I have added an FAQ tab to my blog!
If you can’t tell already, my blog is mostly geared towards nursing students (specifically APU), but I try to answer questions to anyone who comments! If I don’t know the answer, I usually know who to refer you to!
These are questions that have been asked frequently in my comments. I hope this helps you find the information you are looking for easier! These are a quick summary of answers to FAQs so if you are looking for more information I would recommend browsing my blog posts or using the search tool (to the right).
Keep asking you questions! They help me know how to help you and are also questions that future nursing students will ask!
Update on Me!
I am beginning the 3rd semester (OBGYN/Peds). I will try to keep you updated on this completely uncharted territory for me. I tend to do most of my posting half way through and at the end of semesters. However, you can count on at least on new resource to be updated to the Resources tab weekly! Email subscribers are notified anytime anything is added to the resources or when a new blog post is up! I would recommend subscribing because I will eventually be only releasing the password to subscribers. Also, I don’t post a blog post every time I upload notes to the Resources tab.
Hi Bri!
I’m currently applying to APU’s ELMSN program and I hope to get into San Diego’s campus.
Do you have any tips on application/interviews?
For the application, you will want to include as much relevant information as possible. Any honors, awards, etc. that can make your application stand out should be included. It helps if you have some work or volunteer experience in a hospital so be sure to include that somewhere on your application. Also, don’t choose just anyone for recommendations. Choose the top 3 people for recommendations that you know will write you an excellent recommendation form. I chose my pre-nursing peer mentor, my volunteer supervisor, and one of my professors I was closest with in undergrad. Tune your resume as if you were applying as a nurse to a hospital. You want it to reflect what past experience and skills are relevant to being a nursing student and eventually working in healthcare.
For the interview, this is where you have a chance to stand out. At this point, you have met the qualifications on paper that are required. They want to see what makes you different from the stacks of applications they have. My best advice if to be yourself. They will ask you to tell them a little about yourself, ask any questions they have about your application (i.e. “Tell me about your volunteer experience at Kaiser”), ask a few generic questions (Why nursing? How did you handle a challenging moment? etc.), and then they will ask you if you have any questions. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST A COUPLE QUESTIONS! I didn’t necessarily try to tell them what they wanted to hear. I was honest and I prepared my answer to show that I was ready for the ELMS program, but I also reflected ME and what I offered as a unique individual.
You are going to do great! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hello! I’ve been following for quite some time and thought i’d already asked a question but of course have not. I’m starting at APU San Bernardino Fall 2018 and would love to get a sense of APU’s schedule. Can you tell me what your schedule was like for your first two semesters?
Thank you so much!
Jahniece
Yes! Please note that the times/day may vary for each location and even for each semester, but here is what mine was like…
1st semester:
Monday: Patho I 10:30AM-12:30PM.
Tuesday: NO CLASS!
Wednesday: Med Surg I 9AM-12PM; (lunch 12-1PM); Conceptual Foundations 1PM-4PM.
Thursday: Health Assessment & Lab from 8:00AM-1:30PM.
Friday: Clinical is from 6:30PM-7PM. We are on the Med/Surg floor at Kaiser this semester. Every semester is different so you get a taste of all the different settings. Sometimes You will have a half day at the hospital and a half day learning skills/taking a skills lab exam. Once you practice skills in the lab, you are able to practice it with your nurse or instructor.
Semester 2:
Monday: Med/Surg II 9:00AM-12PM (break) Patho II 1-3PM and last Pharm 3:30-5:30PM
Tuesday: Mental Health Clinical 6AM-3PM (half the semester) then 8AM-5PM (the rest of the semester)
Wednesday: Med/Surg II Clinical 6:30AM-7PM
Thursday: Nutrition 10AM-12PM (break) Mental Health 1PM-3PM
Friday: Usually had Sim lab for 2 hours, but sometimes we had the day off.
Hello Bri, thanks for creating this blog. I love reading everything you posted in this blog especially your nursing journey at APU. This blog is so helpful and gives me an ideas what to expect for first second and third semester. I applied for ElMSN for fall 2018 but got in Spring 2019 at Inland Empire instead of San Diego. I was wondering if I could have access to the resources that you post so I can start prepping before I start the program. Thank you and good luck with the rest of the semesters!
Hi Bri!
I am so glad I found your blog. I got accepted to APU ELMSN at the main campus for Spring 2019, and as Ms. Mya mentioned, I would like to have access to the resources that you post so I can start prepping too! 🙂
I love reading all your posts about your nursing journey at APU; I look forward to starting the program. I wish you the best, and God bless!
Congrats! 2018 is the password!
Hi Bri how are you? My name is Sean and this is my third time applying. I interviewed twice but no luck after the interviews. The first cycle I applied to San Diego campus and the second time to the Inland Empire one. This is my third go and I chose the Azusa campus. Do you know what I can do to increase my chances? I need help thank you!
It has gotten increasingly competitive at the SD campus so that may be why! Also, make sure to be prepared for the interview questions, but also be as authentic as possible. I think because I was completely transparent and honest in my interviews helped get me in. Also, emphasize you want to complete the whole program (BSN & MSN, not just BSN… unless that’s not true). Be sure to know about the nursing program, the mission, vision, etc. like a job interview. I would do as much volunteer work (medical if possible), shadowing a health care professional, and/or any healthcare exposure to discuss in your interview! For example, I volunteered at a hospital. I had a friend who shadowed NPs. I hope this helps!