USF master's entry-CNL

dianajh73 · May 20, 2009

I noticed the "This does not include BSN" and wondered about that. I gather, from talking to people familiar with Fresno State, that that is to keep people from entering the program and then dropping half way through and not completing the MSN/Educator portion. They have to let you get your RN so that you can complete the MSN, but the real goal of the program is to create educators, not RNs and BSNs.

The RN program has a good reputation in the Fresno area but this MSN/Educator program has only been offered once before. My family is all here in the valley so I'm thrilled I got in. Just anxious to start.

jimbillybob · May 21, 2009

Finally some real feedback. Thanks for the post dianajh73 . I'm wondering, did you receive anything else from FSU about what to do next? All I know is I'm supposed to show up for orientation on Tuesday the 26th but I'm not even clear on the exact location. Also, have you had a chance to check out the campus? Was I correct about classes being held in McLane Hall?

dianajh73 · May 21, 2009

I understand your frustration. If you haven't received 3 or 4 e-mails this week from Carol Rayner (the person you e-mailed to accept), then you need to e-mail her. She has sent out info on immunizations and physical, CPR, applying to the school (like an idiot I hadn't done that yet), registering for classes etc...

I went today and got a list of the books. I went to the bookstore a couple of weeks ago and got a partial list from a staff member, but they are now ready for purchase downstairs. The uniforms etc. will be on sale Tuesday and they are staying open so we can buy our stuff after class. Uniforms are royal blue scrubs (nice compared to a lot on here and $15 ea. pc.) The syllabuses (syllabi???) aren't ready yet, but may be done by Friday.

If you want to e-mail me privately I can send you a copy of the list of books.

I think you are right about McLane Hall. It has definitely been around a while - I think all the classes are in that area. I am familiar with the campus, but haven't explored extensively. The orientation is in the Residence Dining Hall - closest parking is on the corner of Cedar and Shaw.

Note that, while the info from program says call Health Services for the immunizations, they are not ready to make appointments yet. Said to call back late next wk.

Keeping my fingers crossed things go more smoothly once the program starts - Hey, I can dream

Diana

Fiji Islands · May 21, 2009

I understand your frustration. If you haven't received 3 or 4 e-mails this week from Carol Rayner (the person you e-mailed to accept), then you need to e-mail her. She has sent out info on immunizations and physical, CPR, applying to the school (like an idiot I hadn't done that yet), registering for classes etc...
I went today and got a list of the books. I went to the bookstore a couple of weeks ago and got a partial list from a staff member, but they are now ready for purchase downstairs. The uniforms etc. will be on sale Tuesday and they are staying open so we can buy our stuff after class. Uniforms are royal blue scrubs (nice compared to a lot on here and $15 ea. pc.) The syllabuses (syllabi???) aren't ready yet, but may be done by Friday.
If you want to e-mail me privately I can send you a copy of the list of books.
I think you are right about McLane Hall. It has definitely been around a while - I think all the classes are in that area. I am familiar with the campus, but haven't explored extensively. The orientation is in the Residence Dining Hall - closest parking is on the corner of Cedar and Shaw.
Note that, while the info from program says call Health Services for the immunizations, they are not ready to make appointments yet. Said to call back late next wk.
Keeping my fingers crossed things go more smoothly once the program starts - Hey, I can dream
Diana

LOL yeah hopefully things go smoothly once we begin. I tried registering today and it won't let me in 6 of the 8 classes becasue of some pre-req problems so I am just going to wait until Tuesday and let Carol figure it out. Got my immunizations, CPR and Physical done...so that's something out of the way. ordered a couple of books online yesterday so hopefully they get here on time. I'll buy the rest of the stuff on Tuesday...

jimbillybob · May 21, 2009

I think the right expression here is "oh crap!" I completely missed the part about sending Carol an email! I hope I didn't inadvertently send the message of no longer being interested. I've been in the dark all this time about what to do next and I'm wondering if anybody else is in the same boat as I. Dr. Russler even called me personally to confirm my acceptance but never heard back after that. It's not like they don't have my contact info either so it irks me a little bit that I was never told about all that other stuff that needed to be done. I sent in most of that stuff with my application anyway so hopefully what they have from me is sufficient. If not, I'm hoping the rest could all be done within the chaotic first couple weeks of class.

So anyway, is the figure on the cost estimate sheet lining up well with the actual so far? I thought they'd have a box of books and supplies ready for us to pick up on Tuesday but I guess you're on your own getting them after all. Still wondering about what Spring 2010's costs might be, any guesstimates?

dianajh73 · May 21, 2009

They didn't send anything until last Friday. I didn't get that e-mail, but she re-sent it Monday when I asked her if I had missed anything since I hadn't heard anything since accepting. Sounds like you should be ok but I'm guessing they wanted e-mail just so they could easily compile list instead of relying on manual input. Definitely e-mail her now though.

The costs do line up. I have purchased several older editions and that has helped, but it appears that the $400 for ATI is going to be non-negotiable. Looks like we have to pass the ATI test before moving on and probably need to buy the whole 10 bk set to get the online computer code, but waiting to see. All the other books are separate - Med Surg is the only bk that comes packed with study guide, everything else in individual.

I expect that Spring's cost will be similar to Fall's - Not sure what it will be since they are looking at increasing fees and haven't posted Fall's cost yet. I'm pretty sure it will end up being more than our mail indicated though.

forumhere · May 21, 2009

Hello Dianajh73, Jimbillybob, and Fiji Islands, I was thinking about the "This does not include BSN" statement about this program too but correct me if I'm wrong doesn't this program also train you for advanced nurse practice in addition to nurse educator? Do you know when will we find out which field for advanced nurse practice we can pursue? Thanks in advance.

jimbillybob · May 21, 2009

forumhere: the program is a combined CNS/Nurse Ed, so to answer your question about advanced practice - yes it definitely does. How good of a CNS/Nurse Ed does one become afterwards? That's what I was wondering about this whole time as I've not heard or seen anything about this anywhere. As far as finding out what field you'll be going into, I think that choice is all up to you. However, you don't even get into the specialty part until two years into the program so you have plenty of time to think it over.

Diana: I was trying to figure out how to send you a private message so I can get that book list but I can't seem to figure out how. I wonder if you could please send me a message instead. :)

How are you guys going to fund your education by the way? I'm thinking about cashing in some stocks but I'm hesitant because it will be at a loss if I did. I could also take out another student loan but my check book's still a little burnt from paying off $25,000 for my bachelor's degree. Is it possible to be working on the side while going to school? Probably not this summer but I'm wondering about other semesters...

I finally got an email from Carol saying to register if I haven't already, which was also forwarded to a few others so I guess I wasn't the only one in the dark.

forumhere · May 21, 2009

Jimbillybob: Thanks for confirming this program also trains for advanced nurse practice in addition to nurse educator. You can go to the school's official bookstore link http://www.kennelbookstore.com, next click on the left side for "textbooks," next "order your textbooks" and then finally enter the course ID and you'll get a list of the required and recommended textbooks. I think it is the booklist for spring 09 but it lists the text required for our courses for the summer and the bookstore said they'll update it soon. Hope that helps.

I'm still trying to figure that out how to fund my education.

jimbillybob · May 21, 2009

Very helpful, forumhere, thanks :) So are you all moved-in and ready to go for next week? I've got all my stuff boxed up and ready to go but I'm still trying to figure out where I'll actually be staying. It's too late for me to look into on-campus housing so I've been checking out CL for rooms. Most ads I've seen want female roomies though and I say, what's up with that?? I hate it when people flat out assume all guys are nothing but messy pigs; girls can be just as messy (if not more so!). I've got sisters so I know this for a fact

So yeah, lodging is my biggest road block at the moment and if you've got any tips on where/how to look please let me know. Seems like it might be a good idea if a few people in the program got together this way.

forumhere · May 22, 2009

Jimbillybob: I moved in a week ago and found my apartment through http://www.apartmentguide.com. Last time I checked, I believe placeproperties.com and http://www.jeffersoncommonsfresno.com still have available rentals. I also used CL and http://www.apartmentfinder.com. There are still plenty of availabilities. Good luck!

jimbillybob · May 22, 2009

One of the forms I got from Carol reads: "Physical exams for graduate... students are optional." Does this mean we don't have to have a physical done afterall? Just want to make sure.