MSMC-Los Angeles AccBSN info...

I was looking into applying to MSMC as well. Where do you take religion? None of the JCs offer religion as a course. I've seen Philosophy/Anthropology that covers world religion but not the actual course.

Also did anyone get in with under 3.0 GPA? My pre-reqs are all As but my GPA during my undergrad kind of sucked.

I'm in the program right now. I will be finishing my first semester this week. We do a semester in 7 weeks! The pace is pretty intense. The schedule is pretty full all week. So far it's been two days of classes and 3 days of clinicals. We started clinicals by third week of the program. Just imagine being in the hospital after only 2 weeks of school! Most programs don't start clinicals until their second year!!!! My first day at clinicals I felt like I was standing there with my pants down sucking my thumb. Most of us (all of us) felt totally umprepared; however, we managed to pull through it. Now, after a month at UCLA hospital, I feel like I kinda know what's going on.

Everyone here agrees that this is probably the most challenging thing we've done in our whole life. When you go for the interview, they will tell you over and over that you will have no life other than school, which is totally true. But don't be scare, the program is doable! Just know that you will be done in less than 1 year. Also, all the staff, teachers, and students are very supportive and helpful.

Anyway, I'm happy with the program. It's been intense, but it's worth it since I will be done in...10 months now! By the way, don't be put off by the cost. I think it's around $42,000 for tuition. Most of us received a $25,000 loan repayment scholarship from either Kaiser, Torrance Memorial and Northridge hospital. You just have to work for 2 years after graduation.

I wish you luck with application. If you have any other questions, please send me a post.

San Bernardino Valley College offers various religious studies and philosophy courses online. Just know that this is no joke on line course. There's a lot of work. For me, I actually learn thing or two in this class. I recommend the religious studies course with Dr. Jackson. He is very engaged and involved in the class...very unusal for an online course.

By the way, you will probably need to get your GPA above 3.0 in order to be considered for the program. They get a lot of applications.

i am on the fence as to which program to apply to -- the advanced adn option (because of the pace), or the acc'd program. are you a parent? if so, how do you manage? if not, are other parents in the program managing well with kiddies?

i actually have a meeting with the admissions dept to go over my transcripts this week. we'll see if i have a better idea of which direction i want to go in....

also, how many people were admitted into your class? where else did you apply?

There are basically three different programs - Associated degree in nursing (ADN), Traditional BSN and Accelerated BSN. You need to have a prior Bachelor's degree for the Accel BSN program and minimum of 3.0 GPA. The ADN program provides the most flexibility because it is offered as a weekend or evening course. The time of completion will vary, but I think it's around 2-3 years for ADN and 3-4 years for traditional BSN. Also, it is much easier to get into the ADN and traditional BSN programs. All these programs will allow you to sit for the NCLEX and become a RN. When you're starting off it doesn't matter if you're an ADN-RN or BSN-RN or MECN (master's level) RN. You're all RNs and you will all earn the same wage. However, if you want to move up the nursing career you definitely need a BSN or MSN. Also, if you want to apply to graduate school you will need a BSN. As for me, I'm interested in moving further into the nursing profession, perhaps go into management or graduate school in CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist) or CNS (clinical nurse specialist). Also, I'm interested in teaching. For all this, you need a minimum of BSN and possibly MSN.

MSMC accelerated program was my first choice. I applied to UCLA and CSULB; however, after assessing my career goals, it didn't make sense to spend two years getting a master's degree which didn't lead to anything. The MECN program is a master's level program, but has no advance practice focus and you don't get paid more for having a master's degree!)You're just another bedside nurse, but with a Master's degree. I'm interested in becoming a CRNA, which would require me to go back to school for a Master's program. I would basically have to redo the master's program again.

Anyway, there are 63 students in my program. One dropped out last week. She felt the pace was too intense. Hopefully, nobody else will drop out. The pace is fast and intense, but it's doable. Although they don't recommend that you work, but there are several students who are going to school and working part time. Also, there are several with kids - include me in this. I am married with two kids - toddler and an infant! There are several of us in the same situations. You need to have a strong support system. My schedule starts at 5:30 AM and get done around 4 PM (this time will vary depending on commute time). This does not include study time. When I get home I'm pretty much doing family stuff from 4 - about 9 PM. As soon as the kids are in bed, I work on my school stuff. You just have to keep reminding yourself and your spouse that it's over in 12 months...well now 10 months! The subject matter is not that difficult; however, since we compress 15 weeks into 7 weeks, midterms and assignments come up very quick. We had our first midterm after a week of class. Also, unlike my days at UCLA as an undegrad, everyone here is very helpful - no qualms about sharing notes.

Anyway, I hope I was able to answer your questions. Let me know if you have anymore....I have one more final and I will have official completed my first semester.....10 months to go!

congrats on almost completing your first semester! the information that you offered is very helpful -- thank you!

i already have a BA, which is why i am not considering the traditional BSN program. my concern about the Accel'd program is about how LITTLE time i'll have for my muchkin, who will be in 1st grade at that point. i can't imagine having TWO little ones and pursuing this, so my hat goes off to you in a big way :-)!

i'm sure i'll figure it out come application time. UCLA's MECN program is also on my list, as well as CSUN, Cal State LA and the community colleges. we'll see what happens...

Continued success to you!

xoxoxo,
ActNowNrsL8r

I recently submitted by MSMC ABSN application, is anyone else applying for Summer or Fall 2008? (Evidently there will be two application cycles which will select two cohorts of 40 individuals, rather than the previous method of running one cohort with 75ish).

Just wanted to check in and see if anyone else is intending to apply...if so, good luck!

Been thinking about applying for Fall 08. I'm on the fence though...