Jupiter

Hi, Seahorse! Just wanted to say that I agree w/ everyone else...don't give up! Every school is so different w/ their admissions criteria. Also, waitlists definitely DO shift often! That is *awesome* that you got an interview w/ UCSF - you must be a terrific applicant. From everything I've heard about them, it sounds like the specialty you're applying for can have a lot to do with it. If I had know then what I know now, I definitely would have applied to more than 1 school... As for SF State, I also heard that you cannot get financial aid (Federal loans for grad school) in the first year of the program, so you have to come up w/ the $ through private loans, etc. - so maybe you wouldn't want to go there anyway! (I read that in an old newspaper article- you might want to double-check to see if that is still accurate) Anyway - good luck w/ UC! March 1 is getting closer... :)

:balloons: congratulations, Bruinlaura!! :balloons: I am so happy for you! will you be doing the Psych NP program at Columbia? if so, please tell me all about it! --Jupiter

You know, I just have to point out here that "not being able to find one's a** w/ both hands" could have as much to do with the individual as it does with his or her choice of undergraduate degree. And as a grad student in psych, I would also like to point out that there is a lot of biology, child and adult development studies, and research in my field - as well as a *LOT* of patient-contact - (though no basket-weaving :chuckle ) - qualities I would think would enhance, not obstuct, nursing education. Since I began working in a hospital with graduates of accelearted programs (who by the way could find a**es, among other things with their eyes closed :rotfl: !) I have realized that you CAN become a great nurse, even if you have not had 20 years of nursing experience... it all depends on the indvidual. Of course, experience is important - but some people are able to "catch up" faster than others, if nursing is really what they are meant to do. Maturity, work experience in general, and the ability to learn quickly seem to count for a lot. Witnessing this had inspired me to pursue nursing at this point in my life, and I honestly believe that I will make a better nurse now than I would have if I had gone into the field 15 years ago. That's just my opinion, and I'm sticking to it

Quote: "Anyhow, I do want to wish all of us candidates the best of luck and hope that we will eventually have a thread titled, "current direct entry students!" I third that!! By the way - it seems like a LOT of colleges are now adding direct-entry and/or excellerated BSN programs...I fould a lot through this site and also just looking at different universites' sites. Gennaver, I think you are wise to have a back-up plan - although I hear that many RN programs are also turning away hundreds of qualified applicants due to lack of space/teachers/etc.) - I guess you just never know! I am going to talk to UC about my application, and if I find out anything helpful, I will definitely share it w/ this board. Good luck to you - if I were you, I'd just go ahead and apply everywhere! And Jess - thanks again - that is so nice of you to offer the GRE practice tests! I just sent you a private message. You are going to make such an awesome women's health nurse:) :)

Thanks so much for your kind words. You know I do have volunteer experience w/ adults w/ disabilites - although I did get school credit for it, so maybe it didn't count as totally "pure" anbd selfless volunteer work... I also work w/ nurses at my (paid) job, and have been a psychology grad student for the past 2 years, so I feel that I *do* have knowledge of my chosen specialization (Psychiatric NP). Just out of curiosity - those of you who did get interviews, what were your chosen spicializations? If anyone is doing Psych, would it be all right if I asked you more about it? I am definitely going to reapply, because deep down I know I can do this - I am finally ready to be a nurse! thanks again and good luck everybody - you are so supportive and caring, I know you will make great nurses! :icon_hug:

to everyone who responded here, I jsut wanted to thank you - I applied and did not get in to UCSF, although I am a current graduate student w/ a 4.0 and had - if I do say so myself - great recommednations and a pretty solid essay. I now think my downfall was my GRE scores - I took the test back in '02 and got pretty average scores in the 500's...but seeing they scores of those who got into programs were much higher, I am thinking I should re-take it. Can I ask if any of you took any test prep before the GRE that you would recommend? I could use all the help I can get with that #!$! test. thanks and good luck everyone!

hello, i can really relate to what all the ex-social workers are talking about here- i am actually in the middle of my sw program, and am considering starting all over with nursing. why? well, as much as i love talk therapy, i feel kind of restless, like i am not doing enough to help. and i must admit that the idea of having solid solutions to problems (which you don't have in psychology) is really appealing to me - as far as being able to know that i've actually helped someone. also, i have found that most of the patients i help also have a lot of medical issues, so i think i can really help them MORE if i go into psych nursing... and, last but not least, nursing pays a lot better than social work - at least where i'm from. hope that is helpful! good luck!!