TSeliot

I'm an RN. First time applying for the NCLRP. I was notified on June 30th that I was a finalist. My contract was countersigned on September 7th. The first payment is expected before the end of October. DTI >100% HPSA 16 I'm guessing that awards are not issued based on NP vs. RN status. More likely, it's where you fall in the rankings for DTI ratios and facility HPSA scores, I.e. the tiers listed in the program guide.

I was wondering about this pay-ahead option, so I submitted a question about it to the NCLRP in the participant portal and the response was that I can apply the funds however I like, but they can only be applied to the loans that were approved for payoff, e.g. nursing-related education loans. I have previous non-nursing education loans, so that was a good reminder. Sounds like I will need to request that these funds get applied to specific loans. I've also been researching the PSLF side of things and found this: https://www.studentloanplanner.com/pslf-qualifying-payments-lump-sum/ I haven't done a deep dive yet, but it appears that the pay-it-forward strategy is only good for 12 months at a time. I'm a bit concerned because it does not sound like all of the PSLF documentation is in agreement about whether this lump-sum payment counts toward the required 120 payments. If anyone has more to share on this, I'd love to hear it.

@Kargay, My overall GPA is around 3.6 with a 4.0 GPA in my prereqs. For the essay, I really focused on describing my past accomplishments and activities in relation to those skills and abilities required for nursing. I did some research and found a few articles that gave me some great key words to use in response to a few of the essay questions. I also used my resume and the essay questions as a way to tell my story. I had a few key points and strengths that I wanted to emphasize, so I used those to make everything connect. Because I've had other careers unrelated to nursing, I really wanted to show the logic in why I was making this huge change. Hope that helps! t

@trainwithliz, congrats! See you next year!

@Dmyers2498, I had the same concerns when I took A&P 2 and Micro during Spring 2019. I also work full-time in a very stressful deadline-driven professional job. So, needless to say, it was ALOT. But I had to do it in order to get my prerequisites completed in time. And although it was extremely challenging, I had good teachers and good study habits. I was proactive with questions when I didn’t understand something. I let my teachers know that I was really invested in doing well. When I was struggling, I talked with them about my concerns. Given those challenges, I actually really enjoyed the material. Micro is fascinating! And there was some helpful overlap in content between the two classes in the last half of the semester. I kept my eyes on the prize, finished the semester with a 4.0, and got into my program! And I start my MSNEL in February! Anything is possible if you want it badly enough. Good luck!

Fingers crossed for you, @trainwithliz!

Congrats @lhanka!!! I received an acceptance email as well. Yay us!!!

@lhanka, I sent an email earlier this week asking if they had a timeframe for when they expect to notify applicants. They said by Friday (today) or early next week!

Thanks @trainwithliz! Still waiting to hear as well.

Have any applicants for the Spring 2020 start heard anything? I realize that the deadline just passed, but wondering if any early applicants have received decisions. Thanks!

@lhanka Metro State has a different application schedule. Their application deadline is January 15th for the following Fall Semester. Hence the Plan B option.

@cadenza0123 Thanks for the insight! I managed to get my essays done after much hair pulling and handwringing. I’m happy with what I ended up with, but there’s no way to know if it’s going to do the trick. @lhanka Great to meet a fellow applicant! I got an email from St Kate’s yesterday letting me know they have my completed application. I wasn’t anxious about getting a decision until I saw that message. Ha! St. Kate’s is my first choice, with Metro State a very close second. I’m not willing to relocate, so my choices are slim. With the deadline looming, I’m sure we’ll have some other applicants pop up on here. Cheers to us! ts

At an info session for a nursing program, someone asked a similar question. The response was that it's not about being able to handle blood or any other bodily fluids, etc. She said that it really takes liking people. The gist of what she was saying was if you can handle people at their worst, you'll be fine. You'll find a way to deal with all that other gross stuff. If she's right, you're all set. Transferable skills are the key. Good luck!

I found A&P 2 to be way harder and far more challenging than A&P 1.

I'm finishing up my application to St. Kate's MSN: Entry Level program for 2020. I'd love to hear from anyone else who is applying, or those who have already been accepted. Even better if any current MSN students have any advice. The essay questions have SO stressed. Strong GPA, great references, but when it comes to 4,000 characters that answer: "Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background has prepared you for success in this rigorous 26-month program?" I go blank!