CSULB ELM 2013 Hopefuls!

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Hey!

Just wanted to start a thread for those of you planning to apply for the 2013 ELM cohort! Let's hope funding goes through and the program will be good to go for next fall!

So excited! Look forward to seeing/hearing from those who will also be applying! Good luck :)

hi chouxpastry, thank you so much for your input! it's much appreciated. when you mentioned new grad MSNs finding jobs, were you referring to NP positions or RN positions? do most people who graduate from the program step out to work as RNs first, and then return for the NP component?

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no prob. i am referring to new grad NPs. in past ELM classes, greater percentages of students would stop at their BSN due to a variety of reasons. however, in more recent ELM classes, more have remained to finish their MSN. ultimately, the decision to stop or continue is always your own.

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that's great to hear! I always thought that people wouldn't want to hire direct-entry NPs since they have no RN experience. it sounds like the program really prepares NP students well for the job market. do you know if the faculty will help students find NP preceptors or are they on their own?

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i have private messaged you. my first time! i hope it works :)

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Hi chouxpastry, Thanks for answering some of our questions! Are most students able to work part-time as RNs during the masters portion of the program? How well do you think the program prepares the students to become NP students upon graduation?

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np sophiak, i am more than happy to! i would not say that most students work as part-time RNs during the masters portion. some do :) the work may not be what you may picture, i.e. acute care RN, because acceptance into these positions are frequently full-time and incompatible with your school schedule. that being said, nothing is set in stone, and these are simply my observations.

to answer your second question, yes and no. yes, you have the academic knowledge to practice as a competent NP. no. you have yet to gain the clinical experience to help you make safer and more therapeutic decisions. and certainly some people will give you "the look" when they find you've had zero RN experience prior. however, to compare the role of a NP to a RN is like comparing apples to oranges - very different. such a reaction is attributed mainly to the fact that these non-RN to NP programs are very new and people are skeptical about their abilities to turn out competent NPs.

that all said, many southern california NPs received their training from csulb. that is unless i was terribly lied to :p

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does anyone know what the interviewing process will be like? it seems like in previous years, they just went with the point system. but this year they are adding on the department interview?

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I appreciate your thorough response chouxpastry! For those that work part-time during the masters portion, what kind of work are they able to find that is workable around the school schedule? Is it all outpatient settings? What year in the program are you currently in? Do most grads get NP jobs where they did their preceptorships?It is a relief to hear that new grads are finding jobs as NPs. I always thought employers will be looking for those with extensive RN experience.

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Also, how do students find NP preceptors? Can they do it outside of Orange County area, such as San Diego? Sorry for all the questions!

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i believe that for the most part, if a company hires you part time, they are better able to work with your school schedule. one example of a flexible part-time rn job is home health nursing where you schedule visits to your clients' homes.

i *just* finished my bsn and so all of my np knowledge comes from classmates from the previous cohort + instructors. i do not know what specific jobs previous ELMers have held while completing their master's. i believe that as long as you can handle it, the employment world is your oyster :) your preceptorship is an excellent--but not only--avenue for employment. you have made references, and employers *may* have witnessed your work ethic firsthand. nonetheless, it appears that new grads have landed jobs both where they precepted and elsewhere.

you can find np preceptors by joining np organizations, e.g. canp. membership will open your doors to email chains and meetings. if you happen to work or have worked with a np or physician, you may ask them to precept you. in fact, one np told me she asked her primary care physician to precept her. it was an unconventional move, but she also landed her first np job that way. yes, you may precept wherever you like. as long as you can handle it :)

don't apologize for the questions! i was in your shoes not too long ago, and understand exactly what a scary process this is. good luck!

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What did you guys get on the Teas? And how many points did you guys calculate for yourselves? I got a general teas score of 83.8% and 90% in math. I calculated myself to have 9.14 points out of 10, which I worry is still to low. The competition is killer :(

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I meant 83.3% for my general teas score.

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