Direct entry and graduate entry programs II

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Hello all,

Its been mentioned before about ending our thread and starting a new one. Think it was tried a few months ago.

Maybe it is time now, seeing as the thread is 72 pages long. That is sort of hard for a new reader to sift through to see where we are now, don't you agree?

Gen

p.s. still waiting for my interview information! agh

Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.

Hiya,

While wanting to spare another applicaiton Fee for a possible RN program, ($40 for RUSH's accelerated BSN that starts in January) I made the call and then sent an email to the director of admissions at DePaul.

Unofficially they say I should have no problem at all with being accepted for the January/Winter start of the program!

The deadline for Rush's application is July 1. The only thing left for that was to put it in the mail with the total transcripts I have.

Argh, I really, really like the MSN and that they say that it looks basically like I am a shoe in, (their acceptance letters for the winter go out in September sometime.)

Okay, okay, if I get in then I will defer the MSW until after completing the MSN.

I figure that even if the scholarship is still there, I would like to be working as a nurse already! (while completing the MSW, yes, for me they are compatable degrees.)

Thanks for listening.

Gen

p.s. another DePaul applicant may make her way to this forum soon, I hope so!

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Specializes in Postpartum.
Hiya,

While wanting to spare another applicaiton Fee for a possible RN program, ($40 for RUSH's accelerated BSN that starts in January) I made the call and then sent an email to the director of admissions at DePaul.

Unofficially they say I should have no problem at all with being accepted for the January/Winter start of the program!

The deadline for Rush's application is July 1. The only thing left for that was to put it in the mail with the total transcripts I have.

Argh, I really, really like the MSN and that they say that it looks basically like I am a shoe in, (their acceptance letters for the winter go out in September sometime.)

Okay, okay, if I get in then I will defer the MSW until after completing the MSN.

I figure that even if the scholarship is still there, I would like to be working as a nurse already! (while completing the MSW, yes, for me they are compatable degrees.)

Thanks for listening.

Gen

p.s. another DePaul applicant may make her way to this forum soon, I hope so!

Gen that's great news!!! I'm glad DePaul was able to give you some info in advance of the official decision.

-Jess

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Gen that's great news!!! I'm glad DePaul was able to give you some info in advance of the official decision.

-Jess

Jess,

Thank you!! I am happy too! Even though its unofficial and all I emialed that I would indeed accept an acceptance to attend and would register for the winter.

She replied to my email that...she would see me in the winter then! :p

Yes, it sounds good to me too!

There is another poster in the Illinois thread who had a transcripts glitch, (went to the wrong department or division and did not get considered as early applicant). This poster should have been accepted for the Fall! I suggested she call the admissions director to ask to be reconsidered as early for the winter, minus another application fee, since DePaul made the glitch.

I hope the other poster does this. Meanwhile, its yippie yi yo kiyay!

Unofficially, of course. :)

Gen :chuckle

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Specializes in NICU.

Go girl! I'm not religious as such, but I do believe that things happen/work for a reason.

Sorry if this is a little rambling. I have to confess that two screwdrivers may be influencing my coherence tonight.

We had our first clinicals today. I don't know if any of you have been reading the thread in the General thread about nurses "in it for the money" but I have to confess, I was one of those, to a CERTAIN EXTENT. I'm actually not that good with people, to the point that I was worried about being able to empathize with pts. Part of the reason I'm going into the NICU - the science of it was what interested me. But today, our patient in clinicals didn't really need any physical help - she was waiting to go to surgery for her liver so she'd survive while she was waiting for her transplant. My partner and I decided screw taking her vitals over and over to practice, what this woman needed was for us to sit with her and keep her mind off her fear. She was in tears within five minutes of our arrival. So we told our clinical instructor that we could practice vitals on each other - we were just going to sit with her. To my utter shock, I didn't take lunch until late because transport hadn't come for her yet and I just couldn't bear to leave her. I guess it was an epiphany of sorts. I know this doesn't make that much sense, I just wanted to share. Four hours with this woman and I was trying to look up support groups for her really rare condition. Wow. It was incredible. I learned something new about myself today.

Plus then I emptied a foley and assisted with a bedbath on an incontinent, trached and vented patient, which was also awesome. I'm so happy.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Go girl! I'm not religious as such, but I do believe that things happen/work for a reason.

So we told our clinical instructor that we could practice vitals on each other - we were just going to sit with her. To my utter shock, I didn't take lunch until late because transport hadn't come for her yet and I just couldn't bear to leave her. I guess it was an epiphany of sorts. I know this doesn't make that much sense, I just wanted to share. Four hours with this woman and I was trying to look up support groups for her really rare condition. Wow. It was incredible. I learned something new about myself today.

.

Elizabells,

This is so cool. I am glad that you and your partner made such a choice!

I have finally come around to understanding that what I am also fascinated by with regards to health and social work/psychology is called Psycho-neuro-Immunology, (the study of behavior and beliefs on health).

Also, one of my projects continued from my senior thesis class is in creating a Social Service Directory of Social Services and agency database computer program.

I have two programmers helping me. This will hopefully make it easier for someone to easily find the agency to provide a needed social service!

Cool!

Gen

0 Votes
Specializes in Postpartum.
Go girl! I'm not religious as such, but I do believe that things happen/work for a reason.

Sorry if this is a little rambling. I have to confess that two screwdrivers may be influencing my coherence tonight.

We had our first clinicals today. I don't know if any of you have been reading the thread in the General thread about nurses "in it for the money" but I have to confess, I was one of those, to a CERTAIN EXTENT. I'm actually not that good with people, to the point that I was worried about being able to empathize with pts. Part of the reason I'm going into the NICU - the science of it was what interested me. But today, our patient in clinicals didn't really need any physical help - she was waiting to go to surgery for her liver so she'd survive while she was waiting for her transplant. My partner and I decided screw taking her vitals over and over to practice, what this woman needed was for us to sit with her and keep her mind off her fear. She was in tears within five minutes of our arrival. So we told our clinical instructor that we could practice vitals on each other - we were just going to sit with her. To my utter shock, I didn't take lunch until late because transport hadn't come for her yet and I just couldn't bear to leave her. I guess it was an epiphany of sorts. I know this doesn't make that much sense, I just wanted to share. Four hours with this woman and I was trying to look up support groups for her really rare condition. Wow. It was incredible. I learned something new about myself today.

Plus then I emptied a foley and assisted with a bedbath on an incontinent, trached and vented patient, which was also awesome. I'm so happy.

Oh my gosh elizabells- that is the coolest thing I've heard in a while!! Thanks so much for sharing- because this puts back into perspective why I'm going into nursing in the first place. Sure our programs are intense and we will have to sit through lots of lectures and jump through all the academic hoops the faculty set up for us- but it all comes down to helping people when they are most vulnerable through both the application nursing skills we have learned plus the compassion and desire to comfort that can be just as if not more important to our patients.

Way cool.

-Jess

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Specializes in Postpartum.

Hey current nursing students at Columbia and Johns Hopkins- what kind of shoes did you get and do you like them? I think this was covered a while back- but I couldn't find the page. have to buy shoes and all they have to be is white and I was wondering which way to go- clogs or lace up sneakers.

Thanks,

Jess

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Specializes in NICU.
Hey current nursing students at Columbia and Johns Hopkins- what kind of shoes did you get and do you like them? I think this was covered a while back- but I couldn't find the page. have to buy shoes and all they have to be is white and I was wondering which way to go- clogs or lace up sneakers.

Thanks,

Jess

mmmm, my danskos are so gooood. I have a lot of foot problems because I used to dance (ballet), and this is the first time I've been on my feet for 8+ hours and didn't want to die. They're about $110, so not cheap, but they're comfy, and people who have them have told me they last forever. You really do need to TRY shoes ON though. I know people who have worn Danskos and hate them passionately, and I'm in the pro-camp, which is just as large. It just depends on your feet. You can get clogs or closed-back, they're exactly the same except for the back. The thing is, the back part isn't supposed to "fit" as such. So the shoe still comes up and down in the back like a clog, it's just a dress code thing. I chose the clogs because the back drove me crazy in the store.

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Hey current nursing students at Columbia and Johns Hopkins- what kind of shoes did you get and do you like them? I think this was covered a while back- but I couldn't find the page. have to buy shoes and all they have to be is white and I was wondering which way to go- clogs or lace up sneakers.

Thanks,

Jess

Dansko's are my choice! I have the Dansko professional oiled clog in Blueberry (navy blue) with the covered heel; it is supposed to ride up on the back of the clog. They are very comfortable to wear around for clinicals. The school had another shoe as well at accepted student's day, but it was plastic and didn't breathe. Dansko's are worn by a lot of RN's and MDs, so I figure they must know what they are doing!

You spend a lot of your day standing, so it's worth the investment for your feet! I bought mine for $100, but you can get them off Ebay for $65 to $75 brand new. I would suggest that you try on the exact size and model of the shoe you want and then order online. The styles fit differently sometimes. Since they are custom made, even the same size and style can fit just a little bit differently. So I would encourage you to buy from a vendor who has an easy return/exchange policy. Wear them indoors on carpet for a few hours and see if they are right for you.

One concern: I'm not sure what sort of marks you would get on a white clog. I got the dark ones (we had a choice of white or blue) because I didn't want to show the dirt marks. But if you spray Scotchguard on them, they should be water resistant and do well.

However, if you feel more comfortable and are price sensitive, then go for the tennis shoes. I rationalized the $100 price tag like this: I felt I would be using these Dansko's for years (they just don't wear out and have a great foundation platform!) vs. tennis shoes that I would need to change out after 9 months or so. Hope that helps!

Smile123

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Specializes in Postpartum.

Great! Thanks guys, I'll start with Danskos and go from there. The plastic/rubber type clogs actually appealed to me because I figured they would be really easy to clean. But I'd not thought about the lack of ventilation. Hmmm. I think the idea of soft fabric type lace ups really gross me out- because of the difficulty in cleaning. I want shoes that can at least be wiped clean and polished, you know? Sneakers get grimy so soon after you start wearing them. I also have really flat feet though, so sometimes it's hard for me to find shoes that are comfy. I'll definitely shop around and try on rather than buy online like I was thinking of doing- that makes a lot of sense.

Thanks again!

-Jess

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Great! Thanks guys, I'll start with Danskos and go from there. The plastic/rubber type clogs actually appealed to me because I figured they would be really easy to clean. But I'd not thought about the lack of ventilation. Hmmm. I think the idea of soft fabric type lace ups really gross me out- because of the difficulty in cleaning. I want shoes that can at least be wiped clean and polished, you know? Sneakers get grimy so soon after you start wearing them. I also have really flat feet though, so sometimes it's hard for me to find shoes that are comfy. I'll definitely shop around and try on rather than buy online like I was thinking of doing- that makes a lot of sense.

Thanks again!

-Jess

Hi Jess,

Yeah, ventilation is a key issue. You want to be able to get rid of the odors and not feel sweaty in your shoes.

You can order online IF the vendor has a good exchange/return policy. I would just go to a Dansko place, try it on and then order online. Of course, you need to keep the shipping charges in mind... Dansko are definitely good for wiping away stains (just imagine what we have to walk through on hospital floors (poop, vomit, blood, and other unknowns!). I would keep your clinical shoes separate from your house shoes, just so you don't introduce new bacteria into your nice home!

Back to studying,

Cheers!

Smile123

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Hi all. This is my first post here. I am getting ready to do applications for Summer 2006. I work full time and am taking the prerequisites at night. I am starting to study for the GRE now whenever I have time. I am trying to narrow down where I apply-- it sounds like many of you are from the East Coast. I live in Seattle and my first choice is Seattle University (so much easier not having to uproot my husband from his job and our families are here!) the problem is it is a tiny program-- they only admit 15-20 people a year! And there is a lot of competition. I'm also applying to Pacific Lutheran University (South of Seattle)-- but same problem-- tiny! I'm thinking of applying to the following schools:

UCSF (not that anyone seems to get in there!)

Boston College

Virginia Commonwealth University

Yale

Vanderbilt

Western University of Health Sciences (Pomona, CA)

because their programs are bigger.

Can you guys give me an idea of the competitiveness of any of these? I would apply to Columbia too but I'm taking my prerequisites on a quarter system and Spring quarter next year goes until June, but Columbia starts in May! oops. The main reason I'm applying to the above schools is I will have completed all the prerequisites in time to apply for next year-- many schools require a lot of chemistry which I don't have time to take.

Can those of you who have gotten into schools (any schools, not just these) tell me a little about your GPA, GRE scores and volunteer experience?

Between working and taking prerequisites and my 2 hour+ per day commute I don't have much time for volunteering. I've job shadowed at a clinic with an NP a few times, but that's about it. My undergrad GPA was only a 3.2, but that's because I majored in Philosophy which is not easy!! Any thoughts or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Bree

Hi Bree,

Sorry for the delay! These accelerated classes at Hopkins have us going to class from 7:30 am or 8am to 5:30pm at night M - Th. Then we have to studying and do homework for the next day. On Fridays we have clinical and visit our patient (we are assigned to one to work with for the next 6 weeks). It's definitely accelerated! But I like it, :p

UCSF is the most competitive in my opinion. I have known 2 people that have gotten in (both of them applied a 2nd time to get in) and one person who got in after being on the waitlist for her specific focus area in the MEPN program.

I don't know about the others you listed.

I applied to UCSF(MEPN), U of Washington (MEPN) , U of San Diego (MEPN), Seattle U (MEPN), and Hopkins (MEPN). I also applied to San Franicsco State U (accelerated 2 year BSN), DeAnza (CC for 2 yr ADN), as backup plans. (I didin't want to wait a year and not be in a nursing school!). I would encourage you to apply for BSN and ADN programs too! You just want to get that RN degree. You can always go back to school and work fulltime; some hospitals will pay for part or all of your tuition for further education once you have your RN.

I applied to Hopkins as a last minute thing; I really wanted to stay on the West Coast, preferably in the SF Bay Area, so I wouldn't have to move. But Hopkins had an accelerated BSN program (13.5 months) and they were extremely flexible; you could apply to direct entry, defer for a year before going on for the masters, work full time or part time after the BSN, take full time or a part time load, etc. Plus, they don't require chemistry, so you could apply there too!

I got into all of them except UCSF (700 people for 75 slots, of which there are only 5 or 6 slots for the specific focus area - I was going for FNP which is one of the most popular!), Seattle U (likes people who have worked with the homeless and underserved populations) and DeAnza CC (lottery only - trhey had 180 people for 24 slots). Who knows why you get into one school and not another?

Stats: GRE: 760/800 Quant, 600/800 Verbal, 5/6 essay

I spent 10 days studying for it, using a couple of books and CDs from the library, and the GRE CD you get in the mail once you sign up for the course.

GPA: 3.3 U/G in Chemistry, masters in business admin (some schools give you more points with higher level degrees) What is your pre-req GPA? That will be very important; hopefully it's at least a 3.5 to be competitive. They usually do 2 types of GPA's: your U/G and your pre-req GPA.

Volunteer: Lots! Children's hospital, Ronald McDonald house, Emergency Dept., Planned Parenthood Any volunteer experience in a health care setting is a plus. Even if you can only shadow someone, do a one time volunteer gig, or work on a project. I would definitely get some experience! It puts you in a better compeitive light for most schools. Then you can talk about your experiences in your essay.

Your essay is very important because you can draw out the intangibles that are not apparent from stats. Why do you want to get into nursing? What are your goals? Why do you feel you are a great candidate for XYZ school? What types of experiences have guided you in this direction? What sort of adversities have you overcome? (working fulltime, raising a family, taking X # of credits in the eveing, etc.). What do you see yourself doing in the next 2 to 3 years after you graduate? In the next 10? They will want to know... The better you can articulate your ideas on your essay, the better you sound during the subsequent interview.

The big thing is match the school's philosophy and programs with your background. Some schools emphasize the volunteer/direct health care experience. Others just want to know if you can do the work by focusing on the academic record. You need to look at the school's website and do some research.

Good luck!

Smile123

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