caffreak

Hi y'all. Hope you enjoyed the visiting day and found it informative. I don't know if they mentioned it but if you are in the city over the weekend and have some extra time, please come to the C.U. medical campus production of The lady parts Monologues, this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 P.M. Alumni Auditorium 650 West 168th Street. Tickets at door $10, Proceeds benefit Alianza Dominicana/Project Faith to end violence against females. Show support for the ETP 2009 students! Thank you!

Hi! Congrads to all of you who got accepted and waitlisted. I know some of you had posted some questions for me that I never got back to. Your welcome to PM me, school's gotten busier so I don't have time for lenghthy explanations anymore.

Also, to explain the schedule, when a class is called "science of" it refers to didactic and when it says "practice" it means clinicals. In answer to those who asked how it's going: Its been one hell of long road! the summer was very overwhelming, long classes and lots of tests. The professors are mostly excellent. Almost everyone got through the summer so don't worry too much about that. The rest is pretty manageable. Some of the 5x5's are slightly harder than others, but you'll have way more time for yourself. In terms of improving the program: some of the preceptors who were really bad were fired, our assessing clinical evidence class was so disorganized, but I hear it has improved. I'm sure there were plenty of other things we've told the faculty to improve. Those are the two big ones that come to mind.

The school is actually great with working with people who have specific needs or issues. I know some people who had to deal with deaths and such and they were able to take tests late. I wouldn't worry about stuff like that. They did ask us all for a list of days that we knew we would be missing in advance. The summer was extremely busy. three days of classes, one day of lab and one day of clinical. Fall and Spring are the 5x5. you have three before winter break and two after.you also take pathophysiology and assessing clinical evidence in the Fall. We are divided into classes and each class has a different 5x5 schedule. During that time you're in class 3 days and clinicals 2 days. In the Spring, after the last 2 5x5's we start integration. This is the only time where your may have clinicals over the weekend. It totally depends where and who your placement is with.

I feel your anxiety! Last year when they sent out acceptance letters, they accidentally sent some people blank attachments so people were freaking out. I'm in the current ETP class and we are working hard to smooth out the kinks and improve the program for future ETPers. Good Luck to all of you:)

i did my prereqs in a private college, but other students did in public colleges, online, whatever got them good grades. It's not difficult to get in if you have the grades and life experience to back you up. The first semester is VERY difficult. several people dropped out. The next semester gets alittle more manageable. Most students are very smart, driven and intelligent. Everyone works hard to do well.

Hi, I'm in Columbia's ETP program. ETP is entry to practice which basically means that we go straight from becoming RN's to the masters program to practice as NP's (you can take a year off if you want). I wouldn't sweat the GRE's, I don't remember my scores though I think I scored in the 90th percentile on english but must have done terribly on math. I'll give you some pointers for getting in but we have an extremely diverse class so I can't be totally sure about anything. If you can't go to an info session but can come to new york, call the school and arrange to meet with someone in admissions, they love when applicants show interest. Our class is made up of people from ages 22-around 55! Most people have had experiences outside of America and are very passionate about their areas of interest. Tuition is alot, I don't know the exact amount but nearly everyone gets a $30,000 scholarship. I'm really happy that I decided to go to Columbia but I have to warn you that the summer is extremely difficult and people did drop out. If you know that you want to become an NP then ETP makes sense, but if you want to be an RN and you don't care if your degree has a "brand name" then try to go to the cheapest school possible- it will save you a lot of headaches. I should probably stop now!

Hi! I'm currently in Columbia's ETP program so if you have any questions just post them and I'll be happy to answer

Just saw this post & it turns out today we did breast exams on each other with bras on.

Every day is different. Only cuz you asked i'll list the whole summer schedule. Monday: 8 AM till 12 P.M-Phys assessment-all students take this together. 1 P.M.-4 P.M.-Issues-all students take this together. Tuesday: 9 A.M.- 12 P.M.- Science of Nursing Practice- Everyone together 1- 3- Topics in nursing practice- Everyone together 4-8- Advanced physiology-everyone together Wednesday: 7:30 A.M.- 3:30- Clinical site- groups 5,6,7,8 From 8 A.M. throughout the day the other groups have PA lab and skills lab Thursday: 7:30 A.M.- 3:30- Clinical site- groups 1,2,3,4 From 8 A.M. throughout the day the other groups have PA lab and skills lab Friday: 8 A.M.- 12 Pharmacology- Everyone together whew! All times are subject to change

HEy Tanguera, I don't know if you were at the Columbia thing on Friday, but from the many sppeches and what current students have said, it is extremely friendly and supportive despite its large size.

As far as uniforms go- the student ambassador at my table said the uniforms run large but that at orientation we can try on our order and switch if they dont fit. She said most ppl buy the navy. Other useful info she shared was that the faculty is extremely involved and interested in the students, we won't really need to buy all the books, and she is very statisfied with columbia or as the student who led our tour said: for every negative there are 10 positives so it's been a great experience. If you didnt come on Friday and would like to email a current student who is doing your specialty I can provide email addresses that they gave us.

As far as I know as long as one is in school be it bachelors, masters or PHD you do not need to pay back ANY loans until 6 months are you leave school. On top of that, many places will allow you to defer if you are going through a big life moment such as marriage, a birth...

yea I will probably get my supplies from all over the place. and thanx for the sizing tip. I'll wait until visiting day to order. If we do buy navy skirts do you know if we have to buy navy pantyhose & sneakers or do we have to wear white pantyhose & sneakers

SAFETY- To add to the safety issue- I have never had a problem in NY. Use common sense, hold your bag extra closely in crowds to avoid being mugged, there are always homeless & beggars on the subway just avoid eye contact. I often take the train at night but usually not alone. There are cops almost everywhere in the city, so that should help you feel safer. For those of you from San Francisco- I kinda felt like there were more homeless/mentally ill people wandering the streets in SF than NY when I visited... anyone agree? HOTELS- a good place to start looking is hotels.com you can check out ratings,prices etc. If you are coming for more than a day I definitely suggest staying around midtown and taking the subway to the campus on March 6. it's really quick and easy to get there. Also, i got an email abt supplies etc. How are we supposed to know which package and extras to buy?

hey tanguera- I sent you a private message. also i tried to compare the curriculae but I'm not sure if the differences are significant. Also Downstate is 15 months and Columbia is 12.

ChayaN- yet another friend just told me she got into Downstate- I haven't heard a/t yet but I got in Columbia so I will probably be going there. Best of luck

So basically its 60 credits in the first year at about $1100 a pop. so figure $66,000 plus a few extra for various costs plus cost of living/eating/transit/supplies & books. it's easily $100,000 for the RN portion. (most ppl get about $35,000 of it seems). The masters is a bit easier to swallow considering you can work and there are many places that will pay for you if you agree to work for them for a few years.

I just finished my undergrad and have small loans but n/t compared to what I'm gonna be taking out for Columbia. so here's what I figured out about the price of our education. In theory we are all accepted in order to go straight through and become nurse practitioners. The value of an NP is directly related to his/her education and I want the best there is in NY which is definitely Columbia. However, many people join the ETP because the RN portion is so quick and then opt out for the masters. so if you don't plan on becoming an NP any time soon and you're not into name brands, then a cheaper college makes sense if you have the option. correct me if my logic is wrong but that's my rationalization for spending gobs of $$$ on my education.

oh god i sound like a postergirl for midwifery

For all you future midwives that are nervous about your chosen specialty- NY has tons of job opportunities but it really varies between neighborhoods. For example Parkslope in Brooklyn is swarming with midwives. Also, many NY hospitals employ midwives rather than residents to cover shifts-there's always a doctor on call. The downside to midwifery is that malpractice insurance in NY if very high, I don't know about other states though. It's definitely more bankable to have a combined Women's Health/Midwifery degree. If you feel this is your calling then go for it! you will never cease to be awed by the birthing process and fulfilled with your career. (These are the words of a Columbia midwifery graduate)

I feel so yound and unexperienced compared to many of you. I'm 22 and I just finished my Bachelors in psychology. The cost is tremendous but just a note of inspiration one of my close relatives went to columbia for the etp nurse midwifery back in '92. and they worked out a decent fin. aid package for her. although she is still paying off loans, she also has a high paying job and would not have traded her columbia experience with anything. (she switched out of NYU)

I'm from Brooklyn and will be commuting. But for all of you out-of-towners that are nervous about navigating the city hopstop.com is great for directions and timeout.com has info about nightlife, theater etc.

freyalisa you are so right. also doesn't seem like anyone got in anesthesia yet- at least not anyone on this forum plus a few other specialties haven't been mentioned. btw 180 out of 600 are great odds compared to other schools like Downstate (50 out of 500 so I hear). So those of you waiting hang tight it's not over!

I wouldn't worry yet about the DNP sitch. Columbia's at the forefront of nursing and will make sure to accomodate their students.