barhood32

Thank you! I got a good laugh out of the plan for the pay to be screwed up comment, as I'm saving some $ each month for the inevitable month or two without pay due to processing snags and delays. Thanks again.

Like classy and chanel have said, stay positive even if you receive a wait-list notice. There are only 70 applicants for 50-55 slots, so the chances of still getting in are good. I know in our class (which had 175 applicants for 50 slots) people that were wait-listed as far as 15th ended up getting in (and that's just that I know of). If you are wait-listed, be prepared for a very short turn-around if you get an acceptance letter (like a day or two). And don't despair if its late July or even August before you hear back (as I know of one person who got accepted only a few days before classes started). Like cpk said, our acceptance letters were on a single sheet. There is no glossy packet full of smiling, multi-cultural people or a bunch of forms to fill out. I hope this has improved, but after I sent in my acceptance confirmation, I didn't hear a peep from the school until about mid-July when I got a list of the necessary immunizations I needed to send them. The registrar fees are similarly put out at the last minute, so make sure you are financially ready. Something that was new for beejay and cpk's class was a CARE orientation, where the accepted applicants came to the school and we (C8) met with them. I'm a little fuzzy on the dates, was it in june? Also, I know that C9 has great class officers who will be working with the incoming students to help them. Best of luck to everyone during this very stressful time.

I am going to the August 29th BOLC class. I am an active duty Army member in the AECP program. Does anyone know how BAH works during BOLC? I will be attached to WRAMC while prepping for the NCLEX and waiting for BOLC to start. My wife will stay in the DC area during BOLC. Will I draw BAH based on Ft. Sam or DC? Thank you.

Congrats to everyone who interviewed and good luck to those who are in the shoot on Thursday. They are "aiming" to have the acceptance letters sent the first week to 10 days of May. Keep in mind that is a goal, not an absolute. The turn around time from when you get your acceptance to when you must confirm your place in the class is very short. For instance, I received my accceptance May 2 and it was due May 5. Especially, if you live out of state, MAKE SURE you have a trusted friend, relative, etc that is monitoring the mail for you if you will be out of town during this period. A good friend of mine barely got her confirmation in on time due to being on a long weekend trip. According to the sheet they gave us, 65 people interviewed on Saturday. I don't know how many will interview this coming Thursday, but I am positive it is substantially less. I don't want to get into specific questions that were asked, so that the Thursday folks don't have an advantage over the Saturday interviewees. But here were my general impressions. 1. Everyone that I saw dressed and conducted themselves like a professional. We had heard horror stories from previous classes of microskirts, halter tops, hooker boots, or a person who wore sunglasses throughout the interview. Thankfully, there was none of that this year. 2. The opportunity to mingle in the atrium was hopefully helpful to candidates. I felt it provided a little more relaxed atmosphere and a chance to for the candidates to ask questions. 3. In any interview you do, you always want to illustrate your point with specific examples. For example, rather than just telling me that you are persistent, use a short story of how you overcame an obstacle, adversity, etc. (and this was NOT an interview question, just a piece of advice) 4. There has been some discussion of "additional" questions and the legal/ethical implications of such questions. We are using a provided script, but have the opportunity to ask for clarification. I can only speak for myself, but if I asked additional questions or for more information it was during times when the initial answer would not have been scored particularly high and was hoping to give the candidate a chance to better his/her score. None of the questions (scripted or additional) are meant to be "gotcha" type of questions. They are all based on qualities necessary to succed here. And the faculty is present to intervene in the almost unimaginable case that someone would ask a question that is not legally permitted (e.g. questions about religion, race, etc). 5. Far more important than merely preparing for the interview, I think it is very important to clarify to yourself about why you want to be in nursing school and to carefully think through the sacrifices (personal, financial, time, etc) that you will have to make to be here. In our class (which did not have interviews) we had a number of people who came to nursing school simply becasue they failed to get into med school. We also had a few that got a liberal arts degree and didnt really know what to do with themselves, so they took a flyer on nursing school. All those people struggled and most are no longer with us. I don't know about beejay and cpk's class, but it is my general impression that at least some in their class entered the program thinking they could continue business as usual (full-time work, play, etc) and as a result, with a year to go, are already smaller than our class (despite starting with more people). I stress some, because I know the majority is filled with extremely motivated and hard working people. Overall, it was an impressive bunch. Remember, that the students scoring you want you to succeed. We were looking to celebrate your successes and not fault find or dwell on any shortcomings. I wish you all the best of luck.

Congrats to all that have interviews scheduled! For those who haven't heard anything yet, don't despair, the administrative staff is pretty overworked and the school could def use some improvement in terms of embracing information technology, so unfortunately, last minute notifications are the norm. Our class (C8) didn't have the interviews, but cpk's class did. From what the faculty have told us, a student or two from C8 will be paired with a faculty member and conduct the interview. If I find out more specifics for the format, I will pass them along. CPK's advice is really the best...be yourself and answer honestly. Mostly interviews are about seeing how a person conducts themselves. Don't try to BS your way through some answer you think the interviewer wants to hear. For example, a question I plan to ask is, "If you had to choose between getting an "A" in a theory class or a clinical practicum class, which would you choose and why?" There is no right answer to the question, its whatever you feel. CPK...I hope to see you Monday afternoon!

Hi, CARE X hopefuls. I am a member of C8 and will be graduating in May. Our class will be part of the interview team, and they told us April 10th will be the interview date. As for being frustrated about not receiving info in a timely manner, it is an unfortunately common occurence. I received an acceptance in May and never heard anything else from the school until a few months later when they sent me a packet of required immunizations and forms that were due in 5 days. But, all things considered, I've enjoyed the time and consider it a great experience. Going to school in New Orleans has been great. I just finished an ER rotation that included time in a level 1 trauma center, so there are many unique learning opportunities. I don't know the specifics of the admission formula, but you guys seem to know the basics: gpa, interview, essay, etc. I believe all components are weighted the same, but don't quote me on it. Feel free to ask any questions, and I'll try to answer them. If anyone lives in the NO area and would like to meet up, thats fine too. bjaycee---i see you've put out alot of good info. If you read this, i'm always up for a coffee....your old CARE buddy

Hi everyone...are you entering the ANC? I am currently in the AECP (a program where uncle sam pays enlisted people to go to nursing school) and will graduate with a BSN in May. When asked about assignment orders, my program director said we wouldn't hear anything until we passed the NCLEX (which seemd odd to me). Also, my heart is sinking reading about spots being full at Walter Reed. My wife works fo the FBI in VA and we were really counting on me being stationed there. thanks

Hi everyone, I am in an Army program that pays for me to attend nursing school. Of course, I owe Uncle Sam when I finish, which is in May. I am attending school in New Orleans, LA, but would like to sit for the NCLEX (and thus licensure in VA). Are there any recent grads with some info on this process and what the timelines are like? Specifically 1. I printed out an application from the VA Board of Nursing. Do I need to submit the completed and notarized application, fees, and passport photo to VA before I graduate? And then the school sends in a transcript/proof of graduation? 2. Is anything else required with the application (here in LA, the school is doing fingerprints)? 3. Any idea on the approximate time frame to get an ATT? I am trying to get my results in time to attend a required Army officer class in mid-July? 4. Finally, does anyone have any insight into working at Walter Reed? Thank you.

Congrats on your acceptance. I am starting the AECP this August (FY 08) at LSU. I don't know if your heart is set on remaining in HI, but many schools that I looked at (LSU, Purdue, Columbus State--near Ft Benning, GA) are willing to charge in-state fees (regardless of legal residence) which were under the $9,000 cap. Hopefully this has been changed for the better, but I felt that information concerning what to do after you are selected and waiting to start the BSN program was sorely lacking. Make sure you go to AECP website, and click on the AMEDD Student Detachment link. It will give you useful information on in-processing and how to get your orders. That link has all the in-processing documents you need. Unless you are a PAC clerk by MOS, get with your S1 to help you with some of the forms. Once you get your unconditional school acceptance, mail it the AECP program manager, he will generate your orders. If you are planning a PCS move to your school, you will move directly to the school and in-process Ft Sam by mail (and only by mail--no inperson processing). Your BAH will be at the rate of the school you are attending. Be advised that your report date will be one day before classes start with no early report authorized. For instance, my classes begin August 11, so my official report date is August 10. So make sure that you have plenty of PCS leave and try to get permissive TDY to get settled to your new area. The other option is to report early and attach yourself to a local unit (e.g. a ROTC unit). You will send in all your in-processing documents before school starts (give yourself at least 3 weeks). I sent in my in-processing about a week ago(22 July for a 10 August report date). I'm a bit anxious about this whole in-process via the mail knowing the tremendous red-tape involved in any Army transaction.