Emory University BSN/BSN 2nd Degree, Fall 2012 Applicants

[Nonnahs917]

Hi Everyone!

I am getting ready to apply to Emory's Fall 2012 BSN for 2nd Degree program and thought it may be helpful to start up a little forum/therapy group-ha.

If you are:

currently applying/a former applicant/a current Emory BSN student/a current BSN/MSN student, I'd love to hear from you!

Has everyone finished their pre-recs? Does anyone else have a non competitive undergrad (like me) G.P.A.? Does anyone know who is considered a competitive applicant? Where is everyone else applying?

I look forward to speaking with everyone...and hopefully entering the Fall '12 class together!

Shannon

[karczyn2]

:)Hello all you potential Emory Nursing Students:),

I was reading this thread and thought I would post being that I was in the same position as all of you just a year ago. It helped me immensely to discuss with everyone who was applying at the time and also helped me keep my sanity. Ohhhh the days when I would be on here every 5 minutes checking to see who found out first if they were accepted or not.

I am currently a junior in my second semester in Emory's BSN program. I know you have all already applied, but if you have any further questions feel free to ask. I am an open book and could probably answer any questions you have related to financial aid, chances of getting in, involvement and opportunities, clinical rotations, etc.

If anyone would like to send me a personal message I would be okay with giving you my personal email as well.

Good luck to all of you!!!!!

[karamarie91]

:)Hello all you potential Emory Nursing Students:),

I was reading this thread and thought I would post being that I was in the same position as all of you just a year ago. It helped me immensely to discuss with everyone who was applying at the time and also helped me keep my sanity. Ohhhh the days when I would be on here every 5 minutes checking to see who found out first if they were accepted or not.

I am currently a junior in my second semester in Emory's BSN program. I know you have all already applied, but if you have any further questions feel free to ask. I am an open book and could probably answer any questions you have related to financial aid, chances of getting in, involvement and opportunities, clinical rotations, etc.

If anyone would like to send me a personal message I would be okay with giving you my personal email as well.

Good luck to all of you!!!!!

Are you in the traditional BSN program? If so could you describe your typical class schedule for the first semester?Also which semester was harder? the 1st or 2nd? How was your financial aid process? Where do you do your clinicals? I was a bit disappointed when I learned at the open house that they only really use Emory hospitals. I thought it would be more hospitals than that. How has clinicals been? Does anyone work while being a student in your program? Do you get to know your professors? Do you feel Emory properly prepares you clinically wise?

Sorry for all the questions! I've been waiting to speak to an actual Emory student.

[karczyn2]

Hey karamarie91,

No problem. I wanted to know all the answers to my 100 million questions when I was applying as well.

1) I am in the traditional BSN program, however I do have a previous degree. I applied as a second career BSN student.

2) My class schedule for the first semester was the following:

Monday - 8-9:50 AM Health Assessment Lecture

- 10-11:50 AM Integrated Science I (Pathophysiology/Pharmacology)

Tuesday - 10-10:50 AM Professional Development: Foundations of Professionalism

- 1-2:50 PM Clinical Nursing I Lecture (Foundations of nursing practice)

Wednesday - 10-11:50 AM Integrated Science I (Pathophysiology/Pharmacology)

- 1-2:50 PM Clinical Nursing I Lecture (Foundations of nursing practice)

- 4-6:50 PM Health Assessment Lab

Thursday - 7:30-10:30 Clinical Nursing I Lab

Friday - 7AM-3PM Clinical (Emory University Hospital)

3) I can't give you a definitive answer as to what semester is harder because I am only in the second week of my second semester. They say that at most nursing schools the first semester is the toughest. I can see why this is true for a majority of students especially if your exposure to healthcare is limited. Although, for me personally the first semester wasn't bad. I ended up with three As and one B. I think having worked in a hospital for two years definitely helped. The second semester definitely has more projects and papers, though.

4) Financial aid process would be typical I guess. I put about 13K of my own money into school/housing etc. I moved to Atlanta from Seattle, WA so I made sure to save enough. I have a small scholarship and grant that I automatically qualified for and did not have to apply for. I have about $12,500 in federal loans per semester and I took out a 20k private loan. However, I am applying for other scholarships as we speak. If you are from GA you should have nooooooo problem getting many of these and most of your schooling should be covered. This is assuming you are a resident, though. I was not which is what hurt my chances.

5) I did my first semester rotation at Emory Unv. Hospital. I was on a surgical ENT/plastics floor and loved it! I have worked as a PCT for a couple years and I can say that this was a great experience. This semester I am at St. Joe's on a nuerovascular unit. I am very excited about it for several reasons, but that is another topic. And I had amazing instructors both semesters. I would say that, yes, they do use Emory Hospitals, but seriously, Emory owns everything anyways. In fact, they just bought St. Joes or are affiliated with them now. Something like that. But I would only say that is partly true. We have students who go to the VA, St. Joes, Midtown, CHOA, Peachtree, Gwinnett Medical Center, and many many more. Don't let that influence your decision too much. The key is that you are at great hospitals for your rotations and it is very rare you are ever at the same hospital more than once. Trust me, they make sure of it.

6) Plenty of students work right now. It is tough, but very doable. When I attended my orientation day they had a panel of students and one stood out in particular. She was a mother of 3, wife, worked full-time, and graduated with honors!!! That shows it can be done. And honestly, 100s of students have done it every year for years.

7) Getting to know your profs. I will say this. I have been to a school with 50,000 plus students and a school with just over 5,000. Getting to know your professors is completely up to you. That is my soapbox. At Emory, you most certainly get to know your professors. The faculty are EXTREMELY helpful and alllways make time to see you if need be. They are very approachable and are some of the most kind hearted people you will meet. ESON is all about seeing their students succeed and they truly mean and practice it.

8) I personally feel I am being prepared clinically. However, every student and instructor is different. Some students, initially, do get to do/see more than others, but you will eventually catch up. The key is to speak up and show you can handle clinical in a mature, professional, and safe manner.

I hope that answers your questions to the fullest. Sorry for the length. I love to inform people of my experiences and could talk even more about it!!! Let me know if you need clarification or further information.

[karamarie91]

@karczyn2, I just accepted a PCT job. Where did you work as a PCT and on what floor. I'm on med-surg and I have nursing home experience. Did you work days?What was it like?

Oh and thank you for the details about Emory. Do you live on campus? I live around 30 min away but at first I was thinking about living on campus, but it seems that most of the nursing students commute. Is that correct? And the reasons I was concerned about the instructors is because I'm so used to the small school environment that I don't know if its really hard to get letters of recommendation(for externship or nurse residency programs)... I think the clinical groups are smaller though,correct? How would you describe the student environment there? Is it many little groups or everyone works together?

And for clinicals, do/will you learn how to insert IV's? Can you name some other skills that you do in clinical (you don't have to list them all...)I spoke to an emory student who was about to graduate and he complained that he didn't know how to do that.

Have you started studying for the NCLEX in some manner? I heard some students start early...

thanks!

[karamarie91]

Oh I forgot to ask also, do you have a junior/senior practicum or preceptorship where you can choose a floor to focus on with a preceptor?

Do you get to study critical care because I'm quite interested in ICU?

[ayti]

Hi [/url] karczyn2

I just got accepted into the BSN/MSN program that starts this may. I have a few questions myself -

1. Is it the norm for Georgia residents to have most of their tuition covered? I am anxious about how to pay for school.

2. For your checkoffs, what is the maximum attempt?

3. Is 5days a week of school typical?

4. If you don't mind what is the secret behind your first semester success (your grades are very impressive) can you share some tips on studying/exams etc

[karczyn2]

@karamarie91,

Congrats on your newly accepted position!! I'm assuming it will be much different from your nursing home experience. At least it is for most. I worked as a PCT at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle in the float pool so I went literally everywhere, but mostly worked in the ICU. It was the most amazing experience. I worked evening shift 3-1130PM. Also awesome!!

I live off campus. 2.5 miles away. I would agree that probably 95% live off campus. My guess for this is that about 40% are second career students.

I totally hear where you are coming from with the professors. To put you mind at ease, every one of the instructors knows everyone's name by the third week of class. No joke. They make it their goal. I know each one of my professors on a first name basis and meet regularly with them. Their doors are always open. My guess is that they would be very helpful in writing rec letters. I can't say from personal experience, but I know other students who have asked and have received. However, I am referring more to the professors as opposed to the clinical instructors. The clinical instructors are the ones you want to write your letters because they can attest to your clinical experience, skills, ability to handle patient situations and so on. And as long as you do well in clinical they are usually willing to serve as a reference or write a letter. My last clinical instructor gave us all the thumbs up if we needed one. I honestly would not worry about this at all. I know it's easy for me to say, but you'll just have to trust me. ;-) And Emory does a pretty good job at helping to bring the recruiters to you. Tomorrow we actually have a career fair at school. You get to meet with all the recruiters from hospitals, give them your resume, etc.

Our class is pretty tight knit. At the end of the semester we all went out and had a blast just hanging out together. We all know each other because we see each other EVERYDAY! :) There are 112 of us if I remember correctly. There are definitely smaller groups within our class (and I highly recommend forming one), but we all help each other for the most part. I'll be honest in that there are a couple "non-team players", but you are bound to have that anywhere you go. That's life.

The number of people in your clinical group doesn't exceed 8 students. And now, some of our clinical placements are on DEUs (dedicated education units). This means that the unit is specifically trained to teach students. So in addition to your clinical instructor, you are also assigned to a nurse who teaches you, and that is limited to two students. The advantage is that you have more one to one training as opposed to one instructor trying to help all 8 students at once. That is the type of unit I am on now.

We do get to learn to start IVs. We just practiced on each other for the first time last week. I got mine on the second try:yeah:. Now, and this is based on my knowledge and experience, it seems as if you don't really get to practice IV starts too much no matter where you go to school. I can't speak for associate degree programs, though. Even though we practiced ours last week, there is almost no chance to practice on patients. Here's why. 1) A majority of hospitals now have IV teams. They are nurses specifically for that skill and that is their one and only job so those hospitals don't really give you the chance based on policy. 2) When you are at clinical only once or twice a week, and you have two patients at most, the opportunity doesn't present itself all too often. Our clinical instructor used to send students to the ER to practice, but a handful of the hospitals don't allow it anymore. I think it really depends on the hospital. However, rumor has it that you do get the chance during your role transition during your last semester in school. I was dissapointed about the news myself because IVs are so much fun!!!

Emory uses ATI testing service. This is what they use to prepare us for the NCLEX. We have practice exams CONSTANTLY that are NCLEX based and I think the history shows it has worked fairly well. I want to say that our passing rate is in the upper 90th percentile. I personally will be practicing more starting this summer after I have had my full med/surg rotation.

Let me know if you have any other questions. This is fun!! :)

[karamarie91]

So when you speak of role transition, is this the course in which you get to be on your own in a sense? Can you pick what area you want to be on? Do they give you options as to where you can do clinicals for a certain rotation? Like, if there is a hospital that is closer to you?

[karczyn2]

@karamarie91,

Yes we do have a practicum. We call it our role transition. It is basically a full work week. You do have preference in where you want to work. I also am planning to work in the ICU when I graduate and I hope to do my transition on a cardiothoracic ICU. Either at St. Joes, Grady, or Midtown. That is a whole year away though :)

You only really get to study critical care in clinical and typically is only done during the last semester. I'm only in my second semester so I'm not sure how much we address it in lecture. However, some students were on an ICU the first semester! It just happened to be where they were placed.

Does that answer your question? Sorry if it's confusing.

[karamarie91]

Yes it does answer my question! Thank you SO much for answering all those questions! You definitely demystified my confusion about the school. I'll just have to see what kind of financial aid I recieve being a dependent. I know they have work-study as a part of their fin aid but that would seriously conflict with my PCT job which I want to cherish because I'm sure it's going to be a invaluable experience. So I'll just have to see what happens.

Thanks!

[karczyn2]

Hey ayti,

Congratulations on your acceptance!!! I hope you are excited!!

1) I don't think I would go as far as saying "most." I don't have those stats. If you had a chance to read my earlier post I mentioned that there are a lot of ways to get funding if you are a GA resident. And there are. Our adviser is pretty good at getting you the information on what's out there. A lot of it is simply a matter of being proactive, though. It is a very scary thing to have debt especially if you haven't' been before. And Emory is DAMN expensive. People do it every year though.

2) When you say checkoffs are you referring to health assessment checkoffs and skills validations?

3) 5 days a week is typical. We all have the same schedule for the most part. Even the BSN/MSN students. They are in our classes as well. This semester I do not have any class or clinical on Wednesday, but I am there in three hour lectures the other days. I'm sure you have done your research, but just in case, you will definitely be in class a fair amount and there is a good amount of work to go with it. From speaking with seniors, the schedule does seem to lighten a bit the second year. I think they only have class a few times a week their last semester. Hope this answers the question.

4) Thank you for the complement :-) I don't know if there is a secret, but what really helped me was 1) that I had a good amount of experience working in a hospital prior to nursing school. It exposed me to all the terminology, the way a hospital is run, the culture, what to focus on with your patient, priority setting, and so much more. It helped get me in the "nursing mindset." I don't want to discourage those who haven't had the unique experience because a lot of students have no background whatsoever and made the same grades, but it certainly takes a load off. 2) FORM A STUDY GROUP!!!! I am very independent and like to learn my own way, but I had to change. There are 7 of us in our group and we are all great friends and it makes studying so much easier. Especially when it comes to pharmacology. We had four tests last semester and had to know roughly 70 drugs each exam. We had to know the MOA, adverse affects, contraindications, nursing implications, and dosages for some. Getting together 3x/week for 3-5 hours made studying so much easier and our success rate so much higher. 3) Don't read everything they tell you to. They'd probably have my head if they read this, but it's true. If you are working, involved, and have other things on your plate it's almost impossible. I am someone who loves to read, but I had to let it go. At Emory, pay attention to the lecture and supplement with the text. 4) Don't get behind. Enough said. 5) Sometimes you need to listen to your gut. A lot of test questions end in, "what would you do next," or "what is the highest priority." In many instances you have no idea what they are talking about, but your gut can lead the way sometimes. This may not be the best for real life, but on a test it can be your best friend sometimes :)

I hope I answered your questions. If i didn't, I attribute it to my sleepiness. Let me know if you need more.

[karczyn2]

Good to hear. Feel free to ask more questions.

I trrrrrrrrrry not to give too much advice related financially, but I have to say two things. Definitely see how much you can get. If you can avoid a private loan you already on the right track. Even though debt is a scary thing (I have personal issues with taking out mass debt to go to school), there are ways to make it. If you haven't heard of HRSA check the link out below. I know many a nurse taking advantage of this right now.

Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program Eligibility Requirements

And usually the work study doesn't pay too much. You are probably better off working your job now and continuing it through school. That's if you can make the schedule work. Just my two cents.