OHSU vs. Linfield accelerated BSN- thoughts?

[Cinquefoil]

Hi. I'm thinking of applying to OHSU and/or Linfield.

I've seen all the threads about how these colleges make their decisions etc etc but what I really want is information, from students or former students, about the pro's and con's of both schools.

So far I've heard that Linfield has excellent clinicals and academics but deluges students with ridiculous amounts of reading and homework, only part of which is directly relevant to nursing....and most of it is papers. Which I would ordinarily like, because I'm lucky enough to have the funny gene that lets me like papers, but also have Repetitive Stress Injury issues from time to time.

Rumored clinical student/instructor ratio: 6:1

Linfield has a stated interest in social justice, holistic care, and intercultural health care. Am not sure how far this is taken in the classroom????

I had a friend attend and she was changing bandages in a burn unit by her eighth month in the program.

Linfield is also more expensive....

I've also heard that OHSU, while offering stellar academics based on a test-based system, kinda sucks on the clinical level.

I have a friend attending who says that in her first term of clinicals she only got to do one or two patient interviews and next to no hands-on care. Rumored student to instructor ratio: 30:1 I need to check back in wiht this friend to see if it's true.

On the other hand OHSU has a stellar reputation and gives a great background in the theoretical foundations of health care. So it is great for people looking to develop a focused, in depth scientific understanding of disease processes, people wanting to become NP's and get admission to NP programs, and for people seeking work all over the nation/world after graduation.

Are these rumors true or partially true? I'd love your

Also, I'd be interested to hear about the amount of support each school gives to job placement for new graduates. Experiences, anyone?

Thank you! :redbeathe

[sarabear44]

You're welcome! I'm glad it helped someone :-)

Yes, "free" March Wellness membership (~$60 extra for a spouse, tho') plus there's a pool up on the hill at the student center. There are a lot of need-based scholarships at OHSU and a lot of diversity scholarships. Most everyone gets the $12,500 federal loans and then a letter to show a bank if they need more private loans. The tuition bill comes to about $6,500 (approximate) per term. Plus a little extra for books and scrubs and etc., which isn't that much extra. I don't qualify for any scholarships, so I'm not much help.

I know there's a Red Cross one if you've volunteered there, and a Johnson & Johnson one. And then if you qualify for HRSA (http://www.hrsa.gov) that is an option. Military branches also help with $$ if you enlist...

To prepare: spend a lot of time this spring with your family and make some memories! Some other things I did was I volunteered at the VA hospital and a few other things to get more exposure and comfort in the medical setting. I also got a stethoscope and learned how to use it and a blood pressure cuff. Spend some time up on the hill if you live in the area, like just go up there and wander around and eat lunch in the cafeteria--just to get a sense of the culture and kind of learn your way around.

And start thinking about whether you need a bus pass, parking pass, or bike gear. Transportation and parking is the biggest pain in the butt.

Congrats on the acceptance! I hope you love OHSU as much as I do :)

[JDNurse2Be]

Hi Sarabear,

I just found out I'm accepted into the new Fall cohort for the ABSN at OHSU. I'm curious about the best way to manage getting to campus. I've been searching Trimet and checking out Park & Ride locations. I was wondering if you have any suggestions on Trimet, the best campus bus stops on campus, any "smart strategies" to make sure the whole transportation issue goes smoothly.

I have a few questions...Do the bus stops get crowded? Are the buses sometimes full and you have to wait for a later bus? I'm just wondering what the reality is...

What is the smartest and most efficient way to get to the SON?

Should I drive to the closest park & ride and go from there or the one closest to where I live that has the most direct path?

Also, do you use a rolling backpack and/or do you have a locker that you use at school? Any suggestions on preparing and what to bring that first few weeks would be helpful.

I know I need to get up to campus soon and see how it goes...I just wonder how busy it gets during the actual school year.

ramble ramble :)

I loved all the info you shared and I'm so excited to begin in the Fall.

Thanks!!

[sarabear44]

JDnurse2be,

Congratulations! This is the first year that they are having an ABSN cohort begin in the summer AND in the fall! It would help a lot if you said approximately where you live.

Most people in my class either: 1) bought a parking pass, 2) bought a Trimet pass, or 3) bike or walk to campus

The decision about how to get to campus depends on: 1) where you live, 2) whether you are a biker, 3) your preference

If you are going to use Trimet, buy the pass--definitely worth it. You can buy a whole year pass in September and then a prorated one for your last 3 months.

Those in my class who take Trimet just take the closest thing to where they live, but most people take the bus or the streetcar. You'll have to try your routes to see which you like best and which is fastest/most convenient for you.

Never heard of a bus being full.

Most people like riding the bus because they can sit and study, read, chill out, etc.

The bus lines are: 8, 61, 64, 65, 66, 68 that stop up on the hill. Bus # 35 stops at the bottom of the tram. Line #8 is the most consistent; it comes every 15 minutes. Also there is a shuttle that I don't know much about.

I ride my bike to the bottom of the tram and then take the tram up, which a lot of people do. Tram gets REALLY crowded about 8-9am... :-)

The other thing for transportation is that you spend at least 1 day a week your first term at the "ADP Building", which has expensive parking. Everyone figured out how to take the bus or bike there and some people car-pooled.

There are plenty of empty lockers if you feel like you need a locker. I use bike panniers or a backpack. One lady in my class has a rolling back-pack... Again, this comes down to personal preference. There is no one way that works for everyone... BUT, I can say that you usually don't need to bring any books to class, so you can leave those at home.

[jimithing112]

There's also another thread about getting to OHSU, fyi. :)

[ArtOHSU]

JDnurse2be,

Congratulations! This is the first year that they are having an ABSN cohort begin in the summer AND in the fall! It would help a lot if you said approximately where you live.

Most people in my class either: 1) bought a parking pass, 2) bought a Trimet pass, or 3) bike or walk to campus

The decision about how to get to campus depends on: 1) where you live, 2) whether you are a biker, 3) your preference

If you are going to use Trimet, buy the pass--definitely worth it. You can buy a whole year pass in September and then a prorated one for your last 3 months.

Those in my class who take Trimet just take the closest thing to where they live, but most people take the bus or the streetcar. You'll have to try your routes to see which you like best and which is fastest/most convenient for you.

Never heard of a bus being full.

Most people like riding the bus because they can sit and study, read, chill out, etc.

The bus lines are: 8, 61, 64, 65, 66, 68 that stop up on the hill. Bus # 35 stops at the bottom of the tram. Line #8 is the most consistent; it comes every 15 minutes. Also there is a shuttle that I don't know much about.

I ride my bike to the bottom of the tram and then take the tram up, which a lot of people do. Tram gets REALLY crowded about 8-9am... :-)

The other thing for transportation is that you spend at least 1 day a week your first term at the "ADP Building", which has expensive parking. Everyone figured out how to take the bus or bike there and some people car-pooled.

There are plenty of empty lockers if you feel like you need a locker. I use bike panniers or a backpack. One lady in my class has a rolling back-pack... Again, this comes down to personal preference. There is no one way that works for everyone... BUT, I can say that you usually don't need to bring any books to class, so you can leave those at home.

Hi Sara,

Do you have any people that commute from Salem in your program?

[sarabear44]

Yes there is one classmate who commutes from Salem. We all think he's crazy, but he makes it work while still maintaining family and school responsibilities.

[llh5057]

Hi Sara,

By parking pass, do you mean at OHSU? I thought getting a pass up there was nearly impossible!

[sarabear44]

Yes I mean at OHSU. You can pay $7 for 4 hours or $11 for all day and park in several lots. That is what people who car-pool tend to do, especially at the ADP building for days when we have simulation or skills lab.

When I drive up to the hill, here is what I do: you can park in residential parking for up to 2 hours, so I find a free 2-hour spot. Then I go move my car to a metered spot, which is $1.80/hour. That's what I do when I need to be dressed up or too lazy to bike or if I'm going for 2 hours or less, I know it will be free. I've never not been able to find a free spot...

You're right, you have to get on a waiting list for an actual parking pass, but a few people have one because they were previous OHSU employees (research, CNA, etc.) and had already been on the waiting list. I'm really not sure much about the waiting lists because I have never looked into it, but you can always call OHSU Parking office and talk to them.

[JDNurse2Be]

Hey Sarabear44

Thanks so much for all your great information...So I think I've come up with a great plan! I'm doing to drive to close park & ride at neighborhood church which is really close to a bus stop...take a 12-15 min bus to The Center for Health & Healing on Macadam, then work out for 45 min...and take the Tram up to campus for class on the days we are "on campus". I was thinking about biking but Hwy 43 isn't really safe...so I think this will be a really great way to exercise in the morning with a bit of walking & working out and then also having a shorter "bus commute" and ending up right back close to where I live in the afternoons. What time did classes usually end? I'm guessing 4 pm at the latest.

Any tips on the aerial tram? I'm guessing there must be a "morning wait" during the early hours. I'd like to end up at the SON 20-30 minutes before class begins so I can prepare, get settled, etc.

Have you been to March Wellness? I need to go check it all out and figure out "the walk" from the tram to the School of Nursing...which is the best path, etc. Any thoughts on that?

Thank you so much!!

So the ADP building parking is spendy huh? Did you ever park there? I guess Trimet does do a stop close to that location as well...arriving early, at 7:15 ish. Once rush hour starts its a bit more challenging. What times did your days start when you were at the ADP buildling? Our orientation isn't until a couple weeks before classes.

Thanks for enlightening us all to the ins and outs of the program. You're the best!!

[llh5057]

Haha, that seems like quite the task! I guess I'll just have to live close to school to avoid the hassle!

[sarabear44]

JD-- You might be overthinking it a little bit but you will try your plan and then adjust as necessary. It's important to be flexible in nursing AND nursing school!!! While it's good to set routines, remember to also allow time to stay late or come early to hang out with new friends or work on projects, etc...

Aerial tram runs q5minutes and I've never been in such a long line that I have to wait for the next one. They squish in up to 78 folks at a time and FYI, it's not climate controlled :-) They let you take bikes up in it which is what I do...

You'll see how to walk from the tram to the SON during your orientation tour! Don't worry--it is very simple.

Hwy 43 is unsafe in some parts, but if you can get up to Barbur, that is much safer. But if you take bus 35 to CHH, that works great. Working out in the morning is a great way to take care of yourself while in this rigorous program :-)

ADP costs $11/day to park. I don't remember, but I think we started at 7 or maybe 8 on the days in summer when we were there. But, it's funny, I've totally forgotten! Some days you only need to be there for 4 hours in which case it only costs $7 to park. I have never parked there, I always ride my bike there. Bus #43 goes there, too.

Glad I can answer your questions and ease some of your anxieties. Remember to enjoy each day and take it one day at a time. If you try to overplan now, it can be very stressful. Are you in the summer cohort of Acc-Bacc's or the fall cohort?? I hear the nickname for the fall cohort is "The FABS" :-)

[JDNurse2Be]

I'm in the Fall cohort Sarabear...You're right about being flexible and my teenagers are going to have to learn that too. Everything you shared makes me think it should all work out great. I was offered a spot at PCC Sylvannia and have been used to the easy commute there so I needed to get handle on my everyday commute/lifestyle going up to OHSU. I'm going to officially decline PCC this week and send in my deposit for OHSU.

Thanks for all the great info. I appreciate it :)