Applying to MSN programs in california

cruisin_woodward · Mar 19, 2009

Wait... I'm confused... You are not a nurse? Do they accept non nurses in MSN programs? The ones in Michigan require a nursing license...what are you planning on getting an MSN in? In otgerwords, are you planning on an advanced practice nurse, educator, management etc? honestly don't think you can do that, unless you go somewhere that gets you an RN first. I would strongly reccomend that you get some nurse aide experience under you belt...but you are over qualified...I'm not sure... I'll be interested in what nurses from California have to say! Good luck with everything...keep us posted :)

jungdt · Mar 19, 2009

hello DNPstudent-michigan...there are programs in california where non-nurse can get MSN. for the people who already have B.A. or B.S. in the field other than the nursing. first part of THIS program is getting licensed (RN) and the second part is the advance nursing program like NP. what i'm interested is becoming an NP. i will be applying for the fall of 2010. i know i need to do volunteer work at a hospital and finish rest of the pre-reqs. my concern is the GRE. i tend to get too nervous and not do well on standarized exams. i know that some school do not require GRE but TEAS and other form of entrace test. i think i might do well on those...but GRE...i'm afraid of.

cruisin_woodward · Mar 19, 2009

Oh! I didn't know you could do that! As far as the GRE goes, I can tell you that I did very poorly on it. And I mean VERY poorly...I took a GRE review course, retook it, and got the same score...I got accepted into a very competitive CRNA school, and ended up changing my mind, got into NP school, and got an interview for DNP school. A lot of schools are starting to realize that the GRE is not a good indication of how you will do in grad school and are not giving it as much weight...so in my case any way, it totally did not affect my chances...it sounds like you have good grades and determination that says a lot...

Hope this helped?!

Good luck,

Amy

MCNS2B · Mar 19, 2009

I hope to be of some help. I just applied to the Direct Entry Master Programs for the non-nurse this past year. Not all of the schools I applied to were in California so my information may not be applicable for California per se - but for the overall application process.

1. In regards to GRE, most schools look for over a 500 in both and other than that, they don't put too much stress on it.

2. Minimum GPA requirements are 3.0... a 3.4 puts you in a very competitive range and with the pre-req's at an A average, you're good in that department.

3. GET SOME VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE! I cannot stress that enough. I talked to the woman who interviewed me at Texas and they said they give you a score based on several different factors. One segment alone was volunteer experience. So, get your butt in a hospital in ANY setting available. I'm got into a program Adult Health but volunteered in Ped's and that worked out fine for me... however, schools like UCSF (top notch), require yo uhave experience in the field you want to go into... end of story. They want to see that you've seen life in the hospital, that you know nursing isn't just puppies and kittens and saving the world (though we all want to) and that you have a concept of what nursing is and what HEALTHCARE is... that is another important thing... so maybe this should be 3+4?

4. Make sure you find GOOD people to write your references and find them EARLY! Do not wait until last minute to get their references because they prob are busy and may forget... make sure they are people who KNOW you, not just generally.

Other than that, the personal statement (obviously) is important... put your heart into it and write WHY you want it... just saying the stereotypical, "I think this is what they want to hear" answer isn't going to work... but writing what it really is about nursing you are pulled towards will get you far.

Again, I'm only 1 person... but hey, I got into 5 out of the 6 schools I applied to (U. San Diego, Duke, Columbia, Texas and Mass General Hosp IHP) and will be starting my program (at Texas) this June :wink2: so something in there must have worked!

Hope this helps!!!

applying2nursing-de · Mar 19, 2009

hey! You got into MGHIHP for Adult?!! I am on the wait list there for Adult NP Direct Entry. Pleeeeease say they will give me your spot. What exactly did you say on that essay, I'm curious...ha ha. I also volunteered, worked for a homecare co with direct patient experience with respiratory patients, and now work as an Admin Asst for 4 docs... CONGRATS for all of your acceptances though! I am still waiting to hear back from Simmons....and really want MGHIHP. I just got CPR and First Aid certified. Is there anything else you know of to get me off of the wait list? Ughhh!!!

Anyways, good luck to you in all of your future nursing endeavors!! :-) Yaaah let's save the world!

MCNS2B · Mar 19, 2009

Yeah, I got in for Dual Adult/WH NP... I havent given my official "no" to them yet... I'll let you know when I do and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

My essay, honestly, was me... on paper... I was struggling for a long time on what to write and a friend of mine was like "forget everything, tell me why i should want you to be my new nurse" and I did... then they said "great answer - now put it on paper" and I did... a really rough, vernacular version and then spruced it up with correct grammar and appropriate vocab. I basically just talked my way through how I got to nursing from my previous work (consulting) and how I landed where I am today and why nursing is for me and why I am good enough for them :-)

I hope that helps?

applying2nursing-de · Mar 19, 2009

That's awesome!! I knew I should have done that. Oh come on you are killing me!!! I am from Boston and absolutely NEED to be here for my family. My dad is not doing well and parents really don't want me to move. It would mean the world to me and them if I could just go to MGHIHP!!!! I wish you the best and hope you go where you belong but keep me in mind please. I truly wish you the best of luck though. Hugs from Boston. If you do decide to go there, let me know if you need help being shown around Boston if you aren't from here!!

MCNS2B · Mar 19, 2009

my spot is basically yours, I just need to get to emailing MGHIHP and letting them know I will not be attending... I'm from Boston originally and relocated to Louisiana for college then California after college (for a job and my family relocated out there when I was 19). I realized that U. Texas Austin was the place for me, since they have a more flexible program and I love the south.

I really will keep my fingers cross that you get my spot - I'm sorry to hear about your father and for that reason more than anything, I really do hope you get to stay in Boston (at MGH or Simmons)... do you know where you are in the WL?

jungdt · Mar 19, 2009

even though i got a husband and three kids here in cali. i have the flexibility to move any where. i should look into u texas austin, MGH, and Simmons. i hope to go to a public school (for cheaper tuition sake) but where-ever they take me, i will go. so how many schools do most people apply, do you know MCNS2B and applying2nursing-de? and congrats on getting into so many schools!

MCNS2B · Mar 19, 2009

Most people I know applied to around 4 or 5 schools... it all depends on where I think

The public school option is great... I know that for me, it made a huge difference in my decision. For example, Columbia for the first year is approx $65k... UT for ALL 3 years is about the same price even as an out of state resident... which is nice... However, UT only gives a CNS option which is what I want (there is also the slightly unpublicized possibility to take 1 year off after RN licensing and go back into their NP program if you are accepted).

Let me know if you have any questions about any of the other programs :-)