JennRN113

At my previous school, I was in the NP program. I was able to transfer to USD into the MSN program for clinical nurse leader. I know that from there, I can apply to USD's NP program but not transfer in. I don't have any degree in nursing, that's the biggest problem. It was a whole ordeal just to get into USD to get a MSN. So I may stick it out at USD for this semester and next, and if SDSU allows it, transfer there in the fall to finish the MSN. If that's not possible I'll stay at USD and have to wallow in paying some hefty student loans... This semester I'm paying out of pocket and it's pretty brutal. Thank goodness I have a job.

I would also like to know about SDSU's MSN program and reputation! I am about to start at USD but already looking to transfer because the tuition is horrendous... but I already really love the staff and class setup and clinical rotations, so I might just stick it out for 4 semesters to finish with my MSN. USD allowed me to transfer into MSN from a graduate entry program in another state that I wasn't able to complete because of military relocation (though I did finish the pre-licensure and now work as an RN). I'm not sure SDSU will even consider letting me transfer since I don't have an ADN or BSN. Still, I would like to know about their programs and reputation so anyone's input would be great! BUMP! :)

I am a graduate of a GEP program, probably the same one as the OP. I definitely feel that such programs should all be done away with altogether. Obviously this is all in hindsight. I did my research before starting the program, heck my career before nursing WAS research. It all sounds like a great idea, and even the nurses I asked before the program thought it was a good plan to do a graduate entry if I knew that I wanted to be an NP ultimately. The thing nobody really thinks about is trying to work after getting your RN license in the middle of the program WITHOUT a degree. I kick myself in the butt for not doing an ABSN. To the OP, hang in there and look for a job, any job that will get you experience at the bedside. I graduated the GEP in 2010 and was extremely lucky to get hired as a new grad at a hospital that considered the GEP a BSN equivalent and I got paid the same as BSN's. Shoot, I was lucky to get hired PERIOD!!! It was tough for most of my classmates at first, but almost all of us have found jobs as nurses.. maybe not in the hospital (some do home health or community health or clinics). The majority of us are in the hospital setting though. We are almost all working, 1 year later. The tough part is if you want to work in another state or transfer to another program when you haven't finished the MSN yet. It was a painstaking process, but I was able to leave IL and get licensed in CA and find a program that will let me finish my MSN there, although not in an NP program. I'll take it though. At this point, I really love being at the bedside and have so much to learn. I'm not worried about the NP part. I did med/surg for a year, and now starting on a tele unit. The hospital I'm in has a NICU and eventually I'd like to get in there! To the OP, get your foot in the door in any hospital and get some experience. It will go a long way and you will find your path to the NICU. In my GEP class, we had one student get hired off the bat in the NICU where she did her preceptorship, and another RN hit the jackpot getting a job in the PICU at a hospital we didn't even do clinicals in! So don't feel hopeless. Other GEPers have made it out just fine!

I am also considering joining the Navy as a nurse. My husband is enlisted in the Navy right now though, so I do worry about us being deployed at the same time. We have a 7 year old daughter and plan to try for another baby within the next year or so. Lots to think about, so we will see.

FINALLY spoke with CA BRN, and the verdict is that I CAN get licensed in CA as a non-degree RN. I can take the NCLEX here in IL or CA, but the person told me that CA is the only state that will take a non-degree RN.

I guess I won't know until Monday or Tuesday or whenever. I am definitely holding out hope. I have been in talks with University of San Diego and may be able to finish my Masters there, so it's not like I won't be in a CA program. Of course to get into that program I need a CA license. Not to be melodramatic, but I have already sacrificed a lot to be where I am and if this doesn't work out then that means separating my family (again) and put off on plans for a house, another baby... I thought this program would help me to achieve evrything I've been working towards. Instead I feel totally screwed over.

True! It would just be nice to know. It's hard not knowing when I'm literally trying to plan my life for the next 6 months. Someone in my class was told by the CO board of nursing that they will not allow her to get licensed there, because of the non-degree issue. But CO does not have a non-degree program like CA or IL (or MA for that matter too).

This is making me nervous.. If only someone would answer the phones at the CA board of nursing!

I just downloaded the application, and it does have a box to check for type of nursing program: Other. It doesn't say anything about non-degree or non-graduate, so I wonder what the UCSF students do when they apply. CA board of nursing is closed for today because of the budget crisis. Fabulous.

Hi everyone, I am in a graduate entry program in IL, completing my last semester of the pre-licensure portion. I am eligible to take the NCLEX this summer. I think my plan is to take the NCLEX and get licensed in IL, and then apply for endorsement in CA. My question is, will CA give me a license even though I do not have a degree in nursing? The complicated part of this is because of this graduate entry program (similar to UCSF's MEPN program and Yale's MEPN program), I have taken all the required education to get licensed, but I won't have any degree in nursing. I do have a B.S. in another field. I really don't have a choice unless I stay in IL for the next 2-3 years to get my Masters and split my family up, because my husband is in the Navy and is getting stationed in San Diego. I would just like to know if I can get licensed in CA if I am licensed in IL already, or if they will look at my education and say "well you don't have a degree, so no dice". I'm just thinking that since CA is familiar with a program like this (since they have it at UCSF and used to have it at USD) that they will be ok with it. I already tried asking the CA board of nursing... no answer to my calls, no emails back. Any feedback would be helpful! Thanks :)

Thanks for the feedback! Lots of helpful info. I wasn't looking to be on an oncology floor, I was placed there. I am on an FNP track. Will I be seeing children as well? I am finishing up my peds rotation right now and cared for a 2yo with leukemia, so some of what you mentioned already sounds a bit familiar to me. I don't think the children on our floor get their cancer treatments on the unit, however. So I was hoping to get an opportunity to work with some children on bone marrow/stem cell, as well as adults.

Hi all! I'm in a graduate entry program and for my last semester before taking the NCLEX, I've been placed on a bone marrow/stem cell transplant unit. So far I know I will be working with patients that have conditions such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, Hodgkins, non Hodgkins, aplastic anemia, and sickle cell disease. For anyone who's worked on a unit like this, can you tell me what to expect? I honestly have no idea what I'm in for! Any advice or input would be great. Thanks!

I took the GRE's in March. I was never confident in math, but always did ok as long as I practiced it consistently. Because of my full time work schedule, while finishing pre-reqs, while practically being a single mom b/c my hubby was away in Iraq, I decided that it would be worth the money to take a Princeton Review course for the GRE. I am SO glad I did because it really helped me with test taking strategies, which made a big difference since standardized tests really intimidate me. It also disciplined me because it would otherwise have been easy to say I was too busy with other things to study for the GRE, but taking the class really forced me to stay focused. If you're not willing to shell out the cash for a prep course, then definitely study the vocab sections from a Kaplan or Princeton Review book with the most frequently used words. Memorizing vocab is the best way to get a good score on the verbal. Probably what helped me the most in my classes were the strategies for approaching the reading sections, which were also pretty intimidating for me. I was always focused on understanding the passages, but soon learned that is not the best way to approach them. You have to be time efficient, as you know. As for the math, it really helped going over problems with a class and asking the "how did you get that answer" from the teacher because the explanations in books (I've used Barron's and Princeton), are not always clear at all. No one else has posted their scores here, it's personal I guess. But I was aiming for 1000 and walked away with a 1230, so I have to say that I was pretty happy with my prep for the GRE. Best of luck to you!

Shoosta, feel free to send me a message. I am in the Family NP program also! I am from the Chicago area, so if you need any helpful advice I would be happy to help. Congrats! PS- Brace yourself for the COLD!

I hope something opens up for you. Do they tell you what number you are on the list, or they just tell you that you are on the waitlist? Crossing my fingers for you.