Direct entry and graduate entry programs II

Gennaver, MSN · Jun 13, 2005

We have the computerized dummies too! The really sad thing is, for the first half of lab, something weird was going on with my steth, like you have to turn the ... end ... part ... until it clicks to switch from diaphragm to bell, and I was using the wrong side, and I was about to wig, but I figured it out, FINALLY. I was worried I was going deaf or something.

Hi Elizabells,

I know what you are talking about, usually I checked which angle the little metal part is, that way you can see if its angle down or up. Yet, if there is no angle on that part of your scope you can also eyebal the hole on the topside of the scope/bell, if you can see metal, you are good, if you see just an open little hole, then you are open to the wrong side.

Sometimes a little tap with your nail on to the diaphram will tell you if you are clicked in right.

Good luck. Oh yea! Once you get your scope just angled right and pointed forward in your ears it will be better. Although, I used to share my scope with others but, had to stop when my most favorite scopes got too stretched out to fit into my ears snugly. I like to listen with both ears, not with just one while cocking my head. :)

Gen

Gennaver, MSN · Jun 13, 2005

Hey, it's worth a shot, right? Aw geez, we have class in eight hours. I should go to bed. Curse my insistence on transcribing all my notes a second time!
Hey btw, I did download epocrates to my PDA like our pharm prof said and it's pretty cool.

Hiya,

Epocrates! So cool.

Gen

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2005

I adore you, Gen

Oh lord, you guys, we had an hour and a half lecture on wound care today. You know how they say every nurse has one gross-out point? Apparently mine is necrosis. Give me blood, vomit, poop, whatever, but a big weepy pressure ulcer? :barf02: Soooo nauseated...

breebunny · Jun 13, 2005

Hi all. This is my first post here. I am getting ready to do applications for Summer 2006. I work full time and am taking the prerequisites at night. I am starting to study for the GRE now whenever I have time. I am trying to narrow down where I apply-- it sounds like many of you are from the East Coast. I live in Seattle and my first choice is Seattle University (so much easier not having to uproot my husband from his job and our families are here!) the problem is it is a tiny program-- they only admit 15-20 people a year! And there is a lot of competition. I'm also applying to Pacific Lutheran University (South of Seattle)-- but same problem-- tiny! I'm thinking of applying to the following schools:

UCSF (not that anyone seems to get in there!)

Boston College

Virginia Commonwealth University

Yale

Vanderbilt

Western University of Health Sciences (Pomona, CA)

because their programs are bigger.

Can you guys give me an idea of the competitiveness of any of these? I would apply to Columbia too but I'm taking my prerequisites on a quarter system and Spring quarter next year goes until June, but Columbia starts in May! oops. The main reason I'm applying to the above schools is I will have completed all the prerequisites in time to apply for next year-- many schools require a lot of chemistry which I don't have time to take.

Can those of you who have gotten into schools (any schools, not just these) tell me a little about your GPA, GRE scores and volunteer experience?

Between working and taking prerequisites and my 2 hour+ per day commute I don't have much time for volunteering. I've job shadowed at a clinic with an NP a few times, but that's about it. My undergrad GPA was only a 3.2, but that's because I majored in Philosophy which is not easy!! Any thoughts or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Bree

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2005

Hi Bree -

Isn't U Dub the best program in the country? Or is that what you mean by Seattle University? Just a thought.

Jess RN · Jun 14, 2005

Hi Bree -
Isn't U Dub the best program in the country? Or is that what you mean by Seattle University? Just a thought.

Yeah, Univ. of Washington has had the top ranked MSN program for years, I think. Anywho- to answer Bree's stats question- here's my info:

Applied to: BC, MGH Institute, Regis College

Accepted to all three.

GRE: V: 710 Q: 580 AW: 6

Undergrad GPA: 3.5 (BA- Eng Lit '96)

GPA in pre reqs: 3.9

Volunteer experience: 1 year as the volunteer project manager for the Cardiac Care Initiative (a quality improvement and community outreach program) at Somerville Hospital (a small community hospital). It was a very administrative volunteer experience- other than a few phone interviews, I had no contact with patients. But I did get to work with a broad range of health professionals (MDs, NPs, RNs, Resp. Therapists, etc) and I got a great reference out of it. Plus, it was more of a leadership type position which I think played well at BC- they are really into that kind of stuff.

My best advice is threefold:

1. Study and do the best you possibly can on the GREs

2. Your gpa in your pre reqs is more important than your undergrad GPA- so don't stress about what you can't change and try for as close to a 4.0 as you can get in the pre reqs

3. Try to land an interesting volunteer gig. Someone on the old thread was going for women's health and had a volunteer position on the breastfeeding committee at a local hospital. That is perfect. That's the kind of stuff they are looking for. Don't waste your time delivering flowers and fetching water on a med-surg floor.

Oh and spend enough time on the essay that you are really proud of it. Many of these programs don't grant interviews (of mine only Regis did) so it may be your only chance to "speak" directly to the people making the admissions decisions.

Good luck and welcome to the thread- this has been an amazing and wonderfully supportive group- It was an continues to be my sanity in this crazy process!!! :chuckle

-Jess

Gennaver, MSN · Jun 14, 2005

I adore you, Gen
Oh lord, you guys, we had an hour and a half lecture on wound care today. You know how they say every nurse has one gross-out point? Apparently mine is necrosis. Give me blood, vomit, poop, whatever, but a big weepy pressure ulcer? Soooo nauseated...

Elizabells,

You are right, that is not pleasant at all honey.

Oh, no, not pleasant at all.

I have heard that we are supposed to learn to become mouth breathers so we don't have to get the full effect of the odor but, I have not mastered mouth breathing, yet!

Good Luck,

Gen

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2005

I have heard that we are supposed to learn to become mouth breathers so we don't have to get the full effect of the odor but, I have not mastered mouth breathing, yet!

Supposedly (and my source on this is CSI, so take that as you will) smiling represses the gag reflex. Maybe that's a good two-fold way to keep from making the pts feel bad - you're smiling AND you're not retching on them. Yayy!

Oh, sorry for not answering your actual question, Bree. :chuckle I applied to Columbia, UPenn, and UCSF. Only got into Columbia. GPA 3.25, GREs 740v/670q/5aw. Two years of volunteering with HIV peer education in college.

breebunny · Jun 14, 2005

Yes, UW IS the best school in the country-- I'm not applying there. Seattle University is a small private school in Seattle.

Gennaver, MSN · Jun 14, 2005

Hi all. This is my first post here. I am getting ready to do applications for Summer 2006. I work full time and am taking the prerequisites at night. I am starting to study for the GRE now whenever I have time.
Can those of you who have gotten into schools (any schools, not just these) tell me a little about your GPA, GRE scores and volunteer experience?
Thanks!
Bree

Hello Bree,

Welcome to the forum! Very good support and encouragement here with good advice too

So far I was passed up by one program and am waiting for news from another. I think that the main reason I was passed up by the program was that I my essay and experience didn't match the specialty that I chose! Also, I had not yet completed my undergraduate degree and I think that made my total package appear weaker, especially so since my GRE was only average!

I have over 15 years experience in health care and do agree with Jess's advice about volunteering wisely, (how about even volunteering for an advice hotline or Nurse hotline?)

My BA was Sociology with a minor in Psychology and the GPA from that school was 3.65.

My Associate in Biology was with a 3.5 GPA but, I also attened other schools throughout the years, here and there all willy nilly which I believe should have been addressed in my essay (it is true that anything in any way questionable in your packet needs to be addressed in your essay).

I was also pre-med and pre-nursing throughout those years and my pre-reqs GPA were added to my overall undergraduate GPA.

I studied for the GRE for a week with a book and highly suggest studying a little longer, scores 550v/530q/4.5aw, (not great, not terrible, mediocre).

Now I am waiting for news from a Master's Entry Program and really have my fingers crossed!

Good luck!!

Gen

smile123 · Jun 15, 2005

Hi Bree -
Isn't U Dub the best program in the country? Or is that what you mean by Seattle University? Just a thought.

Yes, the U. of Washington is the best in the country. It only admits 20 people in the accelerated program. That just started this year, so they are going through some hiccups as the 1st year's class progresses. But they have been offering the regular BSN and master's degree program for years.

Smile123

GoldenGateNurse · Jun 15, 2005

Hey guys,

I've been lurking around these boards eagerly reading the posts from those of you who have already started your programs. I'm starting at Samuel Merritt in August and am SO anxious to know what life is going to be like - keep those posts coming!!

ANyway, in answer to Bree's questions, I wanted to post my details. I applied to University of San Diego, San Francisco State Univ., UCSF, Samuel Merritt College, and University of San Francisco. I got in everywhere except UCSF. I can totally sympathize with you not wanting to uproot your husband - I was in the same boat when I was applying to schools. Anyway, here are my details:

Undergrad GPA: 3.45 (Biology major)

Prereq GPA: 4.0

GRE: 680 V, 690 Q, 4.5 AW

Health care experience: Managing Editor of Clinical Publications at a health care consulting firm for 5 years, clinical research coordinator for two years, volunteered researching both standard and alternative treatment options for patients at a local hospital.

As for advice, I'd say to research the heck out of any programs that interest you. Searching through these bulletin boards is a good way to start - you'd be surprised what you can learn about the pros and cons of individual programs, as well as tricks for getting in! I know you are working and taking prereqs already, but if you have any opportunity to brush up on a second language, I would go for it. It came up again and again in my interviews as a real bonus that I was studying Spanish. A nice thing to include in your essays as well. And volunteer your little heart out - that was another thing that I was questioned about extensively. THey want to see that you are interested in community service and want to try and verify that you aren't just doing it for the sake of the application! Work as much of your personality into your essay as possible, and have a ton of people critique it before you send off your applications. When I first pulled together my rough draft essays, I thought they were pretty darn good. Looking back on it now (many revisions later), it's shocking how bad those rough drafts were!