Samuel Merritt University ABSN Program Prerequisites

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I have applied to Samuel Merritt's ABSN program for a fall '09 start (SF branch) and am wondering if anyone else who is either in the program or has applied does not feel like their online Patho and Pharm classes have adequately prepared them for entering nursing school. I got an "A" in Pharm and a "B" in Patho and don't feel like I have learned anything! I live in the Bay Area but am considering moving to DC to go to Georgetown University's 2nd degree program, even if I get in to SM because it requires you to take these classes again. Is this crazy or realistic? Help! Thanks!

sholmsen, I have taken the TEAS..many schools prefer that test over the NET now. But I would assume that both tests are the same with minor differences in subject areas. I got an 84.1 without studying.. pretty low. I just read on the sam merritt's website that the overall G.P.A. is based off of the last 60 units... I think mine is higher than the 3.5 I mentioned... that's overall from all college work... WOOHOO! Hopefully that will do something for me. I did apply to USF and UCSF. I got accepted for the Spring term at USF and i denied their offer (I know, so stupid), and reapplied for Summer. They denied me (I was devastated!) due to an increase of 75% of applicants. College of Marin? I will look into it! Sam merritt was a last minute choice because I really thought since USF accepted me once, they would again for summer... BAH!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hey did you guys all get the email sent out today?! You were right sholemen, we are in the good because we haven't heard anything! Woohoo! So, 48 out of 140 people... GOOD LUCK TO ALL IN THE POOL!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just finished the ABSN. To those of you worried about your patho & pharm knowledge (or lack there of!)... you do not need to feel comfortable with this material to do well in the ABSN at SMU. You will learn it as you go. The instructors do not expect you to know everything (at least the instructors I had). What did help, or at least I felt it did, was really having a solid A&P foundation... I took both of those classes the year before starting, so it was all still fresh in my mind. If for some reason you do really want to take pharm again, I have heard good things about the on-campus Foothill-DeAnza pharmacology class.

And, since someone will ask: Undergrad GPA 2.7, Science GPA 3.3, NET 94, TONS of undergrad leadership, and 2 years non-nursing acute care experience. If I have one suggestion, that would be to get healthcare experience, whether it be work, internships, volunteering, etc. Barely anyone in my class was without it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hi CalBear...thanks for sharing your experience and stats.

One interesting tidbit: I was told by a SMC admissions counselor

that many successful applicants for the ABSN program have NO healthcare experience. She said that many applying to the ABSN (like myself) have been WAY too busy working, getting their degrees, and getting their prereq's done...no time to volunteer...no time for anything else.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Thanks :nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi CalBear-

First of, congratulations! Thanks for your input. That's great to hear about the patho and pharm being reviewed during the program. Just out of curiosity, are you having great trouble finding a job now that you've graduated? I hear this area's not hiring many new grads. Congrats again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi CarolC,

I don't have much volunteer/healthcare experience but I do have some. This is because of the same reason you stated... with work and school I barely have time for studying and some fun stuff! Where have you applied and have you heard back?? Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hi sholmsen,

I applied to 5 programs: Samuel Merritt, Cabrillo, Santa Barbara CC, Santa Rosa JC, and Sacramento CC.

Cabrillo and Santa Barbara both have waitlists, so I'm guranteed a spot (probably in 2025--when I got my letter from Cabrillo, the waitlist was over 600 students).

I didn't get in to the other ADN programs. They are getting crazy numbers of apps this year: 400-600 apps

for 30-60 spots. I'm trying to avoid schools that have lottery selection, but many of them do.

I applied to the ELMSN-FNP at Samuel Merritt last year but didn't get in; I was never explained that it's a SUPER competitive program. So I've reapplied for the ABSN this fall in SF. My GPA's okay, I got a 90 composite on the NET.

I hope they get the results out to us soon....good luck! :nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow. Yeah, I applied to College of Marin but just found out yesterday I didn't get in. It's a lottery too. Good luck to you too. Hope to see you in the fall!

-Sarah

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi CalBear-

First of, congratulations! Thanks for your input. That's great to hear about the patho and pharm being reviewed during the program. Just out of curiosity, are you having great trouble finding a job now that you've graduated? I hear this area's not hiring many new grads. Congrats again!

Just to clarify... they don't really formally "review" pharm and patho, but there is ample time to solidify your knowledge as the program goes on. One of the instructors used to give a pharm quiz on the first day of the program and stopped because the results were too depressing. As for jobs, you pretty much need your license before being hired right now. Probably 5/45 of my class are starting a job this summer; the rest of us are still looking!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
hi CalBear...thanks for sharing your experience and stats.

One interesting tidbit: I was told by a SMC admissions counselor

that many successful applicants for the ABSN program have NO healthcare experience. She said that many applying to the ABSN (like myself) have been WAY too busy working, getting their degrees, and getting their prereq's done...no time to volunteer...no time for anything else.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Thanks :nuke:

If that is the case, definitely show admissions how your degree/job/past experiences have uniquely prepared you to be a nurse. Relate your current job to nursing.

I would also say that there is a difference in the learning curve for students who have exposure to the hospital/healthcare and those who do not before beginning the program. Everyone ends up at the same place after the first clinical class, but do be prepared to work harder during that first clinical because you will be working in an unfamiliar environment and learning a whole new "language". If you've never worked in a hospital, think about getting a medical terminology book or taking a class.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If that is the case, definitely show admissions how your degree/job/past experiences have uniquely prepared you to be a nurse. Relate your current job to nursing.

I would also say that there is a difference in the learning curve for students who have exposure to the hospital/healthcare and those who do not before beginning the program. Everyone ends up at the same place after the first clinical class, but do be prepared to work harder during that first clinical because you will be working in an unfamiliar environment and learning a whole new "language". If you've never worked in a hospital, think about getting a medical terminology book or taking a class.

That's GREAT advice...I worked in corporate admin/management for ten long long LONG stress-filled years, so I did let them know in my essay that I juggled a crazy job and school for a long time. I am SOOO ready for this crazy program---bring it on! :nuke: I did take a Med Terminology course, and even though it's a different world, I worked in veterinary clinics. Although I didn't write about it in my essay, I know how to set up a Lactated Ringer's IV rig, read lab reports, document vitals and treatments, and various other commonalities...I'm not saying a vet clinic is anything like a human hospital but it does have parallels. Hmm, maybe I should have put it in my essay after all! :lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just finished the ABSN. To those of you worried about your patho & pharm knowledge (or lack there of!)... you do not need to feel comfortable with this material to do well in the ABSN at SMU. You will learn it as you go. The instructors do not expect you to know everything (at least the instructors I had). What did help, or at least I felt it did, was really having a solid A&P foundation... I took both of those classes the year before starting, so it was all still fresh in my mind. If for some reason you do really want to take pharm again, I have heard good things about the on-campus Foothill-DeAnza pharmacology class.

And, since someone will ask: Undergrad GPA 2.7, Science GPA 3.3, NET 94, TONS of undergrad leadership, and 2 years non-nursing acute care experience. If I have one suggestion, that would be to get healthcare experience, whether it be work, internships, volunteering, etc. Barely anyone in my class was without it!

CalBear--if you don't mind sharing, where were your clinicals located?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment