Samuel Merritt ELMSN-FNP 2010 - Sacramento Applicants

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Anyone out there applying for this program? Looking for some friends to share the stress of the waiting game with!

Check this article out, people: http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bal-md.nurse09aug09,0,1842988.story

"In addition to using nurse practitioners, policymakers are considering increasing loan-forgiveness programs, adding more slots in primary care residency programs and expanding the National Health Service Corps, which places doctors in underserved areas."

Expanded loan forgiveness!! Now were talking! :D

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery.

Congrats to all of those who got in!! We were very impressed with all the interviews. For those who got in, "Welcome to SMU!". I'm glad they are giving early admittance to more than one now. Enjoy all your time before school starts. For the rest, stay optimistic!!! They won't inform the rest til October probably so just keep busy! I hope they decide it to do it earlier this year!

And, there will more than likely be another 4th round of interviews for those who could not make any of the interviews for personal emergency, abroad for vacation, etc.. So, just to be fair, please do not discuss the specific details of the interviews on here because we want everyone to have a fair opportunity. THank you!

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Wishing2BeaRN,

I am interviewing for the ELM-Case Management program at Samuel Merritt (Sac) on Aug 28th. Will you be involved in those? Are those group interviews as well? I have so many questions, and cannot find any threads or any info. I am super-nervous, ofcourse. I am also trying not to get my hopes up! Any advice, or any other ELM-CM applicants out there?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery.

Hi MarathonRunner:

Congrats! :yeah:GOod luck on your interview. No, I will not be involved with CM interviews bc they are typically conducted by case management faculty. They are typically one on one, which I think is a lot better than a group interview. The interview from what my CM colleagues have said was pretty normal. It's not like the FNP. Just be sure you know why you want to be a case manager, share your life experiences, know your strengths, weaknesses, etc. Be likeable, confident, upbeat, and impassioned on why you what to go down this path of case management, and I'm sure you'll do GREAT! Best of LUCK! :wink2:

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Hey guys I just wanted your opinion about the Sacramento campus. My first time visiting was my interview for the FNP program and I was surprised by how different it was compared to the Oakland campus. I knew it was going to be smaller but I had no idea how small it was until the interview day. The lack of a real library, quiet place to study on campus, ad even a gym are giving me second thoughts about accepting Liza's early admittance. I originally applied there in the spring because I wanted to start ASAP and plus I was done with all my Pre-reqs at that time. I'm originally from the Bay Area as well so the Oakland campus is a lot closer. Would the education be better with more facilities at the Oakland one? I don't know if its worth it to move all the way to Sac if I'm paying the same price for smaller facilities at Sac...should I just defer the acceptance and try for the Oakland one instead?

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If you are planning to move in order to attend SMU then I would really make sure that this campus and the Sacramento area will work for you. Otherwise getting through the three years of schooling could be that much harder for you. I don't think that the education will be lacking in Sacramento because of the facilities, but I haven't seen what the Oakland campus has to offer in comparison. If you are not in a hurry to start maybe applying to Oakland's campus would be better. Have you discussed your concerns with Liza? When do you have to give your acceptance?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery.

Hi Willmak,

If you're young and in no rush to start and feel confident you will get into Oakland also, then I say why not. I chose Sac because I am from here, I didn't want to wait, and most importantly, my support system is here. Although, there are quite a few of my classmates who are from the bay area. SMU Sac does lack in those 3 important elements you mentioned. They do not really have a strong social support system, in comparison, to Oakland. We always get emails about Oakland's social activites, and we get jealous about it. :p However, we do get FREE and easy parking! :p

THe 1st year you will be at Sac the most,2nd year you can precept in the Bay area (quite a few of my classmates from the bay area chose to do that) and only have class a few times a week..2nd year summer and fall you'll probably be back in the bay area a majority of the time (we only class 1-2x every other week and you only have one class in the fall that meets only 4x ) . However, in the 3rd year and 4th spring semester it gets heavy again.

Definitely ask Liza your chances of getting in and if you have to resubmit everything or if she can just forward it to SF.

Good Luck on whatever you decide!

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Hi I just found this site and love it!!! I just received a call for an interview in the begining of Sept. At first I was really excited, but after reading some of the other posts I noticed most people had their interviews in the begining of Aug. That made me feel like I was not a strong canidate and maybe was given an interview offer based on the fact they did not find what they are looking for. I am not complaining but just want to see if anyone is in the same boat or their thoughts on this. Thanks

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Hi I just found this site and love it!!! I just received a call for an interview in the begining of Sept. At first I was really excited, but after reading some of the other posts I noticed most people had their interviews in the begining of Aug. That made me feel like I was not a strong canidate and maybe was given an interview offer based on the fact they did not find what they are looking for. I am not complaining but just want to see if anyone is in the same boat or their thoughts on this. Thanks

I would TOTALLY not think that, nursingmomma! :) In our interview, they said several times that being selected for an interview is impressive by itself. And it is! They don't interview everyone. They spent two hours with us, which cost them a chunk of $; they wouldn't spend it on just anyone. I don't know how they fill their spots (roughly 20 per class), but here's how I would think it would make sense to do it. The first round of interviews would be to fill some number of slots (say 10). We would interview the highest-ranked applicants then, figuring we would accept a high percentage of them. With those slots filled, we would turn to the next tier of applicants. That group might consist of a relatively high number of people, from which we would pick the last 10. Then, of course, there is a waiting list. I'm sure many people who applied to this program had several potential schools in mind and probably quite a few of them will decide to opt out of going to SMU, which means their slots will open up! In my view, the fact that they have chosen you for an interview means you are very much in the running. Don't be discouraged! If you get in (and I hope you do), no one is going to care whether you were the 1st person to be chosen or the 19th. All that matters is that you got in! :) Congratulations on getting an interview. I wish you the best of luck! Erik

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Thanks Erik!!!! your right I should be happy I got a call back and should not stress!!! I do not think I have a group interview tho cus my interview is only 25 mins.. this makes me even more nervous!!!

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Well at least you'll know what to expect! :) The group interview was completely new to me and I had very little info. going in. So it was hard to know what they expected from me. With a standard format (which I assume yours will be) you will have a better idea. Good luck! Erik

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nursingimomma- did you ever apply for another term or location of SMU and get put on the waiting list? Were you on vacation when they held the first batch of interviews?

I don't think that just because you are getting an interview not that you weren't a strong candidate in the first place. It doesn't make sense why they are holding more interviews a month later, but don't let that take away from the excitement of it all. You have just as good of a chance as anyone else, maybe even better since you will be able to sit one on one with them and they will be able to get a good understanding of who you are. That is something that the group interviews kind of lack. I know some people walked away feeling like there was no way the panel knew who they were.

Good luck on your interview! What date are you scheduled for? Let us know how it goes.

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