Letters of recommendation needed for OHSU?

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Hello!

I was just wondering, does anyone know if any letters of recommendation are needed to apply for OHSU undergrad nursing program? Some schools require this, some don't and I know for sure the scholarship I'm aiming for does but I'm not sure if it's required for the university itself.

Wow, those numbers are insane!! Thanks for the info by the way.

Talk about cutthroat competition, I'm really freaking out now. :arghh: And here I thought with my 4.0, hospice volunteer work and experience as an at home caregiver I stood a good chance. Even with reality hitting me right in the face it's so hard to give up at least the chance to try for Portland. I'm really going to have to pray on this one. As with everything else in my life, it's all in God's hands.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

A 4.0 is a really good foundation for points in the OCNE system. Here's a checklist for what OHSU gives points for (very few discretionary points outside of the base OCNE standards):

OCNE standards award points for the following:

Prerequisite GPA /40GPA is calculated from grades earned in the 45 prerequisite credits.(GPA x 24) – 56 = Points (See FAQs for examples)

Completion of A & P sequence

A & P I, II, and III by the end of fall term prior to application deadline -- 5 points

A & P I and II complete by the end of fall term prior to application deadline -- 3 points

Completion of prerequisite credits

All 45 prerequisite credits complete by the end of fall term prior to application deadline -- 5 points

37 to 44 credits complete by the end of fall term prior to application deadline -- 3 points

Completion of prior degree

1 point will be awarded for completion of an Associate's degree or higher at the time of application

Other schools have individual discretionary points; OHSU's website does not provide a numerical number for each of these, but lists the following as things that provide a candidate additional consideration:

• If Anatomy & Physiology plus lab series is completed by the end of fall 2016 term.

• If all required prerequisites are completed by the end of fall 2016 term.

• Documented 400 hours+ of human healthcare work or volunteer experience. Signature from supervisor is required.

• Completion of microbiology and/or chemistry course with a grade of "C-" or better. Applicants are encouraged to have microbiology with lab completed prior to matriculation. This course will be a required co-requisite during the first term in the nursing program and a required prerequisite for students starting the nursing program in fall 2018.

• Credits taken at these host institutions: Southern Oregon University (SOU) if applying to Ashland, Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) if applying to Klamath Falls, Eastern Oregon University (EOU) i fapplying to La Grande, Western Oregon University (WOU) if applying to Monmouth. This is not a factor for the Portland campus.

• Supplemental Questions - OHSU School of Nursing looks at students holistically and as such the supplemental questionnaire allows admissions to get to know applicants. The supplemental questionnaire is optional and not required; however it can help and be factored into your overall application.

• Exhibited understanding and value for working with diverse and underrepresented communities.

GPA is the largest contributor, but it also is good to have all of your prerequisites completed as you get additional points for completing A&P and for having at least 37 of the required 45 credits. The supplemental questions are going to ask you some questions about dealing with adversity. I would say that they are looking for answers which demonstrate and understanding of the nursing profession, leadership ability as well as experience working with and understanding diverse cultures.

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That's good to know, I'm feeling better now :) I already did micro (as crazy as it sounds I LOVED it, totally nerded out on that one) and I'll have all required prereqs done by the end of this fall term. After that I just have a winter term of extra classes required for one of my backups- University of Portland. For sure I'll fill out the supplemental questions, anything that helps.

Just curious, is there a specific area of nursing you're going for? Personally, and I know it's a long shot, I definitely want to work in the NICU.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

I currently work mental health at the VA -- pretty sure I don't want to stay in this field. I start at the Ashland OHSU program next Thursday, really would like to work in the ER after I graduate. I enjoyed trauma management from my time as an Army medic and the ER gives me the best opportunity to do that in the civilian world.

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No kidding, if anything will put you on "the front lines" so to speak, it'll definitely be the ER. Sounds awesome, I'm sure with your background you'll do great. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

Something you might want to do is start a thread in the Oregon forum about this application cycle. We had one last year that was pretty useful not just for information but as a support group for everyone going through it -- like you've probably experienced, it can be a stressful process, especially during the interview portions and the acceptance phases.

This was the link for last year's, but it doesn't look like anybody's done one for this cycle. https://allnurses.com/oregon-nursing/ohsu-bsn-2016-1003127.html

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Good idea, I think I will

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