Master of Nursing U of M 2017 Cohort Applicants

Ampharos · Jan 9, 2017

Wow, thank you SO much for all of the information! It really helps give a better picture of what the program is like. It seems similar to what I remember reading from other people - the clinicals seems to be the most helpful part of the program. Do you mind me asking: are you working any other job? Do you think it would be possible to work a bit while in school?

You're both very welcome! I'm glad I can be useful! Keep the questions coming!

The admissions people kept saying it was impossible to work and do well in this program, but the the second year students at orientation told us a lot of people work through the program and do just fine. I decided to go with the advice of the second year students and keep working, so I do have a job! I work like 15-20 hours per week in a genetics/molecular biology lab I worked in before I started school. I don't think I scored less than a 'B' on anything, so I would say that working and keeping up with school hasn't really been a problem for me. I know there are many other people in my class that are working, too, but there are also a lot of people who don't work or try to focus their work on breaks from school.

I would say that whether or not you can work completely depends on how flexible your job is and your comfort level with the material. My job is very flexible as far as hours go, so I can adjust based on what my studying load is like any given week (and my coworkers are super supportive, so they don't mind if I need to take time away to study/meet with a group/whatever). As far as the material, physiology was probably our hardest class this semester and I have a lot of cell/molecular biology experience to set me up for that, so I didn't need to study as much for that class as some other people did. Truthfully, I didn't study that hard for anything because I felt like the exams structure for most of the classes followed the lectures pretty well (except for the assessments class, but that class was just a mess in general, so I don't even know...) so you could get through study pretty fast, but I know that others spent a lot more time studying the material than I did, so it definitely depends on you and how you learn.

do you have any recommendations for incoming students to better prepare for clinicals? what sorts of skills were they rapidly teaching you and asking you to know before clinicals?

Honestly, I'm not sure there is any way to "prepare" for clinical ahead of time. Well, except becoming a CNA or something, maybe. Then at least you would be comfortable with some of the basic care tasks and only have to learn the nursing specific stuff. The actual "clinical skills" we learn in the lab class, like 3-4 per week beginning when school starts in September, so they don't try to rush us into those (although they don't assess our ability to perform most of them, so you don't get a ton of help getting "comfortable" with them until you need them at clinical). Sorry if I was confusing before!!

The stuff they tried to shove at us right before clinical was all the "nursing process" stuff. So, not "clinical skills" as much as "how to think like a nurse" (Nursing diagnoses, care plans, etc. I had no idea what any of that was before October, so don't feel like you should understand it/even know what it is before you start school). None of it is really that complicated in principle- it was just they way they presented it and the timing that made it seem harder than it actually is (And the ridiculous assignment associated with it that will steal a large amount of your life for several weeks). I felt like I would have had a less painful time "getting it" had they lead with that material since they kept telling us how important it was when they finally did start teaching it.

I'll be sending you all good vibes for your applications! Definitely keep updating with how things are going! And of course feel free to ask any other questions you have!! Classes don't start again for a little over a week, so I will for sure be lurking at least until then!

kme77 · Jan 10, 2017

Ampharos, again thank you SO MUCH for the information! It's extremely helpful - even though maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, since we haven't even gotten to the application deadline yet, haha. If I make it into the program, I'm hoping to work a bit to help mediate the financial pressure. I'm really glad to know that it's possible.

Bee55881, any updates on your application? I'm still waiting for my last transcript with fall semester grades to be processed...due to a series of problems, I ended up overnighting it on Friday, and it hasn't appeared in my application yet. I'm checking NursingCAS like every hour, just hoping it's processed SOON so they can start verifying. So stressful!

Jasmirsh · Jan 10, 2017

I am also applying as well. Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I agree that the application process was very stressful but glad to know we have a little bit of a grace period after the 15th. I submitted a transcript request on 11/30 and it still has not been verified by the NursingCAS. I am still working on my essay which is just adding to more stress!!!! Good luck to everyone!

Bee55881 · Jan 11, 2017

Kme77, still not verified in NursingCAS yet. I also called admissions just to touch base and make myself known so that they are up to speed on my unverified status. I received similar information, and the woman I spoke with even told me that after the 7-10 day grace period is over, admissions will work with the applicant and NursingCAS to determine the issues. I guess it is no guarantee, but at least they are willing to work with us on this process!

Jasmirsh, so glad you joined the conversation! We are all anxious, but I'm hoping for the best! If I read the directions correctly, I believe the application has to be e-submitted in order for verification to begin. I would give NursingCAS a call or even the university so that they can check your status or provide some support.

Im crossing my fingers for all of us, and hoping we all get some answers soon. I'm on day 8 of verification, and their website states that the process should take 10-12 business days once transcripts are fully uploaded and processed, so hopefully this Friday is my lucky day!

Sending you all the best wishes! Keep sending in updates! Good to know we are all in this together :)

kme77 · Jan 12, 2017

Good luck to everyone! And thanks for passing along the information that they may be willing to work with us after the grace period. That was really a relief to hear today, as my transcript still isn't posted. If it doesn't show up tomorrow, I'm going to give NursingCAS and admissions a call. Fingers crossed for all of us!

Bee55881 · Jan 13, 2017

Hi everyone!!!!! GREAT NEWS: my application was officially verified yesterday afternoon, coincidentally only 30 mins after I called NursingCAS to ask where my verification was at in the whole process. It officially took NursingCAS 9 business days to verify my application and to complete the verification process. I hope this is helpful in sharing and hope that your applications are also verified this week if they haven't been already!

Anyone else have any updates going on? Kme77, has your transcript been processed?

Jasmirsh, how is your essay coming?

kme77 · Jan 13, 2017

Congratulations! That's great news. My final transcript was finally processed yesterday, and my application is verifying. I really, really hope there are no more problems, and that everything is able to be accepted. Thanks for letting us know how long it took for yours to be completed!

Just out of curiosity, for everyone who has been commenting so far, why did you choose to apply to UMN? Are you/did you apply to many other schools as well?

Jasmirsh · Jan 13, 2017

It's coming.....just worried about rambling in the essay and not fully getting my point across. I am hoping my essay will help boost my application a bit.

Kme77, I applied to the UMN because I know many people who have gone through the program and really loved it. I also want to get my master's so I can move on to the DNP program. I work at M health/Fairview as well so my #1 choice was to go to the U.

The only other school I considered that offers a master's was St. Kate's. I know someone that is currently in the program and he said it seems a bit unorganized(I think they recently changed the program). I am not a big fan of the evening/weekend classes because I feel my focus is better when I am a full time student.

I might apply but my heart is invested in getting into the UMN program. As much as I do not want to prolong getting started, I have thought about applying again next year if I do not get in this round.

Bee55881 · Jan 13, 2017

Just out of curiosity, for everyone who has been commenting so far, why did you choose to apply to UMN? Are you/did you apply to many other schools as well?

The program at the U is the only application I've put in, and the only place I'm planning on applying to. I've researched all the programs in Minnesota and because of the length, degree type, scholarship opportunities, and credits toward a DNP that it offers, I am completely sold on UMN. I love that it is only 4 semesters!

How about you??

kme77 · Jan 13, 2017

This is my only application, too. I grew up in the Midwest but am currently living in Hawaii. After a major personal experience with the medical field (my 16 month old was born with medical issues and died this past summer) I decided to make a career change, and wanted to move closer to family. After looking into cities and programs somewhat near my family, I decided that UMN looked perfect. So I tailored my prereqs this semester to be ready for this application. It was intense...5 prereqs in one semester! I'm glad to hear that this program has a good reputation to people who live in the area. I have some family working in the medical field in the Minneapolis area, but it's definitely hard to know what the school and area are really like, being so far away.

Bee55881 · Jan 13, 2017

kme77, thank you so much for sharing a personal part of your story here

I am really excited for all of us and hope that we get accepted to this cohort. I am Minnesota born and raised, went out of state for college and lived in Peru for 2 years serving in the Peace Corps and am now back in Minneapolis working in social services. Im not sure how much you've gathered from family working in the area but please do not hesitate to reach out and ask any questions you might have about the area or any other details! I've got a decent pulse on the cities and would always offer to share what I love so much about living here.

As far as reputation goes, UMN nursing is the best option in the state if you are looking to specialize in upper level nursing, and also has a reputation for having good networking connections to post graduate jobs. (Only slightly biased but I've done so much research). And DANG, 5 prerequisites?! You're an all star for taking that on! Nursing school will be a piece of cake

Keep me updated with your verification!

kme77 · Jan 14, 2017

Bee55881, thank you so much for the kind words. Because of my experience with my son, I'm hoping to work in some capacity with pediatric patients with congenital heart defects. My son had a complex heart defect, but did amazingly until his second open heart surgery. After the surgery, there was an extremely rare complication, and he very unexpectedly didn't make it through. I am really interested in working in a CV PICU setting, although I know that this desire is colored by my experience, so I'm trying to stay open-minded. What are you hoping to specialize in?

And thank you for offering information about Minneapolis! If I'm accepted, I will definitely take you up on it. :) I've heard so many people say that they absolutely LOVE living in Minneapolis, and it seems like a great city. My husband is super into biking, so he's very excited about the park system and trails. I am not so excited about the weather. Even though we lived in Chicago for ten years (I went to school there), we have been in CA and HI for the past three, and I think I've lost my tolerance for cold. Sometimes, when I'm walking around my neighborhood, in flip flops, in January, I think, What am I doing???!!! Moving from the warmest city in the US to basically the coldest??? I guess I'll just have to soak it up while I can! :)