twinkletoes12

Best of luck to you both! You have been putting so much time and effort into this oh so fun process, and seem on top of it. I'll cross my fingers for you! Anything else you want to know, just ask.

I haven't been on here in a long time, but I have just started UW's nursing program this fall. I don't know how I got in, but I did (first attempt). I am a post bach student and this is my second career. I would say a large portion of the current class already has a bachelor's degree, so don't be afraid that your chances are worse to get in if you have a bachelor's already. You will definitely want to have your CNA or some sort of other healthcare experience, not only for your app, but for when you actually get started in a program. You will not be learning very many basic skills. They presume you already know that stuff as you need experience to be accepted to begin with. I feel bad for the people who did not work as CNAs, they are really behind the rest of the class in my opinion. My GPA was totally average - 3.1 in prereqs and a 3.5 overall from previous degree. The proctored essay is not something you can prepare for. You just show up and answer the question or scenario. Definitely pick someone to write your recommendation who knows you WELL. The questions are very thorough and they want examples. It is going to take them a long time to do a good job on answering the questions for the letter of rec. Anything else you want to know, just ask.

Where do you live? Please don't listen to others negativity when deciding on a school. Like the others said, see for yourself. You might find the things others complain about don't bother you at all. Or those things may not even be true. Go to some nursing school info sessions, take a campus tour, explore the college's neighborhood, etc. Find out if you can see yourself realistically living there for the next few years. WSU is far away, but also very isolated. There is nothing around Spokane and even less at the main campus in Pullman! :wink2:

I have a Littman Cardology III and I totally recommend it. Worth the expense. Just go for it. You'll have the steth forever! :wink2:

Anyone out there heard back on the loan repayment program? They don't seem to be in a hurry to select people...

Do you belong to a credit union? They may be able to help, especially if you have been a longtime member and the credit committee knows you. I am in the same boat as you, all of the immunizations, books, supplies, etc. etc add up fast! :icon_roll

Nope, not a word back yet for me. I was wondering the same thing for the others that applied! :icon_roll

Nope, I won't be living on campus. I will be a commuter. My husband's job is going to be based in Kent so I'll likely be somewhere between Factoria and Kennydale... a good halfway point between Kent and the UW, and also on the busline or at least close to a park and ride!

hehehe, nope not me. I was #6 on the wait list!

Thanks! Yes, I'm so excited too. I do not plan to take anything over the summer, doesn't make financial sense. I know there are some openings for a few classes this summer to lessen the workload in the regular academic school year, but I live near Portland, Oregon and my hubby and I need to keep working as long as we can before moving up there. So I would be paying out of state tuition and not working for three extra months. I grew up in WA and used to live in Seattle so it's nice to come back home. :) I applied for the work loan program. I have no idea how competitive it is, but it seemed like a good thing to apply for! They are not making any unreasonable demands for repayment and who can pass up free in state tuition? :) Anyone know any other details about the work loan program?

I thought it might be fun to start a thread for just UW on here for those who are starting in the fall (or getting a jump start this summer). Can any current students or recent grads offer some tips or advice for surviving the next two years? Congrats everyone!

mlr03 - Congrats to you! I was accepted off UW's waiting list and I called this morning to Seattle University to cancel my spot and give it to the next person. How funny is that? You probably got my spot!

I'm on the waiting list now for UW and am really hoping to get in! Can you give me some advice about their program? Thanks so much!

What part of WA are you looking at? It is not easy to get in anywhere, but you can do it! I got into Seattle University for this fall and am now on the waitlist for UW. I do not have a 4.0. Not even a 3.6. Grades are not the be all end all and I'm so happy the universitites take that into account. For community colleges, grades are all they care about. They do not care about a well rounded candidate. So take that into consideration. The universities are most interested in life experience and work experience, stable grades over time, and all prereqs taken at time of application. For UW - make sure you have a strong resume with relevant and varied work and volunteer experience. Get your CNA if you don't already have it. Write good essays. Draw on your life experience. Same goes for Seattle University. Strong essays are essential for SU and being able to relate your life and/or past healthcare exp. to your future as a nurse. Good luck!

I don't think any are "easy" to get into. Even the schools with a wait list you are on there for months or even years until a spot becomes available. What's your timeframe? What part of the state are you looking at? What are your goals? There are a lot of options for nursing programs and in various settings in the state. I don't think there are any distance degree programs for an RN unless you already have the associates level and are working on the bachelors. I would just call and/or check the websites of the schools in the area you are interested in moving to. Also, 5 years seems to be the limit for a lot of schools, so you may get stuck having to retake some of those classes. The thing is, every school is different for what prerequisites they want, how old they must be, if you need to be a CNA or not, etc. etc. It's a real pain in the behind. There is no unified approach to nursing school applications. I am so glad I've finally been accepted for this fall and can put that application nightmare behind me. If you need further advice, happy to help!

My instructor for the summer '07 was awesome and knows soooo much! I LOVED her!!

Best of luck to you NichelleNurse2b! Sounds like you definitely know what you want and how to achieve it!

I know OHSU has an accelerated BSN program. It's extremely competitive. Only about 35 people are accepted out of hundreds of apps. Check out their website www.ohsu.edu/son Happy moving!

Here's my two cents. I've been accepted to Seattle University and I'm on UW's wait list for this coming fall...Since time seems to be of the essence for your situation, I would apply everywhere, but really focus on programs that have the soonest start date. I know, for example, Shoreline Comm. College (ADN program) takes students 3x/year. If time truly isn't that big of a deal, in my opinion, I would focus on BSN programs. Why settle for an ADN if you don't have to? Go as high as you can go! True, you take the same RN licensing test at the end of the program (and there is nothing wrong with and ADN - you're still going to be an RN!), but an ADN is rather limiting in job opportunities. Most hospitals don't hire many new grads to begin with (especially now) and nearly all job postings specify 'BSN preferred or required'. So why limit yourself? Make yourself as competitive as possible for jobs and maybe someday graduate school! To me, there are many more plusses to a BSN vs. ADN. Also, a BSN now will save you time and money so you don't have to do a third year for an RN-BSN program if you decide you really need/want the BSN and you once again have to reapply for school and start the process over again!

I'm surprised out of nearly 400 applicants and 96 acceptances we are the only few people posting comments about UW! In the letter I got it said to call after April 25th to see if your waitlist position has changed. I'll have to give a call 8 am on Monday the 27th and see how things stand...

I'm so sorry Poly and Daisy....that's a bummer. I'm #6 on the wait list. Sigh. Ebostylin - what advice do you have to be successful in the program? Any tips? Do you know if people are usually chosen off the wait list? I also got into Seattle Univ. and am not sure what my next move will be...the drama!

mlr03, I am a CNA (just hold the license, haven't worked full time as one), this is my second career too (BS in Psych already) and have spent most of my career thus far in healthcare administration. I have volunteer hours from a place I've been at for about three years. I have all of the certifications and classes done [HIV/AIDS, CNA, First Aid, CPR (I used to be an instructor for the CPR/FA)]. Maybe those are some things to do if you haven't yet? Your GPA is much higher than mine, but all of my prerequesites were complete (maybe are yours not all done yet?). I truly think GPAs are not that big of a deal to the BSN programs like they are for community colleges, so don't bother retaking anything. The BSN programs see you as a whole person and not a GPA number. Also, at the jobs I've been at I have had cross training to multiple areas of healthcare so I have a broad range of experience in a pretty short timeframe. I really don't know what they were looking for. That is such a bummer to be waitlisted. It's bad enough waiting to get in and then to get a letter saying 'maybe you're in'. That's tough. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! I'm still waiting to hear back from Univ. of WA too so maybe you can have my spot if I get accepted there! :)

That's an interesting point of view, Bandaide. Although I am a soon to be BSN student, my hunch is schools are not purposely "firing" or "kicking out" students who are perceived to be weaker. Those students are showing they are weaker as evidenced by low test scores, absenteeism, etc. and are failing or dropping out on their own. I wonder about schools who only go by GPA and point scores for selection criteria because these cannot determine work ethic, responsibility, maturity, and the student's actual knowledge of the nursing profession and readiness for it. Based on your research, are you noticing a difference in dropout rates based on the various schools' selection criteria being used? I'm curious!

I didn't get in either at PCC, but I don't care. I just heard from Seattle University this week and was accpeted there!

It's a small world! I also applied to WSU-Spokane. I got my BS from WSU-Pullman a few years ago. Who knows where people will end up, but it's fun to contemplate! Best of luck!