grace390

Hey alexa;I know I heard that the FNP track is the most competitive. Today is the last day they are accepting apps so you should know no later than 6 weeks from today. I hope that you get in for the spring :) . I applied for part time as I work full time . What did you choose ? And why FNP? I chose ACNP because I want to do outpatient cardiology , and they usually round in the hospital. I'm a new grad so don't really have much RN experience to pull from.Grace

Hi all; I recently found out that I was accepted to USF in Tampa's AG-ACNP program for the Spring 2013. I am still in awe as I believe it is their inaugural class from attending the graduate information session this past summer. I have searched the threads to see if anyone started one,but basically I just wanted to reach out and hear from all who will be starting in the spring at USF as an MSN student, as we will all have the same classes for awhile regardless of track. Hope to hear from all the future USF APN's soon

GBAB, I sent you my email address. I will put my school one here if anyone else wants to contact me. [email protected] Grace

Hi all: The background check took about 2 months for me. The background check itself turns around in a day, the drug screen takes about 3 days, but the FBI fingerprint screening took 2 months. Some peoples got returned to them because the FBI said the prints were not legible. I sent 2 extras in the packet so they could pick and choose to avoid this problem. Go to umbackcheckdotcom( the dot is an actual .) just we cant post links on here, and get the process started. Mine was $95.00. med calc ISBN 0323056296. GL :)

Hi Mike, Alot of students live in the Gables near school, at University Inn Condominiums. There is a website on UM for off campus housing you can check out, I also know some people who live in the Dadeland area. Those are both relatively safe. Dont go too deep in the Gables though because it can be kind of sketch if you know what I mean. For me I live far and commute because I just couldnt afford those places and am not working so it is all up to your pocket lol. The first semester was crazy, but only because it was 10 weeks( summer start). If you are starting in Jan, I think thats the best because second semester is the easiest so doing it in summer is ok. Dont get me wrong its not easy at all, just the easiest of all 3. First semester I had clinicals for adult health I 2 days a week but in fall and spring you only do one day from 7-3 30. There is class everyday else and is pretty much from 8-4. There is also a Health assessment lab that you go to once a week to learn how to do your assessment , so that day you may stay later depending on which lab you get. Over all patho and pharm were the hardest, pharm the hardest of all. You will get through it though, its not impossible. The only thing i can say to do before the program is to keep on top of the school with making sure your bckground check has cleared and to start reviewing the med calc book way before, rather than late beacause it 400 pages you have to practice before the program starts for a test you get within 2 weeks of the first day, and you need to pass with a 90% by the third try. I am great at maths so i caught up fast but them telling me a month before was a bit haphazard for me. I had to take out loans to pay for tuition. My first semester i took out a medcap loan from wells fargo, but this semester my mom took out a parent plus loan on my behalf because I am still a dependent. Any thing else feel free to message me Grace

Hi everyone, I am currently in my second semester of the ABSN program so if anyone has any questions about the first semester or general inquiries feel free to message me. Grace

Atakes, The USF app isnt due until JUNe 1. Try and Volunteer in a hospital these last few months or something to put down. Try and show them anything that shows you are a good caring person and give back to your community. Best of Luck!

Heyy, Actually It is on the certificate. Its the UMbackcheck website and its $95. Grace

Where are you located and I will try looking up something and get back to you? Grace

Have you thought of applying to FIU as a post bac student or non degree seeking at MDC and take ur pre reqs there. Once you apply to an Accelerated or Traditional BSN you would not be able to work a m-f 9to 5 job due to time constraints. Good luck on your journey into nursing !

BrCia, I am a fellow Gator myself and will be graduating April 30 with my Bachelors in Health Science. I have spoken to Ken as well about the Accelerated BSN and I know what you mean. UF is going towaed the direct entry to DNP with the option to exit with MSN for now. I am choosing not to go that route only because I would like a change of scenery and the post masters DNP is distance based unlike the post bachelors. The DNP is not a requirement by 2015 but merely a recommendation so many schools like UF and UM are starting to gear students towards entering this program. You will still be an NP with or without a DNP as long as you pass your certification exam. The DNP is something I am doing for myself in hopes of bettering patient outcomes in low income communities. I am very interested in women's heath and pediatrics, and eventually want to open a Women's/Children's clinic in the future. I am also merely 21 years old so I have the time to spend doing all this. Your unique situation may make it difficult for you to pursue the DNP. Grace

BrCia, I plan to do the MSN part time at UM or FAU. The 2 year track and I am gonna do the DNP with UF or UM for another year and a half.

Lmaria, I got the same email today! Your stuff got their quick! lol Yes I want to continue right away while the brain is still young, and info still fresh. Mf bf and I are holding off on marriage till we both become established so I'd definitely like to be done with school forever and in a good NP position by 25/26 because I do agree with you its important to start your family. I hope we get this scholarship or get into FAU, whichever but 13,000 in loan just for one semester- Murder. Im gonna save for living expenses now while I have a job, but still , The entire FAU tuition for 55 credits is still under 13K... Yunas, Yeah, keep us posted. :)

Lmaria, Congrats on recently tying the knot! I am a decade younger than you lol, but I understand wanting to have a baby :). They are so cute lol.. I am sure you will be able to use the MBA and may not even have to get an msn unless you want to be a NP, CNM, or CRNA. After working at the bedside as an RN for 3-5 years I am sure you would be able to apply for a management position in nursing. They make just as much as NP's if not more. My aunt is a Nurse manager at South Miami Hospital and her pay after taxes is about 96k. I really wanted to get the masters in nurse midwifery, but due to the economy and Florida's stipulations, I am leaning towards getting the FNP, and possibly just working in womens health or pediatrics for now till the economy starts to turn around. I tend to be practical, although I love the specialty, the jobs just aren't there right now so marketability is key .

lmaria, Definitely I'm praying on that one because I don't know about that much money for the bsn, especially since I'm trying to the msn part time while working right after. I really hope we get some form of relief :)

CanesReina, Congrats on your acceptance. I am on FB as well. My name is Grace-Anne Natalie. Hope to see you in May!!

lmaria, I put 39,000 in all the empty spaces :)

lmaria, No problem and Thanks so much. I do hope you get into FAU if its your first choice though because thats how i felt about UM. :) Yunas, Thanks :) At least here you guys will listen lol. My boyfriends tired of hearing me gab about nursing school. I know the mail is so slow sometimes, but when you least expect it is when it should surprise you. Not many people said they got a letter since the beginning of Jan so hopefully you are in the next batch!

Hi Lmaria, I sent mine in on Friday by priority mail with delivery confirmation so I can be sure they get it. I suggest that you do the same . I have been searching high and low trying to find information about getting the scholarship and there is nothing. I have emailed the recruiter several times and received no response. I assume she is very busy and did not want to get off on the wrong foot so I just left it alone. It seems overall that it has gotten more difficult to get the scholarship over the years. I know last year they did not require interviews, they just selected the winners. I do believe that this is not necessarily a bad thing, I just hope we get interviews to show them who we are, and that we are serious about making a contribution to the nursing profession. If also plan to apply for the HRSA nursing scholarship program through the federal government, I know they weight it mostly on your efc so I am not sure what your situation is but they prefer efc of 0. I also suggest applying to all those small scholarships for $100- $2500. You never know if you may get one, Free money is free money. If scholarships do not work out for me my plan is to look into Graduate PLUS loans. They are offered through the federal government and say they cover cost of attendance less other financial aid. The credit check on those loans are far less stringent and I believe the interest rates are lower. If somehow you do not qualify for the full amount in Graduate PLUS due to loans from your MBA or such, then I would suggest private loans. I have been looking into Discover Student Loans so far but I will be sure to compare all of the values. A local credit union may even give a better value. The HRSA also has a loan repayment program for nurses which you can look into after graduating if we have to take out loans and do not get the UM scholarship or HRSA scholarship. I think you have to work in an underserved area for 2 years and they pay 60% of your loans with the option to sign on for a third year and they pay an additional 25% of loan balance accumulated during nursing school. Try discovernursing.com for the small scholarship search as well as the UM website. Hope this helps some =)

Yunas, Oh ok thats not too bad then :) Hondas are good cars. Just Keep Checking the Mail. You will get in soon! :)

Yunas, Thanks thats sweet. You seem very nice as well. I don't know about an old junkie car though, would hate for you to break down and miss clinicals or something ... I hope it will all work out too. I am going to get everything notarized for the scholarship today and mail it off via priority mail so **crossing my fingers**. I am already indebted 12k from this current degree program I am in and am sure even with the scholarship I will need more. I think the cost of attendance is going to be about 57k there about so we at least need some help you know! Thats way too much in loans, not to mention I doubt I will be approved without a cosigner! Lets just keep our fingers crossed. I prayed for you last night so hopefully it works, and Ill continue to do so until you get your letter :)

lmaria, I keep thinking when did nursing school get so competitive? Im losing my mind with this waiting game! I wish they would have asked for a resume or something you know. Its all a numbers game. What did you study in undergrad if you don't mind me asking? The email said by Feb 28 they will send out decisions to all applicants. I know they use HESI to predict how well you will do in the program, and also your pre requisite GPA so hopefully u will be A-ok =)

Yunas, I really really hope you get in, and you had higher stats than me so if your teacher wrote a strong letter that would be in your favor. I think my letters and health care experience is what made me the bottom end of the spectrum. I'm sure I will be the girl in the class with the lowest seeing as I sit at a 3.1 overall and 3.6 pre req. My letters came from (1) The Assistant Director of Nursing at my place of employment and (2) a teacher I had for Public Health Concepts last Spring. My upper division GPA is a 3.9 though, it was just my first 2 years at UF that I was pre-med it was murder lol...But keep your chin up!! lmaria, Omg thats gonna be a sucky commute on the way home. I dont think its too bad in the morning because less traffic but in the evening,yikes! I have no idea what to do about getting to campus. I will be commuting from Homestead, FL which is south of miami. Im still unsure if I should drive to the metrorail station and ride that to UM, or purchase a parking pass and drive the whole way. I guess I would have to speak to other students that are already in the program to figure out what they did. I am really excited about starting on this path!( I guess it hasn't set in yet that I will be without a life for 12 months)!

lmaria, Congrats on being accepted to UM first of all. Yes I also applied to Fau, but doubt I will get in. My Hesi stats were great but GPA stats def not up there like you. However I dont think they look at MBA GPA just bachelors. " Admission Decision Factors This is a limited-access program and we receive many more qualified applications than available spaces. The key factors considered when making admission decisions include: Prospective students MUST have been awarded a Bachelor's degree with a MINIMUM 3.0 GPA. Post baccalaureate and graduate classes are NOT calculated into the Bachelor's degree GPA. The official GPA is the GPA calculated by the Bachelor's degree awarding institution." Collected from: Florida Atlantic University - Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing - Future Students I am hoping they can overlook that 76% on Vocab because I know that was my poor section as well (88%) Others 96,98,94. I have heard the same comments as you, that it is impossible to get into. I much prefer the UM just because of the actual program, but if i were choosing based on economical costs, FAU would be my bet! Yunas, I havent been contacted by the College of Nursing as yet. I dont think they will start contacting us until after all the admissions decisions have been sent out. I have been reading posts from last year, and going to miami.edu/sonhs/students to get my info. So far I haven't heard anything about a physical. I saw the immunization and CPR requirements though, but those I already have as I so CNA work pro re nata while in school. If you find anything out be sure to let me know though !!

Yunas, As I always say prayer works wonders so just keep praying about it and i'm sure it will work out for the best. I always think "Hey, somewhere's bound to take me" lol!. Keep checking my UM and the mail . I never asked you, did you list any health care experience on your application? and who wrote your letter(s) of recommendation for you( just titles no name)??