Nursing Major Forum

[Capitol A]

I am wondering if anyone has any insight as to how much my "unusual" major will effect my chances at admission. I have been working as an RN at a world famous hospital for 7 years. My numbers are 165/3.62 with good grade progression. I have had a few people lead me to believe that my experience in nursing will serve me as well or better than being an URM. I've even been told I'm practically a shoe-in at GULC because of their health law program. Maybe I'm a skeptic, but I'm having trouble being confident in this information. Anyone have any experience or insight for me?
Thanks.

[General Tso]

username should be Capital F for 'flame'

[Grizz]

Not a shoe in by any means. Retake if you want to go there. URM>your work experience. Why do you want to go to law school in the first place? You seem to have a rewarding and fulfilling career.

[merichard87]

Your WE is definitely not equal to URM boost but its still a great soft. If you plan on going into health law I suggest you emphasize your background but other than that I'm not sure what it will do.

[Capitol A]

Not a shoe in by any means. Retake if you want to go there. URM>your work experience. Why do you want to go to law school in the first place? You seem to have a rewarding and fulfilling career.

you're right-I do have a fulfilling career. That doesn't mean I can't build on my experiences and further my career through studying law. I am interested in working in health policy as well as working toward making affordable quality health care a reality in this Country (as opposed to just affordable or just quality). Done properly, the practice of law is as much of a service profession as nursing.

I know related topics have been discussed extensively on this site, but not specifically related to helath care...Any opinions on importance of attending highly ranked school vs. school with health specific programs vs. a school in the region I intend to practice regardless of either of the above? Also, does anyone know how the USN&WR specialty rankings are derived? I don't understand how SLU is the #1 health program, when they aren't even in the top 100?

[Capitol A]

username should be Capital F for 'flame'

I don't think I know what that means????

[General Tso]

username should be Capital F for 'flame'

I don't think I know what that means????

1. new poster
2. wild claim that nursing experience is a more significant admission factor than URM
3. claiming that your 165/3.6 is a "shoo-in" at a T14 school
4. inflammatory remarks regarding specialty rankings

all of that makes it hard to take you seriously

[sumus romani]

Some people are just being mean. But seriously, you are not a sure thing at Georgetown. Boston University has a great health law program and your numbers are a good fit there. I'm not saying to not apply to Georgetown, but just think of it as more of a reach school, and not a shoe in or even primary target school.

[Capitol A]

Some people are just being mean. But seriously, you are not a sure thing at Georgetown. Boston University has a great health law program and your numbers are a good fit there. I'm not saying to not apply to Georgetown, but just think of it as more of a reach school, and not a shoe in or even primary target school.

Thanks. That sounds more in line with what I would tend to believe. My point in posting this question is to submit my applications with the most realistic expectations possible.

[jennylynn]

The lawyer I'm working for now was an RN before going to law school. She got tired of that career fast...she worked in the bone marrow transplant unit and saw too much. Now she works in health law, and is quite successful! It can definitely be done. Good luck!

[Capitol A]

username should be Capital F for 'flame'

I don't think I know what that means????

1. new poster
2. wild claim that nursing experience is a more significant admission factor than URM
3. claiming that your 165/3.6 is a "shoo-in" at a T14 school
4. inflammatory remarks regarding specialty rankings

all of that makes it hard to take you seriously

Re:#s 2 and 3: I find it funny that you equate asking a question about the truth of a statement with implying the truth of that statement.
Re: #4: I hardly think not understanding something is inflammatory.
My point is to ask about these things. Not make any claims about them. Like most people on here, I am trying to gather information so I can make an intelligent decision about my future. I'm sorry if that is difficult to take seriously.

[sumus romani]

Not a shoe in by any means. Retake if you want to go there. URM>your work experience. Why do you want to go to law school in the first place? You seem to have a rewarding and fulfilling career.

you're right-I do have a fulfilling career. That doesn't mean I can't build on my experiences and further my career through studying law. I am interested in working in health policy as well as working toward making affordable quality health care a reality in this Country (as opposed to just affordable or just quality). Done properly, the practice of law is as much of a service profession as nursing.

I know related topics have been discussed extensively on this site, but not specifically related to helath care...Any opinions on importance of attending highly ranked school vs. school with health specific programs vs. a school in the region I intend to practice regardless of either of the above? Also, does anyone know how the USN&WR specialty rankings are derived? I don't understand how SLU is the #1 health program, when they aren't even in the top 100?

Yeah, health law is kind of an odd specialty because the best schools in that area are not top schools (unlike some of the other specialties). That is why I recommend that you look hard at BU. It is a strong school and has a great health law program. As for whether you should attend schools that are out of the top 100 but top notch in health law, that is a tough call, and will come down to what you are willing to sacrifice financially. For example, SLU law is $35,000 a year just for tuition. If you count cost of living, that is quite a lot of money.

[General Tso]

username should be Capital F for 'flame'

I don't think I know what that means????

1. new poster
2. wild claim that nursing experience is a more significant admission factor than URM
3. claiming that your 165/3.6 is a "shoo-in" at a T14 school
4. inflammatory remarks regarding specialty rankings

all of that makes it hard to take you seriously

Re:#s 2 and 3: I find it funny that you equate asking a question about the truth of a statement with implying the truth of that statement.
Re: #4: I hardly think not understanding something is inflammatory.
My point is to ask about these things. Not make any claims about them. Like most people on here, I am trying to gather information so I can make an intelligent decision about my future. I'm sorry if that is difficult to take seriously.

--ImageRemoved--

[MURPH]

Nursing sucks. I've been doing it for 13 years and I am burnt out like a BBQ in hell. Good luck though on your applications. You are a shoo-in nowhere. I was waitlisted at GULC and denied at BU with a 175,2.98. You should be able to write a good PS though. PM me.

[Capitol A]

I wouldn't say nursing sucks, at all. I'm actually pretty happy with it, but I have also only been at it for 7yrs, and I could see myself getting burned out if I do it for 7 more. I don't disagree that I'm not a shoo-in anywhere, but it is really hard to tell how much having the nursing experience will help with apps. I hear everything from not at all, to makes all the difference in the world. I guess we'll see. Where do you think you will end up? Are you focusing on schools with Health law programs (assuming you even want to go into health law)?

[merichard87]

OP:

1. Generally speaking speciality rankings should not be taken as an authority. Go to the best school you get into.

2. With your numbers + Work Experience you are probably looking at a school right outside the T14. Usually these schools are regional so you want to go to school in a region/city/state that you would not mind working in for some years.

3. Are you sure you wouldnt be better served by a Master's in Public Policy rather than a JD?

4. If all else fails, re-take and get a 170+ and apply to NW. They love Work Experience.

[Capitol A]

OP:

1. Generally speaking speciality rankings should not be taken as an authority. Go to the best school you get into.

2. With your numbers + Work Experience you are probably looking at a school right outside the T14. Usually these schools are regional so you want to go to school in a region/city/state that you would not mind working in for some years.

3. Are you sure you wouldnt be better served by a Master's in Public Policy rather than a JD?

4. If all else fails, re-take and get a 170+ and apply to NW. They love Work Experience.

Thanks.
Re: #2: What is the definition of "regional"? I'm sure it's different from school to school, but for example, I hear/read the Southern Methodist is a very strong regional school in the southwest. Would the southwest reagion where SMU is strong be large enough to extend into all and the 4corners states? or are we talking primarily TX, and possibly NM?

Re: #3: There are actually specific legal positions that I am interested in holding someday. All hospital systems (as I'm sure you know) employ a legal team, and based on what I know about these positions, they would be ideal for me.

Re: #4: I'm not going to retake. Even though I actually got several 177s on practice tests, I'm not sure I can do more than a few points better on the real thing, so I just don't think it's worth the time, money, and effort. Not to mention, in addition to working full time as an RN, I have another part time job that has been on the back burner while I was studying, and I will lose that second job if I don't get back to it.

Thanks again for the help.

[MURPH]

I wouldn't say nursing sucks, at all. I'm actually pretty happy with it, but I have also only been at it for 7yrs, and I could see myself getting burned out if I do it for 7 more. I don't disagree that I'm not a shoo-in anywhere, but it is really hard to tell how much having the nursing experience will help with apps. I hear everything from not at all, to makes all the difference in the world. I guess we'll see. Where do you think you will end up? Are you focusing on schools with Health law programs (assuming you even want to go into health law)?

I really don't think the fact that nursing was my experience helped at all. I think maybe having work experience helped a bit, very little. 0.02 GPA point would have helped even more.
I'll probably end up at UCLA with a small scholarship from the school and a large GI Bill/Yellow Ribbon Scholarship. I am not interested in health care law but occasionally fantasize about sueing the shit out of doctors and various hospitals. When I was getting my MSN I developed an idea about filing whistleblower suits for medicare fraud that I might follow up on in law school. I am certain someone else thought of it or that I am missing something but I'll take at least one upper level health care law to explore the idea.

[merichard87]

OP:

1. Generally speaking speciality rankings should not be taken as an authority. Go to the best school you get into.

2. With your numbers + Work Experience you are probably looking at a school right outside the T14. Usually these schools are regional so you want to go to school in a region/city/state that you would not mind working in for some years.

3. Are you sure you wouldnt be better served by a Master's in Public Policy rather than a JD?

4. If all else fails, re-take and get a 170+ and apply to NW. They love Work Experience.

Thanks.
Re: #2: What is the definition of "regional"? I'm sure it's different from school to school, but for example, I hear/read the Southern Methodist is a very strong regional school in the southwest. Would the southwest reagion where SMU is strong be large enough to extend into all and the 4corners states? or are we talking primarily TX, and possibly NM?

Re: #3: There are actually specific legal positions that I am interested in holding someday. All hospital systems (as I'm sure you know) employ a legal team, and based on what I know about these positions, they would be ideal for me.

Re: #4: I'm not going to retake. Even though I actually got several 177s on practice tests, I'm not sure I can do more than a few points better on the real thing, so I just don't think it's worth the time, money, and effort. Not to mention, in addition to working full time as an RN, I have another part time job that has been on the back burner while I was studying, and I will lose that second job if I don't get back to it.

Thanks again for the help.

The regionality of the school varies from school to school. For example, WUSTL will extend throughout the midwest (to a point), Emory will be pretty good throughout a significant portion of the Southeast. Those are truly regional. Then you get schools like SMU that you mentioned which has a stronghold in its city but not really all throughout Texas but I wouldn't chance it in NM. It depends on the school basically.

Edit: for direction fail