I am new to the forum and actually new to nursing field. I am currently a student at UCLA as a Microbiology and Immunology major and Biomedical Research minor that has no clinical experience. Up until now, everything that I have done has been geared towards graduate school. I have a full-ride here, 2.5 years of research experience, have attended a couple national conferences and have a 3.5 GPA. But I don't think that really matters because I have no clinical experience. I have had a change of heart and would like to pursue a career in nursing, but as of right now I don't know what my chances are of being accepted into an Accelerated BSN or Master's entry level program. I am assuming not good.
At a graduate fair I had two diff nursing schools confirm that my research doesn't really mean anything, what I need is volunteer hours in the hospital. I volunteered at Loma Linda Medical Center in the children's oncology department for about six months but then started working in a lab. My volunteer experience was very minimal and I was not shadowing an RN. But at a conference, I spoke with the director at John Hopkins and she said that they encouraged research (but am sure they want volunteer work as well).
My dilemma is this. This summer, I am supposed to go to Singapore on a research internship that is 9 weeks long, which I am willing to quit so I can work in a hospital all summer and get experience (as well as take pre-reqs). But I don't want to cancel the internship unless I am a competitive candidate. I lose more than the internship, I lose my funding and position in a program. But I believe going to graduate school would be a huge mistake. I would love to continue here at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Nursing, but really don't know what my chances are. Realistically, would one summer, full-time right before I apply in the fall be enough?
If anyone has any insight it would be greatly appreciated! I have tried calling schools but it seems like everyone is backed up with admissions right now. :/
I recently spoke with admissions from UCLA (personally), Columbia and John Hopkins.
Although it is not required that clinical or some form of hospital experience is required at UCLA, it seemed like it would be difficult to get in without it (or at least volunteer experience).
When I spoke with admissions at Columbia, it seemed like it wasn't as much of a big deal and they really stressed taking a holistic view when considering their applicants.
I spoke with the admissions from John Hopkins and they were actually very enthusiastic about my research experience and said that it weighed just as much clinical experience. I was very surprised. She did add that working in a hospital would only improve my application, but she also said that she already a good applicant. She recommended that I apply for the next upcoming cycle (they have two application periods), and if I didn't get in the first time then try on the next cycle with my added hospital experience. Her enthusiasm made it impossible to get excited at the prospect of at least having a chance to getting in. I know that Hopkins is terrible expensive, but what a fantastic school.
Anyway, just an update for anyone else that is in a similar situation.
There are short BS to RN programs out there---usually a year long. Or you might consider medical school. I'd contact many schools b/c they can vary widely in their requirements.
Fellow Bruin here, graduated 2012 in Biochemistry. Unlike you, I had some personal issues and never went into research. I think research will make you a very strong candidate, so don't rule that out.
I worked for two years in the education field and decided that I wanted to do nursing. I finished my prereqs at community college because PhySci classes at UCLA are pretty much impossible to get into if you aren't a PhySci major. I actually didn't even start my hospital internship experience until the week before I got my acceptance at Columbia (ETP Fall 2015). If you want clinical experience, I strongly recommend looking at the Care Extender program at UCLA hospitals, as well as Clinical Care Extender programs run by COPE at many SoCal hospital locations.
Columbia really evaluates each candidate holistically. Looking at the Facebook group for the accepted students, students come very diverse backgrounds with all kinds of unique experiences.
Whoa, I haven't been on here in a while, otherwise I would have gladly taken you up on hearing about your experience at Hopkins! I just finished my last essay tonight. :) I went to a research conference in DC this past November and took the opportunity to visit Hopkins while I was there. I really liked it. The nursing school seemed small, quaint and family-like. I would jump at the opportunity to go there, my only concern is that it is SO expensive. My original post was inquiring whether the costs were worth it. In your opinion, was it? I've heard mixed reviews. Some people say that they would do it again for the sake of networking and connections. Others said that it was way too much money for a BSN or MSN.
Ah, another concern of mine is my GRE score. Between finals and meeting the deadline to send in my scores on time I had roughly 4-5 days to study and I did terrible. It was in the 63-64th percentile for both quantitative and verbal. I don't know my writing score at the moment. Do you know much emphasis is placed on the GRE?
I took your advice and went to Singapore. It was an amazing experience and am so glad that I went. I even took the last month I had off to do some traveling on my own. Toward the end, I met with some friends in Tanzania and climbed Kilimanjaro.
Fellow Bruin here, graduated 2012 in Biochemistry. Unlike you, I had some personal issues and never went into research. I think research will make you a very strong candidate, so don't rule that out.
I worked for two years in the education field and decided that I wanted to do nursing. I finished my prereqs at community college because PhySci classes at UCLA are pretty much impossible to get into if you aren't a PhySci major. I actually didn't even start my hospital internship experience until the week before I got my acceptance at Columbia (ETP Fall 2015). If you want clinical experience, I strongly recommend looking at the Care Extender program at UCLA hospitals, as well as Clinical Care Extender programs run by COPE at many SoCal hospital locations.
Columbia really evaluates each candidate holistically. Looking at the Facebook group for the accepted students, students come very diverse backgrounds with all kinds of unique experiences.
Thank you so much for your response! I actually did apply to Columbia and even sent them my updated transcript today. :) I should hear back from them mid-February. The problem is that even if I was accepted, I would have to finish my finals early and be moved into NY by June 1st (my finals are June 10th), on top of take an additional Anatomy and Physiology class with my 21 units at UCLA and an online class at my old JC. I already reached out to the PhySci department and got it cleared to take Physio this winter if need be. It'd be crazy, but I'd do it and just pray that I'm left with a few marbles by the end of spring quarter. I have heard of the CARE Extender program at UCLA. With my current situation though there is no way I can take on anything else. I already have a graduate mentor in her 6th year that is very ambitious to publish and graduate so I already expect that she will want me there as much as possible.
I had the same concern with Columbia that I did with Hopkins, whether the tuition was worth it? If you had a free moment to tell me your opinion and experience I'd really like to hear it!
mrisajne
116 Posts
Update:
I recently spoke with admissions from UCLA (personally), Columbia and John Hopkins.
Although it is not required that clinical or some form of hospital experience is required at UCLA, it seemed like it would be difficult to get in without it (or at least volunteer experience).
When I spoke with admissions at Columbia, it seemed like it wasn't as much of a big deal and they really stressed taking a holistic view when considering their applicants.
I spoke with the admissions from John Hopkins and they were actually very enthusiastic about my research experience and said that it weighed just as much clinical experience. I was very surprised. She did add that working in a hospital would only improve my application, but she also said that she already a good applicant. She recommended that I apply for the next upcoming cycle (they have two application periods), and if I didn't get in the first time then try on the next cycle with my added hospital experience. Her enthusiasm made it impossible to get excited at the prospect of at least having a chance to getting in. I know that Hopkins is terrible expensive, but what a fantastic school.
Anyway, just an update for anyone else that is in a similar situation.