University of Rochester ABPNN May 2018

shannondavismsmhc · Nov 30, 2017

I had a similar experience, I felt as if my interviewer was well prepared - it felt very relaxed, we discussed some points on my resume, my current employment, pieces of my education, and some of my personal experiences. It felt very open-ended which I actually enjoyed because it gave me a chance to explain some points on my resume!

I second them likely being overwhelmed, my interviewer had a stack of folders on her desk about 24 inches high!

I'm not sure if they interview everyone or if they only interview selected candidates, I believe they make selections for interviews as I'm also pretty sure I read that somewhere as well (and 400 interviews would be pretty intense).

Anyways, now we all anxiously await what's next - I know they mentioned end of January/start of February for final decisions!

Bonnechance6 · Nov 30, 2017

My interviewer said February. Hopefully they may start making decisions by January. Ah, the waiting....

Ohm108, MSN, NP, CNM · Dec 1, 2017

It is great that you had such great experiences with your interviews but not all of us were so lucky.

Yes, I understand that they are busy and they have a lot of applications so if that is the case then they need to have more people handling the interviews and take a look at how they can improve their process. Like I mentioned before, the interviews are our first exposure to the university and because my interviewer was unprepared I came away with a negative impression of the program.

What it boils down to is professionalism and consistency in terms of the interview process. If the interview process was so unorganized, can I expect the same of the program itself and the hospital where I will be doing my clinicals? As a student that is applying to your university who is about to take out a hundred thousand in student loans to attend your program this is not what I expect from a well regarded nursing school.

I have been a recruiter and I have interviewed hundreds of applicants when I was hiring for my previous company. No matter how busy I was I would still review the resume and make notes in the margins and make sure I had at least a basic understanding of the person I was interviewing and I would give myself a few minute before calling each interviewee so that I can refresh my memory with regards to the salient details of the new applicant. I always remind myself that as an interviewer I am representing my company to these prospective employees. Remember that the interviewer at the university calls us not the other way around so they do not have to call the next applicant right away.

While I understand that they have a lot of applicants and a lot of applications to look over, looking at it as a student applying to an expensive graduate school, I expected more professionalism and a better process.

Ohm108, MSN, NP, CNM · Dec 1, 2017

I also wanted to add that the interview process goes both ways. It is a chance for the school to see if the applicant is a good fit for their program but alternatively it is also a chance for the applicant to see if the program meets our needs as a student and whether I can see myself attending their university. The student can leave a bad impression on the university and thus be denied admittance but by the same token a university can leave a bad impression on an applicant through a bad interview or a disorganized admissions process. Just some food for thought as we head into interview phase of the application process.

Bonnechance6 · Dec 1, 2017

Ok, I appreciate you clarifying. I'm truly sorry you had a bad experience. There must be a lot of leeway with the interview process. It seems like the interview was not a standard one, as you say. If this is your #1 choice for nursing school, perhaps there will be another chance for you to "be impressed" along the way. I always try to give the benefit of the doubt. It's just my nature. I didn't mean to minimize your experience. My apologies.

So you applied for the Accelerated Masters Program, then?

Ohm108, MSN, NP, CNM · Dec 1, 2017

Ok, I appreciate you clarifying. I'm truly sorry you had a bad experience. There must be a lot of leeway with the interview process. It seems like the interview was not a standard one, as you say. If this is your #1 choice for nursing school, perhaps there will be another chance for you to "be impressed" along the way. I always try to give the benefit of the doubt. It's just my nature. I didn't mean to minimize your experience. My apologies.
So you applied for the Accelerated Masters Program, then?

Thank you for sharing your experience as well. I respect and understand that other people have other experiences and that it can be different then mine. I wish I had a better interview as I heard from other alumni that it is a great school so my disappointment might be because I have heard so many good things about the university and their nursing program and had such high hopes for the interview.

Yes, I applied for the Accel Masters Program but so far I have only interviewed for the the Bachelor's portion. I might have another for the Masters portion based upon previous threads if invited. But if I don't interview for the Masters portion then most likely I will only be considered for the Accel BSN program only, that is what happened with other students in previous cohorts. Are you ABPNN or AMPNN?

Bonnechance6 · Dec 1, 2017

ABPNN. I may go on in the future, but for now I'm just focusing on this.

Bonnechance6 · Dec 8, 2017

Would you still consider the ABPNN program, or is it it a deal breaker if you don't get into the accel. Master's program? I don't know what made me think of this now. Also, have you applied elsewhere?

Bonnechance6 · Dec 20, 2017

Does anyone know what the point system is based on? My interviewer mentioned it in the interview, and that it was used to determine acceptance. Not familiar with this point assignment method.

rr33 · Dec 23, 2017

I am in the program now. No one in my cohort is in the master's program and theres only 1 or 2 in the cohorts before me. Honestly, it's probably a good idea. Everyone starts out the program thinking they'll be in peds and that they will be NPs in a couple years but many things change. You go to clinical and you realize you can't stand what you once thought you wanted and that being an RN is completely different from NP. There are SO many things you can do with nursing, and they really emphasize that. Additionally, from my experience, if you graduated from the school of nursing and stay and work for their hospitals, you have a pick of what department you want to go to (if you have great recommendations/grades, the ICU-even peds may hire you and thats almost unheard of in any other hospital for new grads), and you're almost a shoe-in for whatever program you decide to do later on.

Bonnechance6 · Dec 27, 2017

Hi rr33,

Thanks for telling us about the program! I know so little about it, except by reputation. Can you talk a little bit about the day-by-day in the program? If possible, I'd love information regarding the following:

Do you start clinicals first semester?

Are the clinicals at night, or during the day (I don't mind, just curious)?

Are clinicals held at Strong?

Are there dedicated clinicals instructors?

How does the group clinicals process work?

Does everyone in the cohort have the same class schedule, or are there a few different schedules students are integrated into?

Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated!! Thank you. Happy holidays!!

rr33 · Dec 27, 2017

Do you start clinicals first semester?

Yes, but towards the later half of the semester: 2 weeks at a nursing home, 4 weeks in acute care (adult nursing care, mostly post operative patients from department ranging from medical med-surg, ortho, neuro, etc)

Are the clinicals at night, or during the day (I don't mind, just curious)?

First semester - daytime 7AM-4PM (may let out earlier depending on your instructor), 2nd and 3rd semester varies, can be during week or weekend, weekend overnight clinicals are by volunteer only, there are day 6am-2pm, evening 2:30pm-10:20pm, overnight (you volunteer for this, they don't assign you) 11pm-7am

Are clinicals held at Strong?

Yes, also highland hospital and rochester regional.

Long term care is at nursing homes- the jewish home, monroe, st. johns home

Are there dedicated clinicals instructors?

yes

How does the group clinicals process work?

there is 1 clinical instructor for a group of about 7-8, you are also assigned to a floor nurse who may have 1 or 2 students. Each floor nurse if different in how much they spend time teaching, you just have to remain available and offer to help when you can. Your clinical instructor makes sure you get certain tasks done for practice, such as injections.

Does everyone in the cohort have the same class schedule, or are there a few different schedules students are integrated into?

same class lecture schedule, but different clinical schedules. There are also labs that vary, Lab A is earlier and right after class, Lab B follows lab A, some people want to get it over with, some like having the break to go to the gym (Free on campus!) or do work in the student lounge area.

hope this helps!