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!
All I've heard is that they've increased available spots from 20 to 24. I don't think there is a way to find out waitlist position unless you emailed them directly. Even then they may or may not give out that information. That would be really nice if they did though!
Congrats on getting into the program! I am currently in the ELMSN program at PLU and I remember when I applied how helpful these forums were! I wanted to help answer any questions that you may have. I remember how I had tons of questions at the point after I found out I got into the program and wished I could have asked someone!
@Nursing16lr, thank you so much for dropping in here. Any information you could share would be much appreciated!
I did get wait listed and I'm wondering if you or anyone you know might have advice on that. I'm not sure if there is something I can do to help strengthen my chances of coming off the wait-list and getting accepted. I'm finishing out my final pre-requisite...does that have anything to do with my wait-listed status?
You didn't indicate which year you're in currently, but as far as your class schedule, what was your first year like? Did you or do you plan to work part time in your second year? If not, your third?
I'm curious also if you knew what you wanted to specialize in when you applied and if your plan changed?
I don't think there is much you can do to help your chances on the waitlist other than just waiting. I know a handful of my classmates were on the waitlist and ended up getting in, even up to two weeks before classes started. So don't lose hope! Also I have heard from nursing facility that they are expanding the cohort this year to 24 students! I know that some students who did not get in called the School of Nursing and asked what they could do for the following year to improve their application and the School of Nursing was very willing to give them advice.
I am in the 2014 cohort and will be graduating this year in August. As far as class schedule the hardest semester, schedule wise, is the first summer. You have 5 days of classes, 8 hours a day. It is pretty much impossible to work during this time or really do anything other than concentrate on school. Depending on how much healthcare experience you have going into the program, will determine how difficult that first summer is. The first classes are the introductory nursing classes and pathophysiology and if you have any prior healthcare experience it will be much easier for you.
After that first summer you still have classes 5 days a week but not all day. A few classmates, including myself, had part time jobs after that first summer. I thought it was doable if you are good at staying on top of studying and are good at time management. Some of my classmates thought it would be very difficult to work while also going to school or others had children so they decided to wait to get a job.
The second summer you have 2 classes which include your capstone project and preceptorship. During your preceptorship you complete a little over 300 hours in about 10 weeks on a nursing unit to become eligible for the NCLEX. After the second summer you can take the NCLEX - many of us took it in September and we all had an easy time passing it on the first try. The second year you only have classes on Thursday evenings, all day Fridays and clinical hours.
After passing the NCLEX the school of nursing recommends you wait for a RN residency program until after you graduate. That being said 3/4ths of my cohort took RN residency positions, including myself. It completely depends on the residency program but many of them are 32-40 hours a week and have mandatory classes that you must attend and sometimes your school schedule and work schedule overlap which makes it a little difficult. You really just have to decide how busy you want to be.
My original thought when entering the program was continuing on to the DNP. At this point I have decided not to continue on to the DNP and just complete my CNL. I decided not to because of the additional time commitment, the additional cost of the DNP, and because I found that my passion was bedside nursing. In the 20 students in my cohort about half of my classmate's original plan when beginning the ELM program was to continue on to the DNP program - currently only 2 have decided to continue on right away.
Thanks so much @ Nursing16lr. All your information was so helpful. Do any students work part time the 2nd year? Or is the 32-40 hours more common?
Congrats to everyone who has been accepted! Would any of you want to start a Facebook group or anything? Is that allowed? It would be nice to somewhat get to know people before school starts! Very excited to start down this new adventure!
I was able to get your message. Thank you for the insight.
I was a bit worried about clinicals because I won't have a car at least for the first year (parents will be driving me around), but sounds like it'll all be local enough that it shouldn't be an issue. PLU's only 5 minutes away from my house, so I'm really happy that not having a car's not gonna be too big of an issue yet.
Nursing16lr, can you tell us what the schedule is like in that first quarter? I'm trying to figure out logistically if it would be better to move to Puyallup or Tacoma. I have an older pet that needs care in the middle of the day and I've been fortunate enough to live close to my work up until this point :)
I actually found the schedule for this summer semester on PLU's banner. It looks pretty brutal. We're supposed to take 4 classes (according to the sample curriculum online) that include NURS 220 Nursing Competencies I, NURS 270 Health Assessment and Promotion, NURS 320 Nursing Competencies II, NURS 580 Advanced Pathophysiology. I found all the class times except for Nursing Competencies II.
Nursing Competencies I is from 8am-11:59am on T/W with a lab on T/W from 12:00-5pm plus clinic (assuming clinicals once they're assigned) from 6am-2pm on T/W.
Health Assessment and Promotion is on Thur from 8am-5pm and Fridays from 1-4pm. The lab for this class is also on Fridays from 1-4pm (wondering if the class time above is meant for lab).
Advanced Pathophysiology is from 5:30-8pm on Mondays and 9am-12pm on Fridays.
I'm assuming the Nursing Competencies II will be anywhere where there's a gap in the schedule (probably Monday).
Curiousrei, thank you for looking that up! I've been unable to log in so far.
We are going to eat, sleep, and breath school this summer! I'm really excited for clinicals! I'm actually a little surprised that we'll start that in our first quarter.
MSNhopeful
33 Posts
All I've heard is that they've increased available spots from 20 to 24. I don't think there is a way to find out waitlist position unless you emailed them directly. Even then they may or may not give out that information. That would be really nice if they did though!