Anyone here doing part time school for RN?

tookewlandy · Jul 12, 2006

Are you going to UPMC SHADYSIDE part time? i know a few people on here that are going to UPMC shadyside part time. I was going to attend UPMC but i did not pass the science portion of the PSB test. I did get accepted to my first choice program. But If you are going to UPMC Shadyside you will like it. good luck

Andrew

NaomieRN · Jul 12, 2006

I am going part time because I have to work. I already have several degrees and have a good paying job and a house. So for me, part time is the best way to go. The program will take me 3 years to complete, but I am not in any rush. I know a few students who started full time and switched because it was too stressful. I am looking forward to pace myself and succeed in the RN program. You just have to weigh the positives versus the negatives. If you must work fulltime, than part time is the best way to go. Good luck to you.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2006

I am unable to go back to school full time, so I have to continue to work and go P/T. However, the thought of being in school for the next 4 years is daunting! I am already 27, so that would put a major damper on having a family, buiying a house etc., especially since I would have to make a 2 year commitment to UPMC after being in school for 4 years. Anyone here in the P/T program at Shdyside and can offer any words of advice? TIA!
Corie

Hi Corie, I was just accepted into UPMC Shadyside's part-time 4 year program. Since I don't start classes until next month, I can't really answer any questions about the structure, but I can try to answer any other questions you might have. So far, I love what I've seen of the school. Andy is correct that to get accepted you have to pass the entrance exam with a scores in the 75th percentile or higher (if you decide to pursue Shadyside I can recommend some books that could help you prepare). I can tell you that if you do get into Shadyside's part-time program and have a change of circumstances or whatever and want to switch to full-time, you are allowed to do that after your first year and a half of classes, which would have you graduating in three years instead of four. Let me know if you have any more questions. :)

Lesli61 · Jul 15, 2006

I'm doing a part time program for an ADN. It is class two evenings a week and clinicals every other weekend. Summers off, and it will take 3 years. All my prereqs are done. Since I already have a BS, a lot of gen eds transferred. I just had to take A&P, Micro, and Nutrition. You commented about your age: I am 46! I'm very glad the program is stretched out over three years. It will give me time to truly learn and absorb the content and skills without feeling rushed. I don't want to rush through only to feel like I can't remember any of it! Also at my age, I have learned that life is about the journey, not the destination. I intend to enjoy it, not get all stressed out. Where did you intend to be 4 or 5 years from now if you don't pursue this?

evbella · Jul 18, 2006

I am beginning a part time diploma RN program at Reading Hospital School of Nursing. It will take 3 years to complete. 3 evenings/week, and when clinicals begin they are every other weekend.

I'm not sure exactly where you're located but there are programs like this available elsewhere- like Abington Hospital.

Good luck to you.

luvmypatients · Jul 26, 2006

Hi,

I am going to be starting my 3rd year at UPMC Shadyside the end of August. It is a lot of work and a lot of time away from home, but I could not do it any other way. With 2 children, husband, house and working fulltime it would not have been possible to go to school full time. I love the school and feel they are really preparing me!

Good Luck,

Jenn

Palmo · Aug 8, 2006

Well, I am in my later forties...I have been going to school part time...and it does seem like it is taking forever...BUT...I have no regrets because it was better to go part time than "no time"...

However, if you are young...and are able to do it financially...I say go for broke and get it over with sooner... Good luck...

julz78 · Aug 9, 2006

Noel~ I forgot all about this website, how dare I? Anyways, since you tested, did everything for registration, maybe you will be willing to help me... this is going to be long so please bare with me!! I really could use your help!

Ok, I decided I am going to nursing school, I even decided the school I want to attend UPMC Shadyside because of the part-time program. Now I would like to start in 2007. When do classes for the part-time program start? Since they said that the 2006 year was already full, I decided to go to CCAC and take some classes until then. For the fall I am taking Bio-110, psy-101 and psy-108! I plan to take more in the spring. (I want to try and get as many of the college courses out of the way as possible before I start the regular nusing program. Better to do something instead of nothing at all!!) Okay, when should I start my admission work and when should I take the exam? I think right now, there is no way I'll pass.... Please recommend those study books for the entrence exam!!!!! Is it so hard that I should hire some kind of tutor?

Now for money! I get finacial aid right now, but I know it will never be enough for the whole program. The UPMC tuition loan papers are so hard to understand. All know is you have to agree to work for UPMC for two years and pay taxes on the money. Can you put that whole loan thing in simple easy to understand words for me. LOL!! If I go for the loan, it doesn't pay for books or uniforms right? So can I still apply for aid for those costs?

Okay, enough for now... Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to help me!!

Sorry for any spelling errors!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2006

Noel~ I forgot all about this website, how dare I? Anyways, since you tested, did everything for registration, maybe you will be willing to help me... this is going to be long so please bare with me!! I really could use your help!

Hi Julz Yep, I've gotten all through the admissions process and start in Shadyside's part-time program in 2 weeks (I wanted full-time, so I'll be transferring over after 2 semesters).

Ok, I decided I am going to nursing school, I even decided the school I want to attend UPMC Shadyside because of the part-time program. Now I would like to start in 2007. When do classes for the part-time program start?
Since they said that the 2006 year was already full, I decided to go to CCAC and take some classes until then. For the fall I am taking Bio-110, psy-101 and psy-108! I plan to take more in the spring. (I want to try and get as many of the college courses out of the way as possible before I start the regular nusing program. Better to do something instead of nothing at all!!) Okay, when should I start my admission work and when should I take the exam?

Part-time classes only start once a year, the end of Aug and they only admit 50 students into the part-time program each year. Because of such a limited number, I would encourage you to get your application, references, etc in this fall sometime. Also, have you looked at the required college classes for Shadyside? The reason I ask is that Shadyside does not require psychology! They do require Growth and development, though. Other classes required are A&P 1&2, Micro, nutrition, Logic, and Diversity (can only be taken at Shadyside).

I think right now, there is no way I'll pass.... Please recommend those study books for the entrence exam!!!!! Is it so hard that I should hire some kind of tutor?

"Barron's How to Prepare for the Nursing School Entrance Exam" by Grimes and Swick and "Nursing School and Allied Health Entrance Examination" by Gooding should be of some help (you might be able to find them at your college or public library). The hardest section, hands down, is the science section. If you fail a section, you only have to retake that section, but you can only retake it once. Fortunately, you will be asked the same questions the 2nd time you were asked the first time you took the exam. I failed the science section the first time by 5 points, retook the exam, brought my score up, and here I am. Do you need a tutor? You would be the best judge of that based on your learning style. I mainly used info from classes I had all ready taken and the review books.

Now for money! I get finacial aid right now, but I know it will never be enough for the whole program. The UPMC tuition loan papers are so hard to understand. All know is you have to agree to work for UPMC for two years and pay taxes on the money. Can you put that whole loan thing in simple easy to understand words for me. LOL!! If I go for the loan, it doesn't pay for books or uniforms right? So can I still apply for aid for those costs?
Okay, enough for now... Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to help me!!
Sorry for any spelling errors!

Here's how I explained it to someone else:

Technically this is a loan forgiveness program. What this means that you are taking out a loan for $14,000 (if you've transferred classes or are eligible for grants/scholarships the amount will be less), but you will not have to make any payments on that loan if you successfully graduate and shortly after graduation become a full-time employee at one of the UPMC hospitals or nursing homes. You are committed to working for UPMC for two years. Since this is a loan and not a scholarship type offer you will have to pay taxes on the loan during your first two years of work. There are several conditions in which you might have to pay the money. If you get an overall grade less than a C in one of your classes you will lose the loan and have to pay back what you've "borrowed" up to that point. If you drop out, you'll have to pay the money back. If you sign the loan papers and upon graduating you decide to work for a different hospital you can do that only if you pay off your loan to UPMC in one lump sum (they told us at orientation those that desire this normally use credit cards).

Your "loan forgiveness" loan does not cover books, uniforms, etc.

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to use grant money for books or uniforms. You may take out a student loan to cover those items, or just pay for them out of pocket.

Good luck in your nursing school journey, Julz! :)

smart99guy · Aug 13, 2006

how long is part time?

julz78 · Aug 13, 2006

4 years