I recently came across a very helpful thread on allnurses regarding last year's applications to the ELMSN program and thought I would try to get some dialogue going for those applying for the program starting in June 2016.
I took the GRE earlier this week and am wrapping up my applications (PLU, Seattle U, etc) now. I would be happy to answer any questions about my experiences throughout the application process, but mostly I thought this would be a great space to encourage and motivate one another!
I'm a non-traditional student and former finance professional making one of the most exciting transitions into healthcare. I'm also a current PLU student so I'm familiar with the campus, which is beautiful by the way (if some of you aren't and were curious).
If you have questions, ask away. If you have answers, we'd love to hear them. Or, if you just want to pop in and introduce yourself, we'd love that too!
Hi everyone. I've been a lurker for some time, but thought I'd pop in and finally say hi :)
I also got a call from the admissions saying I got in (yay!!!) Of course, as a current Seattle resident, I am concerned about how I'm going to commute back and forth
And question for you all: are any of you waiting for any BSN programs? I've applied to both SU and SPU BSN programs and obviously won't hear back from them until March/April. I've been reading all this information about MSN vs BSN and still can't seem to decide what is better! Are you any of you guys dealing with this as well?
The commute down south to Tacoma can be pretty bad in the evening, but I've found that it's not as bad in the morning. The rent tends to be cheaper here though, so that may be an option. I've heard some people utilizing the bus system when going to Tacoma or Seattle, so that may work too.
One of the reasons why PLU was my top choice was because it's less than 10 minutes from my home, so hopefully one of your Seattle schools work out too.
I didn't apply to any BSN programs because it seemed too expensive to go back for my second bachelor's. I graduated from SPU last June and I thought about applying to their nursing program until I realized it's way too expensive with little financial aid.
Did you try applying to UW's Accelerated BSN program? I was considering that one, but I didn't have enough hours within their time limit to apply. Did you apply to SU's MSN program too?
Also, I don't think there's a difference on whether an MSN or a BSN is better. Also, regardless of having an MSN or a BSN, they're both RN's and they'll be preferred over an ADN because they're more educated about patient care, etc.
SPU's BSN program is only 2 years (no summers). PLU's MSN program is 27 months long (including summers), so it looks like the schooling time is roughly the same (a bit more for the MSN program). Job-wise, I think they'll both be good.
According to a survey by the AACN, "AACN also collected data on entry-level master's degree programs (MSNs), which remain a popular pathway into nursing for those transitioning into nursing with degrees in other fields. Graduates from these programs were most likely to have secured jobs at graduation (73% for MSNs vs. 57% for BSNs) and at 4-6 months post-graduation (92% for MSNs vs. 88% for BSNs). These data further illustrate a renewed employer preference for hiring the best educated entry-level nurse possible."
It's nice to hear other people's perspectives about MSN vs BSN! Thanks for the information. I've read from countless threads that some people look down upon EL MSN programs because they feel some people are "entitled" or shouldn't choose a specialty if they don't have basic nursing experience (which is why I opted not to apply for SU MSN - not sure if I actually want to specialize; I just want to work as a RN truly). I've also read that some recruiters don't think MSN grads are truly prepared and look down upon them.
It's all such a confusing mess for sure! I'm just scared of committing to a MSM program if recruiters and employers don't value the degree. I wish we can talk to some PLU grads or students!!
@curiousrei have you only applied to PLU? Are you from Tacoma? Are you thinking about specializing?
I applied to Seattle U's APNI program and PLU's ELMSN program. My husband is currently attending grad school in Tacoma and we live less than 10 minutes away from PLU, so it was definitely the ideal school for us. I want to eventually pursue the DNP program because I fit a leadership role better. I'm interested in becoming a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) or a Nurse Administrator too, so I like how PLU gives you more options rather than locking you into a specialized track.
I was an applicant as well for 2016. I was out of the country in vacation and returned just recently. I got a missed call from graduate admissions saying "I have good news" and to call back. I tried calling back but was sent to voicemail. Apparently she is out of the office until this Wednesday. But I'm assuming I got in? It was Thursday, February 4th at 4:06PM that I got the ambiguous "good news" call. Does that call sound like around the time any of you got your calls for acceptance?
Thanks curiousrei! Also congrats to everyone that got in. I was actually a bit surprised there are no interviews conducted. How do they go about accepting people then I wonder. It must make it difficult to accept people who you've never met if everything is all on paper. But then again, I suppose that is where the personal essay comes in handy.
What are everyone's background in? Like education and work history? Also, what elements of your application did you think made a meaningful impact in whether or not you got in?
I have a BS in Psychology and Japanese and minor in Women and Gender Studies. I graduated with 4.0 GPA and got like 3.9 or 4.0 on prerequisites, and my GRE was like 148? in math and like 172? in verbal. I got a letter of recommendation from a university professor back in 4-year, and a Nursing recommendation from my CNA instructor who is an RN. My personal essay I just basically poured out my soul and told them reasons why I would be a successful student in the program, and what I want to accomplish in the future with my nursing degree.
I have a BS in Applied Human Biology and a minor in Psychology. I graduated with a 3.62 and my prereqs were definitely the weakest part of my application at 3.24 (3 B's and 2 A-'s). My GRE was 158 Verbal and 156 Quantitative with a 4.0 in the Analytical Writing portion (MSNhopeful, the max per section on the GRE is 170, so I'm guessing your score was either 152 or 162?).
My letters of recommendation were from my Physical Therapy mentor/volunteer advisor and my Animal Physiology professor from my university.
My Statement of Goals essay basically talked about why I made the switch from physical therapy to nursing and the kind of health care practitioner I want to be. (Used up nearly all 4 pages they allowed us!) I actually got accepted to physical therapy school last year, but I decided not to go because I realized that nursing was a better fit for me, and instead I took a gap year after graduating college and applied for a couple nursing schools.
I was a bit concerned about my prereq GPA because at my 4-year university, going by their required prereqs, I would've had a much higher GPA (by including classes such as chemistry and nutrition), but I guess the other parts of my application helped.
I think the essay really helped me since they don't do interviews. It really showed that though I was a successful applicant at another program, my interests and skills better fit nursing.
Do you know what the average age in the cohort usually is?
I'm in my early twenties, but my husband's (also early twenties) in graduate school now and he's definitely on the younger side.
Also, did you apply to any other schools? I applied to SU, but I haven't received any news from them yet. Either way, PLU was my top choice so it doesn't really matter. What's your top choice?
Also, I called the nursing school at PLU today and though the website states that we start in mid-June, we actually start on June 6 this year. I just needed to know the start date for sure because I'm trying to go on an international trip to visit a sick relative.
watermelly
21 Posts
Hi everyone. I've been a lurker for some time, but thought I'd pop in and finally say hi :)
I also got a call from the admissions saying I got in (yay!!!) Of course, as a current Seattle resident, I am concerned about how I'm going to commute back and forth
And question for you all: are any of you waiting for any BSN programs? I've applied to both SU and SPU BSN programs and obviously won't hear back from them until March/April. I've been reading all this information about MSN vs BSN and still can't seem to decide what is better! Are you any of you guys dealing with this as well?