Hey Star -- just saw a recent post of yours, didn't realize you'd started already (our new grads aren't arriving until September, I think). I know, it's rough! I'm finishing up my -- holy crap -- sixth month on the unit, and am only now starting to feel like I know some things (or, more importantly, know when to ask questions if I don't know things). We both picked tough units to start out in as new grads, but I certainly wasn't a rock star in NS, so if I'm keeping afloat so far, I know you'll be fine What kind of shifts are you working? Maybe we could grab a cup of mediocre coffee in the cafeteria sometime.

Hey again! thanks for all the info! I have one last question (hopefully), though its kind of silly. Do you by chance remember if you guys got the friday around July 4th off last year? On the academic calendar it says its a university holiday (Friday July 3rd this year), but I was wondering if we would still have to go to our clinicals that friday. Thanks for the help, my family and I are trying to plan a little vacay and was just wondering. Thanks again!

Hi, I'm going to be a MEPN student next year and had a question about transportation. Do you need a car your first year to get to all the clinical sites? Do you know of any MEPN students living in the Ave housing by Parnassus that do not have cars, or that do? Thanks for the help! Oh, and where did you end up getting housing? I'm from LA, so I'm not sure where to live. Thanks again!

Hi Nicole, thank you very much for the advice! I am going to try to relax as much as I can until June. I am really excited about the move and can't wait until I start. But I am sure that come October, I will be dying for a break. Good luck on your last few weeks of this quarter. You are almost done with your first year! That is really great. I bet you are looking forward to next year.

-Sonja

Hi Nicole,
I just got word that I have been accepted into the MEPN program! I am really excited!

I am currently taking microbiology, but since it isn't a requirement for admission, I am thinking about dropping it. I was looking on the California board of nursing website and couldn't find anything about it being a requirement for licensure. Do you know if I am right on that?

I just had a question. I don't know whether I will be accepted or not, but regardless, I am just curious:

Is it necessary to have a car in the program? I live in Portland, OR where the public transportation is fantastic and so I sold my car last year (for the good of the environment). I am totally willing to invest in a car, but I didn't know whether it would really be worth it in San Francisco.
Thanks!

Hi Nicole, Thank you so much for your advice! I am really glad I checked my account today because, for some reason, I thought that allnurses would email me when you responded. Clearly, I am new to all of this. I know you wrote it ages ago, but I really appreciate the time that you took to answer my questions! I am interviewing tomorrow and will make sure to remember your advice. I'll let you know how the day goes! -Sonja

Hi there! I was hoping you could give me your opinion on something.
I was wondering if you thought it would be appropriate to hand out my CV to the interviewers. This has been suggested to me by a few friends, but as I have never interviewed for a school position (rather than a job) I wasn't sure what the guidelines were.
Thanks for all your help!
Kate

Hi Star,

I am also interviewing on the 23rd for the ACHIN track and have a few questions about the interview day, if you have time to answer them. I know you are getting bombarded now that you have offered to help, so I understand if you don't have time for this. If it is easier, we could talk over the phone or meet up for coffee (I live in Berkeley). But, here goes my questions (on the off chance that you can shoot off a few answers ):

1. Should we wear a suit on interview day? (I know this is a dumb one, but I don't want to be either over or under dressed!)

2. Do you remember any specific questions?

3. Should I expect a firing squad, or are they casual and conversational in their interviewing?

4. What did you do to prepare? Is there anything you wish you had done?

Thanks so much for your patience! I really appreciate any insight that you provide, even if it is not directly related to the above questions.

Happy New Year,
Sonja

Hi Star,

I will be interviewing for the ANP track on January 16th. I work on the Parnassus campus at UCSF and was wondering if your offer still stands for meeting up for coffee. I could use all the advice I can get before the interview =). The interview is 3 weeks away and I'm already getting nervous!

Vince