PLU elmsn 2015

Hmarie12 · May 2, 2014

Hey there May25! I will be starting the elm program at PLU this summer, so if you have any questions throughout the application process, feel free to message me! Good luck! It was my first choice too :)

May25 · May 3, 2014

Hey there May25! I will be starting the elm program at PLU this summer, so if you have any questions throughout the application process, feel free to message me! Good luck! It was my first choice too :)

I just went to private message you, but I guess I haven't posted enough on the forums to activate my ability to private message so I'm going to write some questions on here and hopefully you see them and respond :) If not, I'll probably end up PMing you a couple months down the line when application times really starts!

1. Did you have all your prerequisites finished before the application? I will have completed everything, but Microbiology by the application deadline and I know they say you can still be completing up until the start date, but I am just wondering if it makes me less competitive.

2. Did you references have PhD's? I have heard in the past that it is important for your references to have doctorates, however, my current boss only holds a Bachelor's degree, but she does have a prominent position in the hospital where I work. I am wondering if this matters. I am able to find people who have doctorates, but they wouldn't know me on the same level as my current boss.

Thank you so much for your help! I am seriously so excited and I have obsessed over this program day and night for the past year. I almost applied for the summer 2014 start, but I had so many prereqs to finish and it would mean taking Human A+P 2 and Micro together this spring quarter and I decided against it. I want to take my time with my classes, get A's, gain some more experience via work and volunteer opportunities, and apply this year as a candidate they can't turn down!

Gosh, I'm obsessed I know.

Hmarie12 · May 3, 2014

1. Alright! So, I applied while I was taking my last pre-req too (micro also haha). I thought about applying even earlier, but decided not to. I wanted my application to be the best it could possibly be when I turned it in. I sent my transcripts to PLU as soon as they became available. I think you can still apply and be okay. Of course the more information they have, the better they are able to get the whole picture of you as a student, but if it's just the one class I wouldn't worry too much and just be sure you get your grades sent to them as soon as you can.

2. I haven't heard of PhDs mattering at all. I had 4 references I think, 2 college professors and 2 RNs at the hospital where I work. The RNs did not have PhDs. You do not need this many references, however my undergrad major was not science related, so I wanted to have my biology professor write one recommendation and my academic advisor write another. What did you major in? If it was also something non-sciency, I would personally recommend having one of your professors that you took a science pre-req with write a recommendation for you if you did well in the class and they liked you.

You are smart to take your time! I did the same thing. Experience, volunteering, all helps! If you can get experience as a CNA, I think that would really help you. Have you attended an information session? I attended 2 of them and they said if you do not get in the first time you apply do not bother applying again UNLESS you get experience as a CNA. So. I think that would help :)

Oh and have you taken the GRE?

Good luck to you!!!

May25 · May 3, 2014

1. Alright! So, I applied while I was taking my last pre-req too (micro also haha). I thought about applying even earlier, but decided not to. I wanted my application to be the best it could possibly be when I turned it in. I sent my transcripts to PLU as soon as they became available. I think you can still apply and be okay. Of course the more information they have, the better they are able to get the whole picture of you as a student, but if it's just the one class I wouldn't worry too much and just be sure you get your grades sent to them as soon as you can.
2. I haven't heard of PhDs mattering at all. I had 4 references I think, 2 college professors and 2 RNs at the hospital where I work. The RNs did not have PhDs. You do not need this many references, however my undergrad major was not science related, so I wanted to have my biology professor write one recommendation and my academic advisor write another. What did you major in? If it was also something non-sciency, I would personally recommend having one of your professors that you took a science pre-req with write a recommendation for you if you did well in the class and they liked you.
You are smart to take your time! I did the same thing. Experience, volunteering, all helps! If you can get experience as a CNA, I think that would really help you. Have you attended an information session? I attended 2 of them and they said if you do not get in the first time you apply do not bother applying again UNLESS you get experience as a CNA. So. I think that would help :)
Oh and have you taken the GRE?
Good luck to you!!!

I graduated with a B.S. in Public Health. So, it is a science, however, not in the chemistry and biology sense... I did take Medical Terminology which they recommend and biostatistics and epidemiology which I think will help me stand out a little bit. But now I am definitely going to ask my current Anatomy and Physiology teacher for a letter of recommendation at the end of the quarter... thank you so much for that tip!

I have also been to 2 information sessions! Haha, maybe we were at the same one at one point

The CNA experience is something that I have been struggling with. I am currently working at a hospital (and have been for a year now) in the dietary department. I work with dietitians, communicate with nurses, and interact directly with patients. I'm not a CNA, but I feel like any hospital work experience is better than none! I have been wanting to get my CNA license really bad, but have not done so yet because I wanted to focus on my grades and it's also difficult to get the appropriate time off work to complete a CNA while not interfering with school. I originally had wanted to get my CNA and move up in the hospital where I work, but lately I have been considering quitting my job, getting my CNA, and looking for a new job. I know that sounds a little drastic, but it's really impossible for me to balance school, work, and getting a CNA license without one of them lacking. It might be easier for me to close this dietary chapter of my life and move on to something different, especially if it will help me be more competitive for PLU. The main reason I have stayed with my job is because being a hospital CNA is really attractive to me and I know it is difficult to get a hospital CNA job without previous experience, moving up within my hospital would be easier than applying somewhere new. However, at this point I'm just really ready to dive head on into patient care so maybe any CNA experience would be better than none!

Do you mind if I ask what type of experience you had?

Yes, I have taken the GRE! I took it over a year ago now and have been thinking about taking it again.

One of the information sessions I went to the speaker said that they don't like "repeats." Like repeated courses or repeated GRE scores. They like to see how well you do the first time. So, that has influenced me to not take it again, however my scores are not stellar. I definitely could have studied harder. I meet the minimum requirements to get into the school, but I am not competitive. I do have a great GPA and so far a perfect prerequisite GPA so I am hoping that those strengths could outweigh my average GRE.

Did you take the GRE several times?

Did you have strengths that made up for weaker areas? Or were you pretty solid across the board?

Thank you so much for your time and your detailed answers. It really means a lot to me!

Hmarie12 · May 3, 2014

That's great that you work at a hospital already! It is hard to get a CNA hospital job with no experience. Took me 8 months after getting licensed! I think volunteering helped. I volunteered in the ER for a year before I became a CNA in that same hospital. I took my CNA class 3 nights a week (6-10pm) for 5 weeks and the clinicals happened to fall over my spring break or I wouldn't have been able to do it either. I have now been a CNA for over a year. So...that's my experience :)

I would not take the GRE again. There is a new scoring system that is relatively new and I don't think anyone has figured out the standard/national averages yet. If you meet the minimum requirements for PLU you probably did better than you think. I thought I did HORRIBLE. I scored just a few points over their minimum requirement. But then I got an email from PLU telling me I did really well on my GRE! I was like...huh? Apparently the way it's scored now there is a huge difference in just a point or two. Like the difference between 150 and 153 is a big deal...apparently haha :) I would not take it again. You also said you have a great GPA. I think they look at applicants as a whole and not just one thing, like the GRE.

I think that is a great idea to get your A&P prof to write your recommendation! Would be funny if we were at the same info session haha.

Other strengths...hmm...I think I picked good people for my recommendations and I worked hard on my essay. Honestly, I think my CNA experience helped the most because it gave me something to write my essay about. I wrote about why I wanted to be a nurse and all, but I used examples from my experience working with patients at the hospital. I am assuming you are applying this coming November so that isn't a ton of time to get certified as a CNA and a job and a lot of experience. Maybe volunteer? I don't think they look at any one thing. And you do have a leg up being in the hospital already. If you found a program that works with your schedule though, you might as well go for it and get your license. Even working part time or on call at a nursing home (not a hard job to find from what I have heard!) would be better than no experience in direct patient care :)

And if you are set on the hospital...start talking to people now. You have a huge advantage being in a hospital already and you'd be amazed how much people like to help out. Talk to nurses, phlebotomists, find out who the managers are and let them know you are going to get your CNA license and are interested in working on their floor. I swear networking is always the best method because otherwise you are just another online application!

Hope this helps!

May25 · May 4, 2014

That's great that you work at a hospital already! It is hard to get a CNA hospital job with no experience. Took me 8 months after getting licensed! I think volunteering helped. I volunteered in the ER for a year before I became a CNA in that same hospital. I took my CNA class 3 nights a week (6-10pm) for 5 weeks and the clinicals happened to fall over my spring break or I wouldn't have been able to do it either. I have now been a CNA for over a year. So...that's my experience :)
I would not take the GRE again. There is a new scoring system that is relatively new and I don't think anyone has figured out the standard/national averages yet. If you meet the minimum requirements for PLU you probably did better than you think. I thought I did HORRIBLE. I scored just a few points over their minimum requirement. But then I got an email from PLU telling me I did really well on my GRE! I was like...huh? Apparently the way it's scored now there is a huge difference in just a point or two. Like the difference between 150 and 153 is a big deal...apparently haha :) I would not take it again. You also said you have a great GPA. I think they look at applicants as a whole and not just one thing, like the GRE.
I think that is a great idea to get your A&P prof to write your recommendation! Would be funny if we were at the same info session haha.
Other strengths...hmm...I think I picked good people for my recommendations and I worked hard on my essay. Honestly, I think my CNA experience helped the most because it gave me something to write my essay about. I wrote about why I wanted to be a nurse and all, but I used examples from my experience working with patients at the hospital. I am assuming you are applying this coming November so that isn't a ton of time to get certified as a CNA and a job and a lot of experience. Maybe volunteer? I don't think they look at any one thing. And you do have a leg up being in the hospital already. If you found a program that works with your schedule though, you might as well go for it and get your license. Even working part time or on call at a nursing home (not a hard job to find from what I have heard!) would be better than no experience in direct patient care :)
And if you are set on the hospital...start talking to people now. You have a huge advantage being in a hospital already and you'd be amazed how much people like to help out. Talk to nurses, phlebotomists, find out who the managers are and let them know you are going to get your CNA license and are interested in working on their floor. I swear networking is always the best method because otherwise you are just another online application!
Hope this helps!

WOW learning that about the GRE is probably the best thing I've heard so far!

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to all my questions!

I feel like I had a lot of things clarified that I was worrying about.

I'm sure I'll contact you again as the application due date nears :)

Hmarie12 · May 7, 2014

No problem! Happy to help :)

cirelle255 · May 8, 2014

Hello! I am a current ELM student and just wanted to let you know there are a couple people in our cohort, including myself, that didn't have any CNA experience before starting the program. I think CNA experience is great to have but don't think you aren't competitive without it! Also in regards to the GRE, I just met the minimum requirements and got in! If you meet these requirements I wouldn't bother taking the exam again unless you feel that if would really enhance your application. I personally think that PLU really looks at your essay and wants to know why you want to be a nurse. If you have good grades, a great essay, and good letters of recommendation you will be a competitive candidate! Experience working and volunteering in healthcare settings are great also but not necessary to get in. :)

May25 · May 9, 2014

Hello! I am a current ELM student and just wanted to let you know there are a couple people in our cohort, including myself, that didn't have any CNA experience before starting the program. I think CNA experience is great to have but don't think you aren't competitive without it! Also in regards to the GRE, I just met the minimum requirements and got in! If you meet these requirements I wouldn't bother taking the exam again unless you feel that if would really enhance your application. I personally think that PLU really looks at your essay and wants to know why you want to be a nurse. If you have good grades, a great essay, and good letters of recommendation you will be a competitive candidate! Experience working and volunteering in healthcare settings are great also but not necessary to get in. :)

Thank you for this information! Definitely makes me feel a little bit better about my circumstances :)

How are you liking the program? Any details?! I don't have any real questions right now, but I would love to hear about your experience thus far!

duhfeenuh · Sep 23, 2014

Hello all! Thank you current PLU ELMSN students for taking the time to chat with nervous applicants like me!

I was reading the FAQ for applying to the program and the statement "Keep in mind that the MSN is not a terminal degree" made me nervous. I understand that people have been talking about this move towards nurse practitioners needed PhDs to practice but I thought this wasn't in effect yet and until then we didn't need to worry. Thoughts?

ZrowGz · Oct 15, 2014

Hello! I just joined this forum recently, but I am also applying for the PLU ELMSN program!

I'm also a bit nervous about the GRE requirements. I am taking the test at the end of October. I took a practice test and received scores that wouldn't disqualify me :) I hope that in the following weeks I can boost my writing score a little bit at least.

How is the first year of the program? I assume it is as intense as any accelerated program, yes? Goodness, I hope I get a chance to experience it!