Anyone applying to Yale GEPN program for Fall 2009?

Published

Hi,

Since there was a very extensive thread last year about application process to Yale, I thought I would start a new thread for 2009 hopefuls. I am working on my application and wanted to know who else chose Yale as one of their options. What program? How is the application process going? Essay writing? Any anxieties? I am applying to the Adult Advanced Practice Nursing but still deciding on the specialty. The hardest part for me is the essay writing as English is not my first language, but I have been working on it for some time now and getting close to finishing the final version. Anyone else wants to share?

We could always do both - I think it is a really good idea to set up a date for dinner/drinks for anyone from the Boston area who wants to get together. I'm guessing a weekend date may be better? Does anyone have any suggestions for a place downtown? Maybe a place near the back bay/south station areas for easy access?

If anyone is interested or has any suggestions let me know - I'm eager to meet my future classemates and I think a little get together would be fun :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ok. For the people who are concerned about not having a BSN degree, I wonder since when did a higher degree like an MSN get overshadowed by having a BSN degree? I am a little confused. It is like saying having a PhD in science is not important unless one has a MS degree in science? I am so confused with this logic. At the end of the day, we will all have a MSN degree which has more weight than a BSN. Also, during my interview, the YSN student that I met had nursing jobs. There are hospitals in the area that encourage nursing student and new RN's to apply to their training programs. I have look at three different states namely Florida, Pennsylvania and CT. I am sure there are others. I am so confused.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sounds like a good idea to me! My schedule is pretty flexible so I don't have a preference. I'll be out of town the weekend of the 27th. So other than that, I can pretty much do any night during the week or a weekend date. We could just meet somewhere (i.e. a T stop/staion) then pick a place to go that's nearby and has tables so we can sit and talk. Maye we should see who is in for sure, then we can just throw some dates around until we find one that works. Sound good?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey I love the idea of talking it over with people who are actually in the same boat. I'm actually in Providence but could take a commuter up to South Station after work...any nights but Thursdays work for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yalienne, I don't think it's that the BSN overshadows the MSN degree at all. The concern comes from the fact that Yale is not as flexible, doesn't really allow you to work as an RN (I know people say they do, but I definitely got the impression at the interview that it was discouraged--other programs, like Johns Hopkins, wants you to work as an RN), and some healthcare practitioners look down on direct-entry programs because they may not prepare you as well clinically as people that worked as an RN prior to beginning a master's program. With someone coming from a legal background (I didn't go to law school--thank god--but worked in law firms), you could always tell the new law school graduate--they knew very little about the day to day practice of law. Classroom learning is great, wonderful, blah blah blah, but it doesn't always prepare you for actually working. I am concerned that Yale prepares its graduates more for research than for clinical work--if you look at the "class notes" section of the newletter/book thing you may have picked up on interview day, many of their former grads are now teaching/doing research. The people working clinically work part-time (because they're married to doctors...only a couple, but still kind of telling perhaps). One works part-time as an RN and part-time as a PNP. Ideally, with the degree from Yale, you wouldn't have to work as an RN...that's why we're all interested in this program. And yes, an MSN degree technically has more weight than a BSN, but in a rough job market, that MSN might not mean as much as a BSN, especially depending on your specialty. I'm in for GNP (which apparently is best for job prospects according to the profs), and doing our A+ group meeting, one of the professors basically said if you're doing Women's Health you'll have a hard time finding a job...For those people, not having an BSN might be a handicap professionally. Really, these are things you won't really know until you're in the market 4 years from now. It's hard to make predictions about what's best, etc. The MSN means more, but you might find yourself working with RNs who dislike that you skipped the BSN and they might treat you accordingly. There's nothing worse than working in a hostile environment (I read one story along these lines from a direct-entry grad, though not from Yale). You just don't know. But you can't assume just because you have a higher degree that things are going to be better, easier, etc. You just don't know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey everyone! I've been following this forum for a little while now, but haven't posted yet. I am the person from Boston that suga70 is meeting up with in Wellesley on the 24th. It would be great to be able to get more of us together! What are some dates that you guys are free and can plan something accessible by T? Somewhere near Park Street might be good since so many lines converge there. I'm free the next couple of weekends and Tuesdays. Hopefully we can work something out. Can't wait to meet all of you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey Biddy, Wow you and I got different impressions from our interviews. My impression was that they are all about clinical. You start clinical from day 1. During my small session with current students and the faculties, they actually encourage that the students get jobs as RN. Next summer, for oncology NP, if you dont get a job as nursing student, you have to take the clinical course that they offer. Unless, I am crazy but that is the impression that I got from YSN. Actually, the student told my group about the job offers they were already getting. The whole reason that I became interest in YSN in the first place is because I new two of the student who got jobs as an NPs before they graduated. Wow that is interested take you have on the program. Actually, I was told that I will be eligible to obtained an ANP license as well as the one for oncology. They actually encourage us to obtain both licenses. I am so excited about this. This mean I can work as either a primary care nurse practitioner or an oncology nurse practitioner. It is not too late to call or e-mail someone at YSN to answer your questions about the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, Yalienne, I hope you are right. Your group obviously talked more about that. My group mentioned if you're in for GNP, you're golden (which is what I'm doing). Then I read things on message boards here (from current nurses) who say the GNP is limiting and that many GNPs go back for the ANP as well (which Yale offers and I've already asked if it would be possible to do the dual degree now...apparently, this is the most common change people want to make). Yale doesn't seem to think the GNP is limiting. I did feel, even in my interview, they were very concerned with research, and this impression I have was further supported by looking in their newsletter at former grads. I am more interested in being a clinician than a researcher. I sent all these concerns/questions to Angela in an email that she said she'd pass along to whichever professor is best suited to address my concerns. I'll post after I get a reply.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One more thing Yalienne, do you mean the summer between second and third year? I thought the GEPN year extended through next summer and there really wasn't a break between first and second year. So, do you mean they encourage students obtaining an RN position the summer after second year?

I just remember the one blonde married guy from my group who mentioned he started working as a student nurse assistant in the hospital on weekends after the first semester of the GEPN year and that even that was a lot...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I meant the summer of 2010 for the oncology specialty. Yeah, between the first and second year. Oncology do not have to take classes during the summer. I dont know what it is for your specialty. I think my specialty is probably the only one that does this. Did they give you a schedule for the first two years of your program. My group gave me one. Also ask whether or not you will be eligible to sit for the ANP license exam or any other, after you are done. Jessica Coviello or Tish Knobf were very helpful. Browse the Yale website for their e-mail addresses. I can tell you this as far as research goes I am not interest in doing that after I graduate. My midwife and primary care nurse practitioner that I visit both graduated from YSN. Also, I know what you mean about the research thing. Yale no matter what field you are in science want their student to have some sort of research. I am talking about the undergrads, the medical school etc....... I think that is the only reason why YSN try to expose their student to a little research. But they did not put a lot of streess on it. My impression is they gave us like three options which I dont recall but they were pretty easy nothing serious. This is probably why, it went in one ear and came out of the other. I will ask more about it when I get there in the fall.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wanted to mention that I know a recent Yale GEPN grad (she was class of '08) from the PNP specialty who is now a full-time practicing PNP. I had the chance to observe her for the day and was very impressed at her confidence, clinical skills and broad base of knowledge. She worked during the entire program, first in a hospital setting (not sure of exact job title - some ancillary role) prior to getting the RN, then in an outpatient setting as an RN. She was able to transition from an RN role to a full-time PNP role following graduation because she was so valued by other clinical staff at the office. Just one grad's story that I thought I'd share.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yalienne,

I don't think it matters if you have BSN. If you want to work as an RN, you will have passed the NCLEX and receieved a Master's from Yale. Trust me, you'll be able to get a job. I have not heard of ANY yale grads having problems getting jobs out of the program. I have a personal friend in the program now and she has not mentioned anything about wishing she got a BSN or anything like that. If you want to have a career as an RN, then maybe going for a second BS is more important. but we are applying to these programs to be NP/CNS...the roles are different. I know people who are NP's who do NOT have BSN's. Obviously, programs who offer it are going to say it's important and vice versa. I think it's literally a few credits more to have the BSN...and hospitals know this. Yale has been sticking with their program for a long time...they must be doing something right.

ps- Boston people...name the date/time and i'll be at south station!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion