Anyone attended a Nursing Info Session???

HammockBound · Sep 4, 2013

Mine discussed classes you need...how the program runs, how they choose the applications, amount of time you will be in school and clinicals..it was more about the applications and requirements. Mine spoke a lot about their philosophies on teaching and how they feel they prepare you to become a nurse.

Mandy0728 · Sep 5, 2013

Mine discusses every degree In nursing such as BSN, MSN or DNP and they have members from each department there to discuss the program with you in groups. Plus I got a free tshirt :)

guest699183 · Sep 5, 2013

I attended two. The first one wasn't all that helpful. They spent 90% of the time explaining the application process, most of which was on their website. The second one was very detailed with an overview of the program, financial aid, student panel, admissions, what kind of student they are looking for.

GaGeek · Sep 5, 2013

I went to two as well. They also covered a lot of what I gathered from their website, but they touched on things that weren't online. Like how you could get noticed during the application process. What they like to look for in their applicants. How the "pre-requisites" were weighted. And by that I mean, how much emphasis they put on your classes vs your volunteer experience vs your interview vs your references. They talked about costs and financial aid. They talked about the types of clinical experiences at their particular schools and job prospects after you graduate.

Most of the time was spent covering things I'd already memorized from the website. But I thought it was worth it to attend both of them because I did walk away with information I hadn't had before, and that helped me weigh my options on which school to make MY priority.

UVA Grad Nursing · Sep 5, 2013

You will find that info sessions vary from school to school. I conduct monthly information sessions at my school (3 hours one Saturday a month). I host the first hour for all guest and talk about the programs (BSN, MSN, doctoral), how to apply, and discuss the procedures for applying for financial aid.

The second hour is separate breakouts (BSN, RN-BSN, specialty MSN, Master's Entry) led by the faculty who teach in those programs. This is also where the details of what makes an applicant competitive for that particular program is discussed and how clinical training is conducted in each program. The third hour focuses on simultaneous student panels (in the same four breakout rooms) followed tours of the clinical and simulation labs. I am then available to meet with students/families afterwards to handle any questions that were unanswered in the prior sessions.

I lead separate 90-minute information sessions every month for the PhD and DNP programs with the faculty leaders of those programs.

For us, the real 'stars' of the information sessions are the students who volunteer for the panels. I schedule the sessions around student availability (not on long weekends, not during midterm/finals) and I would not think of conducting an information session without the student volunteers.

NeoNurse2Be · Sep 6, 2013

Thank you all for the information. There were a lot of similarities in the things discussed from the different schools which kind of give me an idea of what kind of information they'll be giving. I am actually looking forward to this session now because I still have some unanswered questions. Thanks again for all the input!