I thought I'd start a thread about anyone currently applying to any of the OHSU Nursing programs for the 2014 cohort. I currently have three applications in with them: Accelerated BSN to MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health, Accelerated BSN, and the traditional BSN Program. Has anyone had any word from them? I know that the Accel. programs have closed both their applications. Any word on interviews or scheduling?
I am currently finishing up my preqs at PCC. I am working full-time and am just flustered. I hate not knowing anything with regard to where I stand or what type of candidate they are looking for.
Does anyone else feel similarly?
How did you answer your essay questions?
I'm curious for knowledge to see if I made the boat or missed it completely.
Any updates from anyone else on the alternate list this week? Has anyone been in contact with OHSU Admissions office? There's still a couple hours left in the business day today....fingers crossed that we'll know more next week.
1) Transportation/Parking: Parking on the hill is a nightmare. There ARE parking passes, but it's hard to get one (I think there's a lottery or a wait list?) and they're crazy expensive. There's also some pay-to-park spots, but most of them are only 2 hours, which won't get you through classes. And they love giving you a parking ticket up there as soon as your meter's expired. Most of us take some form of public transit, bike, or live on the hill. There are express buses that come in from different areas that make fewer stops, run only during rush hour in the AM/PM, and are mostly full of OHSU people. I take the 61 from Beaverton (it takes me about an hour to get there going from Max --> bus). I think the 64 runs from Tigard, and I believe there's one that goes to Hollywood? The 8 also serves Marquam Hill from downtown, and runs really regularly. You can get a heavily discounted Trimet pass at Public Safety where you also get your badge. I believe it was about $300 for the year. I personally found that to be the best option for me. The long commute's a pain, but sometimes it's also the only time of day that I get to put my headphones in and relax, so I try to take it as downtime :) A couple people have managed to finagle parking passes at the bottom of the hill (through friends who live down there and let them use their spot during the work day mostly) and they take the tram up. OHSU students can use the tram for free whether or not you have a Trimet pass, and the streetcar too, so you can always take the streetcar to the bottom of the hill and tram it up, too.
2) School days. This is a full time deal yall. I know some people who work part-time, but I don't know how they do it. Here's how our class schedules have been so far:
First Term: Health Promotions
Monday: 8-5: Health Promotions "Clinical" (all in the Simulation lab, no hospital work till second term)
Tuesday: 9-12 HP theory, 1-4 Pathophysiology
Wednesday: 9-12 HP theory, 1-4 Pharmacology
Thursday: "off" (do homework)
Friday: 1-4 HP "clinical" in SIM lab
Second Term: Chronic/End of Life
Monday: 9-12 Pharmacology, then you have to stick around to do patient prep for clinical the next day on OHSU computers
Tuesday: 6:45-2:20 Clinical in hospital, post conference until 5ish with your clinical group
Wednesday: off, or post conferencing if that's what your clinical instructor does instead of Tuesdays (I think most didn't)
Thursday: 9-3 Chronic theory
Friday: 1-4 Pharmacology
Term 3: Acute
Monday: Leadership 1-4
Tues-Thurs: Clinical/post-conferencing (depends on placement)
Friday: 9-4 Acute theory
That's as far as I've gotten in the program, so I don't know exactly how the other terms shake out, but that should give you a general idea of what you're looking at :) We had a full day of orientation and then began classes the next Monday. I will warn you: all the teachers will be SUPER nice about how no one has done any of the reading, and they really mean it! You are overwhelmed, you're just getting started, they totally get it. Unfortunately, that reading doesn't go away, so all of a sudden I found myself in week 2 with two weeks worth of material to get through since I was pretty much just deer-in-the-headlights-ing it the whole first week. Pathophysiology and Pharmacology especially it's important to keep up on, the theory I'd really recommend doing some kind of reading group where you split them and summarize them. We did that second term and it was a lifesaver. You will start to get a feel for what you need to read and what you don't, and how to find the info you need to fill in the gaps. You don't have time to read it all! But anyway, my point was that if you have the stamina to even start some of the coursework (esp. for Pathophys/Pharm) in the first week, you will be glad you did later. But still enjoy taking it all in!
omg... this is really long. I'm sorry!
3) Clinicals: First term, clinicals are all in the Simulation lab. You'll wear your scrubs, it's sort of half lecture, half practicing skills. The focus is on basic assessment of a healthy person and learning to observe, interpret and generally think like a nurse. You'll learn to take vitals, give injections (I think... although now I can't remember if that was actually in second term?), and do assessments. It's a good pace. In the second term you'll move into the hospitals. Placements are mostly at OHSU, although some are also at Providence in SE (and everyone who goes there loves it and says wonderful things about it). You are assigned to one patient for the day and are working with an RN or your instructor. You do one day a week in the first term, 2-3 in the second.
Ok... I hope that answered everything, was helpful, and not tooooooo lengthy and long-winded! Anything else I can answer, just let me know :)
Congrats to all who've been accepted, and fingers crossed for the wait-listers!
ng427 - Any updates on your end? I sent an email to the admissions office yesterday afternoon, but haven't received a response yet. This waiting is no fun.
Thank You! The way you broke it down made me feel like I was living it. It is definitely intense!! But oh, so worth it!! I am not looking forward to waking up in the wee hours of the mornings to catch a bus--when I have NEVER in my life been on public transportation.
I started this in another forum but thought it might be better here.
Congrats to all those admitted and I'm sending good vibes for those still waiting. I'm lucky enough to have to choose amongst schools, I've narrowed my options to two programs--OHSU Portland 3yr BSN versus Linfield's Summer Accelerated BSN. The decision process has been tearing my insides apart--I hope that this community can provide some much needed input and advice.
OHSU has always been my top choice because of its reputation, the appeal of learning directly in a teaching and research hospital environment, the allure of the stellar faculty, (assumed) better clinical placements, etc. While, to my complete surprise, I was also granted a spot in Linfield's Summer ABSN. This means I could complete a second bachelors degree in 15 months versus 3 years...
The quality of education and the amount of time required are my largest concerns. In the future, I plan to pursue my Master's in Nursing and have read that one needs to work at least 2 years as an RN before applying.
My practical side says to complete the shorter program so i can work sooner. My dream self loves the honor of attaining an OHSU degree, and the OHSU name may make for a more competitive application for graduate school. Will an OHSU versus Linfield degree have significant (enough) impact when applying to graduate programs to warrant the extra time? Should I go for the speed or the glamour?
Hi all, I am new to the thread. I am another "highly likely" alternate for the OHSU 2014 cohort. I don't know if this helps anyone who maybe in the same boat I am (constantly checking their phone or e-mail, praying for good news) ,but I found out that the individuals that were offered a spot immediately have until 6/15/2014 to decide if they will accept or decline. So I hope that means that we will not have to wait any longer than that to find out if we are in or not. Congrats to all that were accepted and to all of those still waiting, good luck!
Hi all, I am new to the thread. I am another "highly likely" alternate for the OHSU 2014 cohort. I don't know if this helps anyone who maybe in the same boat I am (constantly checking their phone or e-mail, praying for good news) ,but I found out that the individuals that were offered a spot immediately have until 6/15/2014 to decide if they will accept or decline. So I hope that means that we will not have to wait any longer than that to find out if we are in or not. Congrats to all that were accepted and to all of those still waiting, good luck!
That is interesting because when I emailed them origianlly they told me those accepted had only until April 23 or 24th I believe and they should know by the first of may how many individuals they would need to take from the waitlist. Can someone accepted help us out with these deadlines? Thanks!
I was admitted to OHSU's 3 year BSN for Fall 2014 enrollment. The deadline to accept or decline that 3 yr program is 6/15/14 as stated in mrjeramie's post. ng427, I believe the April date you have is for the accelerated program.
Does anyone have an idea about how many candidates are on the alternate list. I am a moderately likely. This ranking process isn't my favorite! Anyone have any other offers from others schools while waiting to hear from OHSU?
I am another "highly likely" alternate who has been obsessively checking this message board for updates. I agree Ldani08, the ranking system is a little vague, and I have zero idea of how many alternates there actually are. I know the Portland program was a little behind in mailing their acceptance letters, and subsequently they put off alternate notification by a week or two. Perhaps everything is just a week or so late, and we will hopefully be getting some phone calls early next week. Congratulations to everyone who has already been accepted, and best of luck to my fellow alternates. With a little luck, we will all be seeing way too much of each other very soon. I hope we all get in!
.. trying to remain hopeful but its hard. Let me know if you hear back from admissions!
RNinTPA
24 Posts
Any updates from anyone else on the alternate list this week? Has anyone been in contact with OHSU Admissions office? There's still a couple hours left in the business day today....fingers crossed that we'll know more next week.