Yale GEPN 2018

kwub · Feb 5, 2018

Hi,
I'm in my final year (final semester!) in Yale's PMHNP track. I'm feeling rambley, so proceed with caution.
YSN has gone through some major curriculum changes in the last few years, as well as accepted a much larger number of students. This effects each specialty differently, so I can only speak for psych. But the last few years has been a transition from old to new, and many of us have gotten caught up in the trial and error that comes with creating new courses...Example- a Health Promotion class has just been added to our curriculum for 2nd specialty year students (all specialties) to try to begin addressing the gaps in our curriculum around cultural competence and healthcare of at risk populations. Thats great, but they didn't adjust the workload in other classes, so my cohort had a miserable fall drowning in work. The professors were great and changed things going forward, but we've had a bit of a guinea pig experience. So while I can give some thoughts, take them with a grain of salt.
My point is that with the many changes at YSN recently, I would suggest visiting if possible (and sitting in on a class if you can), and try to talk to a student in your specialty. If you are PMHNP, try to connect with someone in the right track (child vs adult).
Having more students means needing more clinical sites, and YSN has struggled to find preceptors at times due to the high number of health schools in the area and because Yale Med School's Psych residents take up most of these sites. I have commuted about an hour to clinical 3 days a week for both specialty years. I can't say this will be any different at any other school though, since many are located in places with lots of health professional schools. I have learned more in clinical than in class, and have had some incredible placements, but I have also had multiple placements with poor preceptors. Been told this is the case everywhere, but still. Can give some examples of clinical sites if you tell me what you want to know.
In terms of preparation for practice, there are some definite strong and weak areas. For example, we have a semester of Individual Therapy class, but we only have enough time for the basics, and don't graduate certified in and specific forms of therapy (CBT, DBT, MI). That said, students have brought these trainings to campus so the opportunity is there. On the other hand, we have a whole semester of group therapy class, which I don't think many places do anymore, and our therapy professor is an amazing educator and mentor, and I think our therapy classes are a strength of the program. Some students would prefer a more evidence based, manualized therapy model, and perhaps other programs are stronger in that area.
I'd be happy to share more about curriculum concerns and professors by PM.
Other questions?

Thank you, @Psychnp2018! Your thorough response is helpful and very much appreciated. Are you in the child or adult track? Any suggestions on how to make the most out of the program and succeed despite the weaknesses? Hope your final semester is going well! You're nearly finished! Congrats!

cp19 · Feb 5, 2018

Someone actually asked that during my interview day. You should try emailing BC and asking if you can get an extension on making a decision, since decisions for the other schools you applied to will not be released until that date. A student in the prespecialty year said she had the same problem and was given an extension for all the schools she emailed. You got to remember they want you :) so I think they can spare week for you to decide.

cp19 · Feb 5, 2018

My above comment was for @alm12, I clicked reply but i'm not sure why it didn't reply to your post. Hope that helps.

rls2018 · Feb 6, 2018

Hey everyone! Check your emails, Sandy sent an update confirming we're on track to receive our decisions on February 16th, hopefully even the morning of. Her emails are always so lovely and kind!

MidwifeLife · Feb 6, 2018

Anyone else poop their pants after seeing "Yale" and "Decision" in the subject line? :nailbiting:

alm12 · Feb 6, 2018

Someone actually asked that during my interview day. You should try emailing BC and asking if you can get an extension on making a decision, since decisions for the other schools you applied to will not be released until that date. A student in the prespecialty year said she had the same problem and was given an extension for all the schools she emailed. You got to remember they want you :) so I think they can spare week for you to decide.

Thank you! I'll give that a try.

FutureNP2021 · Feb 9, 2018

One more week, guys!! Who's excited?!?!

simonsc · Feb 9, 2018

Hey! Is anyone in here from Oregon? Would love to see another Oregonians perspective on the possibility of moving cross country.

rls2018 · Feb 9, 2018

Hey! Is anyone in here from Oregon? Would love to see another Oregonians perspective on the possibility of moving cross country.

Hi! I'm actually from Oregon, but already living out on the east coast. I'm more than happy to give some perspective and talk about my experience with you, just pm me!

simonsc · Feb 9, 2018

Hi! I'm actually from Oregon, but already living out on the east coast. I'm more than happy to give some perspective and talk about my experience with you, just pm me!

I sent it! Hopefully it worked (it was my first PM)

aprnstudent2018 · Feb 12, 2018

Did you end up emailing BC, @alm12? If so what did they say about extending the deadline? I'm in the same boat!

aprnstudent2018 · Feb 12, 2018

Does anyone have any info on if Yale has a history of releasing decisions early? I was accepted to BC and their deadline is 2/16. I'm a little nervous about the time crunch...

Did you end up emailing BC, @alm12? If so what did they say about extending the deadline? I'm in the same boat!