CSULB-ELMSN Fall 2011

[Malefocker]

Hey everyone so I have been waiting for a couple of years to finally have all of the pre-reqs done to be able to apply to nursing school. I am finally finished and am just waiting for CSULB-elmsn's program which will start in Fall 2011. I want to know who else is planning on applying so we can have each other to go through the process with and I'm not going to lie I would really like to see what the competition is like. Goodluck to everyone. I look forward to meeting you in the fall!

[Malefocker, BSN, RN]

I know seriously the next 30 days or so are going to be crazy! I actually applied for an internship at Hoag Hospital so I am waiting to hear back from them as well. This waiting is making me crazy. I wish I could just blink my eyes and it would be June 1rst :)

[Psych_to_Nurse]

IS it the clinical care extender program?

[Malefocker, BSN, RN]

Yeah the clinical care extender program!!! Sounds amazing.. I am hoping I get the internship and can do that a few hours a week while attending school. Are you a clinical care extender?

[Psych_to_Nurse]

I was, I just graduated from the program in january. It's a great experience, and hoag is such a great hospital.

[Malefocker, BSN, RN]

why didn't you continue volunteering there... it seems that it would be a good in at the hospital once you are done nursing school.

Also how long after you interviewed did you have to wait before you heard back from them. I interviewed last monday... the wait is killing me!!! :)

[Psych_to_Nurse]

Well I completed the hours requirement and decided to use my time to work and save money before I have to quit my job. I would love to get a job there after graduation but I will need to work in la for various reasons.

I think I waited about 2 weeks after my interview. I'm sure you'll get in! You'll have to let me know what floors u pick to work on. I did oncology, post anesthesia care unit, rehab/wound care, labor and delivery, and sub icu.

[Malefocker, BSN, RN]

That is so awesome!!! K hopefully I will hear back in the next couple weeks or so. I will tell you what floors I chose! My goal is to volunteer there the whole time I am in nursing school not too much just one or two days a week and network there that way when I get out of nursing school hopefully I will have some good contacts lined up and I will be in good shape to receive a hospital job. People are saying it is taking them 3-4 months just to get an interview I signed up and someone cancelled their interview last minute so I jumped right in! :) There are so many people applying it's like trying to get into nursing school.

[Psych_to_Nurse]

That is a really good idea Malefocker. Whenever a position opens up at Hoag they usually offer it internally first (like to other nurses), then they open it up to licensed CCE's, and lastly they open the position to the public. So you definitely have an advantage once you're in the program.

[Careopag]

Hey guys,

to those interviewed at the Clinical Extender Program, can you give me ideas as to what kind of questions they asked? I'm planning on applying in the future...not anytime soon. I have too many priorities at the moment. I'm just curious as to how the interview/selection process is. How many questions did they ask? are they tough? can you give me examples? It sounds like a great program to be involved with.

Good luck to you!

[Malefocker, BSN, RN]

Everybody's questions were different... they have a huge book of interview questions and they just pick random ones out of it. There were about 25 people interviewing when I had my interview. They broke us up into smaller groups around 8. The first thing they have you do is write an essay... (10 min long) in order to apply you have to answer 3 essay questions they make you write one onsite to make sure that it is you who actually wrote the essays you are turning in. Then what they do is they ask you a question a real general question like what experiences have you had that would prepare you for being a clinical care extender... that is what they asked our group. You can answer in any order you would like. I am guessing they are looking for people to take initiative so I tried being one of the first to answer. It seemed like the people who waited last to answer were repeating a lot of what the other people said. So they asked 3 questions in this way... and 2 scenario questions that were specific to the interviewee. Ex: I got asked you are helping to bath a patient and the patient states that they feel uncomfortable with you being a member of the opposite sex and asked you to leave... the nurse who is with you insist that you stay... what should you do? P.S. Obviously I am a male and this questions was specific towards me.... I would be happy to share more about the program or answer any other questions you have... Send me a PM once you reach 10 posts!!!

[Psych_to_Nurse]

Malefocker, have you heard from them since your interview??

Careopag, I had my interview a long time ago so I don't remember many of the questions, but there is one that stuck out in my mind. They asked about a time when I had an ethical dilemma and what I did in that situation. Looking back on it, I would have answered it completely differently, but at the time it really caught me off guard and so I don't think my answer was that great. Also, I don't know if they still do this... but when I interviewed there was a group interview and then there was a one-on-one interview. Good luck! It's a great program!

[Malefocker, BSN, RN]

Yeah they did a one on one interview as well... but it was like for 10 seconds... why do you want to be a clinical care extender

Psych - I haven't heard back from them yet! It has been over 2 weeks... I am getting a little nervous