Physical Therapists and Pharmacists have raised their entry levels to advanced degrees. I hear there is a movement to make a Masters degree the entry level for all of nursing...they are attempting to raise the status/ prestige of the whole profession.
I looked at the UCLA website and if you look at the BSN program it says:
After completing the B.S. program, graduates are able to:
-Select, evaluate and apply, in hospital- and a variety of other settings, basic and advanced theoretical knowledge of core concepts including advanced leadership and health care systems concepts to the nursing process in order to deliver health care to clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
-Analyze health problems at a unit, aggregate (community) and systems level, and develop nursing interventions that balance the health needs at the unit and cohort levels.
-Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills with clients, research participants, other health professionals, colleagues, and policy makers.
-Evaluate existing nursing and health care systems research, apply findings to advance nursing practice, and participate in the development of new knowledge.
-Demonstrate leadership and system skills and critical thinking, which contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of nursing and health care.
-Practice hospital- and community-based nursing based on the principles of ethics and law.
-Participate in professional and community organizations and/or interest groups relevant to health care delivery and modify nursing standards and practices in keeping with current trends.
Sound familiar? Its the exact same thing for the MSN program.
If you get a diploma from a community college, a BSN or do a Masters entry program with no specialty..you still all take the same NCLEX exam and you will have the same RN title. I work at UCLA, and regardless of your education (ADN, BSN, MSN)..if you're a new grad, you're all paid the same, trained the same, treated the same.
Unless you have a clear and firm goal in what you want to attain in your nursing career, I wouldn't recommend a master entry program. I know UCSF has a program for Master's Entry where it includes an Advanced Practiced degree (NP or CNS). UCLA Master's entry program doesn't seem to offer this though.
1) From experience, what school's programs have you had success at?
I applied to U of maryland and U of Colorado HSC...I got into both.
2) How hard was the admission process at your school? What's the stats on the students admitted? (i.e. What was your GPAs, GRE scores, pre-req grades? How many students admitted versus applicants?)
U of Maryland: 500-600 applied. 80 Accepted.
UCHSC: 700-900 applied. 110 accepted. (i'm a bit fuzzy on these numbers, but it was somewhere around there.
U of Maryland admission process was really quick! I applied in Sept 2003, they told me I got in less than a month later. 2 letters of rec, resume and an essay. No GRE's for BSN program, No SAT for second degree peeps. My GPA was a 3.2 in my previous degree. Pre-Req GPA was 4.0. U of C HSC was similar, but it took them 5-6 months to get back to me whether not I got in.
3) What type of background did you have previously? Does having job experience in a health related field increase your chances of acceptance?
I had a lot of part time jobs. Summer camp, taught english abroad, volunteered in the hospital for a bit, tutored kids. I was sort of in your shoes. Just graduated with a social science degree but didn't really know what to do with my life. Thought nursing would be a good idea. Currently in my first semester for a BSN program.
4) Any suggestions or advice about things to do, such as volunteering, prior to applying that might help my chances? I graduated with a CUM 3.1 GPA, and although most schools require at least a 3.0, I heard that because of the competition, my GPA is nowhere near good enough.
I think you could definately get into a nursing program with your GPA. What sets you apart though would be your essay and your life experiences and recs. Just try and get involved in the community. Volunteer at hospital is good, tutor kids, homeless shelter...that stuff. Write in your essay about how these experiences had inspired you to help people and thus pursue nursing. I'd recommend and pay for a prof essay editor to critique yoru essay (I did, and hey! it worked! I got in, !). There are students who got into my program with a 2.4 GPA...so its not all grades they are looking for.
About entry into a masters for nursing, I wouldn't recommend it if you don't know much about the nursing profession or don't have good direction in wha tyou want. I considered some Master's program also and i'm glad I didn't go that way. "what?!? going back for a SECOND bachelors degree?!" Its an ego thing =P. But seriously... i'd recommend getting a 2rd BSN in an accelerated program (1-2 years)...work for a while as a nurse and see what areas of nursing appeals to you. Then go back and specialize (get a masters) in an area you KNOW you like. Just committing to a specialty BEFORE you even know what nursing is about huge leap into the unknown.
hope that helps! good luck! if you have any other questions, feel free to email me!
Hello! I'm thinking of doing ROTC at my school and then entering in the nurse corps in the army. I know there are a lot of previous posts about army vs. navy vs. AF. It seems that the AF is the most cushy of them all and army is the least appealling. But in terms of actual training, which is the best?
Are there any army nurses who can tell me whats it like? If you are not happy about being in the army, how easy is it to transfer to other military branches (like after you serve yoru 3 years, but you have 3 years left of inactive, can you transfer during while inactive?) Or you have to wait until you complete 6-8 years is up?
Physical Therapists and Pharmacists have raised their entry levels to advanced degrees. I hear there is a movement to make a Masters degree the entry level for all of nursing...they are attempting to raise the status/ prestige of the whole profession.
I looked at the UCLA website and if you look at the BSN program it says:
After completing the B.S. program, graduates are able to:
-Select, evaluate and apply, in hospital- and a variety of other settings, basic and advanced theoretical knowledge of core concepts including advanced leadership and health care systems concepts to the nursing process in order to deliver health care to clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
-Analyze health problems at a unit, aggregate (community) and systems level, and develop nursing interventions that balance the health needs at the unit and cohort levels.
-Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills with clients, research participants, other health professionals, colleagues, and policy makers.
-Evaluate existing nursing and health care systems research, apply findings to advance nursing practice, and participate in the development of new knowledge.
-Demonstrate leadership and system skills and critical thinking, which contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of nursing and health care.
-Practice hospital- and community-based nursing based on the principles of ethics and law.
-Participate in professional and community organizations and/or interest groups relevant to health care delivery and modify nursing standards and practices in keeping with current trends.
Sound familiar? Its the exact same thing for the MSN program.
If you get a diploma from a community college, a BSN or do a Masters entry program with no specialty..you still all take the same NCLEX exam and you will have the same RN title. I work at UCLA, and regardless of your education (ADN, BSN, MSN)..if you're a new grad, you're all paid the same, trained the same, treated the same.
Unless you have a clear and firm goal in what you want to attain in your nursing career, I wouldn't recommend a master entry program. I know UCSF has a program for Master's Entry where it includes an Advanced Practiced degree (NP or CNS). UCLA Master's entry program doesn't seem to offer this though.
1) From experience, what school's programs have you had success at?
I applied to U of maryland and U of Colorado HSC...I got into both.
2) How hard was the admission process at your school? What's the stats on the students admitted? (i.e. What was your GPAs, GRE scores, pre-req grades? How many students admitted versus applicants?)
U of Maryland: 500-600 applied. 80 Accepted.
UCHSC: 700-900 applied. 110 accepted. (i'm a bit fuzzy on these numbers, but it was somewhere around there.
U of Maryland admission process was really quick! I applied in Sept 2003, they told me I got in less than a month later. 2 letters of rec, resume and an essay. No GRE's for BSN program, No SAT for second degree peeps. My GPA was a 3.2 in my previous degree. Pre-Req GPA was 4.0. U of C HSC was similar, but it took them 5-6 months to get back to me whether not I got in.
3) What type of background did you have previously? Does having job experience in a health related field increase your chances of acceptance?
I had a lot of part time jobs. Summer camp, taught english abroad, volunteered in the hospital for a bit, tutored kids. I was sort of in your shoes. Just graduated with a social science degree but didn't really know what to do with my life. Thought nursing would be a good idea. Currently in my first semester for a BSN program.
4) Any suggestions or advice about things to do, such as volunteering, prior to applying that might help my chances? I graduated with a CUM 3.1 GPA, and although most schools require at least a 3.0, I heard that because of the competition, my GPA is nowhere near good enough.
I think you could definately get into a nursing program with your GPA. What sets you apart though would be your essay and your life experiences and recs. Just try and get involved in the community. Volunteer at hospital is good, tutor kids, homeless shelter...that stuff. Write in your essay about how these experiences had inspired you to help people and thus pursue nursing. I'd recommend and pay for a prof essay editor to critique yoru essay (I did, and hey! it worked! I got in, !). There are students who got into my program with a 2.4 GPA...so its not all grades they are looking for.
About entry into a masters for nursing, I wouldn't recommend it if you don't know much about the nursing profession or don't have good direction in wha tyou want. I considered some Master's program also and i'm glad I didn't go that way. "what?!? going back for a SECOND bachelors degree?!" Its an ego thing =P. But seriously... i'd recommend getting a 2rd BSN in an accelerated program (1-2 years)...work for a while as a nurse and see what areas of nursing appeals to you. Then go back and specialize (get a masters) in an area you KNOW you like. Just committing to a specialty BEFORE you even know what nursing is about huge leap into the unknown.
hope that helps! good luck! if you have any other questions, feel free to email me!
Hello! I'm thinking of doing ROTC at my school and then entering in the nurse corps in the army. I know there are a lot of previous posts about army vs. navy vs. AF. It seems that the AF is the most cushy of them all and army is the least appealling. But in terms of actual training, which is the best?
Are there any army nurses who can tell me whats it like? If you are not happy about being in the army, how easy is it to transfer to other military branches (like after you serve yoru 3 years, but you have 3 years left of inactive, can you transfer during while inactive?) Or you have to wait until you complete 6-8 years is up?
Thanks guys!