cderitz

Congrats to both of you on getting in to the program! As for how many students have experience as NA's, I would say only a handful of us did. It is not a requirement at all, and they do teach you everything that you need to know in those first 7 weeks of "nursing bootcamp". However, I will tell you, it has made a huge difference in my clinicals right now. Yes, I was nervous the first day, and I still get nervous every day as it's always something new that I'm doing. However, I am way more comfortable with my patients and have already seen a lot by working 8 months prior as an NA. Also, it made those first 7 weeks easier as those first two weeks of skills labs that they have you learn were things that I already knew and did not need to stress about. So, I would encourage it if you can. I know it's another $1000 to take a red cross course, but if you don't start until January 2012, it really will only help you in the long run. Any experience you can get before you start is going to help you out so much. If you don't feel like you can swing it, don't stress about it though. I'd say about 90% of the people in my class did not have the experience and they are doing just fine:) All the best!

Yes, I got into the accelerated program. At OU, they start every semester. So, classes start either in January, May, or August/Sept. When I interviewed last July, I was interviewing for the May 2011 start date. I did get accepted, and then last October, was notified that a spot opened up for the January cohort was available if I wanted it. I ended up starting in January and am currently going through the program. Really happy to be allowed to have started when I did cause I just want to get through it as quickly as possible. It's a lot of work. Make sure you have a support system in place before you start the program at OU. The professors are wonderful, and the experience has been great, but they are not kidding when they advise you not to work. I don't think anyone is working among my classmates right now, except may an afternoon here or there (were talking like twice a month). It's insane. You live and breathe nursing. I should actually be studying at the moment! I have an exam on Monday, clinical that runs 12 hours along with a presentation that I am giving on Tuesday, and another paper (concept mapping - you'll know what it is when you get there) on Wednesday. Keeping my head up and just trying to stay above water. Not trying to scare anyone cause it can be done. Just know that you must commit to this. You cannot just half-ass this program. We had 57 people start out and at least 10 people have dropped out cause they either found out it was not for them, or would do better in the standard program. Wishing everyone all the very best!

I meant to say that I was accepted to May 2011, not 2012:)

Hey again, Just wanted to clarify that I interviewed in July for the program and was then accepted to start in May 2012. I updated the posting to let you know that I had been bumped up to an earlier semester, as I know others were probably wondering if they were able to do this. As for the interviews, I agree with the last post in that it is extremely important to know why you want to be a nurse. Be real in the interview and also let them know if you have had any health care experience, even if it's just volunteering. I took the time to get licensed as a CNA last spring, and then subsequently obtained a job working as a CNA full-time and have really enjoyed it. This was so helpful in my interviews because it truly gave me the confidence to speak with a purpose and I was able to communicate how much I enjoy nursing. Sure, working as a CNA is not glamorous at all, but you get to work with patients, you see what the nurses are doing, and man, do you learn a lot on the job. For those of you who have the time and the money to go through the classes (3 weeks only) via the Red Cross, I highly recommend you do so. After working as a CNA, I can't imagine starting the nursing program without this experience.

First of all, just want to wish everyone of you who are going to be interviewing in the next few weeks all the very best! Secondly, also wanted to add that I was just bumped up a semester from May 2011 to January 2011. I have been crossing my fingers for that one! I was not sure if they would be able to do it, but looks like they were! I'm only writing this because I know I've been searching the boards to see if anyone else was able to get bumped up and have not found a post about it yet. Good luck to everyone!

Hey everyone, Just thought I'd give my 2 cents on the goal statement for you. I was accepted for the May 2011 cohort. My goal statement really focused on what inspired me to make a career change and exactly why I want to become a nurse. I outlined the steps I had been taking to get to that point and really communicated what I planned to be doing in the future, after I get my degree. I won't go into specifics as each person has a unique story to tell. Make sure you tell them your story. Be sure to really let them know how you feel. I know that when I interviewed, the interviewer had definitely read my goal statement and we discussed it. I don't think this is a popularity contest like others have said. I think they want to see that you are dedicated, that you are willing to sacrifice, and that you can handle stressful situations well. Make sure they see that in you. True, some people are going into nursing for the wrong reasons (money), but I truly think that they are looking for that someone who wants to be in it for the right reasons. We are all coming from different backgrounds and degrees. Really ask yourself why you made this change, and talk about it in your goal statement. Hope this helps guys. Keep on going after your dreams, don't let the process get you down. I know it's hard. It took me years to get to this point, and it's going to just get harder, but I'm sure the rewards will be great:) Wishing you all the very best!

Just wanted to wish you guys all the best of luck! I am definitely down for starting a facebook group or something when all of you get your letters that say you've been accepted;) I know that people are wondering when those that got an acceptance letter interviewed. I actually had an initial interview on the first day set up for early afternoon on the 12th. Unfortunately, they had to reschedule that one as the interviewer did not show up. I ended up interviewing on the 21st and got my letter a week ago last Saturday. I still have 2 pre-nursing courses to take which I've got lined up for this Fall. I also work as a CNA right now. I would not read too much into the delay in letters though. They did say though that everyone would know by August 30th. However, the date on the deposit is set for the 27th. Wishing you guys all the best, hang in there... :redpinkhe

This is crazy. My husband just checked the mail again. I got my letter, and I got in for May 2011. Wishing you all the very best!!! My heart is pumping and my palms are sweaty. So crazy.

I'm still waiting as well. No letter for me today. Hopefully we'll all hear something by Monday:) All the best to you guys!

@ Murphyle, First of all, thank you very much for your insight and talking about what you feel is important during an interview. That was some invaluable information for all pre-nursing students to consider. Secondly, your personal examples had me laughing out loud. Someone actually told you that they "want to meet lots of cute doctors"?!? I mean, you can't make that stuff up! I think the second best line there was "because nurses don't have to clean up poop and stuff". The nurses I work with do a bit of everything, and that includes cleaning up poop if the situation requires it. I would think that is part of the job, as well is all the other "icky" stuff no one else wants to do. Suck it up and get to it right? Anyway, I'm very excited to interview sometime this summer. I do think I'm a good candidate and I'm very happy to hear that more a holistic process at OU versus just about a person's GPA. Thanks again!

Thank you for your insight. I have a pretty good GPA right now, and I just recently started working as a Nurse Assitant full-time. Hopefully that will add to my experience and show them that I am passionate about becoming a nurse. I have lots of motivators for doing so in my personal life, which is why I'm going back to school:) Thanks again for your input. You just made me feel a whole lot better!

Hey everyone, I was wondering what your pre-nursing GPA was prior to being accepted or rejected from the Oakland University 2nd Degree program. Just curious what they are accepting or rejecting these days as far as GPA's go. I recently met a girl who had a 4.0 in all of her pre-nursing classes and still did not get in. Kinda freaked me out. I'd love to hear what your experiences have been:) Best of luck ot everyone!

Hey again! So nice to see that other people are in the sames shoes I am at this point. Life throws us curve balls, but I truly think it's how you handle them. Hopefully, when we are all finished with our studies, the market will be better and we won't have to worry about it. Have faith and keep up the positive! Best of luck to you both:)

Wow. This past year has been a ride. My Mother was diagnosed with cancer, and beat it. In that process, I did some soul searching and discovered that I want to become a nurse and help people. I often witnessed the wonderful team of nurses that cared for my mom through her treatment, and they were inspiring. Having a background in Interior Design for the past 9 years, I had to start over and start taking classes in the evenings to fulfill all the prerequisites needed for the accelerated programs. This is not an easy road, as I have around 8 classes or more (depending on the school). That being said, I'm happy and excited for this change. Ironically, this bad economic client has affected my full-time position at the commercial design firm that I've worked at for 5 years. As of two weeks ago now, I'm working part-time. They do say that when a door closes, a window opens. So, I decided to go ahead and sign up for training to be a Certified Nurse Assistant:) Yep, I'm ditching the design gig altogether and am going to start working in the field of nursing. I think it will be another year before I actually start an accelerated program as there are waiting lists, but at least I'll be working in the filed. Any advice? Has anyone else had a similar experience? I figure that getting experience as a nurse assistant will be invaluable when I'm actually in nursing school. Either way, I'm excited for this new path in my life. I look forward to taking care of people, and I think that's what is most important:)

SNKat, Which hospital are you working at?