Direct entry and graduate entry programs II

smile123 · May 21, 2005

Hi Smile,
Thanks! DePaul asked me to hurry and finish the fine details of my application packet at they are making their final decisions May 27th, (I think.) Since I applied before the deadline there is a slim chance they will consider me for the FALL start rather than the Winter (Jan) start!
Although you are very correct, my seat is indeed safe at my super back up. :)
Okay, now back to you! Please do stay in the pre-nurse forum for a while longer, (if I can even ask) so we can all check in with you while you attemp to read those five chapters while -not-driving. :)
Good luck!
Gen
p.s. we are rooting for you too!! :)

Hey Gen,

Thank you for your kind words! Actually, I was planning to stay on it as long as you guys are there. (We can move over together!) Even though I've never met you, I feel very supported by you guys! It's hard to explain all the nuances of pre-reqs, the application process and the waiting game to some people. You guys KNOW! :chuckle Thanks!

Smile123

Jess RN · May 22, 2005

Hey Gen,
Thank you for your kind words! Actually, I was planning to stay on it as long as you guys are there. (We can move over together!) Even though I've never met you, I feel very supported by you guys! It's hard to explain all the nuances of pre-reqs, the application process and the waiting game to some people. You guys KNOW! :chuckle Thanks!
Smile123

I feel the same way! When I talk about my prereqs and program requirements to friends and family (even my husband!) I am sometimes met with dull stares. It really helped tremedously to have you all 'in my corner' so to speak during the waiting for letters weeks as well. This is such a neat forum! I'm just sad that none of the Boston people will be going to BC with me in the fall. It's so neat that we have at least two or three from this list at Columbia, MGH, Regis and (I think) Simmons too. I'm so jealous of you guys- you already have the beginnings of a study group for school!

-Jess

fotografe · May 23, 2005

Well, I won't be at BC (doing the ADN at Massasoit), but I do hope you will keep in touch as I am interested in BC for my grad program and want to hear all the details. I think all of us starting school in the fall in Boston can have a "virtual" study group. It will be nice to compare program notes, and see how each program is preparing us for the same exam.

Kathi

I feel the same way! When I talk about my prereqs and program requirements to friends and family (even my husband!) I am sometimes met with dull stares. It really helped tremedously to have you all 'in my corner' so to speak during the waiting for letters weeks as well. This is such a neat forum! I'm just sad that none of the Boston people will be going to BC with me in the fall. It's so neat that we have at least two or three from this list at Columbia, MGH, Regis and (I think) Simmons too. I'm so jealous of you guys- you already have the beginnings of a study group for school!
-Jess

Jess RN · May 23, 2005

Cool! I will defintely let you know what I learn about the traditional Master's programs once I get there. A girl I know from church had her BSN and went to BC for her master's. She did her first year there last year- but they are moving this summer so she will finish her degree and NP certification at another school out west. She said she really liked the program- I think she was in the mental health specialty.

I started my first week of Chem this past week. There are only 4 people in my class! I can't believe they didn't cancel it- but I'm glad they didn't- I would have been so out of luck. This is the only Chem I could find that covered some Organic but that didn't come with a pre req itself. The first week was quite a bit of work- but the content is pretty manageable at this point. I'm glad because the last time I was in a Chemistry class I was 16 yrs old! :uhoh21: !

-Jess

Gennaver, MSN · May 23, 2005

Cool!
I started my first week of Chem this past week. There are only 4 people in my class! I can't believe they didn't cancel it- but I'm glad they didn't- I would have been so out of luck. This is the only Chem I could find that covered some Organic but that didn't come with a pre req itself. The first week was quite a bit of work- but the content is pretty manageable at this point. I'm glad because the last time I was in a Chemistry class I was 16 yrs old! :uhoh21: !
-Jess

Hi Jess,

I just registered last week to take my organic chemistry. I would not have needed it for UIC but, DePaul requires it! This is the class that I put off forever. I really need to dive in.

Luckily I did have the intro to chemistry at the same junior college where I am taking it now, during the summer in 1998.

You will do fine! You are smart, hardworking and I can tell through this forum a very gracious person! We are indeed rooting for you here Jess!! Go chemistry lady, go!

By the way my commencement ceremony was Saturday, it was nice, all that pomp and circumstance...I am so glad that I am still working on a project through one of my professors there. I thought I would be relieved for the undergrad to end, and I am, yet, (as our speaker mentioned) when you let go of one trapeze and are reaching for the next...there is a phase between the two, that we have to let go of one in order to reach the next.

So, to everyone here who has the next trapeze in sight and is reaching so hard for it...Good Luck and congratulations!

:)

Gen

Jess RN · May 23, 2005

You will do fine! You are smart, hardworking and I can tell through this forum a very gracious person! We are indeed rooting for you here Jess!! Go chemistry lady, go!

Awww! Thanks Gen! I'm trying not to be too perfectionist about this class. Especially since I'm taking it concurrent with Micro.

B or B+ is just fine. I don't have to make all As. (repeat this mantra)

By the way my commencement ceremony was Saturday, it was nice, all that pomp and circumstance...I am so glad that I am still working on a project through one of my professors there. I thought I would be relieved for the undergrad to end, and I am, yet, (as our speaker mentioned) when you let go of one trapeze and are reaching for the next...there is a phase between the two, that we have to let go of one in order to reach the next.

Oh I sooo remember this feeling from when I graduated from undergrad. You work so hard and are so focussed and then one day it all just ends abruptly. You're supposed to be happy- and you are- but it is still a shock. And if you don't have your next plan completely locked down (as I certainly didn't upon graduation) then it is an anxious time to get through. Gen- I think it's a great sign that DePaul has encouraged you to get your application in ASAP- from what I would guess I think they do want to consider you for the fall. I think you have a better than good shot at it- and if not the fall, certainly the winter. I don't know anything about their program- what attracted you to it?

After getting into school I have second guessed myself a thousand times about whether I should have gone the ADN route and then done a bridge program right after. It would be much cheaper that way for me. Can I ask why that is your last choice? I guess if you *know* that being an NP is ultimately where you want to be, a direct entry program is probably the fastest route?

-Jess

Jess RN · May 23, 2005

Ok, I think I may be losing it. I've been doing some reading on nurse anesthesia and am intrigued. It is tooootally different from my specialty (women's health- primary care) and not why I chose do go into nursing in the first place. It would require tons more schooling and the program I'm admitted to (other than granting me an RN and a MSN) doesn't really do a thing to prepare me. Am I nuts? My school does have an N.A. program- but it is for BSNs with at least a year of critical care experience. Plus it's a three year program. That would mean 5 more years of school including my two year direct entry program. I think I'm definitely crazy...

-Jess

Peachy720 · May 23, 2005

Ok, I think I may be losing it. I've been doing some reading on nurse anesthesia and am intrigued. It is tooootally different from my specialty (women's health- primary care) and not why I chose do go into nursing in the first place. It would require tons more schooling and the program I'm admitted to (other than granting me an RN and a MSN) doesn't really do a thing to prepare me. Am I nuts? My school does have an N.A. program- but it is for BSNs with at least a year of critical care experience. Plus it's a three year program. That would mean 5 more years of school including my two year direct entry program. I think I'm definitely crazy...
-Jess

Hi Jess!

You're not going crazy, I promise.

I think it's a REALLY good thing that you're thinking of this. Just like med students hear about a billion times--DON'T have your mind set on one specialty before you do your rotations..Many times those who start out wanting to do pediatrics will wind up in surgery, and vice versa. Look at us in this group, after all! We all started out wanting something completely different from nursing!

I don't know when school starts for you, but maybe you can use the little bit of a break you have right now to shadow a CRNA for a day or two.

There are two direct-entry programs for CRNA, Columbia and Georgetown. Although they sound really tempting, I've pretty much decided to go with my gut and apply for JHU's accelerated, do my time for critical care, and then go on to CRNA school. I know myself, and want the choice of staying in critical care for more than one year to get comfortable..although I keep hearing in the CRNA forum that ICU doesn't do ANYTHING to prepare us for CRNA anyways! :chuckle

Good luck!

Jess RN · May 23, 2005

Hi Jess!
You're not going crazy, I promise.
I think it's a REALLY good thing that you're thinking of this. Just like med students hear about a billion times--DON'T have your mind set on one specialty before you do your rotations..Many times those who start out wanting to do pediatrics will wind up in surgery, and vice versa. Look at us in this group, after all! We all started out wanting something completely different from nursing!
I don't know when school starts for you, but maybe you can use the little bit of a break you have right now to shadow a CRNA for a day or two.
There are two direct-entry programs for CRNA, Columbia and Georgetown. Although they sound really tempting, I've pretty much decided to go with my gut and apply for JHU's accelerated, do my time for critical care, and then go on to CRNA school. I know myself, and want the choice of staying in critical care for more than one year to get comfortable..although I keep hearing in the CRNA forum that ICU doesn't do ANYTHING to prepare us for CRNA anyways! :chuckle
Good luck!

Thanks so much Tanya! I think you are right- any and all ideas are good to entertain and explore at this point. I will definitely just stay on the track I am on now and see where it leads. Maybe I will be totally psyched about Women's Health and want to work in primary care. Or maybe I coudl do that for a few years and then go back and revisit CRNA school once I have some actual nursing expeireince under my belt. In talking with some friends I just worry that I could get bored long term in a primary care setting. We shall see!

-Jess

lblamons · May 23, 2005

Future Nurse Jess: I just wanted to mention that I am starting the Boston College Traditional Master's this Fall. That is the same program that you are planning on attending as well? Basic Adult NP here is my plan thus far.

I actually did the accelerated nursing program at JHU in 2001-2002 and really liked it. I was totally busy the entire 13 months but I felt supported by the professors and all my peers going through it with me. As far as those doing the "Calculate with Confidence" seriously, don't worry about it. I had to do it too and was worried. They will talk to you about it your first week. It is good to look through the book but honestly, they will give you practice tests that give you a better idea of what they are looking for. Plus, I think someone mentioned this in an earlier post, these guys got you into the program, there is no way a math test will harm your chances in doing well in this program. I knew a few people who didn't "pass" on the first time. All they did was go over the wrong answers, let them practice a little more and took it again and did fine. Truly, don't worry.

Jess, I did want to ask some questions sometime, via email maybe, about decent areas to stay in around this area if you knew much about it. I just moved to New Hampshire recently and will be commuting back and forth each week. (I will continue to work up here while I am in school). I am goijng to try and find a place to stay for a couple nights a week but honestly don't know much about Boston (except BC is in"chestnut hill which is quite pricey).

Anyways, thanks. Good Luck to all.

Laura

Jess RN · May 23, 2005

Future Nurse Jess: I just wanted to mention that I am starting the Boston College Traditional Master's this Fall. That is the same program that you are planning on attending as well? Basic Adult NP here is my plan thus far....
Jess, I did want to ask some questions sometime, via email maybe, about decent areas to stay in around this area if you knew much about it. I just moved to New Hampshire recently and will be commuting back and forth each week. (I will continue to work up here while I am in school). I am goijng to try and find a place to stay for a couple nights a week but honestly don't know much about Boston (except BC is in"chestnut hill which is quite pricey).
Anyways, thanks. Good Luck to all.
Laura

Hi Laura! It's great to hear from another BC student! I will be starting the Master's Entry program in the fall (I have a BA in literature, I'm not a nurse). I'm sure I'll see you around even if we don't have classes together!

PM me or email me off list about places to stay in the Boston area. My email is jessicaceleste at yahoo dot com.

-Jess

prenault · May 24, 2005

Hi there,
Okay, well time to try wholeheartedly for two other programs. :/
Here is the response from the GEP coordinator that I got today by email.
--
I am sorry for the delay in the GEP decisions. Letters were mailed out yesterday. I am sorry to inform you that you were not selected for admission to the program. As you know it was very competitive and they were very difficulty choices.
We wish you the best in your nursing education.
--
Okay plans two and three, on the floor!!
Gen
p.s. thanks for being here guys...this forum helps tremendously

Sorry to hear about UIC's decision. It sounds like you've got a lot of other options, though. Also, worst comes to worst, you can always do the ADN to MSN program, right? I know St. Xavier at least offers it.

Can I ask what ADN program you're admitted to? You're in the south suburbs, right? I'm applying to schools this fall in the area. I really want to get into either Prairie State or Moraine. I really don't want to do the extra chem the ABSN at Loyola or Rush require.

Erin