HeartRN2008

Hi there! I'm actually not prespecialty, I'm direct entry, but this thread seems to be more active so I poke in here every once in a while, too!! Any details you have about your clinicals and classes for next year would be great to hear. I have a million questions, but any info in general would be awesome :)

I just finished my financial aid forms today. Really starting off on the right foot! Ah, my procrastinating ways. How long did it take most of you to get your financial aid info after the paperwork on your end was completed? Clearly, it can't take TOO long- it is June, after all!- but I'm still anxious to hear. I'm pretty nervous about the obnoxious amount of money I will have to take out in loans. It always makes me kind of laugh when people say, "Wow, how are you going to pay for that?" when they hear I am going back to school. I mean, honestly, do people think I have the full cost of attendance in my bank account? Hello, student loans!! PS: Congrats, PsychRN2013!!

Oh my goodness... I'm from Rhode Island, so I'm honestly not entirely sure how I'm going to handle the lack of winter weather (snow, skiing!). How is Nashville treating you? Any fun info to share?

Good to know! Doesn't sound so terrible. I'm sort of thinking a few miles isn't really too bad- definitely bikeable. Does Nashville have any type of reliable public transit system? A few miles from campus certainly wouldn't kill me, but if I can find a place that allows me to avoid much of a drive (particularly highways/traffic!) I would be THRILLED. Space isn't much of a concern- it'll just be myself and the pooch. Less space means less to clean :) What exactly is "a little further out" in the area- are we talking a few miles or a few towns over??

Hi all, This info is SO helpful! I'm not Pre-Specialty, I'll be Direct Entry, but I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm from Rhode Island and have never been anywhere close to Nashville and know NOTHING about the area. I would really prefer living within walking distance to campus. I keep seeing info about how PRICEY apartments are- what exactly is "pricey" in Nashville? In Providence, we can expect to pay anywhere from $900-$1400 for a decent (not super fancy) apartment. Anyone have hard figures for me? Also, I have a dog who I absolutely NEED to take with me- is the area dog friendly at all? Like any dog parks or parks in general nearby? Any and all Vandy/Nashville info appreciated- SO overwhelmed!! Also, CONGRATS to all- what a huge change our lives will take over the next few years :)

Hi all! Just found out today I've been accepted for ACNP Fall 2011- so stoked! Does anyone have any idea how large the cohort generally is? I've been online allll day researching Vandy/Nashville. Still waiting to hear from Penn, but I'm SO thrilled about this acceptance!

Congratulations, pinkzebra! That's fantastic about starting your direct-entry program- best of luck to you!!! If you have the time (starting school, you may not!) it would be great if you could PM me your stats and school + program of choice, or whatever info. you are comfortable giving :) I can't PM yet! BTW, I also attended college outside of Boston- it's tough for me to consider leaving New England!!! Thanks, and again- good luck!

LWeatherby, thanks for the info! Greatly appreciated :) I'm thinking I'll submit my GRE scores- not perfect but definitely not poor, I believe they'll contribute to my total application as opposed to detracting from it. I'd hate to leave them out and then find that they might have helped...:/

My personal opinion: Learn phlebotomy and IV insertion on the job. Most new grads won't have had this teaching while in school, so in most hospital new grad programs, it'll be part of your 3/6/whatever month long orientation. The EKG interpretation, however, is really an art. I assume you mean real EKG interpretation, and not rhythm analysis- rhythms you will learn in school. EKG reading, however, is something I would definitely spend some time on. But maybe not to the tune of $1200 :) There are some quality books on the market for this if you're any bit of a self starter. Good luck!!!

Agreed with Richard Head. But to be simple, if what you're presenting is a scenario in which Pt. X has a rocketing BP but is bradycardic, yes, I have many a time used ACE's, particularly IV but PO as well, and had them work wonderfully for that type of situation. :)

Interesting... good to know about the adult acute care program! Does anyone know if these numbers apply to traditional MSN students as well?? Or just the direct entry group? Good luck to all, BTW! :)

I've seen this as well! I can see what you're saying about the potential for infection, however, I would assume that the hospital provides fresh fruit and vegetables as food choices anyhow. So, I figure, if the Farmer's Market is held in a location in the hospital that makes sense, it's not a terrible idea. It's providing a clearly at risk population (sick, elderly, those visiting the sick- run down!! and maybe children expecting mothers) with fresh fruits and vegetables, for a meal in the hospital and also to take home. Let's hope whoever is running the Market ensures that the produce is washed well before it is made available for purchase!! :) Interesting to see how it pans out, however, I do remember reading an article that the Farmer's Market in the hospital thing is actually catching on nationwide- strange but true. Leads me to think there might be some research behind it.

Can't PM yet- new kid here :) Speaking of GRE waivers, what seems to be the general consensus there? My GPA is high enough to request one for most programs, however, I'm wondering if leaving them out might hurt my total application. I already took them, and my scores are strong- not spectacular, but good. Hmmm... so much to think about. This application process is intense!

Any ideas on how competitive MSN admission to Penn is for those who already have their BSN? I know that sometimes, the admissions team will describe how many folks applied, how many were accepted, and an average accepted applicant's GPA/GRE/years experience. Congrats on admission- I'm hoping for acceptance to Penn for Fall 2011! :)

Does anyone know if admission to MSN programs (already having a BSN) are as competitive as direct entry (for those who are not already nurses) programs? I can tell from lurking on this site that admissions to the direct entry programs tend to be EXTREMELY competitve- very high GPA's/GRE's, from folks who often have bachelor's degrees in difficult majors or from very well known schools. I graduated with my BSN from a lesser known, smaller school, with a good (but not stellar) GPA, and again, good, but not stellar, GRE's. However, I do have 2 years of acute care nursing experience. Any thoughts???