[iluvmusak]

I have a good delimma. I've been accepted to Samuel Merritt ABSN and Chabot's ADN program. Which one should I go to? I've been trying to identify the pros and cons of my options. Chabot pros - cost, proximity, not as intense (I can have more of a life during school), Chabot cons - ADN, 2 years. The Samuel Merritt program is attractive in that it is only one year, I'll earn a BSN, and it'll be a really stimulating environment. One of my concerns with Samuel Merritt is that the program is only one year. Will we be rushed through the material and clinicals? What happens if I get out after one year and not know what to do?

Samuel Merritt is really expensive (50K), but I'll be done one year earlier with a BSN degree. I'll be able to make up the tuition in that year.

Another thing . . . I'm an older student (in 40's) so the faster I can start working as a nurse the better. So, which one would you choose. What do you think of the benefits of a BSN vs ADN? Will it make much of a difference?

Thanks!!!

[elprup]

I am almost 'finally' done with samuel merritt's BSN program. I would say, if you want to feel really confident with clinical skills - then go for the ADN program. If you want to be confident in your understanding of what you are doing, why, and be able to progress quicker jobwise and have more options than definitely go for the Samuel Merritt program. Everybody says it is easier to teach skills "the how to" to a Bachelor learned nurse than an associates learned nurse.

One other bit of advice, if you do choose Samuel Merritt, save a copy of everything you give everybody - they lose everything. Check your email all the time. Definitely go to financial aide and apply for their scholarships, they have their own and they have many that I am sure you would qualify for, practically everybody got at least one... I remember some of the special scholarships came out right after january - they are usually good about telling you about them through your SMC email. Mary Robinson is the head of finanacial aid and is really nice if you get in a real jam. The department of health, CA has some good scholarships if you want to work in underserved areas and/or have really low income/have kids. There are alot of scholarships out there too to help with payment, you just have to find them.
Samuel Merritt is crazy because they have so many programs spread out all over the place, but you can do it.
best of luck.
Melis
Meliss

[iluvmusak]

Congratulations Sandandbeach for almost being done. I envy you!! Did you go to the Mills or Saint Mary's 2+2 program with Samuel Merritt, or were you in the ABSN program? I'm leaning towards going to Samuel because of the BSN, but I'm also open to Chabot.

You're not the first person that has mentioned how disorganized they are. I will definitely take your advice on making copies of everything. The tuition for this year just went up to $50K (yikes!). I applied for FAFSA, and will apply for the Kaiser loan. I'll check to see what else is out there.

Thanks again . . .

[elprup]

I did intercollegiate BSN program (samuel merritt with saint mary's in moraga, we went to both colleges at the same time!) - we are their last class. It was a way to confusing program. Their new program is the 2+2 program. You can definitely get loans too if you want SMC, they'll help you with that too. I did my prerequisites at chabot and almost applied to their nursing program but got into SMC and am grateful for my BSN - although I wish SMC taught better skills. It's always a trade off.
best of luck.

[karmyk]

If you play your cards right, you can build up your skills pretty decently with Samuel Merritt... you just have to choose the right clinical instructor. All of the clinical instructors are good, but there are some who really make sure you get every opportunity you can possibly get to learn the basic skills. I believe some of them teach for the ABSN program.

There are a lot of great scholarship opportunities for the ABSN program as well... look into the Kaiser scholarship, especially if you're interested in working for Kaiser.

I second the suggestion that you save everything you send them... they lose everything, and if you want something done, you're going to have to stay on top of it (even offer to walk things between departments/offices and hand them to the respective person responsible for them yourself... it's amazing how often the Administration messes things up, given the fact that it's a tiny school).

[iluvmusak]

Thanks Karmyk! I got in to the San Mateo campus. Do you know the names of the good instructors? I'd like to make sure that I can build my clinical skills. As I mentioned, I'm nervous that since the program is so rushed, I may not be able to have the time to develop good clinical skills.

Are you in the ABSN program and SMC? What campus are you at? If you are in the ABSN program, how intense in the program? Any pearls of wisdom that you can share would be greatly apprecited.

Thanks!
Jeannette

[Rianna1]

iluvmusak,
i am in the same boat as you. i got accepted into Contra Costa's ADN program and SMC's San Fran location. I chose the ABSN program thru SMC because of the time; BSN in only one year. Living in the bay area, as I'm sure you know, is expensive so the faster I can start working the better. Plus I really don't know what I would do during the summer breaks of an ADN program. To me, it would be a waste of time to get a full time job if I chose the ADN program. I also know that eventually I would like to get an MSN and later on PhD so that's why I chose the ABSN program. I have heard of the organization at SMC being not very great as far as paperwork goes, but since they are pretty new cohorts for the SF and San Mateo programs, I guess that's to be expected. We start clinicals in less than 8 weeks and still don't know what hospital we will be at.

[iluvmusak]

Rianna - I've also decided to do the SMC ABSN program. Like you, I really want to be done in one year, plus we'll have a BSN. I'm an older student so the sooner I get going the better. I also my Patho and Pharm teachers at SMC for their advice, and they both said that if at all possible go for the BSN. Better job flexibility later.

Good luck to you. When do you start classes? San Mateo doesn't start until 6/11 so I still have almost 2 months to relax.

[Rianna1]

We start April 23rd and they are having some issues with the SF building so we'll be starting at the San Mateo campus for now. Enjoy your time off as it will go by fast.

[iluvmusak]

Good luck!! Let me know how things go once you get started. Please pass along any tips!!