Anyone attending Mount Carmel Second Degree Program?

jessglow · Aug 9, 2009

Actually, I know quite a few students at Mount Carmel who work part and full time and still have a family. You can do it if you are motivated enough. Also you may want to rethink Mount Carmel as they are on academic probation right now. So if they don't bring up their NCLEX pass rates they lose thier accreditation. Also, I am at Columbus State. STAY AWAY FROM THERE!! I have been 3 years waiting to start and FINALLLY get to start in March. That school is so ass backwards its ridiculus. I have heard awesome things about Otterbein though...

How did you get your information about Mount Carmel being on academic probation? I just looked up the accreditation on the Ohio Board of Nursing Website and it says their accreditation is FULL. Here is the link http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/PDFS/education/09updatedRNlist.pdf . People are spreading this rumor to discredit the program, but it simple is not true. Mount Carmel gives a great education and the instructors are great too.

I attended the 4-year BSN program and just graduated this past May, but I did speak to several accelerated program classmates. Most said it was very very intense, but very much worth it. I did hear one classmate had to quit because she had three small children and could not handle the intensity of the program with raising her family. I did also hear that the first year students (graduated Feb. 08) had a 100% pass rate as well, but can not verify it on the BON website. Good luck!

Matilda191 · Aug 19, 2009

Hey! I got into the Accelerated 2010 cohort, and I'm going! Yay!

Anyone have advice about where to live in Columbus? I've never been there, and I haven't driven at all on snow/ice, so I'm a bit uneasy about living too far from campus. (Although I know you have to dirve to campus).

Having said that, living on campus wouldn't suit, just because of the room-sharing thing.

Anyway, I've been trying to check out Craigslist for housing, but if anyone who goes to the program now and/or lives in Columbus has some advice about good places to get an apartment there, I'd love to hear it.

confusedstudentnurse · Aug 20, 2009

Groosemoose-

Be careful about living too close to campus. It's not the best area in the world unless you are familiar with Franklinton/Hilltop and know where to live and not live. There are nice pockets but if you've never been to that area, I fear you could be easily duped into a dangerous situation.

Check out German Village, a quaint, beautiful area with great 1-bedroom rentals for very reasonable prices and a quick drive (not even 10 minutes in traffic).

Grandview is also a nice option, a nice neighborhood, good rental prices and a quick drive.

The Short North, Italian Village, Harrison West areas are awesome, I've lived there for years, it's very downtown/artsy, younger population. Rent prices are higher in this area but once again, very close to campus (easy 7-10 min drive).

Check out http://www.metro-rentals.com/ they break down apartment listings by neighborhood. It's usually the site locals use to find housing. Craigslist is good but Metrorentals is a lot better.

I would definitely stick to downtown neighborhoods. Rent is decent, the drive is so quick and simple (don't think downtown like major metro, traffic is much worse in the suburbs).

Don't worry too much about snow. It doesn't get too cold here until Jan/Feb and we maybe have 1-2 major snows a year (4in or more), the rest is just cold rain. Seriously don't spend too much time worrying about that!

If you have more questions let me know! Good Luck!

foreverLaur · Aug 25, 2009

I have a friend that graduated from Mt Carmel's 2nd degree BSN. He seemed to enjoy the program. It was definitely hard - he worked hard and a lot. He passed the NCLEX with flying colors and landed a job in Columbus right out of school.

ayoung206 · Sep 13, 2009

Hello! I was also admitted into Mount Carmel's second degree program for 2010! I am also really excited- nervous too after reading some of these posts. Where are you from if you are moving to Columbus? Does any one know the percentage of students that graduated with secured employment?

Matilda191 · Sep 29, 2009

Thanks for the advice everyone!

ayoung206, during my interview, I was told that everyone from last year's class had already found employment. That's a pretty good stat.

Just curious, do you know what health insurance you're getting? How much coverage do we need? I just realized that the school itself doesn't offer any! What a nightmare, having to go through the health insurance nonsense again!

ayoung206 · Oct 5, 2009

Well, when it comes to health insurance I am really not sure. I am married and will be covered under my husband's policy through his work.

You said you were not from Columbus so where do you live now? I really like Columbus but I have to agree with 'confusedstudentnurse'-- you will not want to live right near campus. I live in Dublin which is a suburb but is about 20-25 minute drive. German Village, The Short North, Italian Village, areas are really nice. Are you planning on visiting the areas before you decide on where to live? Also, are you going to the orientation on the 12th

LizBSN2010 · Feb 5, 2010

Hi All,
I was wondering if anyone was currently attending or graduated from the Mount Carmel Second Degree program in Columbus, OH. If so how did you like it? I see from their website that the cost is almost 28K. Were you offered any type of loan repayment in exchange for work at the Mount Carmel Hospital?
Thanks in Advance!

I recently graduated from the Second Degree Program at Mount Carmel. It is a great education, but really fast-paced and challenging. The cost is quite high, and because it is a second degree, federal loans and scholarships are less than that of your first degree. I recommend that if you are interested, save up your money now, and be prepared to immerse yourself into nursing school for 13 straight months. There are no loan repayments or guarantees of job once you graduate the program and if you are hired on at any of the Mount Carmel Hospitals. It is a bit of a sacrifice and commitment, but well worth it in the end.

Oh, and working while in the program is not recommended. The time commitment is significant if you want to be successful.

charityc · Mar 15, 2010

Hello! I'm currently applying for the 2011 program. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

LizBSN2010 · Mar 15, 2010

Hello! I'm currently applying for the 2011 program. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

My best advice is to go into it understanding the time commitment, your ability to handle stress, and why you want to become an RN. If you communicate your reasons well through your application and interview process, you will do great. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. Good luck!

charityc · Mar 15, 2010

I originally went to school for teaching, but didn't get to student teach untill the end of my schooling and found out that teaching wasn't what I was looking for I want to be a nurse so bad that it's driving me mad! I just want to get started right away, but obviously cant! I have been warned about the time commitment and am so ready for it! I do have a family, but we have a plan to make this work! I'm so scared to apply for the second degree program at mount carmel b/c I graduated with a 3.3 GPA from OSU and I'm assuming that isn't going to cut it! Mount Carmel is my #1 choice by far but I have prerequisites for it and for my second choice, CSCC. I just don't want to get stuck waiting another yr. and a half to get in somewhere!

LizBSN2010 · Mar 15, 2010

I graduated with a 3.3 GPA from OSU and I'm assuming that isn't going to cut it!

My OSU undergrad GPA was also 3.3 (I didn't take my first degree very seriously ). Mount Carmel's SDAP faculty really look beyond grades in their application process. They want someone who is a good, well rounded fit. So, personality is a huge factor. And like I said before, they put significant weight on the ability to handle the demands of the program.

I also thought about CSCC but it wasn't worth the wait and the time it would take to get my degree (which, in the end would be an ADN and I'd have to go back to school yet again if I wanted to move up the career ladder at all or eventually pursue a MSN, so on). Other programs you might want to consider as you search include Wright State's BEACON program, Chamberlain's BSN program (you might be able to eliminate a year of this one with pre-reqs you do for MCCN's SDAP program). OSU's direct entry MSN I hear is highly competitive. I chose not to do it because I didn't want to take the GRE and had no clue what kind of nursing I'd want to specialize in with my Master's. (Glad I didn't--I ended up in a nursing specialty I would have never have guessed I liked when I was entering school!)

It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this, which is what they're looking for!