Samuel Merritt ABSN San Francisco

casey11 · Jun 15, 2009

Understood. I dont know where you're located or he schedule but I took Comm from Martin at Merritt College in Oakland and it turned out to be pretty fun. Thanks for keeping us updated!

GoldenBear2 · Jun 15, 2009

I am currently taking the prerequisite courses and planing to submit my application as soon as I finish the courses, but I am now working 3 day a week, sometimes 2 days in order to support myself. I am wondering whether I am still able to work part-time if I got accepted, does any of you guys worked while you were in the program? Thanks.

Rachel, it's been four months and no one has answered your original question! I just finished the ABSN on the peninsula, and I did hold a job for the whole year. I wouldn't recommend working to everyone; I think it really depends on the person and the kind of job it is and how much you make doing it. For me, school is pretty easy (I'm not trying to be a snob, just want to be truthful so that you can make the right decision for yourself!), so I did not spend a ton of time reading and studying. Others in my class read and studied all of the time; you probably have a decent idea of how much you study and should weigh that into your decision.

Also, what kind of job are you planning to hold? I kept a per diem position at a hospital I had worked at for three years, so my manager knew me well and had a good idea of exactly how available I would be throughout the year. Some months I didn't work at all, other months I worked a lot. I had a lot of flexibility with scheduling work; it really only averaged out to three days each month (which almost covered my rent, so it was worth it!). I think flexibility with your schedule is the biggest issue, since your schedule will change every five weeks or so. All days of the week are fair game in nursing school, so think about how it will affect your job if your clinicals are F/S/Su evenings (yes, it's a possibility!).

If your job ever becomes a priority over nursing school, you need to quit! If you are working because you need the money, I would just get the loan. Keep a job b/c you enjoy it or want the work experience, not because you need to eat or pay rent... it will stress you out too much! Hope that helps!

And, to casey11... hopefully the job market turns around before your class graduates. Only a few people from our class have jobs, and only a few more than that have even interviewed. A lot of us are looking into moving out-of-state!

carolc415 · Jun 17, 2009

I received an email today that "decisions will be mailed out by July 1st". I guess that would include the

phone calls too...

Good luck everyone! :nuke:

poolmom · Jun 17, 2009

July 1st?!? Gees they really push it out as far as humanly possible. I am really starting to stress out now about getting in. Good luck to everyone! I can't wait to hear.

CaptainButtWipeRN · Jun 18, 2009

Q: How will I hear?
A: We will make phone calls to accepted students and to the first 10 people on the waitlist. All other waitlist folks and denied folks will get a letter in the mail.

I hope I don't get a letter.

BigMan314 · Jun 18, 2009

SMU doesn't give their prospective students much time between decisions and start of classes, especially if you've applied to other programs and are waiting for responses from them. i love the place but administration isn't the best

aldeur · Jun 19, 2009

Yeah. I am going crazy with anticipation. A week and some days to go until we find out! Good luck everyone. It has certainly been a long haul already...

biggiecali · Jun 23, 2009

Thank you so much for replying. Everyone so far has told me that "it is impossible" and "no one can do it" and all of that, so thank you for telling me that it is possible. I appreciate your response. I am getting very nervous, not even so much about getting in as if any of us would have jobs when we finally get done. It is very scary right now, I don't want to make the wrong decision.

Izzy16 · Jun 28, 2009

Any news from SMU? Anyone got phone calls? I know that last time around students got answers in mail only. I wonder when they are planning to call.... ahhhh waiting is no fun!

blustar46 · Jun 28, 2009

They sent out an email a while back stating that they will call the accepted students and the first ten on the waiting list by July 4th. The rest of the waiting list and the rejection letters are sent out by mail. There's some other useful information in this thread... you should check it out. Help pass the weekend by... Or better yet, just call up a friend and have a day together. Going through these threads are useful, but they'll drive you more crazy (like me) by checking them daily!

carolc415 · Jun 30, 2009

news from SMU today (from an email I received from the Director): if calls are made to students this week, it will likely be done Weds or Thurs. If there is a delay, we will receive an email notification. Denial letters are still being mailed out; waitlist letters have not gone out yet.

*Argh*.

:bugeyes:

carolc415 · Jun 30, 2009

oh...forgot to include this: from an article here on allnurses.com

I read this and went 'holy crap'! And this is 2008. Can't wait for the 2009 data!

Data from 644 nursing schools show that 49,948 qualified applications were not accepted in 2008 due to a shortage of faculty and resource constraints. These applications turned away include 41,385 from entry-level BSN programs; 1,659 from BSN completion programs; 5,902 from master's programs; and 1,002 from doctorates.

190,483 completed applications to entry-level baccalaureate programs were received at schools of nursing in 2008 with 122,001 meeting admission criteria and 80,616 applications accepted. The application acceptance rate last year was 42.3%.