pmgamber

It gets different. I noticed more a difference after my first year. The days aren't as hectic, you get used to the normal meds for your patients, you get to know the routine, you know OT, PT, Lab, MDs, secretaries, etc. Those things make the days feel less stressful, but then you are more competent at dealing with families, docs, next steps, etc. I've been working for 18 months and did something brand new today. Those things change and in that sense, it does get better; slowly. I am still in school and it's still just as stressful as nursing school except now I have a full-time job and full-time school. Allow yourself time to adjust to your new role before you take on too much. Good luck!

Oh! Also, I knew I was ready to go, so I also had my deposit set aside and sent in the check the next day. Be ready for that too.

I didn't get accepted till May. May 8th to be exact. They will accept till the week or two before school starts. I called, faxed, etc. I really kept up on everything. Vaccines, CPR, etc. I was in weekly contact with them. I don't know if my persistence helped, but when I interviewed they said that if you were placed on the waitlist, to keep your application active and keep up to date on all that stuff. I did. Valeria is right that there will be movement. They don't tell us current students what's going on, but I know that a lot (5?) of my classmates and I were on the waitlist and we got in. Call them and be politely persistent. Keep your application up to date. Pray. I had given up hope and made plans for the next year of my life. I had come to terms with not going to school and then that week I was accepted.

Hi guys! I'm in the program now and was on the wait list last year. I kept my file current; vaccinations, CPR, etc. I also kept on them. I was on the phone just about once a week asking about open positions. I received an email first asking me to join c/o 2012 and I sent my deposit in right away. I know of several other people in my class who were on the wait list too. It happens!

I'm not going to tell you what they asked because I think this takes a lot away from the true interview. Be prepared to talk about yourself and your thoughts towards nursing, healthcare and your contributions to it. Basically, if you've put time into applying to schools, working on pre-req's and now interviewing, you should have a good idea of your goals as far as nursing school is concerned. One thing I didn't do though, and recommend doing, is exchanging numbers or email addresses with people you meet there. There was one girl from my interview day that was also accepted and when we saw each other on campus we recognized each other and are now good friends, but I wish we had a few months to get to know each other better. amber

Sarah, I'm a current student and know of a girl who was abroad when she was applying. Make sure that if you're asked to interview, you ask for a phone interview if you don't want to fly out. My friend was told she HAD to be here and once she got here they told her she didn't have to come, she could've done a phone interview. Needless to say, she was quite upset that she had taken time off work, paid for flight, etc. If you're told that you HAVE to come out, call and ask to speak with Mitzi. She is really helpful. If you or anyone else has questions, let me know. We just started our 2nd semester. amber

I am a current student at Western. If you have any questions let me know. We just started our 2nd semester. If you have an interview coming up, I can meet with you if it works out. amber

Well, I'm only 5 weeks into my first year, and so far it is pretty intense, but it goes in waves. Last week was really stressful, this week isn't too bad, but this next week will be awful as we are preparing for midterms. We have class all day Monday, class and lab Tuesday, lab only Wed, off Thurs, class in the am on Friday, nothing on Sat or Sun for now. Once we start clinicals in a few weeks, those will be on Saturdays. I am not working. I do know of a few that are, but its more like serving at a restaurant one day a week. I definitely wouldn't recommend working. There is a lot of studying, study groups, tutoring, open labs, etc that need to be done. Granted we still try to do one non-school thing a week or every 2 weeks. They do look at the whole package when assessing you. I was worried about my grades in my pre-req's (All A's and B's, though). During the interview they really get a better sense of who you are and what you're about. You need to be personable, real and articulate. Obviously. We have clinical rotations at Pomona Valley, Arrowhead in Colton, Kaiser Fontana, Huntington Memorial in Pasadena, Arcadia Methodist, San Antonio, and I think a few more, but those are all I can remember right now. Good luck!

I'm currently attending. What would you like to know?

I applied for this Fall, obviously didn't get in but kept my name on the list. I've since been accepted elsewhere and am already in class. If I get accepted though, someone else can gladly have my spot!

Hi Alyssa! Hope things at APU are going well! amber

I don't think you're late at all. I don't think my app was in until October. You're ok. They look at the overall applicant. I had A's and B's in my pre-req's and asked them that during the interview. Even though I was accepted, I still didn't believe them until I started talking to some of the other girls. All 6 girls in my group WERENT straight A students. We vary in age, race and educational backgrounds and are all well rounded. The grades are a factor, but not as big of one as we all think. The interview is based on Emotional Intelligence. Read up on it. They ask alot of personal questions about HOW you do things, WHY you would do things, experiences YOU'VE had, etc. I was told verbatim that the interviews are based on the EI questioning line. Let me know if you have any more questions. We start the 5th week on Monday with a fat exam! YAY us! pmgamber

I am in the MSN-E program at Western. We had orietation last Thursday, Friday and Convocation and our White Coat Ceremony on Sat. While classes don't start until the 18th, I doubt they will admit anyone. If they accepted 50 people, which I think they did, there are 3 spots available as there were only 47 people at the ceremonies. So...take it for what it's worth. There is one girl who deferred last year and is in my class and I am one of several alternates, too, so it can happen! Good luck! PS. Rumor is the GRE is no longer required.

Try www.westernu.edu. I am starting the MSN-E program, but I know for a fact they have a direct entry MSN program that is distance. You will have to come back to campus a few times a semester, but it's doable. Good luck! :)

Fresno