Optimom

I applied to the FNP track. My letter was postmarked September 2nd.

I am accepted. I received the letter today.

My GPA is enough to get accepted if what my coworker said is true. He switched his path to clinical educator elsewhere.

I've applied to the FNP program staring in Spring 2017 as well. This is the very first school I have applied. I have no idea if I will be accepted or not. One of my colleagues applied to a NP program at USA (I don't know which track) and wasn't accepted because his GPA was 3.1. It sounds like many applicants have 3.5-3.6 GPA.

I applied to both programs, first to CSN and was accepted, but declined and went to UNLV. In terms of tuition, CSN is by far cheaper. Also the number of credits per semester is less, like 9 credits, at CSN. So if you want, you can work fulltime and go to school fulltime at CSN. UNLV is about 15 credits per semester. They do not recommend students to have even a part time job at all. I had a job when I started but had to quit in a couple of months because it was hard to keep up. If money is an issue, go to CSN. Prerequisites: UNLV requires approximately 60 credits of prerequisites before your can apply to their nursing program. That includes 2 chemistry classes, statistics, and NURS 299 which are required only for BSN. Nursing program itself: Both CSN and UNLV are 4-semester programs. It takes 16 months to finish at UNLV and 24 months at CSN. The difference is summer semesters. At UNLV there is no break in summer. Summer semesters are off at CSN. For example, if you start in fall, it will be 1 Fall, 2 Spring, 3 Summer, and 4 Fall at UNLV, and 1 Fall, 2 Spring, 3 Fall, and 4 Spring at CSN. Job market: Many acute care hospitals tend to hire BSN prepared new grads. That does not necessarily mean ADN prepared ones have no chance in acute care. However, many ADNs are having a hard time getting a job. Most of them seem to get a job eventually at nursing home, rehab, mental health, LTAC, etc.

The valley health system hospitals hire new grads throughout the year. St. Rose Dominican hospitals, Sunrise hospital, and Mountain View hospital post a new grad program a few times a year. It seems to be easier to find a nursing job at home health agencies, LTCs, Rehab facilities, etc. I highly recommend to walk in and speak with a recruiter or possibly hiring manager. It will make a huge difference than just waiting to hear from them. You just got licensed last week. There are so many new grads with no job for more than 6 months or 1 year out there. Be patient. You will find a job eventually.

Remember that 50% of the points comes from your HESI score. There is a greater chance to get into the program if you have a very high HESI score even you have Bs in your science classes. Finishing all the science classes, math and NURS299 before applying also brings your points up. Good luck!

As a brand new CNA, it took only 2 weeks for me to find a job at a LTC because I knew somebody at the facility. I left applications at other hospitals/LTCs at the same time and the first one called for an interview was 4 months after I landed on the job. It can be hard if you don't have any connection, but you will find something eventually.

Congratulations! Two of my friends who graduated from the UNR nursing program worked part time throughout the 4 semesters. One worked 16-20 hours a week, and another worked 8-16 hours a week depending on the semester. Both said it was pretty hard and challenging, but doable if you are good at time management. Good luck!

I am all done with the packet now. How's yours going? It's a good thing I already work in the nursing field so I didn't have to get many immunizations and such done. The only job left for me is sewing the school patches on my scrub top and lab coat, lol. Oh, BTW, how many sets of scrubs did you buy? Do you know if we have to wear them for labs? I got only one, but if we have to wear them for both clinical and labs, I should probably buy one or two more sets.

I got it as well! A lady at the SON told me that 80 people applied for Summer 2011 and the cutoff line was about 87 points. To me, 87 is rather high because a couple of semesters ago a pre-nursing adviser told me that 85 would be enough to get in. It sounds like it is true that competition is getting fierce every semester.

Hi, I am wondering if there are any people applied/applying for the UNLV BSN program for Summer 2011. I heard that the summer program is less competitive compared to the fall and spring semesters, but the cutoff line seems to be getting higher each semester. My question is: with how many points did you apply/will you be applying for the program? I thought it would be nice to know how many points people have since there isn't much information regarding UNLV points on allnurses. I also thought it is nice to get to know our future classmates. I've attended the BSN signing session and applied with 90 points if my calculation is right. I hope this is enough to get in! Good luck to everyone and I am looking forward to reading your replies.

Hi, can anyone tell me what score is desirable if you are applying for the upcoming semester but still in the last remaining classes? I got 90% on HESI A2, but I am still in the last two classes (CHEM & STATS). Since the CHEM I am taking this semester won't be counted in the science base points, I am wondering if I should take the test again and aim higher score. Thanks!

I think I used my out-of-pocket expenses only on a white scrub, a pair of white shoes and the board exam fees. Other costs are all included in the tuition as Jerad said. I am not sure what the current tuition rate is, but it was $1195 for NV residents a year ago.

CSN is an ADN program, and NSC and UNLV are BSN programs.

Thanks Melissa! The lady I talked on the phone just told me to pick up the letter at their office and didn't mention about the orientation sessions at all. I wish they could have given us a bit more advanced notice so that I could take a day off from work on Nov 12th. I guess I have to call in sick...

How can we find out the orientation dates for sure? Will it be on the acceptance letter we have to pick up on Nov 8th?

I just got a call, too. Full time program with 29 points.

Congratulations! This job is physically demanding, but really rewarding. Good luck with your nursing school :-)

Welcome aboard!

I started off as a CNA w/o experience at a LTC in southern NV. $9.50 for the day shift, $10 for the evening and night shifts. No weekend differentials...

If you make a special plea for expedited evaluation to a registrar (not those people who are sitting at the front desk of the student services, but a person who actually evaluates transcripts), they can finish evaluation within two weeks.

Hi, I am a pre-nursing student and also a CNA working for a LTC. My short-term goal is getting BSN and working for a hospital as a RN. This may be the wrong forum to post this, but I need some advice from nurses working for a hospital. I work for a LTC because I think it opens up the door to working at a hospital both as a CNA and RN. Now I have another job opportunity at an assisted living facility (less commute, better pay, easier work), but I am a little reluctant to go ahead because I worry that it might lessen the chances of being hired by a hospital. In general, are LTC CNAs more desirable at a hospital? Or does the type of facility you work at not matter as long as you have CNA experience? I know being a CNA doesn't guarantee a RN job at all, but would like to know which type of facility (LTC vs ALF) is better for me. Thank you!

> Anyone transferring credits at the end of this summer session? I am taking Biol224 at UNLV right now and will transfer it once the grade is posted. Hope the credits get evaluated smoothly by the deadline.

I will apply for the Spring 2011 program with 29 points, but haven't decided which truck to go. Probably the full time truck...