Where are all the Direct Entry students???

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Hi everyone!

I'm wondering where all the Direct Entry students are? Perhaps you are all swamped this semester, and unable to chat, but I'm getting ready to start my prereqs and need a little motivation! :)

I'm wondering if anyone has advice in regard to where I should take the prereqs? I've heard from many schools that they do not give preference to a class from a top 4-year university compared to the same class taken at a community college. I do need all the help I can get to make myself competitive, so do you think the safer bet would be to take the class from a well-respected 4-year university? I'm also planning to rock the GRE, lol. ;)

Finally, my other question is whether I should apply to both Accelerated BSN and Direct Entry programs, keeping in mind that my end goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner. Thoughts?

Happy Thanksgiving all! :)

-K

Hey there,

Since I've been out of college for a couple of years, I have had to complete my prereqs at a community college due to full time work and cost issues. I went to a top-tier university but I have found my community college classes to be fulfilling. A & P, for example, is a tough course -- it's going to be challenging no matter where you take it. Just make sure you have a good instructor. Ask around and see which teacher students like. A good teacher can make a world of difference. UCSF basically states in their website that it's fine to take your prereqs at a community college. If they think it's ok, I have a feeling that most schools will. Good luck!

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Hi, there! What school were you accepted to? I'm always curious about all the different programs! :)

Hi Kensington

I was accepted to Vanderbilt last year. But it was just too expensive for me and I didn't want to take out too much more in loans as I'm floating in loan debt as it is right now:bugeyes:

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Specializes in burns.

Hi! I'm in a direct entry program in Las Vegas, I absolutely love it! It is so much work, but its worth it. I really suggest meeting as much of the faculty as you can, they can make or break your experience. I really lucked out and got some absolutely amazing profs that I absolutely love. But I have heard horror stories from friends in other nursing programs about profs from hell, they absolutely hate their program and can't wait to be done and get out. I definitely think that having great profs is key.....

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Hey there,

I am a Direct-Entry student at Yale right now--just finishing up my first semester!!!!!!!

The observation that we are all to busy to be posting is correct. Its a wild ride--but you'll love it!

I think something to keep in mind about Direct-Entry is that it is still grad school. You are doing all science and all nursing all the time. You will be with students who are studying the exact same thing as you all the time. and you will be studying ALL the time. And when I say studying I mean memorizing. You will take so many scan tron tests your head will spin. I came from a political science background and was so used to essay tests. I was thrown for a loop with the different approach to learning in the sciences. So keep that in mind.

Also, try to find out as much about nursing as you can. You are going into nursing--you are not becoming a doctor. They are two very different careers. know what makes nursing unique-talk to nurses-get a job at the front desk of a clinic-do anything you can to get close to nurses. Your whole first year (for most DE students) will be focused on becoming a nurse, not a nurse practitioner. That comes later ;)

The good news is : I love it! Working so closely with patients is awesome!

The whole program is challenging in a good way--I encourage all you guys who are starting the application process and whatnot to not give up! I was there just a year ago.................

Good Luck!!!

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Thank you Bics, for your thoughtful reply! I am working on trying to volunteer at Planned Parenthood right now (or another clinic that will have me!), and want to do just as you say -- get close to nurses and learn more about their role. I feel that I've done a pretty good job at researching and talking to nursing and NPs, but there is always more to know.

Congrats on getting into Yale's program -- that's quite an achievement of its own!

K :)

Hey there,

I am a Direct-Entry student at Yale right now--just finishing up my first semester!!!!!!!

The observation that we are all to busy to be posting is correct. Its a wild ride--but you'll love it!

I think something to keep in mind about Direct-Entry is that it is still grad school. You are doing all science and all nursing all the time. You will be with students who are studying the exact same thing as you all the time. and you will be studying ALL the time. And when I say studying I mean memorizing. You will take so many scan tron tests your head will spin. I came from a political science background and was so used to essay tests. I was thrown for a loop with the different approach to learning in the sciences. So keep that in mind.

Also, try to find out as much about nursing as you can. You are going into nursing--you are not becoming a doctor. They are two very different careers. know what makes nursing unique-talk to nurses-get a job at the front desk of a clinic-do anything you can to get close to nurses. Your whole first year (for most DE students) will be focused on becoming a nurse, not a nurse practitioner. That comes later ;)

The good news is : I love it! Working so closely with patients is awesome!

The whole program is challenging in a good way--I encourage all you guys who are starting the application process and whatnot to not give up! I was there just a year ago.................

Good Luck!!!

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Specializes in Maternity, quality.

I just wanted to reiterate something that bics mentioned, and that is being able to state why you want to be a nurse. It's something I really struggled with as one of those people who felt a "calling" of sorts. It's all well and good to have a calling, but admissions committees want more quantitative reasons backing it up. I discussed some experiences in my family and how those had impacted what I wanted to do in nursing during my interview and the woman I was speaking with kept saying how happy she was that I had mentioned that because it really helped her see why I wanted to be a nurse and that I understood what nursing was. I have a feeling that went a long way in determining their admissions decision.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hi, there! What school were you accepted to? I'm always curious about all the different programs! :)

Hello Kensington,

My program is at DePaul University in Chicago.

There are othe post bacc programs here, (for accelerated BSN and also for a direct NP entry but, my program is a direct entry MS of Nursing generalist).

I have not really heard from anyone, for the last few years that I have been looking into this, regarding programs to avoid.

Gen

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Specializes in MSU, Hospice.

Hello everyone,

I'm finishing up my Bachelor's degree in Health Science and started applying for accelerated 2nd degree program in BSN and entry level masters. My ultimate goal is to be an NP. I will be sending out my applications in early January and we greatly appreciate any advice I can get from current NP or NP students about their journey.

I live in California and so all the nursing schools are highly impacted. I got into 3 nursing schools in January 2006 but have been on the wait list since then and waiting is killing me. I have been working as a Certified Nurse Assisant for almost 16months now and like it. But I want more and plan to use my current BS in Health Science to get into an acceleratd BSN or entry level master programs. I need help finding more schools, advice about the GRE exam and any recommendations will be appreicated.

Thanks,

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i second bics comments. it's crazy. i was an english major and did a million essay exams...these scientific bubble-blank tests nearly killed me! and the memorizing is insane.

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Howdy, another entry MSN student checking in. Started Sept. 2005 and am finishing up this May, yay!

Absolutely exhausting, and am now conteplating going PT for the NP/CNS to work FT and gain the experience necessary. I think what wiped me out was having kids to care for at home and juggling school. I'm very glad I ran through it as fast as I could, though. I'm sure I'll appreciate it at some future point.

:)

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Hi Everyone,

I am currently applying to a direct entry msn program and was weighing my chances of getting in. I didn't have such a great GPA in my undergrad. Since most of you have successfully gained admission into a direct entry msn program, I was wondering what your GPAs were? Also, what volunteer activities did you have and any entrance exam scores? Thanks for your help.

-C.

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Hi Everyone,

I am currently applying to a direct entry msn program and was weighing my chances of getting in. I didn't have such a great GPA in my undergrad. Since most of you have successfully gained admission into a direct entry msn program, I was wondering what your GPAs were? Also, what volunteer activities did you have and any entrance exam scores? Thanks for your help.

-C.

Hi, Chachingdy!

One thing to remember, if this helps, is that there are a few schools that just look at your last 60 units that you've taken, including any post-bac prerequisites. So, if you are compensating for a low-GPA, it's possible that with prerequisite work that you can bring it up to a good one! The two schools that I can think of that do this are Samuel Merritt and Seattle U.

Where were you thinking of applying?

Good luck!

K

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