UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing '09'

kellyjo1414 · Dec 30, 2009

My advice to choosing between schools is to check the first time NCLEX pass rates for each. UPMC Shadyside is the highest in the city for the past 5 years at least, along with University of Pittsburgh. I would also get comfortable with where you are going to go, and simply just do it! It is only a 22 month program (depending where you go) so just go head first in! I did take some classes at CCAC, but only because I was on a waiting list for Shadyside for the fall, they were too full. I am attending the Spring semester though and I'm ecstatic!

By the way, all the classes transfer to Shadyside except Human diversity; I would imagine Mercy is the same.

Good luck to you whatever you choose. :)

raelynn410 · Jan 1, 2010

hey i have a question! what classes did you take at ccac then transfer to upmc? cause right now i am already registered at ccac and about to start my prereqs but i really want to go to eithe mercy or shadyside for nursing. but i saw your post and thought maybe i would still do some of the prereqs at ccac? did it cut out time at upmc or what was the benifit? any information you have would be great! im very confused on all of the school stuff! thanks!

kellyjo1414 · Jan 2, 2010

I would say to go for it and apply to Shadyside or Mercy for full time. Sometimes you'll be on a waiting list, so that is a good time to take some science courses and get them out of the way. I was put on the waiting list for Shadyside for Spring because the fall semester was full. I decided to take Intro to Nutrition and Logic in the fall at CCAC. I am pretty sure all of the science courses transfer from CCAC except Human Diversity. I have not started classes yet at Shadyside, but when I do, the benefit of taking those two classes already will show in a lighter load my 2nd and third semesters.

It is really a question of how long you want to be in school. If you don't mind taking the CCAC classes first and then just the nursing courses at the nursing school then do that. Just remember, both Mercy and Shadyside have a tuition reimbursement and the program is only 22 months.

merner1012 · Apr 8, 2010

Rumour has it (students and instructors) that Shadyside is dropping the tuition forgiveness program soon if it hasn't decided to already. UPMC is not feeling the "job shortage" anymore I guess! Has anyone heard the same for Mercy or St. Margarets? I would definitely suggest that everyone fill out a FAFSA and talk to Adrienne if you're going to Shadyside... when I was there I didn't realize that there are enough grants to cover tuition (depending on your situation)... this way you're not "tied down" to working for UPMC... just a thought! Good luck all!

Sharawnda · Apr 8, 2010

Rumour has it (students and instructors) that Shadyside is dropping the tuition forgiveness program soon if it hasn't decided to already. UPMC is not feeling the "job shortage" anymore I guess! Has anyone heard the same for Mercy or St. Margarets? I would definitely suggest that everyone fill out a FAFSA and talk to Adrienne if you're going to Shadyside... when I was there I didn't realize that there are enough grants to cover tuition (depending on your situation)... this way you're not "tied down" to working for UPMC... just a thought! Good luck all!

Wow, I had no idea that they were thinking about doing this! I applied for Spring, but got put on the waiting list for Fall 2010. I still haven't heard back from Shadyside either way. I was told in Oct. that the tuition would be $10,000 for the entire program. I don't think it would be fair to change the tuition for people who have already applied to the school. They should wait until the next class (Spring 2011) at least, so those who have already applied aren't victims of "bait and switch". Because honestly, it DOES make a huge difference in their applicant pool if there is no tuition forgiveness program. I sure am glad that I also applied to Mercy...I already found out I was accepted for Fall, and I am certain that their tuition forgiveness program won't be changing this year!

kbm318 · Apr 8, 2010

I go to Shadyside now, I just started in the spring. I haven't heard anything about this, they never said a word about it to us, so I'm not sure if it's true or not

Kimba100 · Jun 22, 2010

i just had a question for anyone thats gone through the program full time. i will be starting in august and need to have a part time job for expenses. is it possible to keep the part time job through school or are you too busy?

Ravenx2012 · Jun 22, 2010

@ shrwanda: I started in the spring carried over from a fall waiting list. There was a long delay in sending out acceptance letters, because they were determining whether they were going to keep it @ 10000 or goto 15000. If you are all ready enrolled and taking classes, your locked into the "rate" as its a signed contract you start with. Students prior to my class still are on the full free ride. The school receives over 1000 applicants each session and takes 80 to 100. So, the demand is very high. Rightfully so. They have one the best programs in the country. Mercy's school was almost shut down prior to it being obtained by UPMC. UPMC decided to keep the school, but the structure of the program will likely be reworked over the next couple years, as they try to get the standard upto what it is at Shadyside. There is a reason Shadyside has a waiting list and the other schools do not. The same reason UPMC can charge more at Shadyside. In the end, you can goto any of the hospitals or community colleges in the area to get your degree and you will be an RN when you finish. But, you get what you pay for, and employers know Shadyside. So to quell your fears, there is no bait and switch. But, there is a strong chance that the tuition forgiveness will get hit again.

@DMG10: Some people are able to work the first semester, but some of them looked completely wrecked. Second semester it gets tougher. After that you may be able to work weekends, but you won't likely have the time beyond that.

Ravenx2012 · Jun 27, 2010

For anyone starting in August 2010... selling "relationship-based care" book for N101 and Alcamo's 8th edition fundamentals of microbiology w/ Baron's Microbiology the easy way. Accepting first reasonable offer. On campus Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays. Pickup only in Cranberry other days.

Kimba100 · Jul 8, 2010

Does anyone know what all Clinical rotations you do throughout nursing school at Shadyside? I'm curious if you do anything with Pediatrics or Labor and Delivery?

Ravenx2012 · Jul 8, 2010

You will do a clinical at children's from my understanding. I am only starting clinicals this week, but I know children's is down the road as we learn more. I have heard nothing of labor stuff, but I know several students are going to McGee. Perhaps one of the more senior students will see this and add more.

Good luck :)

audreyrasmusson · Dec 8, 2010

So I originally applied last minute for fall 09 and was accepted part time because thats all that was left. It took them forever to get my PSB exam results in and then they got lost in the mail and I didnt get them for over a month after I took the test! Then it was so late that by the time I got my admissions materials I only had 2 days notice to go to the last information session so that didn't happen. Since I missed the information session I was deferred to Spring 10 and decided to switch to full time like I originally wanted. Now it is the middle of November and I still haven't heard from anyone about my Spring 10 admission. I emailed Natalie and it has been a week and no reply from her. So I emailed her again yesterday and finally she replied today by saying she didn't have an answer to my question and that she will have to check my file and email me back. MORE WAITING. I recently transferred as a junior from WVU and I have NEVER heard of such disorganization and so many problems with admissions! I am getting so irritated with this whole process. If this is any indication of what my experience will be while attending UPMC Shadyside, I can say that I certainly will not remain there. I am very frustrated and disappointed in the whole thing. I thought I was going to be going to a great nursing school.

I am having a similar experience with Shadyside admissions now. I took the PSB on October 6 so I could apply to start in spring, 2011. Shadyside took three weeks (and a phone call from me) to get me my results. I passed very well (99% each in math and English, 90% in science). Then, they took another two weeks (and another phone call from me) to send me the application packet, which turned out to contain nothing that I could not have printed out from their web site. However, they had stated that they sent out the packet shortly after sending out passing PSB results, so I assumed I needed to wait for their hard copy. Well, as of Nov. 17, all my transcripts had been ordered online or by fax and paid for by credit card. My card was charged that day and the next by the various schools-- I have about six, because of schools where I've only taken one or two science courses and I also have prior graduate degrees. Anyhow, the deadline to have all application materials in is Dec. 10. Well, here it is Dec. 8 today, and they still have not received my transcripts. I spoke to Natalie by phone last week and told her I found it extremely strange that not a single transcript has arrived. She said it didn't surprise her, because once things get to UPMC general mail, they take "forever" to get to Shadyside School of Nursing. This really shocked me for a few reasons. Even if I overlook that the application instructions were to have transcripts sent directly to the school, Shadyside was still offering the PSB into November for spring, 2011. If it takes that long for things to get to them, why bother offering the test so close to the application deadline? And if they run into this sort of thing routinely, why not give applications information on how far in advance they really need to order transcripts. I know I can ask them to consider me for fall, 2011 admission and I probably willl-- after all, they should receive the mail on time for that and I have paid my application fee. But I would welcome other people's opinions and experiences. Right now, I just find the entire thing fairly weird and, like you, I am considering applying elsewhere for next fall.