CSULA ELMN 2011

Published

Anyone else applied? I know they're supposed to notify us on April 1st but I'm curious if anyone who applied got any feedback yet. :)

Congrats to you too starbrite! I am very excited to meet you and it looks like we will have an awesome cohort :). I'm planning on doing FNP, but like others here were saying, that could possibly change because only a certain number of spots are available for that track. Don't stress everyone about the interview, try to remain calm and you will be fine!!

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I plan on going the Adult NP route. I have a lot of experience with senior citizens so I want to specialize in geriatric care. I think that is one of the reasons she liked me, because not too many people want to work with the elderly.

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Hope everyone's interviews went well today! I am going for pediatric NP, but since it is only offered if there is enough people, my second choice is FNP.

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Hey Sam,

There were quite a few people in our class interested in the peds NP who later found out they aren't offering it, period. In my opinion, they really should remove it from the application as an option.

Don't want you to get your hopes up. :(

Most of those who wanted PNP are applying for the FNP with the hope of specializing in kids later.

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Yea, I expected that it wouldn't be offered (too bad though) but I am just as excited to pursue FNP. It will still allow me to work with the kids : )

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I would not make up your mind on the track just yet. You won't even apply to a track/to the masters program until the 3rd quarter of the first year. You will be having a lot of clinical experiences between now and then that may change your mind about what you want to do. I know I did several times. In addition, the real growth areas in heathcare are geriatrics and management of chronic conditions. If peds is really where your passion lies then go for it but if you are flexible it would be smart to consider where future demand is going to be when picking a track/career path.

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Thanks for the advice! So far, I have had indirect/direct experiences with patients in a LTC facility, childrens hospital, family medical clinic, and with older patients in a general hospital. As of now, I only have a direction of where I would like to go (either peds or FNP). But, I agree that my specialty choice could certainly change as I get clinical experience as a nurse.

I am still keeping my options open : )

Also, when it comes time to pick a specialty, do students have a hard time getting into their desired track if there is a high demand for it (for ex: FNP)?

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The nursing department leaves a certain number of spaces open for ELMNers, but some people will end up with their 2nd or 3rd choices if the demand is really high. I believe 14 people in Cohort 6 applied to FNP and 8 got in. FNP is the more popular option in our class as well, but we won't find out what track we got for another month or so.

The faculty who spoke with us about the different tracks emphasized that the essay counts for a lot and you need to make it clear why you want the track you want. For instance, if you don't drive home the message that you want to work with the family across the lifespan and only talk about primary/preventive care, the faculty may just put you in the ANP track because they figure you don't really know what an FNP does. Grades count for something, too, but we've been told we're all pretty high up there GPA-wise so the essay may make the difference.

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Good to know. Thanks!

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Hey innatchka, thank you for your advice. Do you mean to say the essay we wrote to apply to the nursing program itself, or is there another essay that we have to write while in the nursing program to apply for the specific track we want?

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Hey all! I GOT IN TOO!!! She just called me!

I only had my interview on Saturday and she was so fast in responding! I just want to say that this forum definitely allowed me to keep my cool and helped me so much. Thank you all!

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Congrats rpatil88!!! :)

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