I thought I would share my journey to any future nurses, NPs, CNLs/CNSs, etc. out there who are currently on or about to embark on their own journey in health care.
I did not always know I wanted to be a nurse. In fact, I thought I knew I did NOT want to me a nurse. My mother is a nurse. She wanted to me go into healthcare so naturally I went running the opposite direction. I graduated high school and went to a community college. I was the first person in my family to navigate American college waters, and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I got into a number of remarkable universities, but I wasn’t ready to leave. Part of me wanted to save money , part of me wanted to see me younger brother grow up, and part of me just was not ready. I regret this decision for awhile afterwards. I felt that I had settled. Looking back now I realize everything works out the way it is supposed to, and I truly believe that.
I received a Associate in Business Management and a real estate license. I transferred to a 4-year-college to go on to receive a BA in psychology. I started thinking I wanted to be a psychiatrist, but after careful research. I had no intent on going through medical school. Then, I thought I had wanted to go into pharmacy, but realized after taking the advanced chemistry course that this was not for me. I still remember when I knew I wanted to be a nurse practitioner. I was in the first half of my anatomy & physiology course. I mentioned to my colleague that I loved the material we were learning, and that maybe pharmacy wasn’t for me. She mentioned she was taking the class as a prerequisite for a ELMSN program. This was for students who had a non-nursing bachelor degree. If all the prerequisites were completed, I could be admitted to a program designed for those who need to be transitioned into the field of nursing (Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing).
I had honestly no knowledge of what a nurse practitioner did, but after further research this was exactly what I wanted to do. In 2015, I began to applying to ELMSN programs. I applied to some of the top schools in my state and in the nation. I even got an interview at one of the best nursing schools in the nation, but I was waitlisted. I was a little crushed and had start questioning myself, but I still kept applying. I knew that I was lucky to have been considered at such a school. I attended the interview among those who had attended Duke, Columbia, and other prestigious universities. I knew it meant I had a good chance at the programs I were applying to that were more local. I knew I wanted to stay close to home, but was briefly distracted by the glitz and glam of a top school. Temporarily forgetting the cost and the preference to stay close to my support system.
After an interview, I have now been admitted to a private university in southern California. I plan on starting in January, but am still waiting to hear back from two others that are closer to home. One does not do interviews so I should either have a yes or no from them hopefully in October. The other will either be letting me know I am invited for an interview by the end of September or will let me know I have not been admitted.
Between you and I, my hopes are for the private one about 30 minutes from where my parents stay. It is also a shorter program of the 3 as it finished in 3 years. However, I would not be able to go in to pursue a specialty like the others. However, I definitely would not mind going to southern California. Until then I have started a studying regime for myself to stay sharp on the material. I am so nervous to begin and when I get nervous it eases my worries to plan. I feel more prepared when I plan. Reps from all the programs have both said to relax and enjoy time with loved ones until the program starts, and they will have plenty of studying ready for me when it begins. I do plan on doing this, but I can’t help but study with my free time. I have started working more, but without learning I feel complacent. Maybe this is a sign I am meant for career in a field that must constantly learn and stay up-to-date.
If you have any questions about the process, ELMSN, or how I am preparing for using school, feel free to comment below! I would especially love to hear any of you waiting to hear back as well!
Hi Bri! I am just starting the application process for APU ELM and I have a question regarding the recommendations. For the personal recommendation, what is the admission department looking for? I have people in mind for school and work recommendations, but I’m not sure what they’re looking for as far as a personal recommendation. Would it be appropriate to use a former or current coworker?
They are looking for anyone who knows your very well personally. If your co-worker knows you well, then that should work!
Thank you! That helps a lot! I do have another question, since APU is a Christian university are the majority of the students admitted to the program also Christian? Or is it more of a diverse environment? Is religion a heavy component of the curriculum? I’m sorry for all the questions, I’ve never attended a religious university and am not sure what to expect. Thanks!
I am not sure if the majority of the students are Christian because it isn’t something we necessarily discuss. I think some are and some are not. Religion is not a major component in the curriculum, but spirituality is. There will be some writing assignments where you reflect on your faith and how it is helping you each semester. So whatever your chosen faith is, is what the encourage you to reflect on throughout the program. There is one course (Christian Foundations) taken during third semester that does tie in religion more, but the professor is pretty good about bringing in multiple types of religious/spiritual components into the course. For example, how we can help patients embrace whatever they believe, we had a yoga day, beach day, finding a verse/quote that inspires us, etc.
Thank you! I really appreciate all your help. I hope you’re having a great semester 🙂
Thank you so much for this blog, it has been immensely helpful. I finish my Masters in Public Health this December and made the decision to apply for nursing school. I have been in the process of applying for BSN programs when one of my professors that teaches nursing at APU told me I should apply for their ELM program. Information about the program is fairly vague, right down to trying to figure out if I would receive my BSN. I know that probably should be fairly obvious but you never know. At any rate thanks much for your amazing and thorough site!
Yes! Through the ELM program, you will receive both your BSN and MSN. This is one of the reasons I chose this program because most ELM programs only offer the MSN, although you are completing BSN and MSN work.
Hi Bri,
Again, I want to tell you thank you for your amazing website, it is a goldmine! I also wanted to share with you that I was accepted into APU’s ELM program for Summer ’19. I can’t begin to tell you just how much your site has helped to curb some of my anxiety, I have been reviewing your notes and after reading your advice after semester one have been spending quality time with my hubby and kiddos and parents (everyone is in SD). At any rate thank you, thank you and congrats on passing the NCLEX and good luck to you as you start work and continue on in your career. Who knows maybe I will see you at the SD campus and have to opportunity to tell you in person.
Many Blessings,
Tish