UCONN CEIN 2016

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Hi everyone! I thought I would start this thread to see who is or will be applying for UCONN's CEIN 2016 accelerated nursing program! I am new to this board, but read several threads from last year and learned a lot about the program and application process. It would be great to hear from others who are in the same boat as me. :)

Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

I think I already told my CEIN 14 admission story, but here it is for those who are trying to figure out when to apply etc.

I made my final decision to go into nursing in late Fall '12 - late in the game to apply for CEIN '14 since I had to take ALL the prerequisites (except Research and Stats). I had no prerequisites done by January but I applied anyway. I sent in everything: application, resume, recommendations, transcripts/GPAs from prior degrees, essay AND my schedule of completing prerequisites in '13 form the community college. I figured even if I am not reviewed in Jan or June, I will be in the "pile" already and will keep sending my prereqs as they are completed.

I ended up being reviewed in August with 2 prerequisites still outstanding and offered a spot in Avery Point (I applied for Stamford), pending at least a B in remaining prereqs (I may have had to send mid-term grades for the outstanding classes, but maybe that was Fairfield U that requested those, dont remember). Later a spot opened up in Stamford and I got in.

Moral of the story -don't get hung up on these deadlines -apply as early as you can and keep them informed on your progress with prereqs. Buy the damn lottery ticket:) What is the worse that can happen? You will be reviewed at the next deadline. Or worst of worst you will not get in that year but will be first for the upcoming January.

Good luck!

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After review the initial email contact and further clarifying with the admission office, I will be reviewed by the June deadline as long as I completed two of the classes I'm taking right now. I have 3 outstanding (2 taking now and then 1 more in the summer) that's why they can't review me until I have less than 2 outstanding. So I think I'm still ok and I also applied to Avery Point as my first choice(really close to home) so I think I still got a shot yet! And realistically I only send in my application at the end of March so its only been about a little over a month, but man did it feel like a long time!

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What are you guys thoughts on how I can prepare for the RN job once I get out of school. I know I don't even have the acceptance letter yet, but time goes by fast and with no medical experience at all, I want to get a heads start to prepare for it.

I read that being a CNA help and volunteering/internships help as well. Are they really helpful or is my time better invested in other strategies?

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Specializes in LDRP.
What are you guys thoughts on how I can prepare for the RN job once I get out of school. I know I don't even have the acceptance letter yet, but time goes by fast and with no medical experience at all, I want to get a heads start to prepare for it.

I read that being a CNA help and volunteering/internships help as well. Are they really helpful or is my time better invested in other strategies?

One of my classmates was a full time PCA/CNA before the program and works per diem now. She told us that if she wanted her floor would be more than willing to hire her as a nurse once she finishes school. Connections are a huge help to getting hired. Once those in the program complete fundamentals clinical technically they can work in these positions, but I was told by all of my classmates who are per diem that the training for a new job would have been longer than our breaks allow. I would definitely suggest getting your foot in a door as a CNA/PCA at a place you'd like to work as a nurse before nursing school since the program structure doesn't allow entering a new job like this once knee deep in coursework.

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One of my classmates was a full time PCA/CNA before the program and works per diem now. She told us that if she wanted her floor would be more than willing to hire her as a nurse once she finishes school. Connections are a huge help to getting hired. Once those in the program complete fundamentals clinical technically they can work in these positions, but I was told by all of my classmates who are per diem that the training for a new job would have been longer than our breaks allow. I would definitely suggest getting your foot in a door as a CNA/PCA at a place you'd like to work as a nurse before nursing school since the program structure doesn't allow entering a new job like this once knee deep in coursework.

I want to be a emergency room nurse(the reason I want to be a nurse is because a emergency room nurse was quite kind to my sick grandmother, and she touched my heart). I like the busy environment and feels like I can learn a lot there. I am feel hesitant about being a CNA because it meaning paying for the training , making time for it and still not be able to work on it full time(have to keep my full time job now).

What are your thoughts, is it really necessary or would volunteering part-time be enough?

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Specializes in LDRP.
I want to be a emergency room nurse(the reason I want to be a nurse is because a emergency room nurse was quite kind to my sick grandmother, and she touched my heart). I like the busy environment and feels like I can learn a lot there. I am feel hesitant about being a CNA because it meaning paying for the training , making time for it and still not be able to work on it full time(have to keep my full time job now).

What are your thoughts, is it really necessary or would volunteering part-time be enough?

I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer to this. If you aren't able to become a CNA (which isn't applicable to a lot of pre-CEIN since so many work full time before the program) then volunteering can't hurt. I know one person that volunteered the year before the program but to my knowledge hasn't been back since we started (too busy). Maybe some of my classmates or former CEIN might have more insight.

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I want to be a emergency room nurse(the reason I want to be a nurse is because a emergency room nurse was quite kind to my sick grandmother, and she touched my heart). I like the busy environment and feels like I can learn a lot there. I am feel hesitant about being a CNA because it meaning paying for the training , making time for it and still not be able to work on it full time(have to keep my full time job now).

What are your thoughts, is it really necessary or would volunteering part-time be enough?

I'm not really sure what you mean by "really necessary." Most of my class did not do CNA/PCT work, and we're still landing RN jobs. I will say that those who were CNAs had jobs locked down faster, and didn't have to do a job hunt after graduation because they had employment offers before we even finished. At my campus, this included someone who worked as a PCT in the ER.

Honestly, I don't know what kind of work you would be able to do as a volunteer with no training. The reason the CNAs land jobs so quickly is that they are doing hands-on patient work every shift, so they are working with nurses and performing tasks that are directly related to nursing. I also heard from some of my classmates that as they got closer to graduation, the nurses on their floors started letting them practice some nursing skills that were technically out of the CNA scope of practice, but which they had learned in clinicals. The nurse managers got to know them, not just know who they are, but also their work ethic, their patient interactions, their teamwork with the nurses, as well as their nursing support skills. I don't think volunteers have that kind of advantage.

Unfortunately, you probably would need to pay for CNA training. Technically, you can work as a CNA after your first semester in nursing, but you won't have time to do the orientation to get hired. Depending on your work schedule, you may be able to take a CNA class in the evenings while working full-time right now, get hired as a full-time CNA/PCT in the fall, and then go to part-time CNA/PCT work once the program starts.

Keep in mind that once you start the CEIN program, your time will be very limited. Will you need to work during the program? If so, I don't see how you can realistically volunteer, too. For the CNAs/PCTs, that IS their part-time job, so they are being paid to practice their skills.

Sorry that's so long. I guess the short answer is, no, you don't need to become a CNA/PCT to get a job after graduation. However, regular and direct patient care is probably the best way to get an edge in your employment search, and you're unlikely to get that volunteering.

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hmmm exactly what I want to hear. great insight thanks you!

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Which campus did you apply to Watercolor18?

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Which campus did you apply to Watercolor18?

Storrs was my first choice and I got it. I did my undergrad there and I love the campus and area so I was REALLY hoping that was where I'd end up :)

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Hello! I am applying for the CEIN 2016 program. I have 2 outstanding pre reqs and was told not to apply unless they are finished because they just throw you under the pile. Planning on applying for the June deadline at waterbury campus. Just wanted an insight on other pals GPAs and experience. Does anyone know if they review as they come in? Or after the June deadline. Are they in order as they come in?

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Hi kmn501, when did you apply?

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