Hi all,

I am a senior in high school who was recently accepted to the University of Pittsburgh's School of Nursing. It isn't the least expensive of my options, but I have heard it is one of the top nursing programs in the nation from my guidance counselor.

She, however, is not a nurse, so I would be extremely interested in some feedback from current students at Pitt, Pitt alumni, or people who are just really familiar with the program.

My questions are:

1. Do most students receive their first choice clinicals at UPMC?

2. Is a car necessary when clinicals begin? How about during junior and senior year?

3. What is the dynamic of the nursing program like? Competitive? Friendly? A mix?

4. How accommodating is the administration to the requests of the students?

And, most importantly, what are employment opportunities like upon graduation? Do the majority of students graduate with a job offer in hand? Or is it just as difficult to get a job as anywhere else?

Thanks! When I visited the university I was massively impressed!

I'm not a graduate of Pitt, but my father is a graduate of Pitt's honors program and my mother is a graduate of a nursing school that was absorbed by Pitt. My mother's a college professor of nursing and highly recommends their program to any prospective nursing student, including me (however, I have no desire to move to Pittsburgh, since I'm in NYC). Not only does Pitt have fantastic faculty, they also have one of the top medical centers in the country, so you're surrounded by innovative thinkers (scientists, physicians, nurses, researchers, etc.), who are at the top of their field. Your resources for learning are endless if you choose to go there.

I don't know where else you're applying, but I'm assuming you're applying to other state schools if Pitt's your most expensive choice. However, Pitt is not expensive, especially considering the education you will receive there compared to other programs. I understand cost is a factor, but why would you choose to go to a lesser state program when you can study at one of the top medical programs in the country for not much more than a regular state school that won't offer you comparable resources?

Your nursing salary will more than allow you to pay back your Pitt loans. Oakland is not an expensive place to live, and it's also fun. I spent a good amount of time visiting friends there (I went to college in the Philly burbs) and always enjoyed it. I almost transferred there, but I was receiving an outstanding education at college.

Go to Pitt. Receive an outstanding nursing education, and become a leader in nursing. You won't regret it. And don't forget to enjoy the fun the city has to offer! City living is liberating! I doubt you'll ever need a car to get to clinicals, though it'd be wise to call the nursing dept and ask. They realize most students don't have cars in the city, so I doubt they'd require you to leave the city. Why should they when they the best facilities in the area? Good luck and keep us posted! I'm very excited for you! :-)

Thank you so much for the reply! I am becoming very excited about Pitt, especially after hearing all this positive feedback. They have offered me a scholarship and financial aid that will make the final cost about the same a state school for me, and while a state school might be a bit cheaper for me, I think that the benefits of a Pitt education greatly outweigh the added cost.

Do you know how open the nursing job market is in Pittsburgh? It would be nice to graduate and then acquire a job through UPMC, but I realize that the area must be congested with new grads...

You're very welcome! I definitely think you should go, regardless of the difference in price from other state schools. No other PA state school offers the same level of nursing education or prestige of Pitt, which has long been touted as the Ivy League of state schools.

I work in the medical field, but am not a nurse (soon will be, though!) and had to run a meeting where leading urology researchers from around the world convened to discuss their findings. Three Americans attended this meeting and all three were researchers from Pitt. So, it really does have an outstanding reputation.

I'm not sure about the job market in Pittsburgh for new nurses, but today's job market will not necessarily be indicative of what the job market will be like when you graduate. Currently, many urban areas are flooded with nurses, but the economy is also down. My guess is that things will improve by the time you graduate. However, make certain you do a nursing externship to increase your options for jobs. I'd also recommend that maybe you do CNA training and work as a CNA during your summer breaks to increase your level of experience and to network. That's what I'd do in your situation, though I'm in an entirely different one! My mom's been a nurse for 40 years and said that nursing always moves in cycles: There's a glut of nurses and not enough jobs or there's a glut of jobs and not enough nurses. Either way, working as a CNA may help you to secure a position upon graduation. Don't worry too much about job prospects at this point, since I'm sure you'll be fine! Just be excited about this fantastic opportunity and enjoy college!! How very exciting for you!

Keep us posted and best wishes! Oh, and congratulations on the scholarship!!

Hello, My daughter just got accepted into Pitts Nursing program, she received a $2,000 academic scholarship, and the letter also said she qualifies for the honor program, do you have to apply to the honor program? Can you receive more money if accepted into the program (I'm a single mother and just trying to get the price down), I see some scholarships are offered like for the honor program 100%, any input would help, thanks!!!