Attention PA Nursing Students

Amy Donovan · Feb 25, 2005

Hi Everyone!
I have been a nurse for 18 years and was educated in the state of MD, but now live in S.Central PA. My daughter is exploring different nursing programs and I'd like any info. You'd be willing to share about your program. She definitely wants an RN program. She is undecided about ADN, Diploma, or BSN at this point. We are just looking for a program that would be a good fit for her. She is 17 and will be graduating in 2006, so we're just really starting to look at schools now.She has so far expressed interest in Jefferson at Gesinger, HACC, York College, Lancaster General, Bloomsburg, Reading Hospital, and MT. Aloysius College. Unless, she goes to HACC, she'd like to live on campus. I know many of the hospital schools no longer have dorms, but if you know of a hospital program that has nearby housing, PLMK. Thanks so much in advance. We're just trying to get a feel where to look and what to skip. (for example, she's a B/C student and we're not wealthy so U of Penn is not an option, etc.) :) :) :)

Hey! I am a junior nursing student at East Stroudsburg University in PA and I'm from the Reading area and looked at pretty much all the colleges that your daughter is looking into. Is she looking for a 4 year college to get her BSN or a a two year school. I know that if you do the Reading School of Nursing it's 2 years and I would definately recommend her to go back to get her BSN after working at a hospital that would pay for that. ESU is a great school, we offer a BS which is pretty much the same as a BSN. The administration is old and some of the clinical experiences are far away but other than that I love it here. It's a beautiful campus with alot to do around here (she has to like cold weather tho). To be honest, Bloomsburg was my first choice but I was only accepted there undeclared and I wanted to get right into my major. One of my best friends goes there for nursing and she said it is very challenging and you start clinicals early in your sophmore year (which is good). York College was also a very nice campus but I thought it reminded me of high school too much because it was pretty much one building with all the classes. I can't help you too much with the other schools but if you want anymore information on ESU email me and I would happy to fill ya in. Hope I helped you out alittle! ~Amy

LydiaNN · Feb 25, 2005

I grew up a few miles from Mt. Aloysius. It is a good school that will prepare her well. It is also a reasonably priced program in a serene setting without too many distractions to keep one from their work. Of course, it is farther away from home than the other programs she is considering. I don't know if that's an issue. I wouldn't overlook any school due to finances, though. U of Penn is highly selective, but they are so well endowed that once they offer admission to someone, they are typically able to provide lots of assistance to finance that admission. If she is qualified, I think she should go ahead and apply.

imenid37 · Mar 2, 2005

Thank you ladies for sharing. I will tell her to check out East Stroudsburg too.

Is it in the Poconos? That's a beautiful area. A lot of the kids at her school tend to go to Shippensburg and Millersville which do not have generic nursing programs (I know Millersville has RN-BSN and MSN). She is going to an open house at MT. Aloysius in April, so I guess we'll see what that is like too. She would like to be w/ mostly students her own age. I have tried to tell her that there is a mix at a lot of schools, so if anyone knows that info., PLMK too. I think she finds older students intimidating. :)

Amy Donovan · Mar 2, 2005

Hi again, ESU is in the Poconos...it's freezing here with a lot snow! It's a beautiful campus, especially in the fall and spring. As for older students, we have about 2 older students in our class getting their RN. It's mostly all young students out of high school. There are a couple classes where there are about 5 older women (LPN's) who need some more credits in order to be an RN.

luvdancink · Mar 2, 2005

I am in HACC's program. I tried to transfer to york college's program. I have several friends there, and in my opinion it is the best program around. They are competetive, and do not guarantee their transfer students clinical rotations. The only people who are guaranteed anything there are the students that go there straight out of high school. I fI could do it all over again, I would have gone there in a heartbeat. I have friends in Lancaster General's program as well. Let me know if you have any other questions about nursing schools around here.

~Kristy

imenid37 · Mar 4, 2005

Thanks a lot Kristy. I will tell her to check out York too. A lot of my co-workers went there. I looked at their MSN program, but it wasn't really for me. She is probably going to go to an open house at LGH too. It looks pretty expensive, so we'll have to see. Thanks again!

luvdancink · Mar 5, 2005

The only thing with Lancaster General's program, is that it is NOT accredited. That's not always a bad thing. You can still get your RN through them. However, if you decide you don't like their program your course work will not transfer anywhere. There alwo be some more necessary coursework if she decides to go on for BSN because the prereqs may not transfer either.

~Kristy

mauser · Mar 10, 2005

The only thing with Lancaster General's program, is that it is NOT accredited. That's not always a bad thing. You can still get your RN through them. However, if you decide you don't like their program your course work will not transfer anywhere. There alwo be some more necessary coursework if she decides to go on for BSN because the prereqs may not transfer either.
~Kristy

That has changed. I would go to the open house and get the facts. Lancaster General is now a college. The gen ed courses have been accredited for some time. Many LGH diploma students have gone on to get their BSN without any problems. But I believe, as of this fall, any student entering the program can opt to receive their ADN.

imenid37 · Mar 11, 2005

Thanks for the update. We will soon be going to an open house at LGH. I think it is 4/20.

mauser · May 6, 2005

Thanks for the update. We will soon be going to an open house at LGH. I think it is 4/20.

Just wondering how you made out.....

nurse051 · May 30, 2005

I just accepted into HACC's Rn program. What is the program like? Is it really difficult to do well in the classes or clinical class?

I am in HACC's program. I tried to transfer to york college's program. I have several friends there, and in my opinion it is the best program around. They are competetive, and do not guarantee their transfer students clinical rotations. The only people who are guaranteed anything there are the students that go there straight out of high school. I fI could do it all over again, I would have gone there in a heartbeat. I have friends in Lancaster General's program as well. Let me know if you have any other questions about nursing schools around here.
~Kristy