ALXiong

Congrat! It is such a difficult decision to make! I totally understand your concern about the financial part of the education. SMU is costly and I know because I graduated from there. However, I want to put in my 2 cents. My question is that what you see yourself in the future? Do you want to become a RN Case Manager? Do you want to have a nursing degree (ADN, BSN, or MSN) and focus on bedside nursing? I think this is a very valid question that you really need to consider before making your final decision. Another thing is connection! It is the reality of current nursing field. You do not have a connection. You will have the most difficult time to land your first nursing job, especially in Bay Area. I experience this myself when I was looking for a job and I have a MSN with 1-2 years of nursing experiences. Are you looking to move back to Bay Area? If you are, I will strongly suggest you to go to the school at local because it is how you build your connections. I will just add one more thing. RN CM is a super hot market right now. A lot of openings and many hospitals want to hire RN CM. More than 90% of my classmates who graduated from CM track got jobs before they graduated. All of them got jobs within 2 months of graduation. I would say that connections were a huge factor that they all successfully landed their nursing jobs. I hope my 2 cents will give you some more insights.

I didn't go with Western because I attended another school with a shorter time commitment for master entry with NP specialty. And it is closer to where I live.

I interviewed for this program 3 years ago. The class started in 2012 was the last class that could choose MSN-E with FNP option. Even with that option, the entire program was 4 years in length. It practically took as long as medical school. I am not here to criticize this program. If your mind is setted to become a NP, there are many options that can take as little as 3 years to become a NP. If you are not sure that you want to become a NP but wanting to obtain a MSN, this program can be a good option for you. I had a few friends who went through accelerated BSN program, then went straight into NP program without RN work experience. I just want to throw in my two cents because I had been in the same place before and I know it was a difficult decision to make. Think of what you want before making a huge financial and life commitment for any programs. Good luck!

No, it doesn't have to be all white. I recalled a faculty said that 70% white would be fine. It is hard to find shoes that are all white. I had running shoes for clinical and never had those "nursing shoes." Just buy something that is comfortable, at least 70% white, and affordable. You may walk to up 7 to 8 miles during clinical per day, so you want to have shoes that are super comfortable. Otherwise, your feet will be hurting so bad after a long day.

I know it can be nerved cracking to go into something unknown, but I do not want to disclose too much information about the interview because you are not the only one who is going to be interviewing. You also can look up some old threads on allnurses, which some posts had talked about specific things during interview for this program. I just want to focus that why you want to be FNP and know how PPACA affects healthcare. What can you bring to the nursing profession like your past experience, your previous professions outside of healthcare? Lastly, be polite and respectful of others because healthcare is team work. I am sure that you are an outstanding candidate, but this interview is the chance to show how you can make a difference as a FNP in the future. Good luck!

Good luck to all of those who are going to interview and be patient to those who still hasn't heard anything. Hope to see you in Spring 2015.

In person interview, unless you cannot make it to Sacramento for some reasons.

Good luck everyone who will go to interview and have interviewed! I remember how stressful it can be while I was in the process of applying. I am in second year of ELMSN-FNP program at SMU. Time just flies!

I don't recommend you to get tickets in advance. You may or may not have clinical on weekend. Some of the students will have clinical during weekend for the first semester. You should wait until you figure out when you will be your clinical day before purchasing the ticket. For second semester, my class didn't have any clinicals fallen on weekend. (but it may change from year to year)

Sorry. I dont check here often and my past week had been rough with my sickness and final. I could not tell you how fast pace this because we still have classmates that work (not recommended!). It really depends on how you manage your time. You can ask one of the current students at the new student orientation. I will leave this question for them.

It really depends on your financial need, but the financial aid (all loans) will cover tuition, books, and cost of living. Not like a luxury style of living but enough to live comfortably.

Congratulations to all of you who got called today! See you guys this coming Spring on campus! Get a good vacation before school starts, highly recommend!

This entire program is based in Sacramento and all classes are scheduled to meet on campus throughout the semester weekly.

Tried to send you a PM, but your inbox is full.

ELMSN-FNP at Sac and Oakland is the exact same program but starts different time and place. Same faculties review applications and conduct interviews. If you have questions, I can try to answer them.