Mount St. Mary's ABSN 2011 applicants

yukikon · Oct 5, 2011

sorry but what is it with you and NCLEX pass rates? sure, it's an important factor but just because you pass the NCLEX doesn't mean you have a job. Like sugarlips mentioned, the statistics you keep referring to are not an accurate reflection of the pass rates for ABSN students, which is the whole point of this thread - the ABSN program, not the traditional program. The ABSN program gets a lot of exposure during clinicals at various hospitals like UCLA Ronald Reagan, CHLA, Torrance, Kaiser - all over the board. MSMC has an amazing reputation, and there's plenty of nurses at various hospitals across LA county that are mount grads. The hospitals that are in connection with MSMC have nothing but great things to say about mount grads. Aren't you the one that goes to Western Governor's University or something like that? A school that quite frankly, doesn't have quite the reputation that MSMC has, and I honestly had to look it up because I have NEVER heard of it before. And people that decide to fork up the $55,000 tuition for the Mount is totally their decision, so what business do you have deciding who's going to be in debt and who's not? There are plenty of scholarships that are given out, and I don't care if I'm in debt after I graduate if it means that I went to a prestigious school with a great reputation which will help me in finding a great job to pay off the loan. Just my two cents..

BNice74, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2011

Dear Huxum944: In regards to one your posts, I have a few things I would like to say.

"Thats the State of California's information....it cant get more accurate than that. Those numbers are straight from NCLEX to the BRN. And it doesn't matter if the BSN and ABSN programs are combined to make 76%. That shows that at least one of those programs are really bad, possibly both. One of the programs could be at 71% and the other program at 82%. Either way, both are terrible. That is not a quality education. When you are investing around $70,000 into a school with one of the lowest pass rates, you should expect 100% pass rates."

First off, get your facts straight before you try saying "it can't get more accurate than that" if you bothered to check the dates, you would see the page CLEARLY says, "The table below is categorized by academic year (e.g., July 1st - June 30th)" which means the results are based on July 1st, 2010 to June 30, 2011. :rolleyes:

So like Sugarlips pointed out, those numbers do NOT reflect the past 2 ABSN cohorts that just graduated. I graduated from the May cohort. The first person to take NCLEX from my class sat on June 30th. Which means her passing result wouldn't be in that report. So far everyone from my class that sat for NCLEX (almost all 36 of us, Passed on the very first try) And also like Sugarlips pointed out, these reports do not exclusively include only the ABSN program. So it DOES matter to us ABSNers when you group us together with the traditional program grads that do not always pass on the first time - b/c us ABSNers do. Probably because it is so competitive to get in to the Accelerated program and its even more challenging to get through this program. Nearly everyone in the August 2010 cohort also passed on the first try. I believe out of 38 people, 3 did not.

It's funny how you are talking so much smack about MSM's program, yet you applied to go there????? Don't mock our program b/c you are bitter that you didn't get in. :eek:

"Mary's is always focusing on GPA, and how the TEAS and GPA are "likely indicators of success in a nursing program and all that. They think that you have to be incredibly book smart to become a nurse. Schools like the Mt focus on GPAs and TEAS scores way too much and it shows in their NCLEX scores. More well-rounded individuals should be admitted. This will yield better pass rates. Countless other school have much lower average GPA and TEAS scores and produce much higher NCLEX pass rates. "

GPA is important to get in to the ABSN program, but it's not a make or break indicator. MSM's also interviews potential students, unlike many nursing programs that only base people on a point system and not on a personal level. Nursing is very much about personality not just book smarts and MSM's does know this. That is why our class was so well-rounded. And we didn't have to take TEAS to apply for the ABSN program. How could you even say "more well-rounded individuals should be admitted"? Do you even know anyone in the past few cohorts????? You are looking at numbers that include the traditional program, which has 2-3 times more students than 2 ABSN cohorts combined!

"People are way too consumed with the name of the school, rather than the education they are receiving. This shows what happens when school perform really well for a time, as Mt St Marys used to. They used to be one of the best. Schools like this eventually veer off track and focus on things that arent even related to nursing. They get prideful, like many of their students, and get off track."

The name of your school is actually pretty important when it comes time to get a job especially in this economy and in this area of California. At the place I work at, 6 out of 22 new grad nurses came from my school - the most from any other school in the area. And on my floor alone, I know 5 experienced nurses that graduated from MSM's in the past couple of years. Say all that you want about the school, but in reality they do have a good reputation in the community. And I don't think some of the best hospitals in the area would hire new grads that went to a school where "students focus on things that aren't even related to nursing." We obviously gained the education we need to get jobs. Thank you very much. :nurse:

I invested $50k in my nursing education, it took me 1 year to complete, and I am already working at one of the best hospitals in LA. If I applied to state school (for less money), I would have prob still been waiting to get in. I'm not saying either school has a better education but the less expensive schools get more applicants which means longer wait times. Mount St. Mary's offers more start dates a year and you get done faster. In the end your nursing school is kind of like a formality. It allows you the opportunity to sit for the NCLEX. Your education is always YOUR responsibility - not the "program's" So if you fail on your first try, maybe you didn't put the time in necessary to studying.

"Its funny how Mt St Marys only admits the very best applicants, students with extremely high GPA's, and then produces some of the worst NCLEX pass rates in California."

Mount St. Mary's gave me the resources to learn - the rest was up to me. I can honestly speak for everyone in my class to say we worked our butts off to get through this challenging program and we were all very disciplined to study for the boards. It wasn't easy but we made it through and we all passed on the first try. If you only looked at the ABSN pass rate, I bet the numbers would be 98% pass on the first try. Congrats to all the ABSNers who worked so hard to get where they are today. Kudos to the May 2011 cohort for 100% pass rate and I have complete faith that the Aug 2011 cohort will also pass on the first try. Because we have something special to make it through this program. And each and everyone of us is a great nurse!!!! :yeah:

Sincerely,

A working RN who graduated from MSM's ABSN program this past May, passed NCLEX on the first try, and started working 10 days later.

rocky16 · Oct 5, 2011

Someone sounds bitter about getting rejected lol

BNice74, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2011

@ Hexum944: I am sorry I didn't see this post in my last response and had a couple more thoughts to share: :idea:

"I applied thinking they had a high pass rate, like around 96-100%. When I got denied I was frustrated and a little bitter because I only applied to a few schools and this was my first choice. At the same time I was relieved I didnt get in because I didnt want to commute there everyday (1.25 hours each way) and have enormous student debt. I recently started nursing school and looking back, I wouldnt have it any other way."

Good for you for taking ownership of your bitterness. You will find this quality is not helpful once you are a working nurse b/c as with any job that requires teamwork, there is no room for someone with a negative attitude that puts down other people for their decision. And one thing I learned in nursing school, leave your judgment at the door. No one on this board was putting you down for not getting into the Mount so you should think about your bitter words before posting b/c like I wrote earlier, we all worked super hard for our nursing degrees and to pass NCLEX - no matter which school we attend.

"My tuition for the whole program is $18k, which I had already saved for. Had I not saved for school, I could have paid that off in a year or two. Those attending the Mt will be paying that debt off for 8-20 years, especially if they take more out for cost of living."

Again, congrats on only paying $18k - good for you. As for those that took out $50k in loans and are paying $32k for more school, if you end up getting a job 6 months earlier than someone that paid $18k for school, you already paid the difference. And as I mentioned I am already working as our many of my fellow Mount Grads. The new grad program I am in hired many mount grads but not 1 from the other school that was mentioned on this board. I am not putting that school down I am just pointing out what I know to be true based on my experiences.

"I will be doing my rotations at Cedars Sinai and am very excited to be able to learn there, there probably isnt a better hospital to do rotations at. So those going to the Mt, I genuinely wish you luck, because your going to need it. Low NCLEX pass rates and constant debt is going to haunt you later."

While I know many Mount Grads that are paid RNs of this hospital, including myself, it would be wise for you to take into consideration that HR in fact, does read the boards of this very website. Therefore it would be in your best interest to be careful about your tone towards others. Because in the end hospitals don't care if you passed NCLEX on the first try, they only care that you are a licensed professional. And they look for quality people with positive attitudes that will treat patients and fellow team members with kindess and respect.

As for the low NCLEX pass rates that hasn't haunted me b/c I am not one of those that didn't pass on the first try. And it doesn't haunt anyone that didn't pass the first time but passed 45 days later either - b/c guess what??? They are also still an RN. I agree the debt sucks but if I waited to get into a cheaper program I would have waited 6-12 months more to begin school, which means I would have started working 6-12 months later and wouldn't have earned money in that time period, like I am doing now.

NatBoehm · Oct 8, 2011

Hi BNice74, Sorry to barge in on the conversation but I am very interested in attending MSMC's ABSN...even before your very well crafted argument to Hexum 944, and you sound very well versed on the program as well as having been thru it...So I would like to ask, if you don't mind sharing...what you got in with?...meaning GPA(pre-req's) overall GPA, volunteer or other experience. Also, how many hours a week you think you put in to study? And if you don't mind sharing you final GPA for the program? I am just trying to get an idea of where I stand and what it will take to do well. I am planning to go on to MSN so it is important I have the grades at MSMC...but I want to get an idea of what is realistic. Also, what I might add to improve my chances. I am planning to apply to the fall 2012 cohort.

This is what I expect to apply with:

4.0 pre-req GPA

3.5 overall GPA

1 year volunteering in Day Surgery recovery at TMMC(4hrs a wk)

I have full support of family, don't have to work and can put in approx. 45hrs a week to study

Also planning to take the BioEthics(Taylor U) before entrance.

Thanks so much in advance for your reply.

Nat

BNice74, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

@ NatBoehm: you are not barging in on the conversation. It seems this forum was originally set up for people applying to the program to help answer such questions to begin with.

I am a graduate of the May 2011 cohort and will tell you this program is very challenging to get through but it is possible and you can do it. The program requires 150% commitment. I am not joking when I say you have absolutely NO life. :uhoh3: That is a true story but you will find it gets easier. The first couple of months are the most difficult in terms of getting used to your crazy schedule but you end up finding a rhythm. It sounds like you have plenty of support from your family (which you need) and you definitely can NOT work so that is good you don't have to. In the first and second semester, I spent approx 16 hours in the classroom, 27 hours in clinicals, and 55 hours a week with homework and studying. This does not count commuting time which can add another few or several hours to your schedule depending on where your clinicals are. Second semester: first 7 weeks is the most challenging in terms of classes. You will find you spend approximately 16 hours in the classroom and 18 hours in clinicals but more time studying. The next 7 weeks it starts to get more manageable and for me was like that until graduation. I think its because I got used to my life being only about school. You seriously live and breath nursing school. :yawn:

I highly recommend taking the bioethics course prior at Taylor as you are planning to do. I did the same thing and thanked myself every week for getting that done prior to beginning at MSMC. I seriously do not know how I would have made it through the first 7 weeks of second semester if I hadn't taken bioethics before hand.

As for GPA: prior to admission my Science pre-reqs were 4.0. My overall GPA was 3.5. No previous health care experience but 17 years of customer service jobs including work in the banks, the legal field, and travel/hospitality jobs. Volunteer experience included working with kindergarteners in the classroom, working with children with disabilities, and 40 hours at a children's hospital helping the kids with homework while they were in the hospital for long periods of time. Your GPA and volunteer experience sounds perfect.

As for making your application stand out: make sure to write a good essay. Make it personal. Tell a story about why you wanted to become a nurse. Many of my classmates had a sad story as to why they wanted to become a nurse. Most experienced a big loss and talked about it. Show your emotional side. As for myself, I talked about my grandfather's hospice nurses and how they inspired me to finally go back to school to become a nurse. If you can read your essay and cry every time you read it - thats a good essay especially if you can make others feel what you were feeling. Show your compassionate side and talk about how much you care about taking care of others. :redbeathe

Another tip: don't be afraid to apply for the semester prior to the one you want to be in, just in case you don't get in. For example, I applied for the Aug 2010 cohort knowing I prob wouldn't get in b/c my prerequs were still in progress. I believe this helped me when I reapplied for May 2011 cohort b/c I was one of the first to be interviewed. I heard they have a "separate pile" for applicants that were previously denied and gave them priority consideration the next time around. So don't give up if you get denied once.

Also practice for your interview. Don't be afraid to show them how dedicated you are and who you are as a person. Again show emotion, talk about team work, and what will make you a good nurse. They are looking for people that will fit into the cohort. Your cohort will become your family for one year so they try to choose people that will get along. Your classmates will be a huge part of your support system. You go through everything together in this crazy program - these are the people that get you through your breakdowns, pick you up when you are feeling like you cant get through another day, and cheer you on when you finally complete the program, pass NCLEX, and become an RN!!! :nurse:

In the end I graduated with a 3.6, passed NCLEX on my first try, and started work less than 3 weeks after getting my license. :yeah:

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · Oct 8, 2011

@Nat - I completely concur with BNice's assessment of how many hours and the level of commitment necessary in order to do well in the program. There were many nights where I would be up until 2am and then need to wake up at 5:30am in order to make it to 7am class. The 1st full semester you are in class at 7am on Monday and Tuesday until early afternoon and then W - F you are at clinical at 6:30am, with writeups due each day.

As far as GPA, my pre-reqs were 3.9 and my final GPA was a 3.8, however my pre-BA was under 3.0. I also applied for May, but didn't get accepted until August due to my pre-reqs being incomplete. Taking Bioethics prior to the program was completely worth it, so very good move!

The essay is really what gets you in the door. They are looking for people from all different walks of life, that can work well with each other. Though they do not require volunteering, be sure to keep a few stories in your mind that you can use for answering possible interview questions. There was also a question about ethics, so prepare for a question that revolves around how you have dealt with that in the past.

I have yet to take the NCLEX, but am working on preparing for it, and going through the application process all over again...but now for a job. It is a never ending cycle it seems.

jmlee · Oct 31, 2011

Hi everyone!

The information you have provided on this threat is amazing! I recently decided to apply to MSMC March 2012 to start in August. A lot of you said that the reason you did not get in first was because of prereqs being in progress. At the time of March, I will be taking Microbio and will just have finished my last religious studies so that grade will not yet be available (I am on quarter at UCSB). Do you think that this will hurt my application greatly?

I have a 3.4 GPA and around a 3.8 for my prereq GPA.

I volunteer as a Clinical Care Extender at St Johns Hospital in Oxnard and have completed over 120 hours. I am also starting another hospital volunteer program in Santa Barbara.

I have help 2 executive positions in my sorority, am a gymnastics coach, a private coach, and an after school tutor. I have done numerous community service projects to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and for CASA.

I have scheduled an orientation at the school and will meet with a counselor to go over my application, but based on that do you think that I should wait to apply in November to make my application stronger after I finish my prereqs? Or do you think I should still apply in March?

My dream in life is to be an RN and I believe MSMC is the school for me. My sisters live in LA and I already have housing available and my parents will cover my tuition for me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I cannot help but feel jealous of all of you who are one step ahead and one step closer :)

Congrats to all of you!

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · Oct 31, 2011

Sounds like you are a strong applicant and that your micro grade won't weigh as heavily as it did with my application. As long as you are finished with class by the time classes start in August (last week or so) then you will be fine. Good idea to go to the info session. I say go ahead and apply for August!

sugarlips, RN, BSN!!!!

jmlee · Oct 31, 2011

Wow thanks for your quick response! I feel sort of lame for reading that ENTIRE thread :)

And thank you as well for your advice. I think I will! I am also looking into applying to Concordia, CSUN, USD, SFSU, USF, Samuel Merritt, and WesternU but MSMC is looking like my number 1 so I will be applying a couple months earlier than I will be to the rest just to see what happens.

Is there anything you (or anyone else of course) can think of to make myself a stronger applicant?

NatBoehm · Nov 1, 2011

Wow!

Thanks so much BNice74 and Sugarlips for all the information! I really appreciate it! I feel much better about my chances to get in. Thanks also for your insights on the essay. I do have a sad story with a happy ending to tell that inspired me to want to be a RN. One more thing..is it possible to expand upon the ethics question? I am positive they must change the questions every time, but if you could elaborate on this... that would be great! Also to jmlee...I too am applying in march...we may be classmates!!

Thanks Again and Congrats to BNice74!!! And go Sugarlips on the NYCLEX!!

Natalie

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · Nov 1, 2011

The ethics question was somewhere along the lines like, "Tell me about an ethical situation you were faced with and how you handled it." It'll be up to you how to answer it. I used to work for some high-profile celebrities, and basically brought up the fact that many people used to ask me about that whole situation, but that I signed a non-disclosure and still continue to uphold that contract. It was an easy jump to HIPAA (which the interviewer brought up, but I was prepared with to help make the connection).

by the way, I passed the NCLEX on Wed! :w00t: