UBC Nursing - Sep. 2012

teeheeuhoh · Mar 29, 2012

I got an interview today for Friday the 20th. This is really screwing me up because I was sure I wouldn't get in so I can finish my BA then do my MA. But now I have an interview and it's so hard for me to say no because it's definitely a good career with high employment rates, and good pay.

However, my other path of doing my BA, MA and possibly PhD and taking up teaching, the chances of success are slimmer, probably less pay but I love it.

I'm so torn, I don't even know if I want to go to the interview because if they accept me then I feel pressured to say yes because 2 years, good career vs my other choice, another 3-7 years of school, plus no definite outcome. I don't hate nursing either I think it could be an interesting career but I also want to do my MA..............

I hate this so much. I feel sick.

For the people testing alphabetical theory, my last name is W.

I don't understand why I even got an interview, I had a 75-76% average and did my application on the last day just because I felt bad leaving it blank...... I haven't worked in any hospitals or in any health care settings and I've only done limited volunteer work, mostly related to photography... I don't know why I'm ranting guys, sorry.

katniss · Mar 29, 2012

@teeheeuhoh

Congratulations, first of all. However it sounds like teaching is what you really want to pursue.

It also seems like you realized your passion for teaching when you received an invitation for nursing school.

Plus there are others who are so desperate to just get an interview.

To all others still waiting, I think the school is now starting to hand out invitations abandoning the alphabetical system, since teeheeuhoh's last name starts with W.

hopingfor2012 · Mar 29, 2012

I got an interview today for Friday the 20th. This is really screwing me up because I was sure I wouldn't get in so I can finish my BA then do my MA. But now I have an interview and it's so hard for me to say no because it's definitely a good career with high employment rates, and good pay.
However, my other path of doing my BA, MA and possibly PhD and taking up teaching, the chances of success are slimmer, probably less pay but I love it.
I'm so torn, I don't even know if I want to go to the interview because if they accept me then I feel pressured to say yes because 2 years, good career vs my other choice, another 3-7 years of school, plus no definite outcome. I don't hate nursing either I think it could be an interesting career but I also want to do my MA..............
I hate this so much. I feel sick.
For the people testing alphabetical theory, my last name is W.
I don't understand why I even got an interview, I had a 75-76% average and did my application on the last day just because I felt bad leaving it blank...... I haven't worked in any hospitals or in any health care settings and I've only done limited volunteer work, mostly related to photography... I don't know why I'm ranting guys, sorry.

Don't question why they offered you an interview - you got one. There are plenty of people who probably won't be getting interviews who would be happy to trade places with you.

You should feel honored at being given the opportunity. If you feel anything less than that, then it might be worth it to ask yourself if you want this for the right reasons. If it's an issue of not feeling like you "deserve" it, ask yourself if it's because of some insecurity or because you are unsure that this is really what you want. Don't give up on your dream (whether it be in pursuing your MA or nursing) just because of self-doubt. Life is too short to settle, and you will regret it many years from now when you are left with no choice.

I have worked various jobs in my life and I can tell you that I don't want to become a nurse simply for the pay. Making enough and just being comfortable is not enough to keep me going. I want to do something that is meaningful to me. While I am not by any means sure that nursing will give me that satisfaction, I am willing to take a risk because I feel that it is something that I could feel passionate about, in the way that you feel passion about pursuing an MA or PhD.

Beyond perceived pay and job security, ask yourself what it is you love and what is most meaningful to you and go for it. I don't know your exact age, but I assume that you are young enough to have the freedom of taking risks without worrying too much about who it will affect.

Edit - I read over that, and I apologize if I sound preachy or condescending. I mean this with the greatest sympathy/respect. I wish you luck in whatever you decide.

iheartpurple · Mar 29, 2012

i super hope there is no alphabetical thing going on because i am O and people with letters after O have been getting letters.

If you are doubting to take the intervew, you should really look at where that doubt is even coming from.

I want an interview more than anything I have ever wanted. it sounds radical, but I get so frustrated that the evaluators could not meet me before looking at my grades and some written application. I KNOW I am going to become a nurse one day. I want it to begin in September of 2012 more than words can express and if you can't share that feeling.... you might need to reevaluate.

empathetic gal · Mar 30, 2012

I got an interview today for Friday the 20th. This is really screwing me up because I was sure I wouldn't get in so I can finish my BA then do my MA. But now I have an interview and it's so hard for me to say no because it's definitely a good career with high employment rates, and good pay.
However, my other path of doing my BA, MA and possibly PhD and taking up teaching, the chances of success are slimmer, probably less pay but I love it.
I'm so torn, I don't even know if I want to go to the interview because if they accept me then I feel pressured to say yes because 2 years, good career vs my other choice, another 3-7 years of school, plus no definite outcome. I don't hate nursing either I think it could be an interesting career but I also want to do my MA..............
I hate this so much. I feel sick.
For the people testing alphabetical theory, my last name is W.
I don't understand why I even got an interview, I had a 75-76% average and did my application on the last day just because I felt bad leaving it blank...... I haven't worked in any hospitals or in any health care settings and I've only done limited volunteer work, mostly related to photography... I don't know why I'm ranting guys, sorry.

Please, I beg of you, for the sake of the people still desperately awaiting an interview invitation, make a decision quickly. I don't mean this in a rude way, but there are many other people who really want to pursue nursing because they are passionate about caring for others and are not doing it for the sake of a comfortable income.

Please do not complain because I'm sure the people who are still waiting for interviews will read your post and automatically think "I should be in his/her place, if he/she doesn't even want this as bad as I do."

If you are passionate about nursing, genuinely want to care for the sick, are able to work long hours and work well with others then go for the interview, and try to do your best. Do it for the people who can't, that haven't received the chance to show their skill set in the interview.

If you are not sure whether this is really what you want to do with your life, step aside and allow someone who is passionate about this career to take your interview spot. I have spent over 400 hours volunteering in the hospital and come from a family of registered nurses. I have seen way too many health professionals unhappy with their job because they don't want to care for people. They just work for the money. And this alone will not lead to overall life satisfaction and will leave you feeling empty.

For your sake, please think carefully about what you really want because I would hate to think that you would end up being an unhappy nurse. It will be bad for your soul and won't benefit the patients you serve at all.

Getting an interview is a feat in itself, and when I received my invitation, I literally broke down on knees and cried. I spent countless hours on my supplemental application and was over come with tears of joy when I found out that my hard work has paid off. If you are not experiencing this kind of ecstasy because of your interview invitation, then reconsider going for the interview.

I really hope you end up choosing a career path that you feel you really want to follow. I apologize if I have come off sounding arrogant and rude, but I am only telling you this because I genuinely do not want you to end up in nursing if you are unsure about it. I also wanted to express my concerns because I know how many people want to be in your place (eg. iheartpurple). Nursing is an incredibly difficult, but rewarding career nonetheless.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck in everything you do. If you do decide to pursue a teaching career, all the best! We need more great teachers.

teeheeuhoh · Mar 30, 2012

I have decided to go and take the interview to see if I am actually good enough to be accepted. Then I will make a decision from there. I will try to make my decision as quickly as possible if I get an offer so people that are short listed can move up and get an offer if I decide not to pursue it.

I do enjoy possibly being an OR nurse, from what I've seen and heard it is something I am interested in. The atmosphere is great, and helping doctors and dealing with life and death situations would be enjoyable. I like the excitement and rush associated with OR or ER nursing. But I'm not sure if I'm interested in teaching MORE. I was SURE that I wouldn't get a chance to pursue nursing and I had previously designed my decisions around not being accepted. Like I said, I am torn.

Also for those of you that get short listed (if you do), I already know 2 people that will be interviewing but even if they get in, they will not accept the offer. Actually quite a few people this year seem to want to do that, so the first few people that get short listed can stop worrying, there will definitely be quite a few that don't accept their offers.

duqling · Mar 30, 2012

This seems like a good year for those truly wishing to get in. If you get waitlisted do not dispair, you will move up out of the list and into the program in no time.

Btw, J, if you do that, that girl who may have made it to the interviews will have lost her chance even if you get accepted and decline! (You're only helping those who have made it into the interviews)

Lolo55 · Mar 30, 2012

Ugh this is so ridiculous that people are seriously accepting interview invitations with no intentions of actually going into the program. I do not understand why people would do this. Go find another way to boost your self esteem that doesn't involve wasting A LOT of people's time and taking opportunities away from other deserving applicants.

I was accepted to my first choice program and immediately withdrew my UBC application, as I knew I would ultimately pick MRU no matter where else I got in. I wish people who weren't serious about the UBC program would have done the same.

I really feel for all those applicants still waiting to hear back and I wish you all the best!

duqling · Mar 30, 2012

btw,

i just wanted to comment that coming from a family of rns doesn't guarantee a natural right to become a nurse.. maybe just some connections along the path. i come from a similar background and you have no idea how much it annoys people when we say things like that. try not to tell peers these things, in case one day you come in contact with someone who looks at you funny for saying that (they will tell you they have been around grocery stores since age 5, does that mean they can become a grocery store manager?). it doesn't feel nice at all.

also, you mentioned having done x hours of volunteer.. for someone who is passionate about helping people, should the specific number of hours be something important to mention?

as an interviewer, you will not have done an impressive job persuading me of your passion just by telling me you have 'volunteered x hours and come from a family of rns'. there is more to a passion than the credentials. right?

that being said, after all you are just empathizing with those who didn't get an interview offer yet, and that is understandable.

i just wanted to mention that at one point i wanted to focus my story on the fact that i grew up roaming the hospitals surrounded by health professionals and am really close at heart with the job. i now realize that saying that in itself shows a lack of development and is in ways naive. i should probably instead be focusing on what specifically excites me about nursing and what i would like to specialize in. if you feel it is important to your identity, add at the very end that you founded your interest in nursing because of your background. i just don't think mentioning it right off the bat shows development.. and that is something they look for.

lolo55,

i know someone who is looking to use it as an experience. just thinking about this critically, this person could tell you that the school only offers x number of interviews, and the person with the x+1 standing technically isn't 'deserving' in the sense that they haven't made the cut.. what this someone does with the interview they got is up to them. they earned it.

i know it's unfair, but hey, it's benefitting those who already got an interview [and do intend to go into ubc]. it's keeping extra competition out and increasing their chances of moving out of the waitlist.

teeheeuhoh · Mar 30, 2012

Ugh this is so ridiculous that people are seriously accepting interview invitations with no intentions of actually going into the program. I do not understand why people would do this. Go find another way to boost your self esteem that doesn't involve wasting A LOT of people's time and taking opportunities away from other deserving applicants.
I was accepted to my first choice program and immediately withdrew my UBC application, as I knew I would ultimately pick MRU no matter where else I got in. I wish people who weren't serious about the UBC program would have done the same.

Well some people are almost certain that they are going to get into another program but haven't gotten the final OK yet so they can't toss this application just in case somehow they don't get into the other program that they want more??

Lolo55 · Mar 30, 2012

That is totally fine teeheeuhoh and completely understandable, however, you said "I already know 2 people that will be interviewing but even if they get in, they will not accept the offer"

You made it sound as if these people were accepting the interview with ZERO intention of actually entering the program, not that they were using UBC Nursing as a backup in case they do not get into their school/program of choice.

iheartpurple · Mar 30, 2012

Lolo55, I agree with you more than you know!