Concordia College - NY -2013

Ginamarie119 · Mar 18, 2013

Hey Justabit off,

Prior to my interview I emailed a friend that is an admission's director at another college and pumped her for info. This is what she said...

"For the interview I wouldn't were a suit, I would be a bit more casual- slacks and nice top....if you want, wear a blazer. If this is an interview with the admissions office, it most likely will not be that in depth. Even if its with the department chair I still do not think it will go too in depth. I would go to the school website and review Concordia's program and degree requirements. I would also just be aware of your transcript in case they ask about your past coursework. A big question will be why nursing? Maybe a why now nursing? Is there a particular division of nursing that has caught your interest. So maybe review different areas of field and pick a few that strike your interest......"

This advice served me well. I did a step above business casual, but not to formal. I wore a sweater set, and dark grey dress pants. I dressed it up a little more with a nice necklace. I felt comfortable and appropriately dressed. I interviewed with ****. She was super nice. It was really comfortable, more like a chat than a formal interview. Others that were waiting, interviewed with *****. I am assuming that they had a similar experience, she also seemed very nice. After the interview, I went to a conference room to do the writing sample. Like the others have said, it's not difficult but it was longer than I anticipated. Plan on a 1/2hr interview and then an hour to 1 1/2 hours for the writing sample. They gave you an article to read from a nursing journal and then outlined the info that they wanted you to write about. It wasn't hard at all, just time consuming. Like I said, I interviewed first but others were doing it in the reverse.

Good luck!! Soon, you will be a crazed lunatic racing to the mailbox everyday like we are. Have fun and just be yourself.

Ginamarie119 · Mar 18, 2013

RachPapp,

Is there anything that you wish you had done to prepare yourself better academically prior to starting school? I have the general idea... save some money, teach my husband to do the laundry, get organized, relax with the family yada yada yada... but is there anything else?

Any book suggestions anyone?

valentino8981 · Mar 18, 2013

Business casual is fine.

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Mar 18, 2013

@Ginamarie119

I would recommend How To Succeed In Nursing School by Caroline Porter Thomas. It is a nice book to read. However, I am spending most of my time reading fun books and other things I have wanted catch up on. I will not have time to do it come Fall. Plus I am trying to lose weight... :yes: . Basically a mix of things. Also getting my CNA license. I took the class last year but never took the exam. Once June/July hits I will start to go over my AP.

RachPapp · Mar 18, 2013

RachPapp,
Is there anything that you wish you had done to prepare yourself better academically prior to starting school? I have the general idea... save some money, teach my husband to do the laundry, get organized, relax with the family yada yada yada... but is there anything else?
Any book suggestions anyone?

I started a book but I guess school approached quicker than I thought because I only got 1/2 through it; I recently came across it and a read a page or two just to compare with what I know now. The book is called Getting the Most from Nursing School by Robert Atkins. I liked it because he actually graduated an accelerated program so I feel like he better understands the craziness. An important thing I got from the book (which I'm still trying to incorporate into every day life) is to remember that nursing school isn't about being the best student or getting the highest grades. This is a hard concept for me because I am very anal when it comes to my grades but he reminds you that your purpose of being there is to LEARN and to become the best NURSE and give the best CARE. Sometimes when we get so caught up in grades we forget to take away from the class the importance of the topic we are learning so I liked the book for that reason. You may get other things out of the book but I wouldn't say it's essential you read it.

Hmm what else? Well I went out and bought all these notebooks, pens, pencils, ect. and have put almost NONE of them to use. Concordia is basically all powerpoint presentations. I guess some people are still old-fashion and like to take notes in a notebook but I quickly found that was not for me. I never thought in my wildest dreams I'd be a laptop to class kind of girl and now I can't imagine getting through this program without it. I see people print the powerpoints and write notes all over them and that works for them but to me I like structure and order. Rather than scribbling notes all over the place I edit the powerpoints by adding notes to the slide. You must find what is right for you but very few people use notebooks.

Seriously I cannot stress this enough ENJOY your summer. I seriously considered taking a nutrition class over the summer because they say it helps you even though Concordia doesn't yet require it; but during my interview I was told it would not be worth it. She stressed to me that I should do things I love and if I would love a Nutrition class than take one but if it would not be fun for me then to leave it alone. I am so happy I didn't. I still think Nutrition is an important class but you NEED this summer to relax and enjoy the serenity and calmness of life. Come Aug/Sep you are theirs. I was like you and was very big on knowing how to better be prepared for this program (hence the book) but really the best preparedness is to enjoy your time off. I mean it. I don't say this to scare you but there is not much you can do to prepare yourself for what this is like. Essentially over the course of your time in the program you will be molded into the student you need to be simply by showing up and engaging in the material.

TRUST THE PROCESS. I say this a lot because I firmly believe it. In the first few days of the program my head was spinning and I felt lost and disorganized. I was certain I was going to screw everything up. Over the next few weeks I was worried I was not retaining every single piece of information I needed and was surely going to fail. Here I am 6 1/2 months later with a good GPA and a firm grasp of the knowledge (and still worrying I'm not remembering enough for the N-CLEX). When I let worries take over I step back and remind myself that this is a process and MANY people have done it before me and have been wildly successful and there is no reason why I won't be too. That goes for you guys also. Trust the process and trust your own abilities.

There is one little handy thing I like referring to during clinicals and that's RNotes. It's a spiral, washable, pocket-sized guide to things you need to know for clinicals. Drug administration, Assessment, Precautions (ect) it is quite handy. My sister found it on amazon I believe and it's nice to pull out during clinicals every now and then.

THIS WAS LONG! Lol sorry I can get a little carried away but I think that's all I have for now.. If I think of anything else or if you have anymore specific questions let me know

GOOD LUCK!

Ginamarie119 · Mar 19, 2013

RachPapp,

You are AMAZING thank you SOOOOO much for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. It is so great to have a link into the inside.

I am done with my pre-reqs so academically, I am just hangin around until Fall. I had planned to start NYU this semester but when push came to shove, I just couldn't handle taking that big of a loan out. I am way to conservative, and with kids in middle school, I thought I needed a better option. One of the teachers at school told me about Concordia when I was stressing about NYU. I hadn't heard of it until just a few months ago. It seems like a MUCH better fit. My fingers are crossed and I am hanging onto the idea that everything happens for a reason.

I ordered the book already, my anxiety always gets the best of me. If there is one piece of advice in there that can teach me how to not be such a maniac about grades it will be worth it LOL. I was ok in undergrad and did very well. I got A's but didn't stress about them. When I came back for the pre-reqs I kept thinking, "THEY HAVE TO BE ALL A's". So, I drove myself crazy. I am guessing that I am going to need a little bit of reprogramming. :)

I already took Nutrition and Dev Psych so that I could apply to other schools, so luckily I can check that box. I guess I will have no choice but to plan a GREAT summer and enjoy.

As far as next fall, in the past I have been that "old fashioned notebook and pen girl". In fact, people have made fun of my notes saying that it is more dictation than note-taking LOL. I can see the value in working with the laptop, but that is definitely going to take some getting used too.

I can't waited to get started... stinks that we have to wait till September. I guess getting an acceptance letter will have to be good enough for now. If it would just get here....

Thanks again... YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

lahhere · Mar 19, 2013

hey guys- I spoke with concordia today...anyone waiting on letters...the dean has been out and letters will be going out around april 1st....

so theres a bit of a delay. I interviewed on the 27th of february...

kjoseph591 · Mar 19, 2013

Hey, do you happen to remember the name of the building you are supposed to go for to the interview? I cannot remember! Thanks.

Ginamarie119 · Mar 19, 2013

@lahhere Thanks SO much for the update. It stinks that it will be awhile, but it's great to know.

@kjoseph591 I copied the following from my invite:

Upon arrival at the College we ask that you stop at the reception in the circular driveway off of White Plains Road to get a parking pass, if you are driving. The nursing department is located in Brunn Maier hall; the building to the right of the library. Upon entering the building we are located through the double wooden doors on the right, up the full set of stairs.

Good Luck!!

Ginamarie119 · Mar 20, 2013

Hey AccelBSN12,

I just tried to PM' you. I didn't realize that you sent a message FOREVER ago. It was my first and I didn't know it was there. LOL

Anyway, I tried to respond and got the following error, "AccelBSN12 has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space."

I just figured I'd let you know... in case you weren't aware.

GM

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2013

Hey Ginamarie,

No problem. I just sent you a PM

Justabitoff · Mar 21, 2013

I had my interview today! I think it went really well! The woman I interviewed with seemed really enthusiastic that I want to become a Certified Diabetes Educator after nursing school, so I'm taking that as a good sign. I was really worried about my grades, because I have a 3.0 undergrad, but she just asked me to explain some of them and noted that I was improving in my grades. My cousin mentioned that it's unlikely they would have wasted their time interviewing me if that was really a deal breaker so I'm trying to have hope. Now it's on to the waiting game!