rearing – OB/Peds).
Capstone (Transition to Practice): Your final 10 shifts with a preceptor.
Clinical Logistics and Scheduling Realities:
Models: Clinical supervision can be Group (up to 10 students with a faculty supervisor on-site), Precepted (you with a preceptor on-site, plus remote faculty supervision), or Hybrid (a mix of on-site and remote supervision).
Realities: Clinical sites are busy onboarding new hires, so student spots might be limited. Get ready for night shifts and Saturdays, which are common for all rotations.
Scheduling Requests: You can only ask for 1 date off using the form. It must be a major life event (e.g., immediate family wedding/graduation) and requires documentation (invitation/invite). No guarantees! You cannot request days off for work or vacations; the trimester calendar sets our breaks.
Patient Safety: Limits on what we can do (e.g., no hanging blood). Simulations help us practice safely.
Course Specifics: NURS 3330: Intro to Professional Nursing Practice
This course connects psychomotor skills, nursing process, and nurse-patient relations. It builds on Foundations and Health Assessment.
Two Parts:
Theory (2 credits): Online, tests either in person or remotely on campus.
Lab (1 credit): Online components + approx. 2 weeks in-person immersions.
Two Canvas Shells: Theory (Potter & Perry textbook) and Lab (simulations & immersions). They overlap but have separate modules.
Focus: Human Needs Framework (holistic care: body, mind, spirit). Emphasizes physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual needs (these are key). NCLEX-RN aligned! Patient safety, medication names, and critical thinking are important.
Human Needs Framework & Interdisciplinary Care: Holistic care = Body, Mind, Spirit. Working with an interdisciplinary team (doctors, RDs, PTs, etc.) is key. Four domains in the Human Needs Framework (focus on physiological, psychological, sociological, spiritual). Informatics/technology is big for documentation & patient data.
Course Objectives & Topics:
Goals: Master nursing skills, apply nursing process, link theory to real patient care. Use human needs framework for holistic care. Act professionally in EVERYTHING. Topics follow NCLEX-RN plan. Critical thinking & clinical reasoning are huge.
Lab Topics: Safe patient mobility, exercise, med administration, infection control, invasive skills (NG/Foley), surgical incisions, wound care. Teamwork & working with other professionals is important. Documentation & informatics for care planning/records.
Course Resources & Materials:
Main Resources: Canvas, textbooks, SurePath (for practice questions).
Required: Potter & Perry (main theory book) + SurePath.
Get VitalSource Bookshelf app for mobile textbook access.
Med math help: live faculty sessions + Evolve/Elsevier resources.
Textbook help session first week (don't miss it!).
NURS 3330 Assessments & Grading Structure
Grade Breakdown:
Theory: 66% of our total grade. Midterm & Final are roughly 25%-30% each. Quizzes/assignments are the rest.
Lab: The other 34% of our grade. This includes CPE, mini-lab check-offs, and online lab activities.
To Pass: You must achieve all of the following:
Overall course average must be >= 71%.
Weighted exam average (Midterm + Final) must be >= 71%.
CPE (Clinical Practice Experience), which is 22% of our grade, must be >= 71%.
Mini-med lab check-off is 3%. Online Lab Components: Demo videos (subQ/IM injections), sterile dressing, sim labs, discussion posts. All contribute to the lab grade.
Online Exams: Midterm & Final. Final is COMPREHENSIVE (midterm content + new stuff, with new stuff heavier, combines theory and lab).
Theory Exams: NCLEX-style: multiple choice, multiple select, fill-in-the-blank, short answer.
Makeup Exams: Only for documented illness/emergencies (family death etc.) with coordinator approval (usually within a week). Might be a different format (essay, fill-in-the-blank, etc.) with 30%-40% alt-format questions. Doctor's note might be needed.
Med Math Exam: Written by LHSON faculty. TWO attempts during immersions. MUST get at least 90%. Calculators allowed. Med math book with practice questions included with textbooks. Dr. Nguyen and Brown will host special coaching sessions. No grades are rounded! (71% means 71%).
Exam Prep: Faculty give blueprints, study guides, practice questions. SurePath quizzes are great for practice. Case studies/extra practice recommended but not mandatory.
NURS 3330 Immersions, Labs, & Practical Skills
Immersions: Approx. 2 weeks intensive on-campus labs, probably late August/early September (schedule TBD). Labs are on 2nd and 3rd floors of the Sim Building.
Online Labs: Demo videos for subQ/IM injections, sterile dressing, sim labs, critical thinking prompts.
In-Lab Skills: CPEs & mini check-offs. The big CPE (a significant part of your grade!) requires mastery of patient safety + nursing skills in a 25-minute scenario. Goal: Take theory to hands-on skills and apply the nursing process in real situations.
NURS 3330 Attendance, Participation, & Engagement
Attendance is MANDATORY! Need to attend at least 80% of theory AND lab sessions to pass the course.
Cameras ON for live sessions (unless brief absence).
Instructors watch engagement with two screens!
Live Sessions: T/Th. Section 1: 9am-11am. Section 2 & 3: 11:30am-1:30pm. Week 4: NO live NURS 3330 sessions (optional review offered).
Engage! Do active learning, case studies, practice questions. READ and PREP before live sessions.
Technology & Campus Systems
Baylor Online Tools:
BayWeb: Registration, final grades, transcripts.
Canvas: Online classroom, starting point for all courses. Courses show on dashboard. The Student Services Canvas course, available in the Fall, will host calendars for virtual/in-person events and student organization meetings (many meet around lunch, especially Mondays). Set up Canvas notifications, especially for announcements!
Bear ID username is part before '@baylor.edu' in email.
BearID & Duo: Two-factor authentication. Set up a backup device (like another phone/tablet) for when your main one inevitably dies.
Baylor Email: Mandatory for all course communications. Setup instructions provided.
Texbooks & Evolve: Textbooks are included in course fees! Access them fast via Baylor bookstore and Elsevier Evolve. Evolve resources include ebooks, Shadow Health (virtual simulation!), and SurePath (curated textbook resources). Instructors provide Course IDs for SurePath/Shadow Health (these are their specific resources). Ebooks: Baylor bookstore sends codes a few days before classes start. Use "My Bookshelf" in Evolve. Features: highlighting, bookmarks, notes, flashcards. Canvas Integration: Evolve links aren't directly in Canvas due to privacy. Use evolve.elsevier.com and MyEbooks/MyLibrary.
Help Resources:
Baylor IT Help Desk (email issues).
School of Nursing IT contact (backup).
Canvas Navigation:
Cohort resource page (your starting point).
Modules: Weekly units with assignments, quizzes, readings.
Calendar: Fall calendar updated; PDF version for offline use. Library resources via Canvas.
Undergraduate Program Tracks
Traditional Track: 2 years of nursing courses (4 semesters) + summer break.
Fastback (On-campus) Track: Full-time on-campus.
Distance Accelerated BSN (DABSN): Your track; accelerated 12-month program (3 trimesters/year).
Orientation Schedule & First Days
3 classes to start; 2 sessions today, 1 tomorrow. Each class: intro + expectations. Lunch breaks provided; chat open for questions. Canvas & scheduling details reinforced. Detailed fall calendar (updated) shows live sessions, study days, immersion timing.
Immersion & On-Campus Logistics
Purpose: Two weeks on-campus in Dallas for hands-on labs & competency checks. Two immersions in the 12-month program: the first in Fall (October 8-17) and the second in Summer (3-4 days). Additional immersions later in program.
These are our on-campus, hands-on, simulation, scrubs-on lab sessions with faculty and peers.Lab Sessions: Health assessment videos and lab activities happen during immersion. Health assessment and professional nursing practice labs require in-person attendance. There will be a Zoom or in-person lab session in the afternoon (1 hour) to review procedures and sterile techniques.
Logistics: Immersion packet with hotel info & campus details provided in online classroom. Lab sessions likely 3pm-6pm (tentative on schedule TBD).
Uniforms, Equipment, and Identification
Uniforms: Baylor green Landau scrubs. They recommend 2 tops & 2 pants sets. Green scrubs with the Baylor logo from the bookstore are required for clinicals (Texas BON rule to identify us).
Attachments/Accessories: White coats for clinicals, pinning, some orientations. Lab coats are in our skills kit.
Shoes: Solid black or white, nonpermeable material (no big logos!).
Undershirts: Solid black or white.
Stethoscope: A basic adult dual-sided stethoscope is needed, but NOT included in the skills kit; must be purchased separately.
Penlight: Comes in our skills kit.
Scrub Jackets/Fleeces: Scrub jacket okay during the day. Fleeces not allowed on units (infection control!). Long-sleeve undershirt under scrubs is okay, but check with your specific clinical site about their rules.
Badges: Gold name tag with your name, plus one photo ID badge. Needed for immersion/clinicals. Some sites print their own. Official name badges from our kit must be worn in clinicals.
Skills Kit: Included in fees! 10 for shipping/handling (needs a physical address, no PO Box). This kit has stuff we'll use in health assessment and pro nursing practice labs (e.g., blood pressure cuff, penlight).
Testing, Licensure, & Testing Centers
Exams: All (except some math) on-site at approved testing centers. Bring own laptop to run exam software. Provide top 3 testing center choices (QR code form). Centers must allow external testing/computers.
Mid-semester moves: Changing sites possible depending on timing, but limited once booked.
Reimbursement: Program reimburses exam costs for fall, spring, summer cohorts. Keep receipts & registrations. Reimbursement at semester end. Costs: Typically 25-50/exam; some 75-100. Reimbursement limited to closest allowable site.
HESI Exams: 6 across program; costs included in tuition/fees (some center fees may apply, but reimbursed). HESI results contribute to course grades (typically 10% weight).
Important Reminders:
Gov-issued ID name MUST match Baylor records.
Banner address MUST be current for site location.
Save ALL registration receipts (PDFs for reimbursement).
Dallas testing center available (parking/access details).
Timeline: You'll receive announcement with list, calendar, lab manual link. Complete form by end of week for Sept 15 exams.
Academic Support, Accommodations, & Accessibility (OLA)
OLA (Office of Access and Learning Accommodations): For equal access accommodations (e.g., extra time on exams, private testing). Apply early for accommodations. Requires formal approval; faculty cannot directly approve them. Process takes minimum 2 weeks to process, often 8-10 weeks! Plan early! If you've had accommodations before or think you'll need them, apply early with documentation. You can choose when to use them once approved. Nursing-specific considerations: OLA evaluates things like night-shift limits due to health conditions. After approval, share confidential letters with faculty and meet to discuss implementation. OLA website/contacts provided; staff are very helpful!
Tina Glasby & faculty: Available for support. Reach out immediately if overwhelmed.
Communication: Use Baylor email for coursework. IT Help Desk/School of Nursing IT for technical issues.
Tutoring and Academic Support
Tutoring: Provided by a former student who understands nursing education. Focuses on Pathopharmacology and Human Needs. Zoom tutoring is live, not recorded. Try to attend live!
Schedule: Times are set to fit class schedules and clinicals. Calendar updates on Canvas. Cohort-specific tutoring helps connect concepts and practice questions. You can ask the tutor directly about their approach (e.g., visuals). Availability depends on their schedule.
Other Support: Faculty office hours, plus Tina, Shan, and Dr. Howden are also there to help.
Involvement and Student Life
Immersion and Enrollment: Even as online students, we are Baylor Bears and get full access to all resources (telehealth, virtual Counseling Center, etc.). Digital IDs are available, physical badges are given at immersions (needed for building access and clinical sites).
Dapson Nursing Buddies: Mentoring program started years ago. Sign up with a QR code during immersion to be paired with a mentor who's finished the second trimester for practical tips.
Clubs: Bears for the Cure, Bears Helping Hearts, Catholic Student Nurse Association, Multicultural Student Nurses Association, Nurses Christian Fellowship. Plus veteran and first-gen groups.
Class Officer Elections and Student Governance: Elections for President, Social Chair, Chaplain, and two Liaison roles (BSNA & MSNA). Each of the first four roles links to a school committee (e.g., President = Academic Policies Committee). Elections discussed more during immersion. These groups help build leadership skills, like on a hospital unit.
Practical Guidance for Involvement: Involvement is optional, but it's a good way to build connections and support!
Time Management, Study Strategies, and Mindset for Success
Nursing is time-intensive!
Rule of thumb: 3 hours of study for every 1 hour in class. (Study hours = 3 * Class hours)
Practical Planning:
Foundations (3 hrs/week) + Health Assessment (similar) = approx. 18-24 study hours/week.
Map out weekly timetable early; block study times as non-negotiable. Plan Ahead: Use calendar blocking for synchronous/asynchronous classes. Make sure there’s time for studying and personal life.
Daily/weekly planning prevents being overwhelmed. Include self-care and breaks. Keep a routine: stay hydrated, eat, exercise!
"Block of Cheddar Cheese" Metaphor: Build a solid, hole-free knowledge base. Inconsistent study = "Swiss cheese" gaps = patient risk. Aim for solid knowledge.
Study Tips:
Shorter study sessions with breaks are better than all-day marathons. Stay hydrated! (Water breaks = 10-minute walk breaks).
Know your learning style (visual, auditory?) and tailor study methods (notes, flashcards, reading).
Read chapters! Use Canvas modules as 'cliff notes' and study guides. Use the chapter reading guide to focus. Try to be prepped for class.
Active learning is key: case studies, practice questions, application. Don't just passively read! If you're a tactile learner, labs are GREAT for skills and sequencing. USE lab time to practice & build confidence!
Exam Prep: Expect NCLEX-style questions. FOCUS on understanding/applying concepts, NOT just memorizing. SurePath EEQs are super helpful practice. Faculty will give us blueprints and study guides.
Study small: 2-person groups or one-on-one. AVOID big 8-10 person Zoom groups. 'Teach one, learn one' method works well for skills/understanding.
Mindset:
Stay positive! Remember why you're doing nursing (keep a visual reminder!). Don't let challenges spiral; reframe them as solvable problems.
Acknowledge emotions: Nursing school is hard – highs (patient wins) and lows (tough tests). It's okay to feel overwhelmed; process those emotions instead of burying them.
Proactive Communication: Be proactive with faculty: Email/call for office hours. Come with specific questions from readings/modules.
Job Prep
Start residency research EARLY. Not everyone does one, but planning helps after graduation.
Get resume/cover letter ready early. Use campus resources (Tina, Lauren Noble, Baylor One Stop) for help.
Quick Takeaways for Success
Prioritize: Time management and self-care! Use scheduling apps and Canvas/Email notifications.
Use the Support Network: Faculty, Shan, Tina, Lauren Noble, chaplain, OLA, Sparrow House. Reach out early!
Student Handbook: Review dress code, uniform details, clinical attire. Get gear before immersion.
Flexibility & Patience: Clinical scheduling is complex due to site capacity/onboarding.
Final Encouragement: Congrats on getting in! This year will be huge for growth. Keep your goals in mind, balance study with well-being, and ask for help early!
Look out for textbook setup sessions with Baylor Bookstore/Elsevier to ensure access codes/ebooks work. Prep for immersion and clinical logistics.
Key Numerical References to Remember
Weekly Time Commitment (typical): 45-50 hours a week.
Pre-Exam Weeks Workload: About 60 hours a week.
Total Clinical Hours Across Rotations: 700 hours.
On-Campus Immersion Duration: 3 days.
Clinical Rotations: 7 total (1 Fall, 3 Spring, 3 Summer); Capstone = 10 shifts.
Skills Kit Shipping: 10 dollars.
Scrubs: Recommend 2 sets.
Accommodations Processing: Minimum 2 weeks; often 8-10 weeks for approval.
Notable Concepts and Terms to Remember
Shadow Health: Virtual simulation in Evolve.
SurePath: Instructor-picked textbook resources in Evolve.
OLA: Office of Access and Learning Accommodations.
Bear ID & Duo: Your login and two-factor authentication.
Immersions: On-campus, hands-on labs/simulations.
Residency Models: Group, precepted, hybrid clinical supervision.
Mentoring Program: Dapson Nursing Buddies.
Student Governance: Class officers, Academic Policies Committee, etc.
Contact Pointers (Who to Ask for What!)
General navigation/non-clinical: Director of Student Services (can ask Tina!).
Nursing-specific questions/faculty coordination: Your faculty and Dr. Howden.
Career help: Lauren Noble.
Mental health/confidential: Shan (care case manager) and Sparrow House (telehealth).
Clinical scheduling: Christine and Melissa (Clinical Placement Team).
OLA accommodations: OLA website/contact info.
HONOR CODE & ACADEMIC INTEGRITY - SUPER IMPORTANT!
It's strictly enforced. We have to be honest and have integrity in everything academic.
Examples of what NOT to do:
Submitting work that isn't yours.
Re-using old coursework for new credit.
Submitting collaborative work without permission.
Not getting instructor approval for group writing assignments.
Using unapproved resources.
"Word-change rule": Don't just change 3-4 words and try to pass it off as your own. If you change less than that, use quotes!
Plagiarism detection systems will catch if you reuse old coursework across courses.
ALWAYS get permission in writing for group assignments.
Don't buy or use unapproved tutoring/study materials. ALWAYS check with your instructor first!
Do not possess/distribute exam materials or access unauthorized exam data.
Don't use crowd-sourced stuff like Quizlet without instructor approval. Instructor approval is a MUST.
NEVER let someone else take your exam. They have ways to catch it.
Reporting Violations: If you see or know about an honor code violation, you must report it (anonymously possible) within 7 days via Baylor's official channel.
Consequences: Zeros, failing the course, suspension from the program/university. It varies by faculty.
Texas Board of Nursing (BON): Their ethics and integrity materials govern us as student nurses. Read their handouts and follow their rules, including reporting board-reportable medical conditions.
American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics: Provisions 3.5 and 4 emphasize patient safety, accountability, and reporting questionable practices/errors.
Chain of Command: ALWAYS report concerns to your faculty. This is part of professional nursing practice and what's expected of us.
Practical Notes on Integrity:
If you're unsure about a resource or policy, talk to your professor and check the syllabus.
If you're in a situation with potential integrity issues, talk to faculty. You can bring a peer for support, but the reporting has to happen.
The Wellness and integrity framework protects patients and students. Remember the 12 rights of medication administration and our ethical duty to report errors.
Student Handbook & Access
Student Handbook: Download and read this in Canvas. It has attendance, dropping/withdrawal policies, grading, grievances, progression, and dress code.
Attendance:
Didactic and clinical rules are different. Roll is taken, and contracts might be issued for absences.
CLINICALS REQUIRE 100% ATTENDANCE.
For didactic, hobbies are fine. For clinicals, you MUST be there. If you're sick, email your professor. There's often no make-up for a single clinical absence.
General Timeline & Next Steps:
Read and understand the Baylor honor code and patient safety ethics. Know how to report issues. Refer to the Texas BON materials.
Get ready to manage your time: expect 45-55 hours/week for full-time nursing (didactic, labs, clinicals, studying).
The trimester calendar will be our guide for breaks, vacations, and clinical onboarding deadlines.
Clinical Onboarding & Prerequisites
OALA & Exams: OALA is for exam accommodations (e.g., "OLA testing time"). If you have accommodations, exams might start early so we can still get a lunch break.
Clinical Onboarding Prerequisites & Deadlines: We need all our onboarding done (vaccines, TB, CPR, flu shot) by early September (around Sep 2). Houston-area folks might get emails sooner. Aim to have it all done by late September.
Blue Card (Nursing Board Clearance) for Clinicals: You need a Blue Card from the Texas Board of Nursing to start clinicals. No Blue Card, no clinicals, even if you can do didactic. If you don't have it yet, you can sign a waiver with the correct dates to continue non-clinical coursework while it processes. Once you get it, upload it to Complio (our clinical onboarding system).
Immunizations & Docs - Get on it NOW!: Vaccines and CPR are set by clinical onboarding. Schedule TB testing and CPR certification ASAP to avoid delays. Flu Shot: CVS/Walgreens might have it early. Get it done by the required dates.
Full Clinical Schedule & Site Logistics
Total Rotations: Six clinical rotations. 1 in the 1st trimester, the rest in the 2nd and 3rd.
First Rotation: Usually 1-2 days/week over 7 weeks. Most shifts are 12 hours: 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am. By spring, community rotations might be 2-3 days/week.
Placement Radius: They place us within 125 miles of our home address. Urban areas might mean longer commutes due to traffic, but the rule stands.
Clinical Sites: All over Texas (DFW, Waco, Temple, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, College Station, East Texas, Longview/Tyler, Rio Grande Valley, etc.).
Typical Sites by Region (just a heads-up):
Dallas–Fort Worth: Lots of sites. Pediatrics might mean a drive to Central Dallas.
Waco: Major hospitals. Sometimes Temple for pediatrics. North Austin for community health.
Austin: Heavily uses Baylor Scott & White. Expect some pediatric rotations in Temple with McLean Children’s.
Houston: Central and North Houston sites are common, often in the Medical Center. Parking costs there are on us, so carpooling to split costs is smart!
San Antonio: Mix of central and outlying. Some University Health sites might have 2 PM–10 PM med-surg shifts.
College Station: Chi St. Joseph and Baylor Scott & White. Mental health can mean driving to Houston about once/week for 5 weeks.
Rio Grande Valley: South Texas Health System is common. McGowan Center is notable (and mission trips with Dr. Fondren are available for community health hours).
Scheduling & Lead Time:
Clinical placements are done by Christine and Melissa (the clinical placement team). Usually confirmed about 30 days before it starts, sometimes longer.
Moving? Tell the placement team 4-6 months ahead! It can change your clinical sites.
Schedule Adjustments (big life events): Use the scheduling request form 4-6 months ahead if possible (weddings, graduations). Not guaranteed, usually for a single date.
Weekly vs. Multi-day: Mostly 1-2 days/week early on. Later, some sites might be 2-3 days/week. Sometimes two days in one week, or two days/week for several weeks.
Preceptors might set days once their hospital schedule is known.
Preceptor & Onboarding:
We get assigned a preceptor. Some rotations let us coordinate days, others are fixed. A few hospitals are more flexible.
Clinical Orientation: We get a 4-hour orientation (split across days) during immersions to go over policies, expectations, and safety.
Location-Specific Things to Know:
Urban Areas: Your assigned campus might be different from the nearest hospital to your home. Distances and traffic are real!
Parking: Central Houston parking costs are NOT reimbursed. Carpooling saves money.
Capstone Clinicals: Often in South Houston; more capstone placements there.
Travel/Relocation Support: If you need to travel or relocate, talk to the clinical placement team. DO NOT contact hospitals directly for clinical placements; use the official channels!
Trimester Calendar & Planning
Calendar Check! Make sure we're looking at the trimester calendar for the distance track, not the undergrad or law school ones. It's different!
Breaks: We get 2-week breaks between trimesters, plus a longer one around Christmas between fall and spring.
Vacations: Definitely plan vacations during those trimester breaks. Avoid mid-trimester travel because clinicals are super tough to reschedule.
Finding the Calendar: Online, just search "Baylor trimester calendar" to see all our important dates and breaks.
OALA (Office of Access and Learning Accommodations): You'll see "OLA testing time" on the calendar. This is for testing and learning accommodations for nursing and other university programs.
Exam Accommodations: If you need extra time for exams, they might start earlier so we still get a good lunch break, especially on days with multiple exams.
Meeting Program Leaders: We'll meet program leadership during orientation. Coordinators can give us access to sharing codes for sessions.
Dr. Ostia (Associate Dean for Distance Track) Intro - Key Takeaways
Her Background: Baylor nursing student, master's prep in patient care management, PhD from UT Arlington. Lots of experience in ICU, ER, rural/metro hospitals. Her research focuses on congenital heart defects in children and families; works with Children's Heart Foundation and American Heart Association.
Her Role: Associate Dean for our distance track. She works with Dr. Jones (traditional/fastback) to support all undergrad tracks.
Ethics and Professional Conduct
Patient safety & infection control: Why we have dress code & lab policies. They reflect clinical site rules.
Be open about personal circumstances if needed; proactive communication with faculty helps you succeed.
Respect patient autonomy (e.g., getting consent for us to do procedures) and cultural/religious needs in clinicals.
Fair access to accommodations & resources - the school is here to support us.
Practical Details & FAQs
Q: How's grading calculated? A: Course Grade G = 0.66 * T + 0.34 * L. Theory (T) is 66%: Midterm + Final scores + quizzes/assignments. Weighted exam average must be >= 71%. Lab (L) is 34%: CPE (22%), mini med check-off (3%), online lab activities. Overall lab performance helps course grade.
Med Math Exam: 2 attempts, need >= 90% on each. Calculator allowed. Study guide & practice questions given in packet/live sessions.
Dress Code Details: Long-sleeve undershirts, what colors. Ink (tattoos) covered. Piercings might be restricted depending on clinical site (check handbook!).
Materials/Shipping: Lab kit + textbook access codes shipping info provided. Expect around 15-20 total for shipping (confirm with bookstore).
Important Dates & Calendar Highlights
Canvas Opens: By Aug 29 (might be sooner!).
First Day of Class: Sept 2 (Tuesday).
Live Theory Sessions (NURS 3330): T/Th (check your section time). Week 4: NO live NURS 3330 sessions (optional review offered).
Immersions: Approx. 2 weeks on-campus labs (~October & Summer). Schedule TBD by program, labs typically 3pm-6pm (tentative).
Midterm & Final Dates: On cohort calendar (Final is comprehensive!).
Textbook/Resource Help Session: Friday before classes start, 9:30am, with bookstore/Elsevier reps.
Fall: Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Wed–Sun). Spring: MLK Day, four-day Easter weekend. Summer: Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July.
Graduation: Usually August, with a pinning ceremony in Dallas (nursing pin & hooding) before the university-wide graduation in Waco. Many of us go to both!
Tips from Cohort 9!
Grace & Peer Support: HUGE. Use our cohort network, form study groups, talk to class officers!
Stress Management: Plan rest days before exams (don't overstudy!). Balance family, work, & school.
Clinicals: Advocate for yourself, communicate with preceptors, practice good bedside communication. Remember patient autonomy/consent.
Career: Start researching residencies vs. direct hire. Understand hospital missions, align your goals.
Stay Organized: List all due dates, backward plan from deadlines, keep a visible schedule for family/study.
To-Do List (Expanded)
Review trimester calendar for all important dates and breaks.
Plan vacations ONLY during trimester breaks.
Complete clinical onboarding requirements ASAP (vaccines, CPR, TB, flu shot) by early September.
Apply for OLA accommodations early if needed (minimum 2 weeks, often 8-10 weeks).
Read and understand the Baylor Honor Code, Patient Safety Ethics, Texas BON materials, and ANA Code of Ethics.
Manage time effectively, expecting 45-55 hours/week for studies and clinicals.
Complete the testing center choice form by the end of the week for Sept 15 exams.
Keep all reimbursement receipts (PDFs) for exams.
Watch lab demonstration videos before labs.
Confirm BearWeb registration before Day 1 (Miss Melissa or Miss Debbie Milam).
Connect Canvas to Baylor email for announcements.
Buy green scrubs with the Baylor logo from the bookstore (recommend 2 sets).
Purchase a stethoscope (not included in the skills kit).
Inform the clinical placement team 4-6 months ahead if moving or needing schedule adjustments.
Do NOT contact hospitals directly for clinical placements.
Download and read the Student Handbook from Canvas.
Ensure government-issued ID matches Baylor records and address is current for clinical site location.
Complete 3-4 hours