Anyone applying to St. Vincent's?

cuteshoes · Jun 26, 2007

Just a bit of information for you. You could be accepted, and then recieve a note saying you won't be starting your first nursing class for two years. I was accepted for Fall of 2007 (evening program). I was informed that I would take my first nursing class in Fall 2008. One day later I received an addendum to that letter saying they would most likely not have room in the Fall 2008 nursing class, and my start would be Fall 2009! I could take any pre-reqs I had left starting in the Fall of 2007, but I wouldn't begin my nursing education for 2 years. I said thanks, but no thanks. I didn't want to wait one year, let alone two years. Luckily, I had applied to two other schools and was accepted to both of them as well. I'll be starting Gateway in the Fall. It is a full time evening program 4 nights a week.

Just make sure you speak with St. Vincent's to see how many of their current students are waiting to get into the nursing classes. Best of luck to you and I hope you are accepted.

gemini08 · Jun 28, 2007

Hi cuteshoes,

I am really shocked that St. Vincent's told you there was no room in the 08' Nursing courses because from what was told to me and many other people is that there certainly were openings even back in March. There may not have been many openings as time went on but I was told there were still openings then and in fact I just heard that there are a few openings for the 08' Nursing courses now but very few. I was wondering when did you apply for Fall 07'? Was it very early say in Nov or Dec. of 06' or closer to the deadline of Feb 15th? Maybe that is why you were told there was no space until 09' to start the Nursing courses? When I went to the Open House in late March, we were informed there was space to start the Nursing courses in 08'.

Mostly everyone that is accepted starts in the extended program where you take the remaining General Education courses needed such as A&P I & II, Child Psy, and Religion or Ethics(whichever one you have not taken already) and a huge majority go part-time. Mr. Marrone, the Admissions Director, stated very clearly that once you attain at least a 2.25 in the Gen Ed. courses you are automatically in the Nursing courses starting the following Fall. A space in the Nursing courses is held for you when you first start the Gen Ed sequence so you will be all set. I know now that the 09' Nursing courses are starting to fill up. What is so great about St. Vincent's that is not done at any other school is the fact that you can do the program entirely part-time. As you know the Nursing portion of the program is extremely difficult and it is such a good thing that you can take 3yrs to complete all Nursing courses because really you need that extra time if you want to do well.

Unfortunately, because I have other courses to finish now I can't start the Gen Ed. courses until Fall 08', I won't know of the admissions decision until the end of March. I mistakenly thought I'd find out the end of Oct. because I put my application in before the Oct. 15th deadline. Oh well, that's ok I still have to take 4 courses and I really feel very confident that I'll get accepted because my GPA is very high and I have many other pluses behind me that will help.

I wish you all the best at Gateway! When do you start your clinicals? What color of uniform does GCC wear? St. Vincent's is Navy, not my best color but that's ok. I cannot wait until I start!! May you do really well in all your courses!

Sue

cuteshoes · Jun 30, 2007

I applied closer to the deadline, notification letters are sent April 1st. I think part of the problem was that St. Vincent's underestimated how many of their current students would be finishing up pre-reqs. If I had accepted their offer, there was a chance I could have started nursing in Fall 08 if, some of the current students didn't continue on. However, the grade point average to continue into the nursing program is so low, I'm sure most continue. Again for me, waiting even a year made no sense. I already have my sciences, math, chem, sociology and psychology. Since I got A's there was no way I would retake any of them. I must say, the administration at St. Vincent's are very nice. I got a call from the admissions office personally asking if I was going to attend. They told me they were sad to lose me. This was a very nice gesture.

You said your grades are good, so I'm confident you'll be accepted. Are you applying anywhere else? For me, I wanted to go to Gateway. However, they get around 800 applicants and only take 80, so I applied to St. Vincent's and Goodwin College as my back ups.

Our clinicals start about 2 weeks into the fall semester. They want us to practice some basic skills in lab before setting us loose. We will be notified in the next few weeks of our clinical site and times, and also our lab schedule for the fall semester. We wear white pants, a navy polo shirt, a white lab coat and the famous all white shoes. I think it looks professional ( but definitely not fashionable).

Keep me posted on your progress and I'll keep you up to date on mine. We have had 3 orientations so far, 3 workshops are scheduled for July and CPR certification is in August. I just ordered 4 of my books yesterday for $365. I still have 6 more to purchase :uhoh3: . It is a bit crazy (especially with 4 children), but well worth it!

sillinursin · Aug 6, 2007

Hi.. I am currently a student at St. Vincent's I applied last May 2006. I was accepted but was placed onto a waiting list as most starting this fall. I have to tell you, there is a waiting list already for 2009. Please be cautious and apply to as many schools as possible. If by chance there some general student's get all their pre-req's the do get a chance to take that spot in the nursing course. It's unfortunate that they have such a low gpa average that allows most students to be accepted into the program but do not manage to get past the first semester. What a waist of time for all of us. St. Vincent's is tough, they do not take any chances. Right now the GPA for nursing students to pass is an 80. You have to maintain that as well as have good people skills during clinical or your out. There were several student's 2 weeks prior to graduation was kicked out of the program. They do not have an option of returning to the school, either.. Good Luck.. and you need to get some clear answer's with St. Vincent's. Good Luck!

Esther2007 · Aug 7, 2007

Hi.. I am currently a student at St. Vincent's I applied last May 2006. I was accepted but was placed onto a waiting list as most starting this fall. I have to tell you, there is a waiting list already for 2009. Please be cautious and apply to as many schools as possible. If by chance there some general student's get all their pre-req's the do get a chance to take that spot in the nursing course. It's unfortunate that they have such a low gpa average that allows most students to be accepted into the program but do not manage to get past the first semester. What a waist of time for all of us. St. Vincent's is tough, they do not take any chances. Right now the GPA for nursing students to pass is an 80. You have to maintain that as well as have good people skills during clinical or your out. There were several student's 2 weeks prior to graduation was kicked out of the program. They do not have an option of returning to the school, either.. Good Luck.. and you need to get some clear answer's with St. Vincent's. Good Luck!

They do have option to come back as long they did not fail a previous nursing class. They only allowed one repeat nursing class. I just completed 2 semesters. Eventhough, you need an 80 to pass, it is doable. Last semester, we had to write 3-page paper and 3 quizzes which helped alot of people to pass. Alot of schools, only give 3 exams and a final. St vincent's quizzes helped alot of students to pass. My friend only passed one exam out of 3. On all her quizzes, her average was a 94, and she did well on the paper and she was able to passed.

Failing is not an option for me.