KU School of Nursing - Any Advice on Applying?

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Hello All!

Just wanted to see if anyone has any advice or experience with applying to KU's School of Nursing. I am wanting to apply for a Fall 2016 start and I know the program is pretty competitive!

I have a Bachelors in Communications (Business Minor) and a Masters in Business Administration. Overall, my MBA gpa is 4.0 but my gpa from my undergrad is closer to a 3.2

I have no experience in healthcare, and have very little volunteer work, but am in the process of becoming a volunteer at Children's Mercy, so I will have a few months of volunteer work by the October 1 deadline. I also am getting a CNA certification through JCCC in the fall of this year, so I will have that completed by December. I also have some amazing references that I think are pretty credible.

Any advice on what you think my odds are of getting into the School? I am so nervous to even apply, but I know it won't hurt to at least give it a shot!

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Hello! I was recently accepted into KU's BSN Program for the Fall of 2015. Having As in science pre-reqs helps a lot. One of the essay questions was about adding diversity to the class - and you having an MBA would certainly push you ahead in that department. Get as much experience as you can - being a volunteer and CNA looks great! Do well on your essay questions - have others read them and rewrite as necessary. Having good recommendations will of course help as well. I think you will have a fair chance, and even if you get wait-listed, I hear they get pretty far down the list (#60ish, but don't quote me on that). Good luck! You'll be fine - just really concentrate on getting experience and writing your essays well.

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Thank you for your advice and congrats on acceptance into the program! :) I'll be sure to really focus on the essays and get that experience needed!

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Hi! If you don't mind me asking, jayhawkRN754, how do you like KU's program? I am trying to decide between Saint Luke's and KU's BSN program and would like input from other students. Would love to hear back from you! Thanks. :)

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Hey! So KU's program is really intense, but I imagine every nursing school is. I love that KU has a fantastic first time NCLEX pass rate and they really focus on prepping you for both NCLEX and the real world of nursing.

KUMC will get you places. You have so many opportunities at KU and the school is great about getting you those opportunities. Many people at KU get externships around the country and even the world. Some of these externships include the Mayo Clinic or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. If you're not interested in exploring outside of the state, there are still many wonderful opportunities around here. For example, you can intern during the summer in palliative care, the operating room, or any other unit at the KU hospital.

For capstones, you can go virtually anywhere in the Kansas City area! In addition, there are at least four out of the country opportunities for part of your capstone. This past year, these countries included India, Costa Rica, Uganda and one other country I can't remember at the moment.

I can't speak for Saint Luke's because I don't go there of course. But I love KU for the opportunities, the professors, and for how much they care about their student body. (As in, there are a lot of clubs and activities for the students - lots of free stuff and food!) Plus, being in a teaching hospital is so much easier than a regular hospital because pretty much every staff member is super open about taking a student (this also includes patients). Every patient I have had has been great about having a student since they know they are in a teaching hospital.

Again, I don't know about Saint Luke's but here's a typical week at KU for me.

Monday and Thursday we have pathophysiology, professional development, and health & illness. Friday this semester we have quality improvement and pharmacology, and get out around noon. Tuesday is my clinical day and I have Wednesday off.

First semester, we have BATI (Basic Assessments and Therapeutic Interventions), or Nursing Bootcamp. You learn and get checked off on all of your skills in the first 8 weeks. It's very intense but it's great to get it all out of the way so you can just practice those skills in clinical. Then, the second half of the semester, you start clinicals. (Also, I know KU prides itself on having the most clinical hour experiences for their BSN program, but I don't know how many hours other schools have.)

Overall, I'm extremely happy that I chose KU. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable. Although I'm tired all the time and it is a LOT of work, I think this goes for nursing school in general. Choose the best fit for you! Let me know if there are any other specific questions you have.

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Thanks jayhawkRN754 for your response!!

Can I ask, when did you receive news that you were accepted into the program? Was it via letter in the mail first, or a phone call?

Also are you able to work part time at all during the program?

Thanks so much! I graduated from KU in 2012 with a different degree, so I know its an awesome school! :)

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Part-time is possible, I know several that do it. After your first 8 weeks of skills, you can apply PRN as a nurse associate and make $13/hour and scheduling is very flexible. (Your acceptance letter will recommend you do not work at least the first semester, but of course this is not possible for all. I did not have a job because I got a scholarship from KUMC that allowed me enough money to not have one.)

I was accepted March 9th and received my letter the 12th. If you are accepted - read the whole letter! You will have to start accessing your KUMC email account immediately in order to fill out applications - scholarships, immunization records...etc... I almost missed the scholarship deadline because I did not catch this - oops. But it all ended up okay!

Good luck!

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Hey! So KU's program is really intense, but I imagine every nursing school is. I love that KU has a fantastic first time NCLEX pass rate and they really focus on prepping you for both NCLEX and the real world of nursing.

KUMC will get you places. You have so many opportunities at KU and the school is great about getting you those opportunities. Many people at KU get externships around the country and even the world. Some of these externships include the Mayo Clinic or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. If you're not interested in exploring outside of the state, there are still many wonderful opportunities around here. For example, you can intern during the summer in palliative care, the operating room, or any other unit at the KU hospital.

For capstones, you can go virtually anywhere in the Kansas City area! In addition, there are at least four out of the country opportunities for part of your capstone. This past year, these countries included India, Costa Rica, Uganda and one other country I can't remember at the moment.

I can't speak for Saint Luke's because I don't go there of course. But I love KU for the opportunities, the professors, and for how much they care about their student body. (As in, there are a lot of clubs and activities for the students - lots of free stuff and food!) Plus, being in a teaching hospital is so much easier than a regular hospital because pretty much every staff member is super open about taking a student (this also includes patients). Every patient I have had has been great about having a student since they know they are in a teaching hospital.

Again, I don't know about Saint Luke's but here's a typical week at KU for me.

Monday and Thursday we have pathophysiology, professional development, and health & illness. Friday this semester we have quality improvement and pharmacology, and get out around noon. Tuesday is my clinical day and I have Wednesday off.

First semester, we have BATI (Basic Assessments and Therapeutic Interventions), or Nursing Bootcamp. You learn and get checked off on all of your skills in the first 8 weeks. It's very intense but it's great to get it all out of the way so you can just practice those skills in clinical. Then, the second half of the semester, you start clinicals. (Also, I know KU prides itself on having the most clinical hour experiences for their BSN program, but I don't know how many hours other schools have.)

Overall, I'm extremely happy that I chose KU. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable. Although I'm tired all the time and it is a LOT of work, I think this goes for nursing school in general. Choose the best fit for you! Let me know if there are any other specific questions you have.

I have accepted my seat at KU!! I am so excited and also nervous. Do you recommend any nursing-related books to read over the summer to feel slightly less overwhelmed at the start of the semester? I know I asked a million questions in response to your post in my forum, but I also have a few short questions: stethoscope recommendation? For clinicals, do the shoes need to be all white? Would a digital watch (Fitbit) be okay? I know I'm looking a bit ahead here- just want to be prepared. :)

Thank you so much!!

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Don't worry! I was the same way - just wanted to get ahead! They will send lots of information about all of this but for your head start:

Shoes need to be all black or all white - leather, no mesh! (Basically easy to wipe/clean)

I have a Littman III (This one: Amazon.com: 3M Littmann Classic III Stethoscope, Black Edition Chestpiece, Black Tube, 27 inch, 58

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Congrats on your acceptance! I unfortunately did not get into the program at KU but am waiting to hear back from some other schools! (MNU's accelerated program being my top choice!!) Best of luck to you at KU!! Rock Chalk :)

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