Hi all, I've been lurking on the boards for about a year and a half now and finally the time has come for me to apply. I haven't found any boards about UVA MSN applicants for the 2015 cohort so I decided to start one. I'm also applying to VCU's ABSN program as well, and perhaps GMU and ODU, too.
I was hoping to get some feedback from others applying because truth be told, I'm very nervous about my stats because while I am above the minimum requirements for GPA and pre-reqs, they are still below the comparative applicant averages. I also am very interested in talking to others who are going through the process of applying!
I'm graduating this December with a BA in Philosophy from Virginia Tech. My GPA is 3.16 and I doubt it'll increase much more with this last semester I have ahead. I've completed all the pre-reqs with a 3.5 avg gpa and I'm going to take the GRE the beginning of September. I work as a care companion at a local nursing home and have experience with late-stage Alzheimer's patients and the geriatric community as a whole. I don't have a CNA license however. I also volunteered and interned at a women's shelter working with clients over the phone and in-house, as well as training new interns/volunteers. My other job is unrelated to healthcare and involves working in a research lab as a lab tech and although I have not done any formal research, I have helped grad students and the PI with small projects in addition to the typical duties of dish cleaning and lab maintenance.
UVA is definitely my top choice but my stats are so mediocre in comparison to the other applicants of previous years, I'm feeling discouraged. I'm not sure what else I can do to improve my chances other than study my butt off for the GRE and write mind-blowing statements, and hope my letters of recommendation are as glowing as my recommenders say they will be.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to chatting with others applying and going through the process and hopefully we will be classmates in the near future!
Welcome! Congrats on getting the word for an interview. I still have not heard anything but hope to soon. I too am impressed with the CNL program at UVA. It is definitely my first choice for a masters nursing education. I have wanted to be a nurse for years and have finally arrived at a point in my life where I can really achieve the dream. I am so excited! I have been a Certified Massage Therapist for 14 years, focusing more on the clinical aspects of massage rather than the spa/resort type of approach. In the last year and a half I have been volunteering with a hospice organization, which has been incredible! I feel a true calling to this type of nursing but I am keeping an open mind. As students we will be exposed to lots of nursing specialties through the clinical rotations, which will help define our path in nursing.
Good morning ocWin! Thanks for your response. Based on that great CMT background of yours and your volunteer work, I think UVA will consider you a great candidate. I will keep the proverbial fingers crossed that you'll receive your interview request very soon. It's funny that you mention your interest and experience with hospice; my strongest interests are in hospice as well as geriatrics/gerontology, but I have no experience in either yet, so I will be seeking out experiences in these areas once I'm in nursing school. I'm volunteering at a local hospital on the medical/surgical unit, interacting with patients and staff, and learning/observing as much as I can about patient care and administration. I hope those lovely people that I'm working with aren't being driven crazy by all my questions!
I'm in the Richmond area. Are you already in Charlottesville, or will you be commuting from elsewhere? Have a great day, ocWin!
Hi there! I am also applying to the CNL program and I thought I would wish everybody good luck. I have not heard anything about an interview yet but I am keeping my fingers crossed. Like some of you my interest is also in hospice and palliative care. I've been a volunteer for the past year and a half (in palliative care, hospice and skilled nursing) and recently passed the state exam for CNA. In my former life I was a news editor, but switching careers to become a nurse was the best decision I think I've ever made for myself. I'd love to go to UVA and I will keep the board posted if I hear anything!
Welcome ladypants, and congratulations on passing your CNA exam. I hope and everyone else who is still waiting will hear back about interviews soon (I am pretty sure on general emails go out on Fridays). It sounds like you have done a lot of work to understand what a career in nursing will mean, and palliative care is such special path to really be there for comfort with the patient and their family. Best of luck, and I hope you hear back soon.
Hello, everyone! I would like to say good luck to everyone who has applied to the MSN(CNL) program at UVA! My interview is tomorrow and I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'll pray and remain optimistic!
Good luck JRob!! I'm sure it'll go great. I hope the rest of us get our own interview email in the near future! I can't stop obsessively checking my email all the time haha
I also got an email for interview over the weekend! I had it Tuesday and felt really great about how it went. I know you will get yours soon angi24, keep the faith! Good luck yungrundy, can't wait to hear all about it!
ocWin
18 Posts
Hi shrupert!
Welcome! Congrats on getting the word for an interview. I still have not heard anything but hope to soon. I too am impressed with the CNL program at UVA. It is definitely my first choice for a masters nursing education. I have wanted to be a nurse for years and have finally arrived at a point in my life where I can really achieve the dream. I am so excited! I have been a Certified Massage Therapist for 14 years, focusing more on the clinical aspects of massage rather than the spa/resort type of approach. In the last year and a half I have been volunteering with a hospice organization, which has been incredible! I feel a true calling to this type of nursing but I am keeping an open mind. As students we will be exposed to lots of nursing specialties through the clinical rotations, which will help define our path in nursing.
Thanks for asking, shrupert! How about you?