Anyone applying to Samuel Merritt's ELMSN programs?

SparklyGirl · May 11, 2008

Hi There -

I am starting the ELMSN-FNP program in Oakland this fall...and I was just saying to my husbad (we're sitting in bed enjoying our coffee on this Sunday morning :) that I'm getting nervous!

2bttnurse84 · May 20, 2008

Hi Sparklygirl,

Good luck with beginning a great journey!! I wish I was in the same position as you. I'm getting ready to turn my application into Samuel Merritt in Sacramento. Then, I'll be playing the waiting game for a couple of months.

I hope you can share with us your experiences of your first few weeks of nursing school on this board. I've followed some of your postings throughout the year, and it's great to hear you'll finally be starting what you worked so hard for :nuke:...

Pika84 · May 29, 2008

How about the program in Oakland? Is anyone beginning the application process for Fall 2009 admission to the Oakland campus? I'm about to finish up my prereqs this summer but I am really excited about applying this winter. SMC seems to have a wonderful program!

2bttnurse84 · May 30, 2008

Hi Pika84,

Although I'm applying to the the Sacramento campus, it's great to hear from someone else who is in the same point in this process. I'm so anxious right now..I've been waiting for months for the deadline of apps to come and now that it's so near, it's making me nervous. I've talked with counselors from the Oakland and Sacramento campus, and they all seem very accomodating, nice, and really willing to help out potential students. I look forward to sharing experiences with people from this site...

What is your background and what track are you planning to apply to???

Pika84 · May 30, 2008

Hi,

Wow, I know the deadline for the Sacramento campus is coming up. When is it? I'm sure you are ready!

I graduated college with a degree in Biology and Spanish. I always thought I was going to go to medical school but it hasn't worked out this time around and honestly, I think I'm pretty happy about that. About 6 months ago, I started looking into Entry level nursing programs and I found this site (which has helped me through many tough questions!) and now I'm really excited about the prospect of becoming a nurse. When I was thinking medicine, I wanted to do primary care so I am going to go for the FNP route. What's your story?

My top choice is SMC but it is soooo expensive. Do you know if they have more scholarships/grants available because they are a private institution? Or do people just chalk up the cost as an investment and go for it.

2bttnurse84 · Jun 2, 2008

Hi Pika84,

I have lots in common with you! Thanks for the positive regards btw. I graduated from UCLA as an undergrad in health science and cultural anthropology. I, like you, initially wanted to go into medicine (pre-med til my junior year). However, through research and volunteer work, I discovered the study of nursing and medicine (as a doctor) are very different. My interests and goals fit more with nursing ideals/curriculum. My interests are embedded in advocating for cultural literacy in health/social services so I am going for the case management route...

Based on my understanding, Samuel Merritt does not have its own institutional scholarships/grants (I'm not 100% sure). There are, however, opportunities in the community hospitals and settings that give loan forgiveness programs, scholarships, and other funding that will help students pay for the cost after/during your education. For me, it is worth while investment for my future. Yes, I know that it's crazy expensive and I will be in a lot of debt when I'm done. However, the personal satisfaction is well worth it in the end. Also, if we plan our finances right, paying back loans will not be totally torturous...

I'm turning my app into Sacramento in two weeks..the deadline is July 1st....yikes! I wish you luck in your journey..(I'm sure you're ready also!)

wishingtobeanRN · Jun 6, 2008

Hi! Good luck to you all. I am currently an ELMSN-FNP in my 2nd semester at sac. wohoo. I was in your same position last year so I know how you are all feeling. I guess my only suggestion is that especially for FNP program, be sure your grades are strong and your essay is killer. Interviews are there for you too shine. So, speak confidently but don't speak so much to dominate everyone else at the interview. If you don't get early admittance (don't sweat it..they base that in my opinion, to the interview points and it will be the most unorthodox interview you'll ever experience..if your a type A, you should fit in perfectly in this program), you'll problaby have to wait late october-early may. Believe me, the wait is LOONG!Good luck to you ALL!!!

SparklyGirl · Jun 6, 2008

thank you for your post wishing...can you or can anyone let us know what your schedule is like the first semester? I need to hire a babysitter/nanny to help, and I don't really know what type of hours I am looking at. Is your schedule fixed the first semester, or does it change around?

Thanks in advance

wishingtobeanRN · Jun 7, 2008

Well, the first semester was probalby the busiest semester for most people. I think it mainly had to do with adjusting and time managment. You will have school 5 days a week and the schedule is fixed. The only one you will decide upon is what day (once a week) and whether or not you want a morning shift 6:45-3pm or a 3-11:30pm for your mental health/psychiatric rotation. A lot of people have children in the class and they all had arrangements with a babysitter. If you don't have kids, some people did still keep their part time job. Although, i don't know how they did it! The most time consuming class is patho/pharma, but besides that, the other classes are very interesting and enjoyable. Your first clinical rotation in the hospital will be mental/psych and that's more of a hit and miss. Some people had great preceptors in the hospital and some didn't. I didn't and I had to work my butt off in my psychiatric rotation. This summer is primarily focused on Medical Surgery and Law and Ethics, so I'm hoping to survive this summer. Anyhow, good luck to you all. Kick butt on your interviews this summer.Again, grades, essay,entrance exam (forgot what that's called..but most of us had the high 80's but a lot of 90% and higher) and outgoing personality need to be STRONG, especially ELMSNFNP. The wait will be an ORDEAL but I guess it's a rite of passage we all have to go through.. :no:

SparklyGirl · Jun 7, 2008

Thanks again for the post - they haven't really told us much. Do you know when we find out our class schedule? I think we start the very beginning of September - do we get our schedules sometime in August?

wishingtobeanRN · Jun 7, 2008

Well, i don't know about oakland but we got out schedule 2 mos prior to school starting. Which is crazy bc there is a lot of paperwork, police background check, drug test, cpr qualifiaction verification, immunizations documentations, physical exam, etc. If you are starting in the fall, you should either be getting a call or an acceptance letter very soon. Good luck with Oakland! It's very competititve I heard..=) probalby the most competitice SMC campus..