UAB AMNP Cohort 2018 Applicants

Published

Hello Everyone,

I created this discussion for those of us who are applying to the AMNP program for 2018 to ask questions, share information, etc.

I am in the opposite situation from many of the aspiring nurses entering the AMNP program. I graduated from UA with a. ear perfect GPA and have tons of volunteer experience... but none in the medical field. I have no medical experience whatsoever. i feel confident about my LORs and the essay portion of the application and if offered an interview I believe I could do very well. How badly do you guys think the zero medical experience will hurt my application? I have applied to shadow a CRNA and a NP but unfortunately it will not happen before I submit my application. Any advice or words of encouragement? I am feeling very stressed about it

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have started my application. I need to go back in and finish it. Does anyone know if shadowing is required? I have not shadowed anyone. If required, I feel confident that I can make arrangements it will just be difficult to work around my current job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello everyone, I'm currently in the cohort and wanted to offer to answer any questions as well. What is great about this program is that they really do accept a variety of applicants and the program has been slowly expanding every year. If you don't have any medical experience I would definitely recommend volunteering or shadowing in a hospital- not only does it make you look good as an applicant, but it will help you out to have some foundation of medical knowledge in the first semester. Interview questions were about why you want to do this program, how you are with working in a group, how you deal with stress, what you'd like to choose as your speciality, and how do you plan to pay for Phase 1 of the program. Best of luck everyone!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a member of the current cohort with RFronsee! What I've read so far in the posts above is that you'll most likely be very competitive in the application process. To the person that is working as a CNA, you are probably a shoo in. Simply because you are currently working in a hostpital, and you KNOW what you are getting into in this field. Essay-wise they want to see that you know what nurses/NPs do and that you want to be one. GPA is important bc the first year is an academically grueling program. We have people in our cohort who have never struggled with grades, who struggle in the first year. Part of the challenge is that you are working long clinical hours (nearly as many as a full time job) and still have multiple lecture days per week, plus a big test every week, and endless assignments due. There is never enough time to study. I mean, I study at stop lights(!), if that is an indication. So, they shoot for high achievers. And even with high achievers, there are a handful that leave the program each year. All that said, I wouldn't stress about having a GPA under 3.5. FWIW, I had an overall 3.2 GPA (mostly from my BA degree), and a 3.7 pre-req GPA. I did not have in-hospital medical experience but have worked for medical non-profits. Also, they do look at all your GPAs, but I think they really hone in on the pre-req GPA. Hope this helps! And good luck. The waiting was the hardest part.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just officially sent in everything! So nervous.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello everyone!

I am applying to the 2018 cohort. I have some questions for any current UAB AMNP students:

1) This is the essay prompt this year:

Please explain your understanding of the contribution nurses have in health care and why you are interested in a career in the nursing profession. Why is the AMNP Program a good choice for your nursing education?

-What do you suggest including in the essay? What should we highlight? What are they looking for?

2) I have a B.S in psychology, a 3.4 GPA from undergrad/4.0 pre-req GPA, and over 100 hours in each of the following volunteer positions: An NP-run women's clinic, a hospital and in a major medical research facility. I am also a CNA. I am very concerned about not getting into this program. Can you tell me if my qualifications are enough to achieve acceptance?

3) I have been told it it possible to work in year 2 and 3 as a RN. Have you found this possible?

I appreciate all the help and thank you for starting this thread!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am in the opposite situation from many of the aspiring nurses entering the AMNP program. I graduated from UA with a. ear perfect GPA and have tons of volunteer experience... but none in the medical field. I have no medical experience whatsoever. i feel confident about my LORs and the essay portion of the application and if offered an interview I believe I could do very well. How badly do you guys think the zero medical experience will hurt my application? I have applied to shadow a CRNA and a NP but unfortunately it will not happen before I submit my application. Any advice or words of encouragement? I am feeling very stressed about it

I'm in the current cohort. Trying to keep up with this thread as much as I can to help you guys out. I did not have a chance to shadow and still got in so I would not say it's a do or die requirement. I think they just want applicants to have a clear understanding of the role. What you lack you can still put in your essay. You can even go so far as to use APA and cite some credible sources to show that you've done your research about the role.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello everyone!

I am applying to the 2018 cohort. I have some questions for any current UAB AMNP students:

1) This is the essay prompt this year:

Please explain your understanding of the contribution nurses have in health care and why you are interested in a career in the nursing profession. Why is the AMNP Program a good choice for your nursing education?

-What do you suggest including in the essay? What should we highlight? What are they looking for?

2) I have a B.S in psychology, a 3.4 GPA from undergrad/4.0 pre-req GPA, and over 100 hours in each of the following volunteer positions: An NP-run women's clinic, a hospital and in a major medical research facility. I am also a CNA. I am very concerned about not getting into this program. Can you tell me if my qualifications are enough to achieve acceptance?

3) I have been told it it possible to work in year 2 and 3 as a RN. Have you found this possible?

I appreciate all the help and thank you for starting this thread!

I think your stats look fine. If you read some older threads you can see that people have been accepted with lower GPAs and less experience. It's all about explaining why you want to be not just a nurse practitioner but a nurse first. That is something they stressed to us a lot. So when you write your essay maybe highlight how your experiences led you to pursue a career in nursing and how you think they will add Value to your nursing career. Be sure to include some credible sources or research about the role of the nurse in healthcare or something like that. I think they just want to hear and see more than "I want to help people" Be professional but truly express yourself in the essay

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello everyone!

I am applying to the 2018 cohort. I have some questions for any current UAB AMNP students:

1) This is the essay prompt this year:

Please explain your understanding of the contribution nurses have in health care and why you are interested in a career in the nursing profession. Why is the AMNP Program a good choice for your nursing education?

-What do you suggest including in the essay? What should we highlight? What are they looking for?

2) I have a B.S in psychology, a 3.4 GPA from undergrad/4.0 pre-req GPA, and over 100 hours in each of the following volunteer positions: An NP-run women's clinic, a hospital and in a major medical research facility. I am also a CNA. I am very concerned about not getting into this program. Can you tell me if my qualifications are enough to achieve acceptance?

3) I have been told it it possible to work in year 2 and 3 as a RN. Have you found this possible?

I appreciate all the help and thank you for starting this thread!

We haven't started phase two yet but it is possible to work and do phase two of the program. You will have about 6 credit hours each semester and it will all be online.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do you think it is possible to work full time as an RN in phase 2?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am applying to the Jan 2018 term also! I am so nervous! I have been a teacher for almost 8 years. I did some volunteer experience at a local hospital and that is all the medical experience that I have had. I am nervous about my essay. I made it more personal....I didn't use references....I told why I wanted to become a nurse/nurse practitioner from a very traumatic personal experience. My GPA is good.

I am just nervous. I left the teaching profession and have no job this year because I am going all in ! I am also applying to the BSN 2nd degree program in case the AMNP is not a success.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Do you think it is possible to work full time as an RN in phase 2?

I am in the current cohort as well! I'm happy to answer any questions as I found it super helpful being able to talk to people that were in the previous cohort. You will definitely be working as a nurse in phase two. The program is full time Jan- Dec, I personally would have never been able to work during Phase I, but maybe one or 2 people did in our class (they're awesome!). You will take a leave of absence in the beginning of Phase 2 From January until either the Summer or Fall semester (whenever you decide to start back). That's when you will take the NCLEX and secure a job! I have heard from previous cohorts that working during Phase 2 is a breeze after facing Phase 1. You won't take more than 2 classes during your Phase 2 and it's all online aside from a few mandatory campus visits for skills check offs. Let me know if I can help answer anything else!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion