PLU ELMSN 2017

curiousrei, MSN, RN · Feb 7, 2017

Hey everyone!

I'm currently in the ELMSN program at PLU and I wanted to help answer any questions you might have about the program! I remember having tons of questions about the program and it was helpful to have someone able to answer them. Feel free to comment here or send me a message :)

seattle3573 · Feb 10, 2017

Thank you so much for coming on here! How do you like the program so far?

Hey everyone!
I'm currently in the ELMSN program at PLU and I wanted to help answer any questions you might have about the program! I remember having tons of questions about the program and it was helpful to have someone able to answer them. Feel free to comment here or send me a message :)

curiousrei, MSN, RN · Feb 13, 2017

There's been a lot of changes for this year, so we seem to be the transitional group where the professors/administrators are testing out new professors, new clinical sites and new teaching styles. Because of that, I feel like our cohort's experience isn't representative of normal ELMSN cohorts at PLU.

Overall, I like how the program is fast-paced. You start at as a sophomore-level nursing student in the summer (but classes are only with your cohort), then you join the junior-level BSN nursing students for fall term, and then you'll join the senior-level BSN nursing students for spring term. It's like you're going through 2.5-3 years of nursing school in a year. I didn't like the classes with the BSNs as much because there was a lot of busy work (it's like repeating undergrad), but it was also nice to get to know other nursing students. You share clinicals & labs with them too, so you get to know the BSNs pretty well.

seattle3573 · Feb 18, 2017

That is great to hear! Are you planning to the DNP right after or work? Where do you like and most students live?

curiousrei, MSN, RN · Feb 19, 2017

I think a lot of people in my cohort originally wanted to pursue the DNP after getting the MSN, but I think now only a few of us are thinking of going for the DNP right after. This program's expensive (~70k+) and you really don't have much time to work in the first year. I heard previous cohorts say the same thing. Generally by the end of the program, you're burnt out, in a lot of debt, and ready to work.

I'm one of the people considering the DNP right after, but I feel too inexperienced to be sure at this point. There seems to be a good knowledge+confidence difference between the traditional track BSNs vs the ELMSN group. The BSNs are more confident with their nursing knowledge and skills than our cohort feels. I'm sure it'll even out eventually once we start working though.

I grew up near Parkland, so I just moved back with parents to save on housing costs. I know a couple people are doing the same, but most people live a good distance away. I think about a quarter of our cohort live in Olympia, while the rest of our cohort either lives in the Tacoma area or up north near Renton/Seattle/Redmond.

kateenschnarf · Feb 23, 2017

Just had my interview for the Advanced Generalist track today! The interviewer said I should hear back in 3-4 weeks. Good luck everyone!

Kocono · Feb 23, 2017

I keep checking back here to see if anyones heard anything yet. I was completely okay with how long the wait was to hear anything right up until this week. :laugh: I keep checking my email inbox for some indication of how the process is moving along.

Lnelson16 · Feb 23, 2017

I am so excited to be posting this, I received an invitation for interview! For anyone who interviewed, was it in person of over the phone? :)

Kocono · Feb 23, 2017

I am so excited to be posting this, I received an invitation for interview! For anyone who interviewed, was it in person of over the phone? :)

Yah, congratulations. My interview was over the phone, I believe several other people have said their interview was over the phone as well.

seattle3573 · Feb 24, 2017

Congrats! Mine was on the phone. I have not heard anything and they told me I would hear the last week of this month....

communityhealthfan · Feb 24, 2017

Congrats! Mine was on the phone. I have not heard anything and they told me I would hear the last week of this month....

Same! Good luck!

SB2SEA · Feb 24, 2017

Oh man, the waiting is killing me!

curiousrei, thank you so much for answering questions! I was wondering if PLU helps you find placements for your clinicals, or do you have to organize that yourself?

Lnelson16, mine was over the phone as well, :) good luck!