Any Pitt Nursing students?

[adambell]

Hi all,

I've just been accepted to Pitt's accelerated 2nd degree Nursing program. I'm excited to begin and I'm just curious about the program itself. I've heard its extremely challenging compared to other nursing schools. Is it doable? How are the faculty? Are there many programs for students in the School of Nursing out side of clinicals and lectures? Do you have any advice or things to look out for (i.e. how you would have done things differently, etc)? Just looking to learn more about what I should expect. Input from any accelerated/non-accelerated Pitt Nursing students would be great.

Thanks :-)

[Logos]

I am a Pitt Grad- but not in Nursing - going back for a second degree- but I choose CCAC- South. Good Luck & Congratulations.

[mo110]

I am currently in Pitt's accelerated BSN program and will hopefully be graduating in August. I don't know how pitts program compares to other schools but it is definately challenging. Everyone in the program in very competitve as many are looking to pursue higher education such as anesthesia--what I hope to do. If you're in it hoping to get straight A's it is going to be a very stressful year. School will be your entire life for a year regardless. It would be wise to plan that you will not be able to work very much if at all--I only work every other weekend and that's tough. Most people in the program are not able to hold down jobs and get good grades--though a few do.

There are so many things to say about the program both good and bad. It seems to focus a lot on NCLEX prep and critical thinking and not so much on clinical skills--a lot of us are very worried about being on our own in a few months with the amount of experience we get in clinical. But any new nurse is somewhat worried about being on their own. Nurses have told me it's more important to master the knowledge and critical thinking than the clinical skills as they come much easier. I won't know till I actually have a job if I think I got enough experience or not. It's especially scary since I want to go right into ICU when I graduate but we don't get any time in ICU except 1 day shadowing.

Another thing to know before you start the program--you will get very little experience in pediatrics or ob nursing--if this is what you want to do I would not recommend the program. Most of us got 4 days in peds and 4 in ob. One girl from our class really wanted to go into pediatric nursing but everywhere she's been interviewing has told her that she just doesn't have enough experience.

On the plus side I'm 2/3 of the way done and very excited (and scared) to be a nurse in a few months. I wouldn't want to prolong my education into 2 or 4 years--I like learning a lot quickly even if it's overwhelming.

Some of the faculty you'll like--some you won't--it's all personal preference. I'm very easygoing and don't really have a problem with anyone. Many of my classmates have issues or strong dislikes of certain professors/instructors.

Another plus is that you will grow very close with a lot of people from your class. It's only about 20 or so--we have 18. You're all going through the same stresses and frustrations together. You will be with these people more than any of your friends, significant others, or family for a year.

Don't think your in an elite or special class either. We're always the last to learn anything--we don't know our clinical schedules until the semester starts--after the traditional BSN students. I've heard that some of the instructors look down on us and view us and our program as incompetent. They've actually said this to some of my classmates. This is not the case though. I think my class is made up of many outstanding students that are very highly motivated to become very good nurses.

Don't let aggravating aspects of the program get to you though. It's a waste of your time to get angry and fired up. Just get through it and try not let it bother you too much.

Another thing--do not buy all the books they tell you to! Huge waste of money. I did that 1st semester and didnt' even open 2 or 3 of them after buying them brand new. Buy older editions of most books on amazon if you can--they're exactly the same and only cost $10 instead of $130. None of the teachers give specific assignments out of the textbooks and often it's impossible to keep up with the reading anyways. First semester I foolishly spent $600 on books. 2nd semester I got all the books in older editions and spent $110.

Finally the best advice I can offer you is the same advice that a former student offered my class. Take it one day at a time. Don't be thinking about assignments and papers and tests you have coming up. One day at a time.

So, sorry for the rant--you'll understand once you're halfway through the program. There are many good aspects and many bad. If I had known before what I do now I would do it again--though I've heard some of my classmates say otherwise.

Good luck--you are in for an intense (and exciting) year!

[ShelbyMaser]

Thank you for all your input!!!!!!!!!! Its so nice to hear from a person that's actually been through the program...

Its a huuuge bummer that I won't be getting much experience in OB or Peds :-( I am pretty set on it, and I can't see myself working with adults much longer that I have, although I don't absolutely hate it (I work as a full-time PCT on a step-down unit while getting these pre-reqs and non-clinical courses).

One thing I did was I took all the lecture courses (informatics, ethics, EBP 1 and 2, etc) beforehand so I'm mostly just worried about clinicals. I was also planning on doing an externship with Children's during my last semester, because it seems like its a lighther load that the other two semesters, so would you think that its doable?

One big question though, what are transitions like for your last semester? I heard from someone that you get to pick which hospital it is at? So if I pick children's then I will probably get one semester's worth of experience on a pediatric floor? Do you know if Pitt has a program/class where I can pick which general unit I want and they will assign me a preceptor for a semester? I heard from other nursing students at different schools who have that as an option. I am willing to spend an extra semester if it means I will have a higher chance of landing a job in peds.

Also, it really surprised me that some professors look down on the accelerated students :-\, I thought that most would realize that we are willing to do complete career changes, and to go throught such an intense program to become nurses, not to mention, we're probably stilightly more mature on average than the typical freshman? That really stinks that some faculty would have that attitude.

As far as examination goes, what is the BSN comprehensive exam like? Do you have any other major exams aside from ones in specific classes and of course the infamous NCLEX? Is there a review course that would prepare you for the NCLEX?

Overall, is the program really as great as what it seems to be? I thought it was highly competitive, only accepting a class of 20 students per year, so I would assume that it would be one that would prepare you well enough as well. I don't mind not being prepared for clinical skills as well, because it would make sense to master that once you are actually out in the field. Are the courses impossible? Is it really hard to get an A or even a B in your classes? Do you actually learn, or are most students just worried about being able to pass the courses?

Lastly, just curious, but what are the types of units that you've seen most students land jobs in (ICU, med/surg, ER)?