Accepted Columbia ETP applicants (and current students: some advice). get-together?

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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:welcome: Hi everyone! I thought it might be a good idea to get our own separate thread for those accepted to Columbia ETP! Sure we have a lot to discuss!

I would also like to invite current students to this topic to share your experiences and answer some questions.:idea:

Here is one question that is really bothering me.

I have been working and studying simultaneously for the past 4 years, and to tell the truth I am really tired. Will financial help from Columbia (both scholarship and loans) allow me to only study? In particular, how much money do they give every month for living expenses? If you feel uncomfortable writing about it in public, personal messages are welcome too

Aside from this, - congrats to all those accepted and really looking forward to meeting you! :balloons:

Oh, by the way, I am Women's Health! What about you?;)

Specializes in Diabetes, Primary care.

How many scrub sets should we buy? I mean in terms of reasonable; do we have to wear them every day, or only to the clinicals? Please don't tell me that it is SO INTENSE that you don't even have time to do your laundry and you need to buy 10 sets.... :D

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Specializes in Diabetes, Primary care.
Hello everyone,

Forgive me for airing my anxieties about financial matters here on this thread. And forgive me for not investigating this thoroughly with the CUSN financial aid officer.

I am a 41 year-old male with an MPH and 36k in grad school loans (~50k with interest factored in) who has been accepted to Columbia (and only CUSN). While I haven't gathered nearly enough information regarding tuition and expenses for the program, I have a rough estimate of approximately 104k for tuition and clinical fees combined for the 3-year program. Does this jibe with others' calculations? And how much do you all estimate all costs, including living expenses will run? What to think of 150-180k (CU + grad loans combined) in loans? I am so troubled by this that I am giving serious consideration to looking for other, less expensive avenues to the MSN.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Thank you and congratulations to all of you who will be attending the program.

Dear Mazzini148,

Welcome to the thread. You know, I am in somewhat similar situation. I have loans from undergraduate school (not that much though, but still - loans). You know, if I were in your place, I would consult a financial advisor before accepting.

One more thought - may be you could get an accelerated BSN first and go work for a few years as an RN, in order to pay back some loans, and then pursue the MSN part-time, with the help of your employer hospital?

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Specializes in Emergency.

Here's another question for current ETPers... i looked at the SON academic calendar and it looks like Aug 3 - Labor day are off from school... is this true? Did you guys get a month off last summer too? is that too good to be true?

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Specializes in Diabetes, Primary care.

Did this bother you too? Last year it was true. IMHO, it is dumb. Why, why on earth, if this is SUCH AN INTENSE program, put a month off right in the middle, instead of giving people a decent new year break (look it up, this one is only about a week).:nono: Also, I noticed that on many semi-holidays (election day, president's day, etc) everyone is off except for ETP students. This scheduling looks somewhat stupid to me. May be I'm wrong. :madface:

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Specializes in Emergency.

I actually don't mind if we do have a month off in August, altho it does seem counter-intuitive.. I have a vacation planned and actually bought plane tickets already, so it is perfect.. and better be true! :)

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i agree...i welcome the one month break in august! i'll actually be getting married during that break, so it'd better be true :).

one student i contacted did tell me that the break is a much-needed break after the first intense "boot-camp" summer semester. it does suck that our other breaks are so short, though...

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Current ETP'er here...

Yes, we did have the month of August off and I thought it was great! Granted the other breaks are short, but the summer was the most intense and the break was definitely appreciated. From what I've heard, it was also perfect timing for all of the westcoasters to go home for an extended visit.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Anniepants, congrats on the upcoming wedding! :balloons:

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Another :twocents: on buying supplies. I spoke to a number of med school friends who all urged me to get the best stethoscope I could. They said the cheaper models are fine for basics, but that heart sounds are hard enough even with good equipment.

I noticed that some items are cheaper on the Steeles website than through the Columbia kits (for example 5 1/2" bandage scissors are $1 with stethoscope purchase). They have a really great price for the Cardio III. It's worth looking into, especially if you aren't buying the whole kit.

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chat with columbia right now! ask all your questions! click on the link on the left-hand menu at this website: http://www.chatuniversity.com/openhouse/Default.asp?SchoolId=1001036245

2-4p eastern time

there's another general chat session on march 5, 07 @ 12-2p eastern time. mark ur calendars!

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Hello! This is my first time on this thread. I wish that I had found it before!! Anyways, I got accepted to the FNP track and I am also scared to death about moving to NYC. I have been living in Chiapas, Mexico for the last two years and just came back to Berkeley, CA (where I went to undergrad and have lived for several years). I just don't know how long it will take for me to adjust to the fast-paced life and harsh weather AND the high standard of living! Of course I know that there are several perks to NYC and everyone needs to experience it at some point in their life, but I just don't know how long I can commit for. I am currently waiting to hear from UCSF (only one more week) which is my first choice...but if I don't get in, I will be considering Columbia. Unfortunately I cannot make it to the info session. Could you all please tell me the gist of it afterwards? THANKS!!!

Also, I didn't realize that the program only lasts 2.5 years! Is that really true? Congrats to all of you for getting accepted! Yeah!

~diddle

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Specializes in L&D.

Hi Diddle,

I'm going on Friday & I'll post any info that I receive. Anyone else attending?

dg

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