PSU Altoona Second Degree Program

megan_EMT · Nov 29, 2010

Hi,

I'm applying to their program too. I have a a GPA of ~3.6...I really hope it's high enough. I can't seem to find any information on what they're looking for. Every other school I'm applying to wants essays and a resume, they only want my GPA.

tscharf · Nov 30, 2010

My GPA is high (not totally sure what it is as I have taken some of the pre-reqs after finished my B.S.) Did you get the letter that says they'll get back to us in March?

megan_EMT · Nov 30, 2010

Because I'm a Penn State student, I've only been able to send the email that says "I intend to file for re-enrollment" so I haven't gotten a letter yet. I'm afraid it's going to hurt me that I'm a biology major (which is super hard) instead of something easier (I have a 4.0 in two minors...).

tscharf · Dec 1, 2010

Do you know if anyone has heard one way or the other yet? Just curious to try to figure out where I stand... I had a 3.8 undergrad and a 4.0 in the classes I've taken since then (A&P, Psych, etc.)

RNMommy11 · Dec 1, 2010

Hey there, I just happened to see this thread, and thought I would jump in....I am currently in the PSU-Altoona second degree program (graduating December '11). If admissions are like last year, it is still too early to hear anything...if I remember correctly, I got my acceptance letter at the end of February, or maybe even into March? I have the letter filed somewhere- if I can dig it out, I will let you know when it was, lol! I know I was on pins and needles waiting for that darn letter to come, so I feel your pain!

If you have any questions about the program itself, please feel free to contact me here; our class has a Facebook group if you want to "meet" the rest of us, and I know the class before us also has a group, so between the two of us, hopefully we can answer questions for you!

Good luck to you....hopefully we will be welcoming you next fall!

tscharf · Dec 1, 2010

Thank you for letting us know! This way I know to stop worrying until February. :-) Can you tell me about the program? Is it good? How busy does it keep you? What all hospitals/clinics do you travel to? Thanks so much for any info!

RNMommy11 · Dec 1, 2010

Hmmm, where do I start? :) I really do think this is a great program...are there challenges? Sure. We are all coming from very different backgrounds and situations, and when you add in the stress of nursing school in general, it is difficult- I won't lie to you. I think one of the keys is to work together as a class to help each other out- the professors we have had so far are wonderful at doing everything they can to help us, but at the end of the day, we are the ones that have to put in the work to learn the information. For me personally, it is all about time management- I am married, and have 2 kids (7 year old and a 1 year old), so balancing everything can be difficult, but I find a way to make it work.

For this semester, we are taking 5 classes- Patho, Pharm, Fundamentals, Health Assessment, and a Wellness class that only lasted for 7 weeks. I am not sure if these will be exactly the same for next year's class, because there are some curriculum updates going on right now. We have clinicals on Tuesdays, so that is an early morning (we start at 0630 those days)- clinical paperwork is very time consuming, but the overall clinical experience has been great. All of our professors try to coordinate their lectures so that we are learning the same system in each class, so the information makes more sense. It isn't always exact, but it's been pretty close; plus we have a really great simulation lab where we can practice skills on mannequins. These manniquins are kind of cool....they can be programmed to do almost anything; you can practice anything from doing a head to toe assessment, delivering a baby, or listening to abnormal lung sounds- and your mannequin can respond to you. While it isn't the same as working with a "real" patient, it is a good way to introduce skills!

Let's see...not sure if you have specific questions? Feel free to ask away... I'll do my best to answer what I can!

tscharf · Dec 1, 2010

What hours do you have classes this semester? (I know it is not what we'd have next year, just trying to get an idea of the hours spent on campus.) What hospitals/clinics do you/will you be traveling to? I'm sorry, I have a million questions I'd like to ask - I can't wait for February to get here so I can get an answer about acceptance! Thanks for your time and patience!

RNMommy11 · Dec 2, 2010

No worries about questions- I had TONS of questions before I got started (and I still do, lol!) For this semester, here is what our typical week looks like: M: 9-10:50 lecture, lunch break, 12-2:50 lecture. Monday nights we have to go to our clinical site and preassess our patient that we are assigned to for the next day...this takes a good couple of hours. T: (clinical day): 6:30-1:30 W: 8:30-11:20 lecture, lunch break, 12:20-2:20 lecture Th: 8:30-11:20 lecture, lunch break, 12:20-2:20 lecture F: off This was for the first half of the semester...then our lecture on W/Th afternoon was finished, so we are now done those days at 11:20. I'm not sure if you know the area well or not, but right now we are just at Nason or Altoona Hospital since we are doing med-surge. Next semester we will have clinical twice a week; one at a hospital, and then we also have a nursing home rotation, and community rotation, where we will be traveling to different places each week. Next semesters class time looks to increase a good bit- I think we have Mon: 8-3, Tues: 6:30-4:30, Wed: 6:30-4:30, Thurs: 8:30-4:30, and then Friday off until after Spring Break. Should be interesting, lol. It can get overwhelming at times, but it will all be worth it in the end!

RNMommy11 · Dec 2, 2010

Whoops...sorry about the last post...I had it all formatted nicely, and then when I posted it, it all squished together! Hope you can decipher it all! :eek:

tscharf · Dec 3, 2010

Thanks for the info - can I contact you with more questions?