Direct entry and graduate entry programs II

Published

Hello all,

Its been mentioned before about ending our thread and starting a new one. Think it was tried a few months ago.

Maybe it is time now, seeing as the thread is 72 pages long. That is sort of hard for a new reader to sift through to see where we are now, don't you agree?

Gen

p.s. still waiting for my interview information! agh

Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Good luck on your interview Gen!!! We're rooting for you!

Smile123

Thanks Smile123!!

I am nervous about stuff like, what to wear!

I heard a suit is good but, don't have one, (used to wear scrub-style uniform and now its just clothes for school.)

Oy, sigh. I am going to try my luck at the value city tomorrow to see if I can find a conservative, simple, (and cheap) suit or else a nice shirt and pants, (hope a skirt isn't necessary because that would involve buying shoes too :chuckle . No, seriously, on my student budget, its out of the question.

Funny thing is, I am not worried about the stuff that really matters, like, why I am trying to do this and where I hope to go with it....

:p

Gen

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Thanks Smile123!!

I am nervous about stuff like, what to wear!

I heard a suit is good but, don't have one, (used to wear scrub-style uniform and now its just clothes for school.)

Oy, sigh. I am going to try my luck at the value city tomorrow to see if I can find a conservative, simple, (and cheap) suit or else a nice shirt and pants, (hope a skirt isn't necessary because that would involve buying shoes too :chuckle . No, seriously, on my student budget, its out of the question.

Funny thing is, I am not worried about the stuff that really matters, like, why I am trying to do this and where I hope to go with it....

:p

Gen

Hi Gen,

I understand. You want to appear professional, but to go out to buy a suit for this one interview is out of your budget. I would go for nice slacks, blouse and a wool blazer/jacket; hopefully you have these items in your wardrobe already. You can always dress up your appearance with tasteful earrings (I would probably wear small pearl or gold earrings and a conservative necklace or pin.) I would also bring one of those slim leather portfolio binders (they hold 8 1/2 x 11 paper) so you can jot down notes. I would also have a list of questions written down to ask at the end of the interview.

Then I would practice aloud in front of a mirror or a friendly face :) some of the interview questions they would be likely to ask you. Sometimes the obvious ones: "why nursing? why this school? why this accelerated program? goals in life?" can throw you because you just assumed you knew but didn't take the time to practice saying them aloud. You want the answers to roll off your tongue so effortlessly so they cannot see how nervous you might be. Wear a smile and exude confidence! We believe in you! Now go get 'em! :p

Smile123

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hi Gen,

I understand. You want to appear professional, but to go out to buy a suit for this one interview is out of your budget. I would go for nice slacks, blouse and a wool blazer/jacket; hopefully you have these items in your wardrobe already.

Thanks! Although I really don't have proffessional stuff, simple slacks and a blouse it is on the list for today, (the value city is a super discount store....$10-$20.00 suits).

You can always dress up your appearance with tasteful earrings (I would probably wear small pearl or gold earrings and a conservative necklace or pin.)

I did find a necklace a few months ago in the snow that is sort of pearlized. When I found it I thought that it would do nice for the interview!

I would also bring one of those slim leather portfolio binders (they hold 8 1/2 x 11 paper) so you can jot down notes. I would also have a list of questions written down to ask at the end of the interview.

I like the list of questions idea, I do have a little bag from school, (not a true portfolio but, not too big, not too small and I could bring a legal pad. Thanks.

Sometimes the obvious ones: "why nursing? why this school? why this accelerated program? goals in life?" can throw you because you just assumed you knew but didn't take the time to practice saying them aloud. You want the answers to roll off your tongue so effortlessly so they cannot see how nervous you might be. Wear a smile and exude confidence! We believe in you! Now go get 'em! :p

Smile123

Thank you, this is really good, thanks Smile 123!!

This does make me feel more at ease. You are right though, I shouldn't worry about it too much. :) Keeping it simple is best for me especially for now.

Thank you,

Gen

p.s. will share how it goes, we have an information session that day also, from 9 to 3:30 with our interviews scheduled somewhere therein

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Specializes in Postpartum.
Thanks Smile123!!

I am nervous about stuff like, what to wear!

I heard a suit is good but, don't have one, (used to wear scrub-style uniform and now its just clothes for school.)

Oy, sigh. I am going to try my luck at the value city tomorrow to see if I can find a conservative, simple, (and cheap) suit or else a nice shirt and pants, (hope a skirt isn't necessary because that would involve buying shoes too :chuckle . No, seriously, on my student budget, its out of the question.

Funny thing is, I am not worried about the stuff that really matters, like, why I am trying to do this and where I hope to go with it....

:p

Gen

Gen- you will do awesome!! I feel your pain about what to wear! I'm still carrying around a lot of my baby weight ( 8 mo post partum :imbar ) AND I'm a stay at home mom so my wardrobe isn't what you'd call professional! :chuckle I settled on slacks and a sweater and dressed it up with pearls and pearl earings. That was as close as I was going to get without going out and buying something new. I think as long as you look neat and feel confident you will be fine. Smile had great ideas about pre-preparing answers and questions so you are not taken off guard. Good luck- I'll be thinking of you on Thursday!!

-Jess

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Hey all!

I found this thread, and had posted previously to another but thought I'd give it a shot...

Has anyone out there applied to APU or CSULA? I got into Azusa, and have an interview for Cal State Los Angeles, and am trying to hunt down someone who has applied to either, or even anyone that has attended for a viewpoint on either school. Thought I'd try again... :)

Thanks!!

(I haven't gone to an interview yet, it's pretty nerve racking... they have us an hour and a half time frame! It might be a group interview, they aren't sure... has anyone gone to one of these? Any words of wisdom?)

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Gen- you will do awesome!! I feel your pain about what to wear! I'm still carrying around a lot of my baby weight ( 8 mo post partum :imbar ) AND I'm a stay at home mom so my wardrobe isn't what you'd call professional! :chuckle I settled on slacks and a sweater and dressed it up with pearls and pearl earings. That was as close as I was going to get without going out and buying something new. I think as long as you look neat and feel confident you will be fine. Smile had great ideas about pre-preparing answers and questions so you are not taken off guard. Good luck- I'll be thinking of you on Thursday!!

-Jess

Thank you Jess, and again, thank you to Smile 123,

I tried to take a look at some clothes this morning but, it was indeed outside of my budget. I decided to wear a simple sweater and slacks and to wear the pearlized 'gift' necklace. :)

I may not really match too well with my shoes but, realized that it won't be the important factor.

I was thinking about the questions I wanted to ask and my interests in my field and realized that the thing I was worried about with the clothes was 'looking like I fit in.' Now I realize that "looking" is not what is important, once we start speaking and my interests are evident and nursing is the topic I am sure that all of us candidates will indeed 'fit' in. :)

Sharing your kind words and that you relate was very nice Jess. Smile too.

Thank you Jess

Gen

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Thank you Jess, and again, thank you to Smile 123,

I tried to take a look at some clothes this morning but, it was indeed outside of my budget. I decided to wear a simple sweater and slacks and to wear the pearlized 'gift' necklace. :)

I may not really match too well with my shoes but, realized that it won't be the important factor.

I was thinking about the questions I wanted to ask and my interests in my field and realized that the thing I was worried about with the clothes was 'looking like I fit in.' Now I realize that "looking" is not what is important, once we start speaking and my interests are evident and nursing is the topic I am sure that all of us candidates will indeed 'fit' in. :)

Sharing your kind words and that you relate was very nice Jess. Smile too.

Thank you Jess

Gen

Gen, the main thing you'll want to know - is this the right fit for you? Do the interviewers seem open to your questions? Are they really interested in your answers? Do they seem enthusiastic about the program and the students? Only you can determine how these intangibles feel to you! Good luck!!! :p

Smile123

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Specializes in Postpartum.
Thank you Jess, and again, thank you to Smile 123,

I tried to take a look at some clothes this morning but, it was indeed outside of my budget. I decided to wear a simple sweater and slacks and to wear the pearlized 'gift' necklace. :)

I may not really match too well with my shoes but, realized that it won't be the important factor.

I was thinking about the questions I wanted to ask and my interests in my field and realized that the thing I was worried about with the clothes was 'looking like I fit in.' Now I realize that "looking" is not what is important, once we start speaking and my interests are evident and nursing is the topic I am sure that all of us candidates will indeed 'fit' in. :)

Sharing your kind words and that you relate was very nice Jess. Smile too.

Thank you Jess

Gen

Thinking of you tonight Gen! How are your nerves?

-Jess

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Gen -- Good luck !! You'll do great :balloons: :balloons:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Occ Health.

I finally found you guys here on this new site. We're playing online hide and seek! :chuckle

Nothing to report, just finishing up my last few classes so I can relax this summer. I got my email from MGH and we start clinicals in October - 7am starting time. I had no idea we'd be thrown into the mix so quickly, but it's exciting

Diana

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I finally found you guys here on this new site. We're playing online hide and seek! :chuckle

Nothing to report, just finishing up my last few classes so I can relax this summer. I got my email from MGH and we start clinicals in October - 7am starting time. I had no idea we'd be thrown into the mix so quickly, but it's exciting

Diana

Welcome back Diana :)

Wow, that is exciting !! Did they already give you your clinical location (or are they all at MGH)? How many days/week?

Good luck w/ classes.

-Jen

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Occ Health.

I think we start with one or two days, and we'll be placed around Boston, or in the vicinity of the city. No specifics yet, but we need to buy books, coat, scrubs, shoes, stethescope and bp cuff...

I'm going to be totally broke for the next few years :crying2:

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