Direct-Entry MSN program advice

Amelia422 · Sep 29, 2010

Hi!

I'm also new to allnurses and just found your post. I'm actually hoping to do the exact same thing...direct entry masters into a Women's Health NP program. I've been doing a lot of research and there are a bunch of great programs out there. I'm thinking about applying to Case Western in Cleveland, Northeastern, MGH, and BC in Boston and a bunch of accelerated BSN programs at other schools where they also offer a women's health NP program that I could apply to after finishing my BSN. I graduated from college this past may with a BA in psychology, and am currently working as a clinical research coordinator in the surgery department of a hospital in new york where i have a lot of patient contact. I'm taking the necessary prereqs now, and am hoping to have them finished by the end of next semester. My undergrad GPA was strong (3.69), but I have always been terrible at standardized tests and am stressing out about the GRE! I wonder how strongly the GRE score weighs in on the admissions decision?? Keep me posted on where you end up applying and how your essays are going!

-Amelia

Moogie · Sep 29, 2010

Moved thread to Post-Graduate Nursing Student Forum for greater visibility and to elicit more responses.

danceluver · Sep 29, 2010

I am also interested in hearing more about this because I'd like to do women's health in a direct entry program. Are there WHNP jobs out there right now in the more suburban and metropolitan areas, or is this field dominated by PAs?

physiology85 · Sep 30, 2010

I was recently accepted into an Entry Level MSN FNP program at Samuel Merritt University. I have been struggling to get into graduate school for the past year and was just about to start re-applying to programs when I got accepted for the Spring 2011 cohert and was so shocked I cried when the admissions councilor told me over the phone.

I do not have a great GPA (NursingCAS calculated 3.0, BS in physio & neuroscience), but did very well in all other areas. I got mostly A's in pre-reqs and a few B's, volunteered a LOT during my undergraduate studies, and have a lot of paid health care work experience (2yrs in Neurology clinic, 8 months with PM&R clinic, and 5+ months as EMT-still current). My GRE score wasn't great 1070, 4.0 writing (minimums are on avg 1,000 and 4.0). I also took the TEAS and got 84%.

It is a very tough process to be the applicant, especially when you have a weak point because the process is so selective. The great thing is, that the nursing schools have such a warm feeling when you interview (if you get one) that you are so inspired to join the field despite all the denials you may encounter.

pdubya24- I am from the west coast and only was looking at west coast schools so I am unfamiliar with the schools you listed. Programs a limited therefore they are competitive, my cohort is only 20 students. One school I had applied to had +600 plus applicants for 60 spots. PA schools are a lot worse, 1200+ applicants for 50 spots at USC. VERY competitive, but I have found through the application process that the nursing schools care more about a well-rounded individual rather than GPA and GRE.

My suggestions in your essay: Touch on topics that you would encounter as an NP like cultural sensitivities, moral dilemmas, and why you want to be an NP with what an NP is. Use your experiences to exemplify the above topics and to say why YOU will be a great student and nurse. The essays are tricky because you must tailor them to the individual schools and what they are looking for. Also highly valued is speaking a second language and preventative care.

Hope this was helpful, I have been through a few interviews, PA and NP programs so if you have questions about that let me know. I feel like I was the underdog because of my grades so if I can make it through, you can too! Just don't take no for an answer, I sure didn't!

malenkiyb · Oct 3, 2010

Try to be resoursefull and talk to students from school you are applying. How the clinicals are and what the expectations. Any online courses and if you are expected to write a lot.

Take Medical terminology and work as CNA. You will get a chance to see what nurses work is about.

Malefocker, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2010

I also live on the West Coast and am looking to get into a direct entry MSN program where i live (orange county). After all of the research I have done the thing I have discovered is that every school is different. Some schools I applied required GRE scores, essays, volunteer experience. While other schools didn't require any of these things. I don't have any experience because I had to work full time and go to school just to pay the bills. My advice is look at schools that give you the greatest edge. For instance if you have a strong GPA look for a school where GPA plays a big role. Good luck and use this forum. Every question I have ever had about a school has been answered by reading the threads.

jessram · Jun 25, 2011

Hi, Im new to allnurses.com and I am currently a Senior at Boston University studying Health Sciences and my DREAM has always been to work in the nursing field. So I am starting my applications to Direct-Entry programs and I am SO paranoid about getting accepted into a program because I dont want to do anything else. I have a 3.23GPA, I have interned at Mass General Hospital, Veterans Affair hospital, and I am currently working at a Podiatrist's office. Plus I have tons of other jobs I've done in the past. Also, I am going to be a second year Resident Assistant. And I haven't taken my GREs yet.

Point is...I would like to know my chances of getting accepted into a program (Just like the other million ppl here lol) I am applying to all the programs here in MA such as Simmons, MGH, BC, Regis)

I would also have some strong reccomendations...one from a nurse at MGH, one from the Podiatrist I work for, and one from my Anatomy professor (which I had an A- in).

Any feedback would help ease my anxiety! Thank you!:)

PS What is a decent GRE score by the way?

Becca1214 · Jul 14, 2011

I had similar questions when I applied last year. I had a 3.25 when i applied (a 3.3 now after finishing my last semester) and only a 2.9 in pre reqs at the time (again up to 3.3 now). I had a pretty good GRE (1100 ish i think? i dont remember exactly) and I had 6 months of exerience and counting working in a prematurity clinic (i applied for Peds). I only applied to two programs, in hindsight that was a bad idea because it limited my options greatly. I got denied from Northeastern and was convinced the same was coming from MGH, however I got waitlisted at MGH and though thats no guarentee I am positive there were people with higher GPA's than me or more sicentific degrees (mine is in pysch) or more experience who got denied, and i think my specific experience and my essay are what helped me a lot. My essay was very from the heart and 100% true and I think they appreciate that when they have to read so many of them. My advice is to learn from my mistake and apply to many places but also be 100% yourself in your essay and then you will get into the right place for you.

czyja, MSN, RN · Jul 15, 2011

. My essay was very from the heart and 100% true and I think they appreciate that when they have to read so many of them. My advice is to learn from my mistake and apply to many places but also be 100% yourself in your essay and then you will get into the right place for you.

:up: I could not agree more. I am an etp grad and I have been on these threads for a while. More than anything your essay is the very most important thing. Explain what you have done that led you to decide to become a nurse and what you will do when you become a nurse. Don tell the what you think they want to heat- tell them your own personal truth (in a perfect, compact way of course, LOL)