OHSU & Linfield Programs

shawba08 · Mar 7, 2014

Hello everyone,
I am currently completing pre-requisites at PCC and hoping to apply to nursing schools in the fall of this year. My top choices are OHSU and Linfield because of their accelerated programs (I have a bachelor's degree in psychology from University of Portland- would that I might have realized my true calling earlier, seems how we are so big on nursing at UP but oh well!).
I have a few questions....
What advice do you have for getting in to OHSU and Linfield? I know the basics about GPA, have a great essay of course, etc. but any detailed tips about what they look for, WHO they look for, certain things each school is big on, etc would be really helpful.
What kind of clinical experiences have you had (at either or any program- not just OHSU and Linfield!)?
I am also applying to PCC's program, and UofP, and for UP's Providence scholarship program. Any advice from any Prov scholar grads?
And lastly, the $$- I am worried that I won't qualify for any need-based grants or scholarships, and have never had to apply for student loans (kinda lame, I know). Generally, can you get it all covered through student loans? Do they pass those out pretty readily? I am going to search for scholarships but like I said, I do not anticipate qualifying for many that are available around here.
Thank you in advance for your much appreciated advice!

If I am accepted to the Linfield accelerated program, I'll let you know! However, I think you are pretty much right in your assumptions that gpa and essay play the biggest role. People with clinical experience don't always get accepted, people without clinical experience don't always get rejected. I think if you have the grades and a good essay they may look at recommendations and volunteering as a way to select the student that best fits their cohort.

mamakac · Mar 7, 2014

OHSU is really into students that want to serve under-served, rural, or local populations- as well as students who are themselves part of those populations. They also take into account those that have unique perspectives and stories, people who haven't always lived inside society's box and who like to explore. The essay is HUGE- it is your chance to let them know you and your story. GPA is important, but there is a range (I had a 3.89) The program has emphasized to us that nurses do a LOT outside of the hospital and that we serve our communities in a variety of ways.

Your first clinical term at OHSU in the Acc Bac is health promotions- so shot clinics, healthfairs, community events. Lots of in class time and skills/SIM lab. Second term is in the hospital one 12-hour day a week, in a variety of settings in acute care. Mostly at OHSU, with some at Providence. This upcoming term for us is more acute care at OHSU and Providence, but 3 12 hour days a week. The following term is population- so out in the community! Your final term is the integrated practicum- so you basically get your choice of sites, and work a full nurses schedule, eventually taking over her patients as much as you can. Lots of hours that last term, and very little classwork.

I enjoyed my clinical site this term, the instructors, the nurses, everything was great-- I feel like I still have quite a ways to go, but so does everyone else. There is never enough time to see all the skills or practice them, and it just depends on where you are what you get to do and see.

OHSU does have grants and scholarships, but most of us took our private loans-- I did mine easily though Wells Fargo. You shouldn't have a problem getting a private loan.

Hope that helps-- brain is tired from homework and projects this week!

Nette123 · Mar 8, 2014

Hi Mamakac!

It was great to hear your experiences at OHSU! It sounds like you are enjoying your experiences and are feeling like you are making great progress so far! I got an acceptance letter from UP today, and am hoping to hear from OHSU soon! (Transfer BSN) Have you heard any comparisons? Thanks!

mamakac · Mar 8, 2014

U of P is a longer program-- our Acc Bac is 15 months, so you pay less as well. Clinical experiences vary since U of P uses Legacy and Providence mainly, whereas we use OHSU and just one Providence site. I have also heard that both UP and Linfield are more writing intensive, we do a fair share of writing and a lot of group projects, too. OHSU has the most clinical hours out of all Acc Bac programs, which was a big deal for me. The Providence scholarship is a big deal and would cut down on costs a lot, so that could be a deciding factor for some-- OHSU doesn't have any internal program like that, but you can apply for a lot of external scholarships and smaller internal ones, too.