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Thanks for this post, Wesley. I am about to begin an ABSN program this summer with intent to end up working the ER, so this is a very cool mapped out route to end up there confident and capable. I oftentimes hear from nurses that it would be best to start out in Med/Surg when entering the field, but I also have had a handful tell me that you can start wherever, just that it would be quite a bit more challenging... but that it could be done. I think after reading your response to this post I want to follow your advice. I know nursing will be a whole new world I will have to figure out at the right pace if I want to end up in the position I see for myself.

Not weird at all! I'm sure I'll bring my mom because she is the one who gave me life and I love her :) Viv makes a good point too, it's always nice to have someone else while looking for apartments. They can spot things and ask questions you may not have thought of. Regarding Springfield, I actually lived there for four years while receiving my first BS. People will have all sorts of things to say about it, but I will tell you that I like it there. It is an old city with history, it is small, diverse, there is definitely night life and fun places to go. There are mountains and rivers all over Western Mass and if you like skiing Vermont and New Hampshire are short drives. Also you can hop on a bus or train to go to NYC or Boston quickly and easily. People will say Springfield is dangerous but I've found its just like any other city, you should be smart and aware late night but other than that it's totally fine. This being said you might want to look at other towns/cities close by when choosing your apartment. Longmeadow is right next to Springfield, almost part of it, and is a quiet, suburban, middle/upper-class type of area if that's what you're preferring. Northampton is an awesome hippie progressive fun small city about half an hour away. Definitely a place to check out. Amherst where the main Umass campus is is also a fun small city with similar vibes. Umass is a big party school too and fun times can be had there. Anyways, I don't even know how much free time we will have but my point is, life in Western Mass can definitely be a good time!

Requested the FB group.

Woww I am in as well! And I received an email this morning at 9:14 am central time, or should I say 0914 now?? Two weeks to decide, that is quick! Now that decisions have been made I'll post my credentials for future prospects reference: I graduated Cum Laude in 2014 with a BS in Health Science. My prereq GPA is 3.5-3.6 depending on whether they factored my CLEP score for the Growth and Development course, which by the way I just barely passed somewhat last minute, even for the extended deadline. I thought that was going to be a red flag for admissions so I am very thankful right now. I have been working in exercise therapy since graduating, working in physical therapy and chiropractic clinics. At first I thought that musculoskeletal healthcare would not have as much pull for an ABSN application, but the reality is I now have quite a bit of experience working directly with patients, taking histories, reading through medical documents, mastering patient flow, etc. So don't doubt that your healthcare experience is not direct enough for nursing! I have some ER volunteer experience, which provided some insight into operations of the floor. I spent a couple of weeks volunteering in a wound care clinic in Haiti which has been a true highlight in my life. Lastly, I interned with my city's health department doing data collection within the homeless population, later analyzing through SPSS software. This was a cool experience which allowed me to explore some interest in public health. Also, I am a guy and am wondering if that has any effect at all on decisions? Curious of others' opinions on that as well. Looking forward to meeting my peers, and to all others, don't be discouraged! Stay persistent if you know this is what you want to do!

Would you feel comfortable explaining to us what your job is that pays you such a high rate? NP? CRNA? Or something entirely unrelated to nursing?

Go for the NP now if you got an acceptance. I understand about the experience-first argument and I myself wonder how someone with very little experience can be skyrocketed to the top, especially after reading about these 17 month direct entry NP programs. That being said, you're tough, you're smart, go get your NP now because life is short and you should just go straight for your ultimate goal. Just my thoughts if I were in your position.

That's great to hear, did they say whether those decisions would all be sent in email form?

Hey Fellow Applicants, I've decided to create an account to join the chat! On the eve of our possible acceptance confirmations, I imagine we are all feeling similar excitement and anxiety! At first I thought I'd share my GPA and background but now am wondering if the information will even be useful to anyone at this point. Reading through these threads, I too am hoping for a quick decision via email tomorrow. If I haven't been accepted by March 1, I would almost rather receive a notification of rejection than wait for a letter in the mail that I've been waitlisted, then wait even longer to receive a final decision.. Just let me know Umass so I can move on with my life! No but in all seriousness I would very much like to be accepted into the 2018 cohort and begin this next chapter with all of you who make it. Hopefully tomorrow we will be making a Facebook group to chat about our plans for August. I just had to say, allnurses.com doesn't give the option to make your little avatar picture be a black person?? Come on!