non-nursing student, what are my chances??

gunrock · Mar 12, 2015

Talk to your counselor. See if you can switch into the nursing major. That would be your best option. I'm sure the major is impacted at UCLA but you never know until you talk to someone.

If you can't switch into the major, then I'd start looking at ABSN and MEPN programs. Let us know what the counselors say and we can probably give better advice.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Mar 12, 2015

Do not pursue a graduate degree if it is not what you want. You will be stuck and the field for PhD's is pretty limited and very narrow.

Try other schools. Not all require volunteer work to get accepted.

mrisajne · Mar 12, 2015

No, I already know that I absolutely cannot switch into the major, that I know because I asked at a recent graduate fair (too bad that I didn't ask more questions at the time). Even coming in as a transfer student was nearly impossible, I think they accept only 4-5 students? Realistically, their MSN program is quite competitive too and me already being a student here does not give me an edge. There are other programs out here that are easier to get into, private institutions that my friend (who is a nurse) says they will take nearly anyone because they just want your money. Many of her friends have tried to get into UCLA and ended up going to one of the private institutions or Cal State. She also said that regardless of where I get my Master's, it wouldn't be hard to get a job because the demand is high. I don't know whether or not that is true, but I still would like to attend a good school and pursue either practitioner or CRNA afterwords. Maybe much later, research and PhD. I don't know, how much does it matter?

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Mar 12, 2015

You know UCLA is not the only school in Cali right? And meeting with a counselor from the school is the only way to know for sure. Because they will have your transcripts already.

You can switch majors if you want but UCLA is not the end all-be all of nursing programs. Go somewhere else if you can't get in there.

gunrock · Mar 13, 2015

No, I already know that I absolutely cannot switch into the major, that I know because I asked at a recent graduate fair (too bad that I didn't ask more questions at the time). Even coming in as a transfer student was nearly impossible, I think they accept only 4-5 students? Realistically, their MSN program is quite competitive too and me already being a student here does not give me an edge. There are other programs out here that are easier to get into, private institutions that my friend (who is a nurse) says they will take nearly anyone because they just want your money. Many of her friends have tried to get into UCLA and ended up going to one of the private institutions or Cal State. She also said that regardless of where I get my Master's, it wouldn't be hard to get a job because the demand is high. I don't know whether or not that is true, but I still would like to attend a good school and pursue either practitioner or CRNA afterwords. Maybe much later, research and PhD. I don't know, how much does it matter?

I'm going to have to disagree with pretty much everything your friend has told you.

Yes, there are private schools and CalState schools where you can get your ABSN or do a MEPN, however none of these are "easy" to get into. You definitely cannot just throw money at them and get in, your friend is completely exaggerating.

Secondly. California is insanely competitive for nurses. California needs EXPERIENCED nurses (and even then people aren't finding jobs...if you don't believe me go look at the California board and look at how many posts there are from people who can't find a job). Did your friend tell you that almost 45% of new grads take 18months to find a job after graduation.

Back to your original question. I would continue on with your degree, go on the research trip and take the pre-requisites you need for ABSN programs you are interested in. Apply to ABSN / MEPN programs when you're a senior to immediately start after graduation. You've got a FULL ride to one of the best universities in the world, you're also in a competitive major and doing very well (my brother graduated from the same major). 9 weeks abroad is an AMAZING experience, don't turn that down. Go enjoy. When you come back, if you have time go volunteer, or better yet go get your EMT, UCLA has an amazing EMS education department (at least they did) and volunteer doing health fairs or grab a summer job on an ambulance.

Other than finishing your degree, taking your pre-requisite courses and getting some volunteer experience, the most important thing you need to do is, figure out WHY you want to be a nurse and have experiences that back your reason up.

I would take what your friend tells you with a grain of salt. Read around the California forum and post back with any questions. Good luck.

mrisajne · Mar 13, 2015

Wow, thank you so much for all the information you just gave me. I wasn't sure about what my friend had said because I've always been under the impression that nursing was extremely competitive. I think getting into nursing at UCLA is actually much harder than as an MIMG major.

The only problem is, I am already a senior and am supposed to graduate in the fall, which is why I would like to take the GRE this summer and apply in the fall so I can begin next fall 2016. During the winter and spring quarters I was going to take AnP at a community college. I have all of the other prerequisites. With that being said, the only reason I was considering cancelling my internship was so I could bust my ass full-time in a hospital to gain experience, IF that made me a competitive enough candidate to apply here at UCLA (of course will apply to other schools as well, just hoping to get in here).

One more question to settle any misconceptions I may have, for anyone that has advice, is that I have heard that where you get your BSN does NOT matter. However, a Master's is a little bit different, especially if you want possibly extend your education. I would like to think later on that I would possibly pursue a PhD. Any thoughts? (again, thank you gunrock)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2015

One more question to settle any misconceptions I may have, for anyone that has advice, is that I have heard that where you get your BSN does NOT matter. However, a Master's is a little bit different, especially if you want possibly extend your education. I would like to think later on that I would possibly pursue a PhD. Any thoughts?

Stick to regional state universities (CSU system), flagship state universities (UC system), or private nonprofit colleges in your area (e.g. Loma Linda, Point Loma Nazarene) with decent reputations. As long as you avoid the investor-owned schools of poor repute, you should be fine.

mzpositivity · Mar 14, 2015

As a fellow bruin, I felt compelled to make an account to answer your questions and concerns. Graduated with my B.S. in 2013 and just applied to nursing schools last cycle. The primary issue I see is that you feel compelled to apply to nursing programs ASAP because you are a senior and you want to continue your education. I also went to the career center to talk to admission officers and get a feel as to what their schools were looking for. The best advice I learned from that experience is that the application you turn in when you apply to any nursing program should be the absolute best application you are able to generate. Period. If you do not get in the first round/time, then the next time you apply, your application has to be significantly better in many ways than your initial attempt. I have had admission officers tell me it must be twice as good as the first application. Let that sink in. Also, many ABSN and MEPN programs will require letters of recs and when you reapply, your recommenders will have to submit yet another letter on your behalf, and the letter has to mention your work and improvements since your last attempt, which might be burdensome for both you and your professors. (Sorry for the run on sentence).

My intention is not to scare you. My honest intentions are to inform you. Knowing that information, I spent a year finalizing the list of all the schools I wanted to apply to, finishing all my pre-reqs for every school, took the GRE and the TEAS (most schools require one or the other), got clinical experience working in a private office, and basically spent 6 months applying to all my schools (some deadlines were as early as July and others as late as Jan). I was honestly praying for just one school to accept me (I had a pretty long list). So far, I have received good news from 2 schools. Do not feel compelled to put yourself out of the running because you have more research than volunteering experience. Many people in ABSN or entry level MSN programs come from business, law, teaching, and other backgrounds and their unique experiences and desire to now pursue a career in nursing makes them desirable to particular nursing programs.

Your GPA is fantastic. I would know, I went to UCLA! haha. But do not apply just for the sake of applying. You can probably get in somewhere your first attempt, but it may not be the program you want. Take a year off, it was one of the best decisions I made in my young adult life. Finish all your pre-reqs (this will strengthen your application). Do your research on every school and try to volunteer in a hospital so you can see what nurses do and have to put up with on a daily basis. I interviewed for a few programs this past year and I learned that many of the people I interviewed with had more to say in the interviews and in their personal statements about the stuff they were able to do once they finished their undergrad studies. A huge chunk of my personal statement was devoted to a unique volunteer experience I was offered after college.

You sound stressed. It's completely normal haha. Remember that you are young and not applying this cycle is not the end of the world. Taking one year off to make a decision that you will be devoting your next 40-50 years towards is not the worst idea in the world. Good luck.

mrisajne · Mar 14, 2015

Thank you so much for taking the time out to give me such a detailed message, I really appreciate that (and always great to talk to a fellow Bruin!). I think what you've said is good advice and it sounds very realistic, rather than my gf telling me I can get into any private institution. I would absolutely love to go to UCLA for nursing, but I really think that if I apply this year I do not have a good chance. If when I apply, have all of my prereqs completed and a year's worth of volunteering done, I am hoping that maybe I would? I will still talk to admissions, but I am not against waiting as you have recommended.

If I continue with my internship in Singapore, I was considering volunteering in Cambodia for 2 weeks, maybe Africa if I am still going there afterwords. This is something I wanted to do since I went backpacking in SEA for 9 weeks, so maybe I can have a unique volunteering experience of my own.

Again, many thanks. This definitely has been very stressful, as well as emotional since I am walking away from what I have been working so hard for.

mzpositivity · Mar 14, 2015

I am actually wait listed this year for UCLA and my GPA was not as high as yours if that gives you confidence... haha but the MECN program is fantastic. I know someone who got in and their resume is completely different from mine so different schools are looking for different things and they want students who are the best "fit" for their program and mission statement. If you are really set on a program like the MECN, consider the MEPN program at USD (San Diego) or Entry Level MSN-CNL at USF (San Francisco). The Singapore experience sounds pretty awesome! I would definitely go. You always want to stand out in your applications, but the key is to stand out for the right reasons. Do not try to be "safe" by taking a hospital job because you think it will help buffer your resume. If it does not work out, you will have wasted your time and efforts. I wish you all the best and commend you for taking the time to research your future nursing career. It will pay off. :yes:

mrisajne · Mar 16, 2015

Congrats on getting in on the waitlist! Hopefully you will continue to get good news. :)

Yes, I don't think I'll turn down the opportunity to go to Singapore. As an MIMG major I've been dying to work on a project that revolves around infectious disease (I currently work in the Orthopedic Hospital on cartilage and bone development) and the project works with malarial antigens for potential vaccines. I guess it'll be my last chance to confirm that I really do not want to go to graduate school because I love the science. It actually works out well because I am supposed to climb Kili in September and the flight is not as expensive or nearly as hellish as flying out of LAX.

I actually already did take a look at the MEPN program in USD and at UCSF. The tuition at UCSF is pretty steep, 55K the first year not including housing or anything else? Yikes. My PI refers to UCSF as "the school people apply to and never get accepted." lol. USD was pretty steep too, $1345 per unit. Actually, almost all were pretty expensive and made UCLA look like a bargain. So far the only place that seemed somewhat hopeful in terms of acceptance was Columbia, they responded and said that since they do not require any clinical experience and I should apply with what I have (God I hate NY though).

May I ask, what unique volunteering experience did you get to experience after graduation?