Stony Brook Accelerated BSN class of 2013 - Page 45
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Jan 29, '12 by Paco-RNQuote from Dollface4k6I was only in the NICU for one day back in October, when I was taking OB. My OB clinical was at another hospital with a very small NICU, and I wanted to see a Level III as opposed to a Level II. My instructor was kind enough to let me come and shadow nurses for a day, and I really loved the experience. Have not been back since though. Unfortunately, I can't do my capstone in that specialty because I was placed in a med-surg/telemetry clinical that requires me to also do my capstone there. I am OK with that, especially if it improves my chances of getting a job right out of school. I will however continue to pursue an opening in the NICU later on.Hey Paco, I know you had mentioned a while back you were doing some extra time in the NICU, are you still doing that? My niece is actually a guest there right now, she was born a month premature with an intestinal atresia and had to get surgery at 2 days old. She's doing well, just wondering if you were one of the people I've seen running around!
Quote from Dlam88I was confused by your post at first, I did not realize that you had quoted my words from another post before adding your own, LOL. So I isolated what you wrote above.I read your post what do you mean by retaking an entrance exam? I looked at Stony Brooks admission requirement and it said nothing about taking an entrance exam. Also, how did you go about improving your letters of recommendations? Some schools require 3.
To answer your question, the post you are referring to was not aimed only at applicants of Stony Brook. I wrote it for anyone who was rejected from or waitlisted for any nursing school. Some nursing schools do require an entrance exam, such as TEAS or the GRE and was speculating that perhaps some applicants did not have a high score the first time. I was using an example.
RE: Letters of recommendation - I chose two different people the 2nd time around and kept one from the prior application (he probably just used the same letter and updated it, knowing him). The 2nd time around, I got a 2nd professor and the director of volunteer services at the hospital where I volunteered, who I was able to work more closely with in the year after the 1st application ... so she was in a better position to speak of my abilities and potential. The two I got rid of in hindsight did not really have the ability to speak to my full potential and probably could not convey that adequately to a nursing school committee.Last edit by Paco-RN on Jan 29, '12 -
Jan 29, '12 by Jennyfur1234Quote from Paco69Paco,Do you have no choice in where you do your capstone? I really want to do Peds onc. Is that a possibility or at least Peds?. Unfortunately, I can't do my capstone in that specialty because I was placed in a med-surg/telemetry clinical that requires me to also do my capstone there. I am OK with that, especially if it improves my chances of getting a job right out of school. I will however continue to pursue an opening in the NICU later on. - Jan 29, '12 by Paco-RNBoth peds and peds onc are possibilities, yes. You do have choices as far as where you do your capstone, but they are not guaranteed and depends on the med-surg clinical option you select and end up in. You can request them though, and as far as I have seen, most people get what they request. I just happen to be in an option this year which places you in a med-surg clinical that also becomes your capstone. I was switched out from my 1st option randomly because too many people wanted to be in the option I chose (clinical @ SBUMC and choose your own capstone anywhere), but I am going with this. Somehow I believe there is a reason for this new direction.
- Jan 29, '12 by Jennyfur1234Quote from Paco69Which option allows you to chose so i try to get that one? Its probably bad but im dead set on what i want to do. Do you do your capstone at a stony brook affiliated hospital or any hospital?Both peds and peds onc are possibilities, yes. You do have choices as far as where you do your capstone, but they are not guaranteed and depends on the med-surg clinical option you select and end up in. You can request them though, and as far as I have seen, most people get what they request. I just happen to be in an option this year which places you in a med-surg clinical that also becomes your capstone. I was switched out from my 1st option randomly because too many people wanted to be in the option I chose (clinical @ SBUMC and choose your own capstone anywhere), but I am going with this. Somehow I believe there is a reason for this new direction.
- Jan 29, '12 by Paco-RNQuote from Jennyfur1234I was dead set as well, but I had to go with the flow on this one, not stressing over it though. Some things change from year to year, not sure if the same options we have this year will be there the next ... but there will always be an option to choose where you do your capstone, any hospital Stony Brook has an existing agreement. Some people are hoping to do capstones in other states, because they are planning to move after graduation. For people that are in this option, you have to do your med-surg clinical @ SBUMC first. Too early for you to start doing anything about this now though, LOL, you will have a chance to address this in mid-fall. First things first: get through first 2 semestersWhich option allows you to chose so i try to get that one? Its probably bad but im dead set on what i want to do. Do you do your capstone at a stony brook affiliated hospital or any hospital?
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Jan 30, '12 by Dlam88Quote from Paco69Thank you for you advice. You have really great advice and insights. I have seen many of your posts on this forum. Do you know anymore public school that have good BSN programs? I have looked up some private schools but they are very expensive. Also, I read that it is never too early to start practicing for the NUCLEX. What books would you recommend?I am typing this on my phone so I will be brief You want to try to stand out and be remembered, in the sense that you are bringing something different to the table than most applicants. Stay away from canned and cliché phrases ("I want to help people") and highlight your personal story and personal strengths, in both academia AND as a potential nurse. Show the committee that you are more than just a GPA (no matter how low or high it is). Your recommendations should back up the caliber of a person your essay reflects. That's about it in a nutshell. Kmcg may have a different take on this, since we both bring very different qualities to the program. For starters, she is so much smarter than me!! 
Last edit by Dlam88 on Jan 30, '12 - Jan 30, '12 by Dlam88Quote from Dollface4k6Thank you for you advice.Dlam88,
When you're completing the application, they outline what you should discuss in your personal statement:
How to answer the essay question
The essay question or personal response, needs to address the following topics:
- Why have you chosen to pursue nursing as a career?
- Why do you want to pursue baccalaureate preparation in nursing?
- What qualities do you believe you possess that will enable you to perform effectively as a student and later as a practicing nurse?
- How can nursing address and improve global healthcare needs?
I think Paco said it best when he mentioned that your personal statement is where you sell yourself to the school. It's personal, so pour your heart out. Why do you want to be a nurse?? I also discussed some personal attributes that I think I posess as well as instances in my life and educational career that reflected these characteristics that will be helpful as a student and then as a nurse. I'm hoping that my letters of recommendations will support these characteristics and my success (hopefully!) in the program.
I hope this helped! I'm sure Paco and kmcg will be able to further address your question, as their personal statements resulted in their admission to the school!Last edit by Dlam88 on Jan 30, '12 - Jan 30, '12 by Dlam88Hello this is a question for anyone who is currently enrolled in the program. How did you go about finding off-campus housing? Also, are those places furnished?
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Jan 30, '12 by cakeumsSo, after reading Jennyfurl's credentials...wow. I don't know what I'm thinking, planning on going to nursing school. It sounds like it's more competitive than med school. Nobody will take me with my non-honors GPA.
Anyway...I rent on LI, but we're a 4-person family and rent a 2br ranch, garage and small basement/crawlspace for storage, about 10 minutes from SBU campus. I pay $1650/month without any utilities included. I do know you can find a 1br for $1000-1100/month, often with utilities included. Look on Craigslist, there are usually a good amount of listings there. - Jan 30, '12 by Paco-RNQuote from Dlam88Thanks for your kind words, glad I could be of help!Thank you for you advice. You have really great advice and insights. I have seen many of your posts on this forum. Do you know anymore public school that have good BSN programs? I have looked up some private schools but they are very expensive. Also, I read that it is never too early to start practicing for the NUCLEX. What books would you recommend?
If you’re referring to New York State, the other SUNY schools (Binghamton, Buffalo) both have very reputable programs from what I have heard. Have not heard too many good things about SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn. In NJ, Rutgers has a good program too, but if I recall from my research into schools when I was applying, most all the schools in NJ want organic chem as a prereq and I was NOT taking that!
Many people recommend Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN (author is Silvestri) as a good review for the exam, and I would have to agree. The latest edition has a yellow cover.
Quote from Dlam88I searched Craigslist and the Stony Brook off campus housing listings online (they have a website, you can Google it). I ended up renting a place off the Stony Brook listings, I think those are pretty good. My place was semi-furnished, but not all of them are like that. You will find some that are, especially if they are just rooms in a house.Hello this is a question for anyone who is currently enrolled in the program. How did you go about finding off-campus housing? Also, are those places furnished?
Quote from cakeumsJennyfur’s credentials are indeed exceptional, but they are not the prototype for everyone who gets into the program, trust me! I did not have an honors GPA and I got in. I will never know the rhyme or reason behind admissions decisions at this school, but it’s safe to say that everyone has a great chance of getting in provided you met the minimum standards. Like I say time and time again *sigh* … a 4.0 is not a guarantee to getting in!So, after reading Jennyfurl's credentials...wow. I don't know what I'm thinking, planning on going to nursing school. It sounds like it's more competitive than med school. Nobody will take me with my non-honors GPA.Joie_de_vivre likes this.
