Mount St. Mary's Accelerated BSN Fall 2008

chris7 · Aug 16, 2008

Simba, we're considered grad students unfortunately. Kaiser offers $25K and Northridge Hospital $24k as well. I'm applying for Kaiser. They'll let me pick any kaiser hospital in SoCal. I'm using a mix of savings, stafford loans and Kaiser. Not sure about the others, but Kaiser is a 2.5 yr commitment, but the good thing is that I'll have a job secured this Fall even though I'm not actually working until Fall '09. Apparently most students have a job contract half way through the program. I hear most if not all Kaiser applicants receive the award.

I'm applying to private scholarships also.

Livenlearn · Aug 18, 2008

I was also at the MSMC information session and was glad to hear there were scholarships available at Kaiser. Do you think it would be difficult leaving Kaiser if you find it doesn't make a good fit? After the committment of 2 years of course. (We were told there was a 2 year committment) Their healthcare system is set up dramatically different than the norm.

I might begin at Kaiser if it provides a good foundation and orientation to the floor. I have heard that you will be unable to work ER or outpatient clinics while completing your comittment. Is this consistent with what you have found?

MisterSimba, BSN · Aug 18, 2008

I was also at the MSMC information session and was glad to hear there were scholarships available at Kaiser. Do you think it would be difficult leaving Kaiser if you find it doesn't make a good fit? After the committment of 2 years of course. (We were told there was a 2 year committment) Their healthcare system is set up dramatically different than the norm.
I might begin at Kaiser if it provides a good foundation and orientation to the floor. I have heard that you will be unable to work ER or outpatient clinics while completing your comittment. Is this consistent with what you have found?

I have no idea, but I kind of have my heart set on working at Hoag when I graduate. They have a "Dollars for Scholars" program that provides up to $12,000, so half the amount of Kaiser and Northridge Memorial, etc.... I'm a volunteer there and love it, and it doesn't hurt that the starting salary there is quite competitive...

chris7 · Aug 18, 2008

I understand that there is a six month training period and then two years required to fulfill Kaiser's scholarship. Since several students have dumped the scholarship before finishing the 2.5 years, Kaiser has opted in their agreement to let go of scholarship recipients at their discretion (ie poor work performance). I'll share more details as they come and when they interview in September for the Kaiser Scholarship... According to MSMC staff, the manager of the scholarship is not too forthcoming about information regarding the scholarship until you apply. I was informed not to contact Kaiser until they formally initiate the application process for our class.

Livenlearn · Aug 18, 2008

Mister Simba -I would love to work at Hoag. I am not far from that hospital. I'm not so sure I want to be locked into Kaiser. It's the only hospital scholoarship I would even consider @ MSMC due to the distance from the O.C.

sashimi · Sep 29, 2008

This is a late response, but congrats on getting in! And also, thank you for this informative post. I plan on applying to the same program. It appears that prior work experience really does help, so I think I will try to build some now before I apply!

touchhealth · Nov 13, 2008

Greetings 2008 Cohort!

I'm sure you are all terribly busy with your studies right now. I'm hoping to apply for the fall 2009 program, and was just wondering how everyone was feeling about their decision to attend MSMC.

I am hoping that these incredible scholarship opportunities through Kaiser and other hospitals hold up in this shaky economy. I've heard that a lot of RN scholarship opportunities are getting cut back right now, as well as loan options. I'm really can't afford MSMC otherwise since I've already got a lot of student loans.

If any of you have an opportunity for an update on how the program is going, and any insights for us 2009 hopefuls that would be fantastic!!

Also, I am scheduled to attend the AccBSN information session in December and was just wondering if there is anything extra I should look into since I don't live in the area and won't have many other opportunities to check things out.

I wish you the best!

juninunmul · Nov 23, 2008

anybody who went through the interview process for mount st. mary's accel BSN please I would luv to hear your story.

I am realllllly nervous right now about this.

I am interested in what kind of questions they asked you.

thanks for sharing your story christ7 and congrats on getting in!

hillarypeace2006 · Nov 25, 2008

Mount Student here... and I will say personal statement is the key... Be thoughtful, and be yourself. The school is a very down-to-earth and the admissions team as well. Be kind courteous and open when writing.

dmskoka · Dec 6, 2008

Thanks so much for your info. I just received an email for an interview. I applied to 2 state schools that I didn't get into and am applying to northridge. Mt. St. Marys and Samuel Merritt and are the 2 private schools that I applied to in California... Hope that you are enjoying the program.. Any info that you can give now that you are in would be appreciated...

chris7 · Feb 4, 2009

The oral interview was about 30 minutes. They asked the following questions:

Q: Nursing is a self-sacrificing profession. How will you take care of your personal needs as a nurse?

A: Working out. Buddhist chanting. Spending time with friends and family. I understand that no one is there to hold my hand. Nursing is my responsibility.

Q: What would you do if one of your partners in a group assignment is not completing his/ her tasks?

A: I would take responsiblity and try to complete that person's tasks with the help of other members in the group. I understood this to represent a medical emergency where a medical professional is slacking off and the patient requires attention and decision making.

Q: What are your methods for studying?

A: Reading before lecture. Videos. Notes. Flashcards.

Q: What is a moral conflict that you've experienced as a hospital volunteer?

A: An elderly patient was given shots without notice by the RN. She was rough with him and barely said a word to him. This was in direct comparison with the Physical Therapist who was in the room at the same time and was addressing the patient by name, rubbing his chest, speaking slowly and clearly while looking him in the eyes. She was gentle and comforting... I want to give that kind of care when I'm an RN.

Q: How are you at test taking?

A: Totally comfortable (Lie if you have to).

The interviewer really liked that I chant to overcome obstacles in my life. However, she was concerned about my grades and academic competency. She told me I would most likely be put on the waitlist and possibly deferred until May 2009 because she wanted me to retake Anatomy. After talking to other students, apparently they point out your weaknesses so that you begin working on them right away... It's really important that you know how to take care of your personal needs. Apparently there are enough nursing students to fill the gap in the US, but there is high turn over rate due to burn out and career incompatibilities. The average RN lasts 2 years! They want to know you're a trooper.

Some questions vary, but a 2007 student relayed a couple of these to me, so they didn't change much.

chris7 · Feb 4, 2009

Interviews...

Ms. Shealey comes off as hard-nosed but she plays bad cop and Ms. Sloper is super nice and plays good cop. From what I understand you have to really mess up your interview, otherwise you are as good as accepted if you get an interview invitation. Yes, like elementary school, staff are to be addressed "Mr." and "Ms."