University of Washington's BSN program 2014

Just_keep_swimming · Sep 22, 2013

Thank you for the help with this! I wonder why they take so long to get the #? I finish the class on the fourth, wanting to take it as soon as I can, & rack up as many hours as I can before my hubby leaves for a deployment. I'll just have to put in that I completed it, awaiting certification # & if I'm lucky enough to get to go to the pro tired essay, I should have it by then & add it to there.

I can see why knowing another language would help, that's great! What branch were you? I knew a couple people that went through there as linguists, they seemed to enjoy it.

anichka · Sep 22, 2013

Not sure, but maybe it will help that you're going through a program (do they set up the test for you?). Just get your paperwork in ASAP, if it's up to you to do it on your own. You can also get on the NAR relatively quickly and some places will let you work with that before you have the NAC. That's what I did - but I took my class through a community college. I was able to submit everything for the NAR before I took the test and that only took a few weeks. I submitted the paperwork the day I was done with class (13 June) and got a job the day my name went active on the registry (26 June). That will help you get the hours you need so you don't have to wait.

I was in the Army Reserve for 12 years and now I am in the Navy Reserve. I was a linguist in the Army and it was an awesome job. DLI is a fun place too, especially when I was 19-20 years old.

Just_keep_swimming · Sep 22, 2013

I'm going through an accelerated, 3 week course bc I wasn't able to go through a community college bc my hubby & I are on opposite shifts & wouldn't have daycare. On the last day, we pay to set up our test, get on the NAR & pay for our certification, then the testing facility sends us a test date in mail. They said it's usually a couple weeks, to a month after we graduate. Def trying to get it done as soon as I can.

Are you going to count your CNA class hours as clinical hours? I don't see why you couldn't, you're working under a licensed nurse, and you're learning about nursing & during clinicals, you're in a clinical setting, right? :) there's a long term care facility that we do clinicals at that I'm trying to get a part time job at, hopefully if I'm at least on he NAR,t they'll let me until I take my test, but I've heard it might not be possible, I got to talk to them tomorrow.

Time is going by so much faster than I thought, it's almost October already! It's crazy!

anichka · Sep 22, 2013

Good, some people I work with went through similar programs and it sounds a lot easier/more efficient (the application process for NAR and NAC I mean) than what I had to do. That will help.

I don't think the hours in class would count, but maybe the clinical part would (we did 40 hours I think for the clinical portion). I doubt I will count it but simply because I don't need to. They did say in the info sessions that more health care hours isn't necessarily better. The 100 hours has to be within a 3 month time period, and they recognize that if you're going to school, volunteering, and doing other things, 100 hours can take some time (about 1 shift/week). I already have over 100 hours now - I just need to make sure that I get enough within the three months before 31 December.

I am really happy that an RN I was planning to ask to write my recommendation actually volunteered to do it before I asked (she said she would love to!). Have you found someone to do your recommendation? One of your instructors might be a good one.

The place I work at is in Olympia and they do hire NARs there. PM me if you want info on it - it's a good facility. I don't remember if that would be too far for you. Craigslist also has NAR listings pretty regularly.

Just_keep_swimming · Sep 22, 2013

I have a little over a hundred, but it's not within a 3 month period, more like 6, so I'm not able to count that, correct? I'm probably going to count the clinical hours from the class, (starts this week, 40 hours total) & start the 3 month clock after that and then try to get as much as I can before the 31 December cut off too. I live in graham, but work on McChord. Olympia wouldn't be too bad but with the traffic to get down there & back & pick kids up from base by 530, I don't think I'd get enough time in that's worth the traffic :) I'll def check out craigslist thought, that is great! Thank you! I haven't talked to my instructor yet about writing my letter, I'm hoping wherever I get the most hours is who I'd ask to write the letter. I still think I'll ask my instructor as a back up, that's a good idea. I wish we could have more than 1 letter, but I understand their reasoning behind it.

SaraFutureNurse? · Oct 12, 2013

Hi Everyone -

It's nice to see some familiar names on this thread....I, too, applied last year and made it to the proctored essay, and sadly, wasn't accepted. It was a real bummer, and I wasn't sure if I was going to continue pursuing a nursing degree. HOWEVER, I must really be a glutton for punishment, as I've decided to re-apply this year. But I've already decided that this is my year, and I'm feeling very confident that I'm going to be able to submit a competitive application.

One of the things that I did after not getting accepted was I immediately started looking for a new job in the health care field. Last year, I had only hours from volunteering at an area nursing home, and I think I had around 175 hours or so. I got a job working in a hospital, and am now working and volunteering there in a few different areas, including diagnostic imaging, emergency, and cancer care. When I apply, I will have almost 1,000 hours since August.

The most important thing I've done is really start to establish some working relationships with nurses in many different aspects of hospital medicine. I have a couple of nurses I'm considering asking to write my letter of recommendation, and I've recently contacted a nurse at another hospital who specializes in STAT care.

Last year after I got my rejection letter, I sat down and went over all of my application materials. I really had to take a subjective look at where I thought my weaknesses were, in accordance with the UW's list of reasons why someone may not be accepted. I realized that my essay was weak, as well as my resume. I'm going to work really hard to create stronger components this year, and I've asked a couple of friends to go over my completed application, and with checklist in hand, help me address any weaknesses.

I'm also using that online information session A LOT. I've listened to it a couple of times, and taken notes. Before I truly sit down and tackle the application in full, I plan to listen again.

Well, good luck to everyone. I know repeating the process is heartbreaking, but we are not the only people who have had to apply more than once....in fact, I met a nurse socially who works at Childrens, and she told me she applied three times before being accepted!

Just_keep_swimming · Oct 12, 2013

Hi sarafuturenurse!! :) good to see you are trying again!! It sounds like you're going to do amazing & this will be your year!

anichka · Oct 13, 2013

Since you guys have done this before, any tips on the resume? Do you have an example format to follow? With all of their very strict rules about what is and is not acceptable, I am worried that I will do something stupid and minor that will get my application kicked out immediately.

Just_keep_swimming · Oct 19, 2013

I don't think I'd be a good one to give advice seeing as I didn't get in

From last year's experience, make sure to follow all guidelines to a T. Be able to show how you use critical thinking from your clinical hours experience in your personal essay & if you go to the proctored essay. I would also review previous threads, a lot of current & graduated students weigh into help out. I'm going to try to go to the info session in November. I'm worried that I won't be a good candidate bc I will only have a couple hundred hours of experience by the time I apply. I'm giving it one more shot, if I don't make it, then it's not meant to be right now & I'll start prepping for my deployment for next year & try again when I get home. I would also recommend applying to lots of schools!! Due to my Air Force program requirements only lining up with UW, I don't have a choice, just bc you may not get into UW doesn't mean you're not meant to be a nurse. Stay positive, stay on top of your deadlines &when it's time to play the waiting game to see if you are picked for the proctored essay or acceptance letters, take up a new hobby & try to stay busy! :) we are all here sweating, stressing,freaking out & possibly eating our feelings together

newmy123 · Oct 21, 2013

Hi there!

I applied to the ABSN program to start in June 2014. The proctored essay is this week and I've been trying to prepare as much as possible for it! Does anyone have any advice or tips? A friend mentioned to me not to use the same examples/experiences that we talked about in our personal statement...I am a bit panicked! Also, do they provide calculators or are they even needed for the math calculations? Any advice would be much appreciated! Good luck to everyone!

Just_keep_swimming · Oct 23, 2013

Where I'll be volunteering, I have an opportunity to work in acute care or the ED. Which area do you think I'll gain more experience, especially when it comes to writing the essays ?

I'm already freaking out bc I'll only have between 100-200 hours but I got my CNA test date & it's not until 29 Nov!!! The way it sounds I won't even have my certification # by the time applications are due ? I'm trying so hard to not be a repeat of rejection from last year, but with my TDYs, work & prepping for hubby's deployment, I won't be able to get more hours & I'm already counting myself out. Ugh I'm usually a positive person but this application process has me doubting myself more than usual. Sorry guess I'm venting vs helping this thread.

As for the proctored essay, what we went through is they give you several healthcare scenarios, you pick one & then write pros/cons. There were simple math calculations, no calculator needed or allowed. Could be completely different this year but hopefully this helps & good luck!! ??

Pahoa · Oct 28, 2013

Hi Jessica S.

I was in your shoes last year. And I'm here at SON UW for the first year. My clinical experience total was 120 hours. Don't panic about that. As soon as you meet the minimum requirements, you're good. I have CNA license, but havent' worked as CNA at all.

For someone asked about proctor essay, for math problems you aren't allowed to use calculator. The math problems must be correct. You guys can practice those problems from "Dosage calculations A Multi-Method Approach". One of my classmate used that book and said that very helpful. I didn't use it because I didn't know :).

I have a super crazy schedule but I will try to help you guys out as much as I can. I absolutely know how you feel.