UPMC Mercy vs. UPMC Shadyside

I am also debating on both of these programs. I haven't applied yet, but will be soon for the fall '10 year because I'm not sure if I want to attend there or try again to get in at the school I attend now. I'm going to visit Shadyside on Oct.3 and Mercy on Oct.10. Have you visited both or any and talked to them? I feel like it would be a good fit for me as well. Are you applying for the spring or fall admission?

The only thing I know about Mercy is that it is a level 1 trauma hospital. So that may give you a little different experience.

Well I haven't got into the program at WVU. I keep applying but still no luck so this year I'm making sure I have plenty of backups. Which is mainly what I'm using Mercy and Shadyside for but I keep wanting to lean more and more towards trying to go to one of them. I just don't want to waste more money just waiting haha.

But hopefully these meetings will help me decide on what to do. But from what I've seen they seem to be pretty good schools and I love the fact that I would get more clinical hours and more experience than I would get at wvu.

I went and visited Shadyside today and I really liked it. It's actually almost made me want to try and apply for the march admission and not try again for wvu for the fall. I love the atmosphere of the school and all the clinical hours you have.

I was at the morning session as well so I'm sure we did see each other! Yea I liked the support groups they have if you need help studying or if you just aren't understanding whats going on they are there to help you. You don't have that at WVU where I am so it's a major plus in my eyes. Plus I'm also more of a hands on learner (kinda just thought of that while at the meeting haha) so I think after hearing them talk about how much they do stuff hands on it seems like the right fit for me. But i am also going to visit Mercy next weekend and compare the two. I like how you start clinicals your first semester at Mercy but you don't start them until your second at Shadyside. But, yea I still need to register to take it, I would have yesterday but I had to talk it over with my parents to see what they thought about the school and if I should go for it, which to my surprise they were all about it.

I agree I don't like how they might be changing it to 15000 but I guess its still cheaper than other places.

You really should look into CCAC as well. The tuition forgiveness is alluring, yes, but Shadyside's option really isn't that good if you think about it. You have to sign a contract for 2 years yet still have to pay 10-15 grand? Mercy is a better deal, but there are MANY ways in which you can "default" from the loan.
Even though you have to "pay" for CCAC, you can explore FAFSA loans, PLUS, there is the Obama tax credit which (I believe), gives you a $2500 annual tax credit, (for the next two years, I believe).
Also, part of the two-year committment is not just working for UPMC, but it HAS to be on a 24/7 floor. Meaning, not all UPMC nursing jobs fall within the parameters of the contract.
Just some food for thought.
There are a lot of nice community hospitals out there, St. Clair, Jefferson, Ohio Valley, as well. They may pay slightly less, but have free parking, smaller facilities, etc. All things to consider when looking at the "big picture".