rchamp59

I just spoke with a HR person on the phone at a hospital in CA. It seems that we will have better luck finding a job when the new RN grad programs start in the fall. Right now there is nothing out there except for RNs with experience. So keep up the pounding of the pavement, but also step it up in May and June. Even though we will be competing with the new new grads, at least we already have passed our NCLEX so we can apply a little bit earlier than the others. good luck

congratulations! I heard that there are only two new grad classes per year at the VA. do you know when they are? Congratulations again. I am in Baltimore but miss California. I will graduate in May with my MPH, but received my BSN and passed the NCLEX almost a year ago. Do they look for people fresh out of nursing school?

I started out in the accelerated program and then switched to traditional. Feel free to ask any questions.

I only had 83 questions and I am freaking out, just the same as you are. So that tells me that there is just as likely a chance that we both passed as failed, so good luck to both of us! I would actually feel much better if I did have 200 questions. Anyway, best of luck to you!

Hi Epiphany, My friend has quite a few questions for you. Any thing you can tell her will be helpful. It is always a nervous time to prepare for an interview. Thank you in advance, and I hope you are having a great trip! I have not posted anything here in a long time. You can reply to a private message (I forget how.). What is the interview process? What questions did they ask? Do I need to go over the OB textbook to prepare for some questions should they ask? How many interviews did you go through? How long did it take? Would you mind to tell me something about Barbara Reale? It is very likely that she will be my interviewer. Any suggestions for preparing for the interview? How is the OB/GYN program? Do you like it so far? Do you think it is possible to do the program full-time while working full-time? Thank you so much. Roland

Good luck and congratulations! A friend of mine will be interviewed by UPenn in the next two weeks. Can she ask you questions about the interview process? Thank you, Roland

Hello, I applied to two of the schools you mentioned (UCSF, Johns Hopkins) and was accepted to both of them. If you would like to contact me we can chat about it.

I agree those are the most competitive tracks, FNP and Midwifery, but I also got in on the first try, and it was in the FNP track. So do not let that influence you at all, go for it!

Hi Smile123, I have been going through the same decision myself, and have been including UCSF in the discussions going around my head. Here are my thoughts so far: Hopkins gives a BSN along the way, the other programs do not. If you look at a lot of RN positions now they advertise either 2 years experience or a BSN. So I think the high cost of Hopkins can be justified by that fact alone. Also, Hopkins allows you to leave the program for a year to get experience working as an RN, and then you can return to the program to finish your masters. Again, the other programs do not. Working a year will mean having to take on less debt as well. You can always come back to California (I am in California too.) to work for that year, which will make it easier to get a job in California as you mentioned you want to do. Also, Hopkins allows you to work parttime during your masters portion of the program. I like the BSN, and the flexibility that Hopkins allows. Since the other programs don't give BSNs, you are kind of stuck there to finish the program. Anyway, those are my thoughts so far. I have a friends at both programs (Hopkins and USD). Feel free to send me an e-mail. Roland

I got my acceptance letter today, : ) Has anyone else heard anything? I was surprised, they want an answer by March 8th, and there was no mention of a deposit being required...

I also used the Princeton Review and found it very helpful. The book comes with a CD Rom of practice tests, which you can take over and over. It is a good idea to practice on a computer, because it changes the whole equation if you only practice on paper.

if you cannot answer the question why you want to be a nurse, you will have a tough time getting through the interview. it is a straightforward question, nothing tricky about it. have you done volunteer work in a hospital? that will help you figure it out and the experience will help you verbalize your desire. good luck, it is good you are asking this question.

I provided a short bio and the reasons I want to go to nursing school to the people who I asked for references. If they do not know you well, remember they cannot read your mind. In general, people take it as a compliment that you want to use them as a reference, so if you help make their task easier you are sure to get a great reference. They cannot be expected to remember all the great things you have done, or the school projects you got an A on etc.. And with schools being so competitive, you need great references that point out specific events, personality traits, etc.. good luck!