[magno79]

Has anyone interviewed at MSA yet this year or is anyone going to? I assume that the format is unchanged and still very informal.
Thanks

[mnnurs4u]

I am interviewing at MSA at the end of January....don't know what to expect, just found this site while I was trying to figure it out. Have you applied to the program before? If you have, what was your experience? I have wanted to apply for several years now and am finally ready to get in and move on in my career. I hope it doesn't take 3-4 yrs to get in as I have heard from others applying in my area. Have you applied at other schools around the country or just MSP area? I'm willing and able to go anywhere, but only applied to 2 schools so far. Let me know what you're able...

[MNRN007]

Hi,
I am a first year at MSA and it seems like the interview format is the same as it has been in the past. It is pretty informal, you interview with two different people and it usually lasts about an hour. If there is anything else I can offer for info or advice, let me know. Good luck! It is a GREAT program!

[mnnurs4u]

Can you tell me what to expect if I do get accepted? I heard that class is from 9-4pm with SAT/SUN off until clinicals start in November. Is there time and are you able to work an occasional shift or is best to just not? When do you start to take call and when you do, do you get time off during the week or not? Do you feel you get enough money in loans for school? Any information would be appreciated. Any idea how many people interview? thanks in advance....

[MNRN007]

Hi,

You will start your first semester probably at the end of August and will be in class usually 3-4 days per week- it is very manageable! You could definitely pick up a shift here and there; I never did because I have a baby and wanted to enjoy a little extra time with him. Plus this is a great time to really work on your grades so that when you are busier you have a little bit of a buffer. Some of my classmates have worked and I know that a few even still pick up the occasional shift. It does start to get busy though with class every day (except weekends) from 9-4 and then 2-3 exams per week. Clinicals start mid November and it is really busy from then until the end of the semester. This semester seems like it will continue with that pace. MSA is awesome though, they want you to do well so clinical and class time is balanced and limited to 40 hr/week total. What you need for studying outside of that is another story! The length of clinical shifts vary by facility and MSA doesn't allow call for your first rotation. Where I am now we can do 8, 10, or 12 hour clinical days. Doing longer shifts may get you a day off during the week but it is kind of difficult because on the days we don't have clinical we have class. Right now it seems we have 16-20 hours of clinical per week.
Plenty of student loan money, so you can live pretty comfortable still and MSA is pretty cheap compared to most programs.
Let me know if there is anything else I can answer!