Applicants to Portland area schools

portland medic · Jan 28, 2012

Haha don't everyone respond all at once! Took the OHSU proctored essay on Wednesday and was very relieved to be done with it. It wasn't like I thought it would be. Very straight forward and not as high pressure as I'd anticipated. Am I the only applying this year?! This thread is crazy quiet. Am I talking to myself?

nwnursing · Feb 2, 2012

I know, I was wondering where this board was this year. Maybe everyone is in the thick of writing applications right now. This is my first year applying, and I applied to U of P, OHSU Acc. Bach., PCC and Clackamas. It should be interesting to see how everything shakes out.

MacBrock · Feb 4, 2012

Hi, I'm new here. Just applied for UofP, Linfield, PCC, and CCC. Hope to get in somewhere! Is the job crunch really bad? I'm pretty nervous about spending big bucks and still not having a JOB! Yikes!

portland medic · Feb 4, 2012

Yeah I bet this thread will fill up more as deadlines approach. Yeah heather the job market in Portland is pretty grim right now. I believe the legacy system might be in the process of layoffs too. I'm hearing that new grads are much more likely to be considered if they have a BSN, so Im not even gonna bother with an adn. If I get into a adn program Im just gonna go straight through to bsn fulltime.

Lilpoka · Feb 8, 2012

Hi everyone- I am in the same place you are. I applied to PCC, Clackamas, and Mt Hood. I am pretty much freaking out! I just got through reading "almost" every post for the 2011 applicants on this site. There is quite a mix of opinions and views. And yes, this post will fill up fast!

I have been working on this process for a couple years and just finished my pre-req's in the Fall. I have busted my you-know-what! I have met with every advisor possible, learned as much as anyone could about the process at each school, the past base level for points to get an interview/essay, and how long you have to bite your nails to find anything out. It's so stressful, but worth it!

I would love to hear what everyone else is thinking about it. I have a ton of info for those that aren't real sure of it all. Look forward to hearing from everyone.

Lilpoka · Feb 8, 2012

I have heard the same and agree that the BSN is the way to go. That one additional year is the way to go if you want to be competitive out there. I think even having a minor in another area (specialty) to help back up your nursing degree is a good idea.

ocnurse1 · Feb 10, 2012

I thought I would drop in here and give all the new applicants some words of advice...I am a second year nursing student at CCC and I remember how anxious I was during the application process. I do want to tell you though that whether you get an AAS or BSN is really up to you and what is going on in your life right now...hospitals ARE hiring AAS nurses, especially when they know that you want to get your BSN but need to work for a little while so don't let anyone tell you that you won't get a job unless you go straight into a BSN program. Everybody has different things going on in their lives so make the choice that's best for you and don't get yourself all worried about that right now. Also, for CCC students, you are co-enrolled at OHSU which means that you don't have to apply to their BSN program, you're already in...but you can work for a year or two and then go back (you must go back within 10 years) either full time, half time, or one class at a time, whatever works with your life.

As for the nursing application process, it can feel brutal at times but if you are right for their program, they will pick you. Being a little older is a plus too (25-35) because there is some life experience there but that doesn't mean you're out if you're 20, we have an age range of 20-46 in our class so it varies alot! My best piece of advice is that once you get invited to an interview, be yourself and use common sense when you answer the questions...one thing I've learned over the past few years is that 50% of nursing is using common sense and the other 50% is techinical knowledge...I've seen people get kicked out who are book smart and street stupid so keep that in mind. And if you don't get in this year then consider taking a CNA course and getting a job at a hospital for some hands on experience...those classes last for a few years so you have a much better chance of getting in with some work experience under your belt. You can take CNA classes from community colleges or go to almost any nursing home and they will most likely have CNA training courses for anywhere between $600-1000 and they can train you within weeks to be able to sit for the exam.

Best of luck to all of you!!

Lilpoka · Feb 11, 2012

Thanks ocnurse1 for the encouraging words and advice! I have 61 points going into my application for Clackamas, I have my CNA and work for one of their affiliates. So I feel pretty good about 61...I also applied to PCC (58/59 pts), MHCC (58/59 pts), and OHSU. I have a 4.0 going in with all pre-req's met. I hope that is enough to get me into an interview or essay. (and I'm 41 with both book and streets smarts, lol)

Does this sound like a good possibility considering what you know about the process? And again, thanks so much for stopping in here to give us a little support. As you know, it can be very stressful waiting...and waiting...and waiting :-)

NurseToBe3 · Feb 11, 2012

Good luck guys! I was in the same spot as you last year and I thought the wait was going to kill me! Luckily I survived (and you will too!!) and it was worth it! Just hang in there!!!

ocnurse1 · Feb 12, 2012

Lilpoka- I think you have an excellent chance to get in for an interview, in fact I would almost say its guaranteed with that many points...I had 55 points and got an interview so unless there are more people that have more points then you then I think you're okay. I didn't apply to any other schools during my application process because I didn't want to go anywhere else besides CCC...I worked at one of the local hospitals and had been told over and over again how well respected the CCC students were and when I found out about co-enrollment at OHSU, I just couldn't see myself going anywhere else (but of course now I'm biased!).

So, if I were you, I would relax and just wait for your interview letter As for the interview, like I said, just be yourself, be confident, think critically and honestly and you should do just fine! If they think you are ready and a good fit, they will pick you...I think your experience as a CNA is going to give you the experience to know exactly how to answer their questions and you should do just fine!

Good Luck!

Lilpoka · Feb 13, 2012

Thank you so much for your support. Your advice is greatly appreciated! It sounds like you REALLY like CCC. That is so encouraging. Hopefully the wait to hear something back from them won't take too long. I believe I read something like April. Anyway, I sure hope it works out.

Best to you!