OHSU BSN 2016 Applicants

gere7404, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2015

Yep, applications are now live on NursingCAS.

ohsunnyday · Sep 1, 2015

Help! So it says to enter all classes. Even tutoring ones? I also have all of my dental assisting ones but the only category they have is dental hygiene or dental. Also what category would you put the titling ones if you are supposed to put those. Thanks in advance! Scares to mess this up!!

gere7404, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2015

I think you need to input any class you were actually registered for. If you were registered in some kind of tutoring class and its listed on your transcript, you have to put it in. If it wasn't for a grade, put 0 credits and "none" as the grade. There's a lot of shortcomings with the transcript entry system -- for instance OHSU's specific requirement is for Anatomy AND Physiology, but the entry system only lets you pick one or the other for the combined BI231-233 courses. Just put whatever you think fits the best for the course in question.

By titling ones, do you mean the required prerequisites? I think you have to "review and finalize" your transcripts first before you can assign specific courses to meet the prereqs on your application.

Also, looks like they put up the stats from last year's application cycle:

BS with a major in nursing program (2015)

Ashland campus: approximately 130 applications for approximately 32 positions
Klamath Falls campus: approximately 90 applications for approximately 24 positions
La Grande campus: approximately 60 applications for approximately 26 positions
Monmouth campus: approximately 130 applications for approximately 32 positions
Portland campus: approximately 320 applications for approximately 40 positions
Average prerequisite GPA statewide: 3.85

ohsunnyday · Sep 2, 2015

Thank you gere7404! One more quick question... for the references, achievements, experiences, and certifications, what are some examples you would use? I get references and certifications, but achievements and experiences? What type of stuff are they wanting?!? Thank you for helping! This whole thing is a bit intimidating!

ohsunnyday · Sep 2, 2015

Also is there only CAS 3.0 now? I thought I read they are using 2.0, but maybe that was last year? EDITED* Scratch that, I just saw that they ARE using 3.0 :)

Also has anyone here actually applied before using CAS? Did all go well? I have heard mixed things about them and the process?!

gere7404, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2015

Thank you gere7404! One more quick question... for the references, achievements, experiences, and certifications, what are some examples you would use? I get references and certifications, but achievements and experiences? What type of stuff are they wanting?!? Thank you for helping! This whole thing is a bit intimidating!

Experiences are previous work history or volunteer experience ("Community Enrichment"); jobs you had in health care where you provided direct patient care (CNA/LPN/EMT/etc) have a specific title in CAS called "Patient/Healthcare Experience."

For achievements, you can put any sort of organizational achievement (honor roll, etc) you received. I put medals I was awarded by the Army related to health care or leadership that reflected the values OHSU says they're looking for in applicants.

Delfena · Sep 9, 2015

Did you get feedback about that from the school? At the info session they didn't mention needing to have all pre-req's complete before applying. Just wondering if they gave you info specific to that issue. :)

Edited: This was supposed to be a reply to MotoMonkey's post... I messed it up, somehow!

gere7404, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2015

You can get additional points for meeting certain criteria; OCNE standards award points for the following:

Prerequisite GPA /40GPA is calculated from grades earned in the 45 prerequisite credits.(GPA x 24) â€“ 56 = Points (See FAQs for examples)

Completion of A & P sequence

A & P I, II, and III by the end of fall term prior to application deadline -- 5 points

A & P I and II complete by the end of fall term prior to application deadline -- 3 points

Completion of prerequisite credits

All 45 prerequisite credits complete by the end of fall term prior to application deadline -- 5 points

37 to 44 credits complete by the end of fall term prior to application deadline -- 3 points

Completion of prior degree

1 point will be awarded for completion of an Associate's degree or higher at the time of application

Other schools have individual discretionary points; OHSU's website does not provide a worksheet that shows the points available, but lists the following that provide a candidate additional consideration:

Documented 400 hours or more of human healthcare work or volunteer experience; Completion of microbiology or chemistry course with a grade of "C-" or better; Prerequisite credits taken at these host institutions: Ashland: Southern Oregon University (SOU),Klamath Falls: Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), La Grande: Eastern Oregon University (EOU),Monmouth: Western Oregon University (WOU). This is not a factor for the Portland campus; Exhibited understanding and value for working with diverse and underrepresented communities.

The OHSU Undergraduate Council (Undergraduate Council | School of Nursing | OHSU) has locked links regarding the BSN program there and one link is in regards to a discretionary point rubric, but I don't have access in it to see how candidates are assessed and how many points can be gained through such points.

Regardless, as you can see, having all your prerequisites done (including the A&P series) gives you a good 10 extra points!

MotoMonkey, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2015

Delfena, that is based mostly on my experience. You can absolutely apply to any of the programs prior to having all the prerequisites complete, however, I feel like the likelihood of getting a spot is significantly diminished. There are so many applicants (130 to the Monmouth campus last year) that OHSU is in a great place to be able to cherry pick just the best and most qualified applicants, which means that someone who has most of the prerequisites complete will be less likely to be selected over a candidate who has completed 100% of the prereq coursework.

Again, this is just my opinion from my experience with the OHSU application process and knowing a few of the people who were accepted into the program.

gere7404, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2015

The points from completing prerequisites isn't just an OHSU thing; they are OCNE standards that all nursing programs in Oregon follow, which award points according to the amount of pre-req credits completed that I posted previously. Going off what I've read in threads from previous years, the applicants who were invited to interview all had very close to the maximum amount of points possible -- meaning they probably had all of their pre-reqs completed.

That's not to say its impossible; I've taken classes with people who were already accepted into the program and had to finish their pre-reqs as part of the conditions of their acceptance -- it just means you need to really shine in other areas where points may be given.

Delfena · Sep 11, 2015

Thank you for the response. I realize now that this thread is about the traditional BSN... I was looking for info on the ABSN (I don't think they use the OCNE point system for the ABSN, so that was part of my confusion). Good luck to everyone! :)

Delfena, that is based mostly on my experience. You can absolutely apply to any of the programs prior to having all the prerequisites complete, however, I feel like the likelihood of getting a spot is significantly diminished. There are so many applicants (130 to the Monmouth campus last year) that OHSU is in a great place to be able to cherry pick just the best and most qualified applicants, which means that someone who has most of the prerequisites complete will be less likely to be selected over a candidate who has completed 100% of the prereq coursework.
Again, this is just my opinion from my experience with the OHSU application process and knowing a few of the people who were accepted into the program.

itiswell · Sep 17, 2015

Have any of you guys received emails that they NursingCAS has received your transcripts? I requested some of mine just a few days after applications opened but I'm not sure how long it takes for them to receive and process them?