Anyone apply to the accelerated Michigan State University or U of M program for '10?

ejcl68 · Mar 16, 2010

1) I was accepted to the Nursing program before I was even accepted to the University.

I sent in my application to MSU admissions on July 2009 and as of a few days ago, did not get a decision yet. I just sent admissions an email basically telling them to stick it and that I'm moving on. lol. So honestly, while I was disappointed about not getting into MSU nursing at first, I now feel much better about it. I know there is no logic as to how they make decisions but like many have said already - luck has a lot to do with it. I feel MSU and the nursing school in particular have been very disorganized and do I really want to invest $30,000 in a school like that?? No. I have three other programs I am waiting for decisions on who have been more straightforward(not wishy washy) and professional. Good luck to you and anyone else going into nursing school!!

Guest399960 · Mar 16, 2010

@roma4204: Thank you very much for the info! I definitely decided after I posted today that I am going to go there. It seems like a good idea anyway considering the only time I ever drove there was when I dropped off the application. I'm sure that we'll here a lot of things at orientation, but I'm just curious how many days of the week you're going to school? At UDM, they were going 3 plus two days of clinical, so 5. I'm just asking because I'm trying to see if it is possible to commute. That would save on the room and board expense. Thanks for the reassurance about the quality of the program.:)

@ejcl68: That's exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about. I'm only driving up there one time, and I better get a straight answer or else I'll do the same thing you did. I spent way too much time driving down to Toledo and out to Detroit for nothing, and I am SOOOO not doing it again. Good luck with your other programs.

ejcl68 · Mar 16, 2010

Hi Doswold,

Thanks and I wish you all the best at MSU. Roma said she loved the program so you can't argue with that. It's always best to hear it from someone who actually went through the program. I truly believe every program has pros and cons. I also believe it's what you put into it - once you graduate and pass the NCLEX I don't think it matters much about where you go. In Michigan, outside of maybe a couple of bad apples, I think all the programs are solid. I hope MSU straightens out a few things( which is not on par with a school with their high reputation) for petes sakes.

In closing, I'm glad there is a forum like this so people can share their positive and negative stories which may help others - it shows the passion of the people who are giving their heart and soul in order to become a nurse. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Even though we may not know people who post personally, nor judge a persons passion for nursing, you gain perspective on their situations, frustrations, etc. Getting into a nursing school is tough - like medical school. This forum has really helped me out big time. LOL.

ejcl68 · Mar 16, 2010

Doswald: Go to advising at the college of nursing. They told me that they push through the applicants that do not have decisions yet. Piece of cake. So glad my seat for MSU will hopefully go to some other deserving student out there. I think the seat is still warm too from all the waiting. Haa, haa, haaa. Man, I think even Harvard takes less time.

Guest399960 · Mar 17, 2010

Thanks for the words of encouragment guys. Headed up to MSU tomorrow morning, so I'll let you know how it turned out!

roma4204, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2010

Doswald - I was so eager to start but they don't tell you ANYTHING!!! lol so I will tell you what I can think of that I wanted to know

My schedule was

1st semester -

Mon Lab 7-1

Tues Clinical 7-330 (Med/Surg I)

Wed Class 9-5

Thurs Class 9-230

Friday Off

(Probably the most "busy work" you will ever do is this semester - it's kind of tricky to switch to the nursing mindset but by no means is it hard)

2nd semester -

Mon - Clinical 2-9

Tues - Clinical 2-9 (both of these were Med/Surg II)

Wed - Clinical 3-9 (Psych)

Thurs off

Fri - Class 9-5

(The hardest semester by far theory-wise and time-wise...but it is the most rewarding and you get to have the same pt's two days in a row)

This semester

Mon - Clinical 630-130 (Peds)

Tue off

Wed off

Thurs - Class 8- 230

Fri off

Sat - Clinical 7-1 (OB)

(This semester is sooooo easy...it is nice to have some down time bc I work a lot)

I have been lucky in terms of instructors. I have had no unfair experiences but I know some that have. Some have been tough but they were at least fair. You have absolutely no choice in terms of instructors and very little choice on location and time. And they don't tell you anything until the last minute. Just be prepared to coast through...don't try stand out in a good or bad way. Just take things one day at a time and you will be done before you know it. Try to get other experience while you're in the program if you can so you can get a job easier. Every program has its kinks...but you can either label them excuses or just try to get through it. If you have anymore specific questions PLEASE ask! I loved MSU and would encourage anyone to go there.

Guest399960 · Mar 18, 2010

Wow!! Thanks so much for your info, roma! UDM was going to have us going 5 days a week all 3 semesters. Their program (I think) is about 20 more credits than MSU. So relieved to know I'm not going to be going every day. But even with 4 days, I still think if I can get enough financial aid I would want to get a dorm room. I hope they're available to us; at some schools they aren't. Thanks again, and if I can think of anything else, I'll let you know. I'm going there today to find out about financial aid. Keeping fingers crossed!!

roma4204, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2010

I would NOT advise getting a dorm room...you have to park at least a mile away depending on which lot you qualify for and you really don't spend a lot of time on campus except for the first semester when parking is free for the summer. Dorms here are the biggest rip off ever. When I was an undergrad (I'm sure they've gone up since then...) they were about 750/month with a roomate (including food). You really spend the most time at clinical, which could be anywhere from Grand Rapids to Ypsilanti, so being on campus is really not convenient. And you do NOT want all those germs while you're in school either bc you can't miss clinical!!! Good luck to you!

cassie87 · Mar 18, 2010

Roma:

Thanks so much for all of your insight! I'm beginning the accelerated program there myself in may, but these next 6 weeks are definitely going to be a little hectic. This is all compounded by the fact that MSU (as apparently they did to you also) isn't really telling us much. Actually, a lot of us aren't even technically admitted to the university yet, just the program, so we can't even enroll! I also share doswald's frustration about the financial aid situation. It would be really nice to know what they are going to expect so I know how to start planning on paying for the program.

So basically, I definitely appreciate you sharing your experience. I also see what you were saying about clinical placements being very spread out and potentially far. I'm sure this is why many of my classmates will be commuting instead of moving to east lansing, and understandably so. I actually do have to move to east lansing, as I don't live in Michigan at all, but I'm hoping that won't be too big of a deal - I really like MSU's campus a lot!

If it's not too nosy, I was also wondering if I might ask if you and your classmates are in the process of looking for jobs/have already received offers, and if so, where students typically go. If not, I totally understand, I was just wondering how well you feel MSU prepares you to find/secure a job. I'm sure most of us can agree that that is a very important issue!

Thanks again!

roma4204, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2010

Not nosy at all! Financial Aid is so frustrating! There is someone in the office that is in charge of this program and does a CRAPPY job! Apparently she gets news from the college late and then we get it late blah blah blah...like I said I would go in. And double check EVERYTHING they do including giving you the right major code bc I was regular nursing not accelerated and being accelerated qualifies you for more subsidized loans.

As far as finding a job most of us have not started yet. We have to wait til the spring grads get through...but it's never too early to network! I have a friend who just graduated and got a med/surg days job at a great hospital...so the economy is looking up! Many hospitals are lifting hiring freezes. As far as MSU goes, many nurse managers I have talked to love MSU grads. I think it totally depends on the personal experiences they have had with them. MSU has the highest NCLEX pass rate in michigan last I knew so on paper it is very good. As far as clinically...you get out what you put in. You need to work hard to get experiences. Most of that will start when you're hired anyway so it's nothing to worry about too much. Also many of the better hospitals are asking for BSN only so that will give you a leg up.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

cassie87 · Apr 23, 2010

Roma:

Hey, sorry to bother you again, but I was wondering if you'd be willing to share some more insight about MSU's ABSN program. I'll be moving there in just 2 short weeks, and we have orientation on the 13th! They actually really haven't told us much about it (like what time it starts haha), what can we expect? Also one of my other questions was about the parking situation. The couple of times ive been to the school of nursing, it doesn't seem like there is much available...or any anywhere in the near vicinity. I'll technically live near campus, but nowhere near there! Do students typically take the bus or is there parking elsewhere? I imagine there has to be something, as so many people will be commuting.

Also if you have any general suggestions for the summer semester and beyond...accessories or products you and your classmates have found particularly useful, things you wish you would have known before beginning, etc. Also, this might be a ridiculous question, but do I need to buy scrubs before the program starts? We start clinicals at some point, but we haven't been given any info about a dress code, etc (as is the general theme).

Thank you so much, I really really appreciate any and all input and advice you can offer!

roma4204, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2010

hey cassie, did you ever see that i sent you a message? i didn't want to write things for all the world to see :)