JSBH

The most important thing, as with any school is to have a clear picture of how you see yourself as a future provider. Get clinical experience that is as hands on as you can find. If u have an area of interest that you'd like to pursue professionally, get experience there. I worked with a FNP at SF General, but other people had varying experiences. Most importantly(because we all did it) know that it's more impressive to them if u have a clear vision of what you hope to achieve in nursing than if you spend your energy trying to figure out what they want. It's a GIANT step into professionalism. Prepare yourself now. Good luck!

That is awesome! I will join now. :)

Hi guys, General responses... I agree, I think that each department is making their own decisions, so the timeline is different. Although school starts on the same date, so you'll have to find out at some point. Accepted students have until April 15th to let the school know. That means that those that are waitlisted, are likely to be notified after that date if there is space for them. I spoke with Kathy Carr (director of nursing or something like that) and she is the one who gave me the information that Dr. Jensen was making the FNP decisions. She also told me that I was waitlisted. I still have not received anything paper or otherwise confirming any of this. This is a huge part of why I am pursuing Samuel Merritt instead. I agree that regardless of what program you enter, you will find like-minded people. I've noticed that incredible people tend to be associated with these types of programs, so no need to worry there. Best of luck. It is likely that those on the waitlist will be notified very last minute, which is a large reason why I decided that I could not move myself from California to WA on that short of notice. This whole process is random. Have faith. Don't let it drive you nuts. It has been great to have all of you to vent to! Best of luck in your ventures! Jessica

Try not to go bonkers. I've been doing that with another program for the last month. It doesn't help your sanity at all. Stay positive, and harass the admissions people until you get your answer. Best of luck!

Hi everyone. I started a new thread "Samuel Merritt ELMSN - FNP Oakland 2010 Cohort". I thought it would be great to have a place to get to know eachother and to share our process. I've found this thread to be very informative and helpful through the application/interview process...so onto the next step. Please join me. Jessica here's a link: https://allnurses.com/post-graduate-nursing/samuel-merritt-elmsn-461614.html hopefully that works

Hello Ladies and Gents, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread for those that are going to be in the Oakland FNP 2010 cohort. It has been so useful to have a dialogue about the process so far, that I thought we could help eachother through the process of preparing for and starting our program. It can give us a chance to get to know one another better, also. My name is Jessica. I interviewed Feb 8th and got early acceptance after the interview. I'm planning on moving to the east bay this summer in preparation for the start of the program in the fall. I'm figuring anywhere along the BART line will work, but I'm trying to get more information about the realities of the schedule to see if it makes sense. I received an email today giving me my login information for the student email and website. Next up will be to complete the health clearance (very involved) and get the background check going. That's all for now, I look forward to getting to know you all better, and meeting you in the fall! Congratulations! Jessica

I'm sorry. I totally understand. I wish they didn't handle things so last minute. Good luck to you. Just try to put it out of your mind. Assume that you won't hear anything until after April 15th. It might give you some calm till then.

I've officially decided to go to Samuel Merritt. So I will see you guys in the fall! We're looking at moving to Walnut Creek near bart. Anyone else have plans in the works?

Well, nothing at all here. I have officially decided that I am going to Samuel Merritt. For those of you that are going to Seattle and still aspire to go, it is a beautiful campus and lab. It will be a great option if you take it. Thank you for all the support and info along the way. I look forward to our paths potentially crossing in our professional futures. Good luck to all!

Abbie, that's sweet of you, but I think I'm going to stick with the program I'm already accepted to. I will keep you all posted of any info I get though.

I'm sorry qwerty. What other programs did you apply to?

Well, Abbie, it looks like you're at the top of the waitlist. I did not get any emails or letters yet. That's great Abbie. I hope it works out for you. Quadruple-double, I haven't seen any changes on the admission status website either. Good luck to you also!

That would be nice! I guess I need to start my scholarship hunt. :)

I finished all my prereqs...with a 4.0...and I'm waitlisted. I can't believe that they're not giving any information. That's just unfair. People need to make decisions about what direction to go in their lives. I assume that the letters that will eventually go out probably won't have that information on them. Wow, I sound like such a pessimist. I'm going to start planning for going to Samuel Merritt. If we may not be notified until after April 15th, I don't think I can move my whole life from California to Washington in such short notice...we'll see. How is everyone else doing?

Hi there. Who was it that you spoke to that gave you the waitlist info? I'm echoing the same questions, but did they give you an idea of how many were on the waitlist (I'm waitlisted also)? If you don't mind, could you tell us what number you were? (I understand if you do mind.) Any info is helpful. Thanks!

Hi guys, I didn't receive anything from SU today either. I guess the information was not so accurate. Hopefully we'll hear soon.

I'm sorry, Meredith. But, it sounds like you're ok with it. Good luck with the other schools! Have you heard anything yet?

Congratulations John! Wow, that's a pressure cooker. It's nice to know though, isn't it? Will, lol you're funny. Andrea, I looked into the shuttle and it's kind of awesome. They'll pick up from MacArthur bart and take you directly to the school for the daytime hours during the week. That makes life a lot easier. Does anyone know if Kaiser is still doing a tuition repayment plan with SM?

I also have health care experience and have been volunteering in a hospital clinic for the last year. I think it helps, but it's not an end all be all. If you don't get into Seattle U you should apply to UCSF, they love those that do work abroad. I imagine UW is similar since they are similar schools.

Meredith. Yes, check that link. We've been discussing the process for awhile now. The long and short of it is that everyone should know their status by next week.

Thanks for the info Andrea. I'm going to look into that!

hollownurse, did you call? I figure we'll know after 2 weeks because that is how long people have to respond. However, I am accepting my admission to another program but still haven't made my decision. I imagine other people are responding in similar ways. Keeping options open. I know of a girl who was accepted to a program two weeks before it started. I've decided to establish a cut off time where it's not possible to pick up my whole life and move it two states away. I am also a very strong candidate, but what Kathy was telling me was that they had MANY this year. I guess that's a good thing in general for the state of nursing, but it makes it tough on us. She said I had a very high score and was more than qualified...but especially in the FNP program, it's incredibly competitive. So whatever that means.... It's hard to say. It's so subjective. I've had 3 completely different responses to exactly the same information. A lot of it depends on who is doing the comparisons. I'm bummed that I didn't get to interview with Dr. Jensen, because I feel like that would have pushed me into the other pile if she had met me. Oh well. It is what it is. I am lucky to be in a program at all. It's so hard not to be a whiner. I guess the idea is that some people fit better with certain programs. A lot of the time at the interview process, that's what they're looking for...the "fit".

Thanks for the encouragement! It's true though. Regardless of the program I will be an NP, so that's pretty fantastic. They didn't give me any more details. I posted everything that I was told. She couldn't tell me if there was a number associated with my waitlisting...but I assume there must be. I'm hoping that information comes in the letter. I do know that people posted that they had to respond within 14 days, so I'm guessing in 3 weeks I'll know if I've been accepted to Seattle or not. The program that I have been accepted to is Samuel Merritt in Oakland. I live in the bay area, so that's a nice option. It's a great program, from what people tell me. So I'm excited about it either way. It's just an adjustment mentally since I'd planned my life in Seattle already. I have to notify Samuel Merritt by the 10th, so I'm sending my deposit today. Knowing, whether the outcome is positive or not, is a relief. It ends the insanity. So, I'm looking forward to knowing.

Hey everyone. Any news yet? I just heard that I was waitlisted for Seattle U, so I'm sending my deposit for Samuel Merritt. Will, we may be classmates afterall. :) It looks like the campus is a 15 minutes walk from the MacArthur bart station, so that makes it easier to look for housing. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks guys. It feels like a prolonged waiting process. lol Well, I'll give them a week or so, see who posts their statuses..then start calling again. We'll see how this works.