? About Schools

Ok this was many many years ago........but I'm betting things haven't changed much....

I started out at Marshall and ENDED up graduating at St. Marys. I'm not saying Marshall is bad but I found St. Marys to be much more caring and involved in your education ..THEY CARED!! They did not "preach" christianity but practiced it..... graduating students donated their uniforms to the school for ones that could not afford them and there was emergency funds raised by the classes that students could apply for, for example, if they could not pay their electric bill. I remember one time I did not get the funding I needed to pay my tutition and they worked with me to make payments. The teachers would hold study sessions on their own time after classes if we were struggling with a concept. And these are just a few things. St. Marys left a HUGE imprint on my life and my heart and I credit to this day for how I look at my life and practice nursing.

I worked a short time at St. Marys before I married and moved to Charleston and the change was tremendous. If I could I would go back there in a minute.

Hope this helps you

I'm trying to decide between the BSN program at Marshall and the ASN program at St. Mary's. I would like to hear from anyone who has attended either school. I will probably apply to both because I've heard it is hard to get into either. How are clinicals, classes, labs, etc. How many hours are you in clincals? I'm a mom and have to work out child care, etc. TIA!

In this present world, you really need to get a BSN at some point (and it doesn't have to be MU). I went to St. Mary's when it was still a 3 year program and the environment there has definately changed since I was in school there. They prepared me very well to step out and be a RN. They gave me financial assistance when my parents decided not to pay for the rest of my education (because of someone I was dating). Some of the staff there was wonderful in giving me the support and encouragement that I needed to get through nursing school and a very difficult time in my personal life. Good Luck!

Ok let me make some enemies :angryfire. In my experience historically there have been 2 consistent top performing colleges/schools of nursing. St Mary's and Bluefield State College. Southern in recent years has also seemed to develop a great program. I havent seen the numbers recently for St. Marys or Bluefield so things may have changed.

ADN or BSN really isnt the most important thing to consider, obtain the NCLEX passage rates from the board and let the help your decision. When I graduated you could literally spend 40,000 for a 85 percent to be a RN vs 10000 for a 95 percent chance to be a RN-(Based on NCLEX passage rates).

I personally see very little reason to choose a BSN program over a ADN especially if you are older and need to get back into the job market. Now I am not saying BSNs are worthless, but here in WV the pay is very close, a BSN may get you 50 cents more an hour. There are many transition programs or RN to BSN programs that are much easier to work with than your third or fourth year of a BSN program. So instead of paying 10,000-20000+ for those final 2 years of a BSN program, you can be working, obtaining experience (which is extremely important) plus most hospitals will offer tuition reimbursement.

A BSN will open up more opportunities so definitely is something you should strive for but I just cannot see why you would want to extend being a RN by 2 years.

Anyway good luck!

I'm trying to decide between the BSN program at Marshall and the ASN program at St. Mary's. I would like to hear from anyone who has attended either school. I will probably apply to both because I've heard it is hard to get into either. How are clinicals, classes, labs, etc. How many hours are you in clincals? I'm a mom and have to work out child care, etc. TIA!

I attended St Mary's and acctually am the first class to receive an Associates in Nursing from the "cooperative degree program between St Mary's and Marshall". So, here are my opinions.

This is what I liked about St Marys: --hands on right away, --individually assigned instructors that served as "counselors", --assignment of a buddy from 2nd year to a a new year student, --Clear, concise, quality information given in a very nice flowing format building upon previous information, --they will make time for you if you need individual attention and not make you feel "dumb" about it.

Now, this is what I didn't like: ---I had to commute 45mins (due to I was a poor poor student), --they assign little 15-45 mins "check offs" learning assignments that you had to fight the other students for your time, --I think the nurses there were rude to students when we first started (in the hospital setting). --VERY VERY VERY long careplans.

--very small cramped library, conference spaces in school and Hospital.

Of course now, they have moved the school from where I attended, and I hear it is much bigger, much nicer and better learning materials (I should have mentioned this under dislikes that a lot of videos, computer programs, and materials were very old and grainy and made by the instructors themselves).

To sum it up, I preferred the way I went, to St Mary's first, because you are hands on right away, use actually started using your A-D-P-I-E, critical thinking skills and brain right away. BUt it was definitely hard on me because I both worked, and commuted and had some other classes at Marshall.

Melissa

PS I am going back for my BSN at Marshall, so you too, always have that option later. I chose to go for 2 year also because I started making good money a lot sooner too!!

PSS Sorry for the very long post!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did not attend marshal's BSN program, but a dear friend of mine did, and their program was all effed up!! They would give direct admits all the spots, and she had wonderful grades and STILL didnt get in. They didnt want to work with her at all and (like mentioned above) didnt seem to give a poop about their students! I went to WVU's BSN program and it was wonderful, all the teachers and faculty knew exactly who I was and they really helped you learn. They were always available for extra help if you needed it, and were really concerned with each and every student, we were like family! I would really try to find a school with those types of qualities. Good luck!

I graduated from St. Marys in 2005 and I have to say I loved the school...I feel they really prepared me for the NCLEX and nursing..The instructors are really helpful and will go out of their way to help you if you have a problem..The only thing I didnt like was the sessions like the other poster said that you had to sign up for..I hated going down there for 15 minutes to watch a video...But overall I wouldnt change going down there..There is nothing wrong with a ADN...If you want to get your masters then I would consider doing the BSN..I am enrolled to attended Mountain State this fall and to get your BSN is one class a month and its all online which helps when you are working full time..So if you do get your 2 year degree there are great options for later if you want to get your BSN...

I am currently a Senior in Marshall's BSN program and I have to tell ya it is a very strenous program. It is like a continous weeding out program. 110 students sophmore year to around 40 now. There nclex passing rate is above 90% so that is good. I can honestly say that if I had it to do over I would have went for the 2 year... received my job and then pursued the 4 year. I do believe there is an advantage of having the 4 year degree if you are looking for management positions. You will have a good start to becoming a Practioner or Teacher in the field as well. Also like others have said the pay difference around here is like $2/hr. Which in my opinion is terrible. 2 more years of torture should not equal only 2 dollars more. So that is my 2 cents worth!