OHSU ABSN to FNP 2018

simonsc · Jan 4, 2018

Hi! I also applied to this program:) Hoping to hear good news! I also applied to University of Vermont and Yale. I have lived in OR for the past four years so I am quite comfortable here! What other programs have you applied for? Best of luck!

littlebuntingdoesnursing · Jan 4, 2018

Hi there! So nice to hear from someone so quickly! I unfortunately only applied to this program and the ABSN program (without the MSN portion). I'm a Portland native and, for better or worse, pretty much locked in Oregon. I also have a couple pre-reqs left, so I've been unable to apply to Linfield, don't have a CNA license so I've been unable to apply to Concordia, and the prices are so high for the two of those and any others in Oregon that I need to give OHSU my best shot before branching out.

University of Vermont and Yale both sound wonderful! Are you originally from the east coast? Also, are they both direct entry programs, or did you apply for some solo ABSN programs too? How are you feeling about your chances (if you don't mind me asking). Ignore this is you do or if it's considered bad form on allnurses, I'm new so I'm not entirely sure :wacky:

simonsc · Jan 5, 2018

I love Oregon, so I don't blame you for sticking around here! I am actually from the midwest, but I thought I would enjoy a bit of East Coast living for a while. Both are direct entry programs, there is quite a few in the US now, which is awesome. I didn't apply to Linfield or Concordia for the same reasons as you, and I ultimately want my DNP so I just went for OHSU here. I'm also new here, so not sure about etiquette, but I feel pretty good about chances, I really don't know what to expect though so I am trying to be optimistic.

Have you received any confirmation email from them saying they have your application?? My other schools emailed the next day, but I havent recieved anything from OHSU.

AshleyElle · Jan 6, 2018

Hi there! I also applied to both the Portland ABSN and ABSN to FNP/DNP programs. I only applied to OHSU because I couldn't imagine moving out of Oregon. I wish that I could say that I am confident, but with how competitive nursing school admissions are, I'm really nervous! I did really well academically from my sophomore year to my senior year, but grades from my freshman really really brought down my NursingCAS GPA, since they don't recognize repeated courses. I'm wondering what other peoples opinion of NursingCAS is?

Good luck everyone!

littlebuntingdoesnursing · Jan 7, 2018

Have you received any confirmation email from them saying they have your application?? My other schools emailed the next day, but I havent recieved anything from OHSU.

I received a confirmation email from NursingCAS stating that my applications made it in, but nothing specifically from OHSU. I know what you mean about the direct entry program and that being a motivator for OHSU over Concordia/Linfield, even outside of application difficulties. Part of me feels weird about the prospect of working as an FNP with absolutely no experience as an RN outside of clinicals, but the large part of me is just really NOT into the idea of another round of applications, putting an MSN off for more time, etc. I'm young but this is still a second degree so I don't want to waste too much time! Are you aiming for a DNP or MSN? And do you have a top choice out of those schools?

littlebuntingdoesnursing · Jan 7, 2018

Hi there! I also applied to both the Portland ABSN and ABSN to FNP/DNP programs. I only applied to OHSU because I couldn't imagine moving out of Oregon. I wish that I could say that I am confident, but with how competitive nursing school admissions are, I'm really nervous! I did really well academically from my sophomore year to my senior year, but grades from my freshman really really brought down my NursingCAS GPA, since they don't recognize repeated courses. I'm wondering what other peoples opinion of NursingCAS is?

Nice to hear from you! I'd move out of Oregon if I could for lower cost/to up my chances, but my entire gigantic family is here, boyfriend is here, I was raised here, etc. so it's kind of a lost cause. Did you apply for the DNP or MSN program? And do you have a preference on the direct entry vs. ABSN if you absolutely got to pick? Sorry if that's a silly question. I've actually heard from some NPs that I know that the direct entry is easier to get into, which I'm not sure I believe but do find interesting.

Where exactly did you find your calculated GPA? That's been my one frustration with NursingCAS - I keep hearing about the calculated GPA but can't find it for the life of me! I know what mine should be and have a 4.0 in my pre-reqs so far, but I'm nervous NursingCAS will drop it a ton... Other than that, I haven't had any problems with letters of rec or transcripts making it in, so I haven't minded too much. My sister applied to vet school this year and it was INSANELY expensive compared to NursingCAS too, so that's been nice. What did you think?

AshleyElle · Jan 8, 2018

Hi there! If it came down to it, I would move, but we would have to sell our house and our whole family is here too. Although it would be a little exciting to live somewhere new for a bit! I applied to the DNP program and if I had to choose I would definitely go with the direct entry because I have never truly wanted to work as an RN. A few friends/colleges of mine also went through a direct entry program, so that's why I chose to apply to the DNP program. I hope that it's easier to get into, but I heard that they only accept about 6 students per cohort!

If you go to NursingCAS and download your application, you can find it at the end of your transcript info. My calculated GPA from PSU is way higher than what NursingCAS calculated. I guess others have had the same issue in the past, but at least OHSU looks at candidates more holistically. Other than the transcript entry process and the GPA calculation I haven't had any other issues with the system though, so that's good at least.

I'm wondering when we will hear back about interviews!

simonsc · Jan 8, 2018

Ok, I also got the NursingCas email, none from OHSU, slightly frustrating haha. I agree with your hesitation about FNP before RN but I feel like in many cases, it is such a different role as a mid-level provider. I also really wanted to just get it all done in one swoop. I am aiming for the DNP, but one of the other schools I applied to is only an MSN so I am open to that as well. What are you aiming for? OHSU is my top because I won't have to move and their rural health track is very appealing to me, but I am open to anything!

simonsc · Jan 8, 2018

I liked NursingCas since two of my applications used it, meaning I really only had to send everything in and enter all my courses once. My other school was an application outside of NursingCas and i cant imagine having to do multiple applications on different sites. I don't know that I could even find my calculated GPA, maybe I just didn't look hard enough!

simonsc · Jan 8, 2018

Hi there! If it came down to it, I would move, but we would have to sell our house and our whole family is here too. Although it would be a little exciting to live somewhere new for a bit! I applied to the DNP program and if I had to choose I would definitely go with the direct entry because I have never truly wanted to work as an RN. A few friends/colleges of mine also went through a direct entry program, so that's why I chose to apply to the DNP program. I hope that it's easier to get into, but I heard that they only accept about 6 students per cohort!
If you go to NursingCAS and download your application, you can find it at the end of your transcript info. My calculated GPA from PSU is way higher than what NursingCAS calculated. I guess others have had the same issue in the past, but at least OHSU looks at candidates more holistically. Other than the transcript entry process and the GPA calculation I haven't had any other issues with the system though, so that's good at least.
I'm wondering when we will hear back about interviews!

I would hope we hear soon! I mean, it starts in the summer. Thanks for the tip on the application and GPA! I will have to look at it.

littlebuntingdoesnursing · Jan 8, 2018

Hi there! If it came down to it, I would move, but we would have to sell our house and our whole family is here too. Although it would be a little exciting to live somewhere new for a bit! I applied to the DNP program and if I had to choose I would definitely go with the direct entry because I have never truly wanted to work as an RN. A few friends/colleges of mine also went through a direct entry program, so that's why I chose to apply to the DNP program. I hope that it's easier to get into, but I heard that they only accept about 6 students per cohort!
If you go to NursingCAS and download your application, you can find it at the end of your transcript info. My calculated GPA from PSU is way higher than what NursingCAS calculated. I guess others have had the same issue in the past]
I'm wondering when we will hear back about interviews!

Thanks for the advice on how to check transcripts. Oddly enough, just got an email from NursingCAS saying all my coursework has been verified against my transcripts and my GPA calculation should be up within the next hour, which is both cool and nerve wracking.

As for interviews, I have no real idea. Unfortunately, based off of last year, it looks like they only gave people like four to eight days of notice. If they follow that trend, we'd hear back sometime during the week of Valentine's Day, which is WAY too long.