Anyone Starting At UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing?

lauramae18 · Jun 9, 2008

:eek:things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmm......

I'm friends with a couple of the instructors at Mercy. They've been told that the school is not in danger of closing and they will in fact, as mentioned above, be getting overflow from Shadyside.

I guess we'll wait and see!

ckmomof4 · Jul 29, 2008

I am a new full time student to Shadyside as of 9/08. I am excited and anxious to start this new chapter of my life! I am currently a stay at home mom of 4! I haven't been in the workplace since 2004 and I've been out of school since 2000. So, I'm starting all over again! I was thrilled to be accepted and with August looming it's only a matter of time before I will be packing my own lunch with the kids! I am most curious about the length of a typical day. Does it vary based on the classes or is it generally about the same each day? My AP courses don't transfer because they were taken so long ago, so I need to take all courses. They say to be prepared for 8-4. Is that always the case? I ask because I have 3 children in school and 1 in daycare...just trying to get a good grasp on how things are going to be! Also, on average, how much of your time is devoted to studying? I am one who doesn't require that much sleep so late nights studying shouldn't be a problem!! Thanks to all who can help answer my questions! I can't wait to get started!:) One more question....what's the deal with uniforms? I have a compliance meeting coming up so I'm assuming I will get most of the information there???!!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2008

Congrats to getting accepted to Shadyside from a June grad. I loved my time at Shadyside.

Does it vary based on the classes or is it generally about the same each day?My AP courses don't transfer because they were taken so long ago, so I need to take all courses. They say to be prepared for 8-4. Is that always the case?

You may have one 8-12 day a week possibly, but be prepared for 4-5 full days of class a week.

I ask because I have 3 children in school and 1 in daycare...just trying to get a good grasp on how things are going to be! Also, on average, how much of your time is devoted to studying? I am one who doesn't require that much sleep so late nights studying shouldn't be a problem!!

It varies from student to student. I didn't study much at first, but later on I was studying alot more. It really depends on your learning style and strengths.

Thanks to all who can help answer my questions! I can't wait to get started!:) One more question....what's the deal with uniforms? I have a compliance meeting coming up so I'm assuming I will get most of the information there???!!

The uniforms are purchased through American Discount Uniform halfway through the 1st semester. They are all white pants and scrub tops with the school pass on the top. You will get more information at the meeting. Also, Adrianne, is often able to answer questions if you have any concerns.

danh3190 · Jul 29, 2008

I'm looking at my schedule from my 1st semester in 2006. Seems like a million years ago now.

In the 1st two semesters you take the Nursing 100 courses and Micro and A&P.

In the 1st 16 week semester we had one full day off and two half days off. Two days were very full days. And of course we had weekends off. We didn't have any clinicals the 1st semester so as ChristineN mentioned, we didn't order uniforms till the end of the 1st semester.

In the 2nd 16 week semester we had one full day off. One day was a half day. The other three days were full. Clinicals start that semester only one clinical day per week. That's a very full day starting about 6:45 AM.

In the 3rd semester you start the Nursing 200 courses and these courses are more difficult. We had 2 full clinical days starting at 6:45. One clinical prep half day (you go to the hospital and look up info on your patient). One full day of classroom lecture and 1/2 day of classroom lecture. No weekdays off.

The 4th semester starts off finishing the N200 courses in the first 8 weeks. Then you start the Nursing 300 courses. These are even more challenging but very interesting. I can't find my 4th and 5th semester schedule, but we were in school or clinical pretty much all week.

You finish your N300 courses in the 5th semester.

The 6th semester is pretty free form. It's only 8 weeks long. You go to class one full day each week (for N400 and an NCLEX review class). The rest of the time is at the hospital, where you eventually work up to a full nurse's workload. You have to get 192 hours of clinical time done, however you schedule it. Then you graduate.

Don't let any of this intimidate you. You grow into the increasing demands of the program. I graduated last month and loved my time at Shadyside.

ckmomof4 · Jul 29, 2008

I just wanted to say thank you for your information on Shadyside. I really appreciate it! It does seem a bit intimidating, but I will keep in mind what you've said! Thank you both again so very much!

Take care!

dorselm · Jul 30, 2008

Congratulation on being accepted!!!!!!!!!

I am in the full-time day program and I graduate in Dec! All I can say is hold on to your seat because its going to seem like a true roller coaster ride. First the 16 weeks will take you up a steep track, by the time you get to the top of the last 16 week session, you will look down and will be overwhelmed at how much you have to learn and do. Next thing you know you go down the tracks at super high speed because the 16 weeks turn into 8 weeks and it goes by so fast it's not funny but don't worry because there are some very good instructors who will guide you every step of the way. I can say that you should study at least 2 hours every night and read your books when you don't understand. In all classes you are allowed to tape the lectures and I would highly suggest that you get a good digital recorder. Being that you don't have any of the prerequistes completed beforehand, you will start off Nursing 100's going 4 days a week. Some classes will be at Chatham and a shuttle will take you there and back, others will be at the school. You will start at 8 and will finish around 3-4. The last 100 class will be your first clinical rotation where you will be required 2 days a week to be at the hospital at 6:45 and will leave at 10:30 to come back to school for your afternoon session. The other two days will be class probably from 8-12. Then you get into the 200's where the fun begins! You will be in school 4 days a week and your schedule will be like, Monday lecture 8-12, Tues clinical prep 10-1 or 1-4, Wed, Thu clinical 6:45 to 3:30, Friday lecture 8-12 and then an afternoon chatham class at the school from 1-4. In the 300's you will be in class on Mon 8-12 and then Tuesday class from 8-12 or 1 and then clinical prep from 1-3. Wed and Thurs clinical from 6:45-3:30 and Friday class from 8-12 and chatham class at the school from 1-4. Enjoy your time because it goes sooo fast! One more thing, you will have a packet of powerpoint slides so for each class get a binder so that you can make a separate tab for each powerpoint packet to stay organized.

ckmomof4 · Jul 31, 2008

WOW!! That sounds intense! So...another odd question. Do student nurses carry backpacks, messenger bags or something else I don't know about?? I feel so out of the school loop...I'm not sure what supplies I need or what's acceptable anymore!! Can we utilize our laptops at school? Can we take notes on them? I was considering getting the Microsoft OneNote software for my laptop. In order for me to succeed at this as well as continue keeping up with my family, I will definitely need to stay as organized as possible!!

Thank you so much!! I need all the help I can get!:)

danh3190 · Jul 31, 2008

A lot of people carried backpacks. A couple had a rolling bag.

One of my classmates used notebook computer during the A&P and Micro courses, but I didn't see him using it afterwards. I doubt there would be a problem using one, but since they give you the full set of Powerpoints for all the Nursing classes, there isn't really much need to have a notebook computer. I just scribbled a few notes here and there in the margin of the powerpoints. You should see the stack of handouts I have sitting around the house. The garbageman is going to get a hernia after I pass my NCLEX.

As mentioned above, the faculty is good and they help you along as long as you do your part, which is studying. I thought it was a lot of fun all in all.

Good luck.

ht101855 · Aug 1, 2008

WOW! This all sounds so crazy! I'm also starting at Shadyside 9-2-08, both very excited and nervous at the same time! I just went to my CPR certification last night, and it suddenly hit me that this is all going to happen so fast and I'm really actually starting nursing school! :uhoh3:

Im coming right after highschool, so I have no previous college expirence and will probably need all the help I can get!

So, here's a few questions: What kind of other supplies do we need other than school and office supplies? (ie blood pressure cuffs? stethescopes? or anything else like that?)

If we're not wearing uniforms for the first half of the year what is appropriate dress for classes...dress clothes? sweats? And is the only time you're actually required to wear uniforms is at clinicals?

Are all of our books available to buy at Chatham's bookstore or do we have to get them somewhere special?

Um, that's all I can think of for now, but Im sure I'll have more soon! And thank you so so so much if you can answer any of these crazy questions for me!

-Holly

danh3190 · Aug 1, 2008

Once you start clinicals you'll need a stethescope. That won't be till January. I think we needed a cheap penlight too. No need for a BP cuff.

Dress was casual. I found the classrooms to be cold (I'm always cold) so I wore jeans and Nikes. When I was in my compliance meeting with Joanne before school started I mentioned I was going to miss spending my days in shorts and sandals and she said I could wear those to class. They'll have you wear your uniform to school one or two days before you're on the actual clinical floors. That's mainly to make sure you look OK, i.e. nobody has crazy underwear showing through etc.

I bought most of my books online. If you want to buy them at the bookstore I'd get over there with plenty of time to spare in case the books aren't there or you don't like the price so you'll have time to go online. In many cases, the online prices were a tiny bit lower, but there were some that were a lot lower.

Make sure you keep your compliance stuff in line (physical, TB test, Criminal clearance, CPR certification etc). They're strict about that. We had some people have to sit out a rotation because something hadn't been renewed in a timely manner.

Good luck.

mommyjskns · Aug 1, 2008

Hi! I can't tell you anything about clinicals yet, as I won't start them till January as I am an E/W student, but I will tell you to dress for cooler temps in the school classrooms. They are almost always cold. You don't have to wear dress clothes.........sweats, jeans are just fine.

As far as the books go, check out Amazon; the prices are a whole lot better than the Chatham bookstore.

Good luck!

ckmomof4 · Aug 1, 2008

ht101855 - are you going full time? I am and was also at the CPR class last night! I learned a lot! I thought they were great instructors. It definitely fueled my excitement on for school. I am really looking forward to it! A little nervous too, but hopefully that will pass! Good luck!

Great questions by the way! Hadn't thought of those yet!!