ECU Alternate Entry MSN Program Fall 2008

OBXLovr · Mar 17, 2008

I'm excited too! I haven't decided whether I will accept or not...I also applied to Duke and am waiting to see what happens with that before committing to a program. I think both of the programs are great and I will have a hard time picking between the two if it comes down to that.

I think the biggest thing I'm contemplating is whether I want to do an ABSN program, which would allow me to take a little more time to get through the RN training (Duke's program is 16 months) and get some good work experience before deciding on a masters specialty, or the direct-entry Masters, which would allow me to get everything done in a shorter period of time but doesn't alot a lot of time for the initial training and work experience before you go right into the masters portion. Because I don't know for sure what I want to do or what specialty I'll really end up liking, I definitely don't want to feel rushed into making that important decision.

I'm sure you all have also considered these options so any input would be greatly appreciated! :bugeyes:

OBXLovr · Mar 24, 2008

Enzo - You were correct about the CRNA program for AEMSN students. I talked to Dr. Schreier about it and she said that in order for an AE student to enter the CRNA program they must first complete the MSN in Clinical Nurse Specialist with a focus on critical care. That would give you 2 full years of practice in a critical care unit. Although it seems that I would spend at least 2 years getting icu experience regardless so I see what you mean...might as well get the extra degree in the same amount of time. Not a bad deal I guess.

Also, did you guys get the email from Erin about getting a physical and ecu email and registration and stuff? It's crazy that she will be registering us for Fall classes next week! I don't even have to notify of my decision to accept until April 7th!

Enzo10 · Mar 24, 2008

Hey OBX, sorry I have been out of town for Easter and busy with my Midterm for the extra class I am taking...anyway, I know you have a tough decision to make. I also went to the Duke Info session but decided that the amount of debt I would take on with the degree I would leave with seemed like a bad deal compared to the ECU situation. Even with the sign-on bonuses you still have a large deal of tuition to pay back after taxes. Also, I know that I want to go into an MSN setup (I worked in the hospital as a nurse assistant and had the first hand experience) so the logical choice for myself was to go into a combination program since my goal is to be in advanced practice nursing. I also probably feel more comfortable with the AE program because I have a friend who just completed the 1st part of the program and is very pleased with the program/administration and feels she is equal to her peers in her first year of nursing (meaning that like every other 1st year nurse you are learning the ropes for a while and trying to figure out what to do when new situations arise). Also the NCLEX passage rate for the ECU program was VERY high given that the matriculants are not all coming in with a BS in science. Those and other reasons are why I chose the ECU program.

I don't think you can go wrong either way, if I were you I would assess my personal goals and first instincts and decide where I would want to be in 5 years and which path is the best for you--it may be the Duke route or it may be the ECU path. Hope this helped-keep me updated!

I am so excited about the registration--crazy that we will know the schedules so soon! I have to start checking my ECU email!

OBXLovr · Mar 24, 2008

Enzo-

Hope you had a great Easter! Thanks so much for your thoughts. I'm kinda thinking along the same lines as you are about the whole situation. I don't have too much first hand knowledge of RN work, but I've talked a lot with friends/family who are nurses or in the medical field, and researched it on the forum and I too think I am much more interested in advanced practice nursing. And I've been crunching the numbers recently and am amazed at the difference in cost between the two programs. I think the ABSN program at Duke (not including any masters work) costs on average about 50K, whereas I think ECU costs at most around 9K annually for full-time students (I'm not 100% sure what the cost is, but the website for the cashier's office listed graduate student tuition as 4.6K and the medical student tuition at around 9K annually, so I figure the most it would be is 9k).

Dr. Schreier also gave me some email addresses of a few students who are currently in the program that I plan on contacting to see what they say about their experiences. It's great to hear that your friend was pleased with the program...what specialty did she choose to go into?

OBXLovr · Apr 1, 2008

I officially accepted at ECU today! :lol2:

I can't wait to meet you all! I talked to Erin today and she said that they are working to get something set up on their exchange website where the AE students can log in and meet their classmates, find roommates, etc. I can't wait to get our registration information and everything...I'm excited!

cuttiepie · Apr 3, 2008

Hi,

Since some of you guys have already got into the Alternate Entry MSN program I was wondering if you could help me. Do any of guys know what type of GPA and grades that you have to have in order to get into this program. I am trying to get into the program in the Fall of 2009. I appreciate any help that anyone one can give me. Thanks for all your help.

Thank You

cuttiepie

kaystho · Apr 4, 2008

Congratulations on your acceptance. I did not get accepted, and I was pretty upset (I did get an interview, though). My MAT was not competitive enough, and the recommendation was to take the GRE. This is a bummer since someone at ECU told me the MAT was similar to the GRE. The GRE is more geared to people who have more skills with Science and Math, which I have. The MAT is more for students in the liberal arts. I can reapply next year, but I am considering other options like Duke and Chapel Hill. All the schools pretty much want the same prerequisites, so this is a good thing.

I should have applied at other schools, and this was a learning lesson for me!

Good luck to all you ECU AE MSN students!

Enzo10 · Apr 8, 2008

Yay OBX! Let me know about the link for people to talk to others about rooming/classes etc (I posted on one site from the nursing page, a few other people have posted too, but I haven't been to the site recently). I have been talking to a girl who accepted also about going down to g-ville and looking at apmts-let me know if you are interested. Looking forward to meeting you soon!

Enzo10 · Apr 8, 2008

Hey, I had a 3.3 undergrad, 3.8 masters gpa, I have almost finished my masters in Nutrition and I worked as a Nurse Tech for 6 months. I think the main thing that is beneficial is showing that you are capable of handling difficult fast-paced schoolwork and experience in the field of nursing. Let me know if I can help at all with any further info!

OBXLovr · Apr 12, 2008

Enzo - I am definitely interested in scoping out some apartments with you guys! I think it would be really great to share an apartment with someone/a few others from the program and think it would be good to meet and see if it is something that might work. Let me know a weekend you are free and we can try and plan something :)

Pirate4Life · Apr 12, 2008

Hello everyone. I was accepted to the AEMSN program in Feb. I just wanted to say hello and join for forum in order to meet some of my soon to be classmates. What concentrations are you guys looking at doing? :nuke:

cvern55 · Oct 19, 2010

ENZO 10

Did all the of students who started the year with you finish the year or did the school kick some of them out for not passing a single test with an 80? Thanks.