Mercy School of Nursing Charlotte Wait List

csaund29 · Mar 31, 2010

I'm sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your Mercy experience, Gemini Girl. I would like to comment on a few things you said. A diploma is a type of degree, it's just not a Bachelor's. I consider the clinical experience I'm gaining at Mercy to be invaluable. I feel that I will be much more prepared to care for patients than if I had chosen a BSN program. Learning from books and practicing in labs simply do not provide the same level of preparation. You are correct that Nursing 1000 jumps between a lot of subjects. However, you will find that this the case with any nursing fundamentals class. There are many areas of nursing to learn about and fundamentals offers an introduction to each of these areas. You will find that subsequent class have a more narrow focus.

I also have a BA in another field. I like the fact that I will be able to work as an RN while completing an RN-BSN program. The sooner I get out there and start making money the better. UNCC offers a year-long RN-BSN completion program that can be completed online. I agree that most RNs will eventually want to have a BSN. However, even if you choose to go the associates or diploma/BSN completion route rather than the BSN route, it should not take you any longer to obtain your BSN. In fact, Mercy even offers an accelerated program that allows you to graduate in four semesters (this program does require an additional application and acceptance process).

From my experience most people do not use Mercy as a "last resort." With a student body of only 140 people, it is a very difficult school to get into and with good reason. Mercy currently has a 100% NCLEX pass rate compared to 81% at Queens and 80% at UNCC. Our sister school, Carolinas College of Health Sciences, currently has a 99% pass rate.

I agree that workload is quite heavy and doing well requires a tremendous amount of effort. It is difficult, but certainly not impossible to succeed a Mercy. Good luck to those of you on the wait list! Mercy is an amazing school and is definitely worth the wait :)

csaund29 · Mar 31, 2010

Also, if you choose to get your NA certification here's a good option: http://www.nc-cna-training.com.

MercyGrad44 · May 12, 2010

Just graduated from Mercy on Friday! I am so glad to have chosen this school--we are so very well prepared and it shows with our 100% NCLEX pass rate! Some people can't handle the program because they go in with the attitude of, "I have this degree or that degree", but nursing school is different and it doesnt matter what previous degree you have. We do have a lot of clinical time, but lets think about it. Aren't we going to school to be nurses...to take CARE of patients? YES! So its PERFECT that we get so much bedside training. Any nurse that has had a Mercy student will tell you, we know our stuff :) We do receive a degree- it is called a diploma... which is what all nurses used to receive. Mercy has stuck with the traditional nursing role. We can go straight to a diploma-to-BSN program just as an associate-to-BSN program! PLUS, the pay is exactly the same for all new grad RN's, whether you have a diploma, associate, or bachelors degree. Out of our class, we had about 5 people drop out from the start of the program all the way up to our 3rd semester. Do what the instructors say, get a peer tutor or a study group and you will do perfect! GOOD luck everyone!

the_london_sky · May 13, 2010

Just graduated from Mercy on Friday! !

Congrats!!!! :yeah: Today was my second day of orientation!!!

kelleynurse2b · Sep 22, 2010

I just applied to Mercy for the fast track summer 2011 program. I should hear back by Dec 15th. I am on pins and needles!! I want to be accepted so bad. I live in Columbia,SC and plan on relocating to attend Mercy. All nursing programs around here have a 2 year waiting list. I have been a Certified Medical Assistant for 6 years so I feel I have the experience that will help me and I have finished al pre-reqs except for the BIO 211 I am in now and micro next semester. What are my chances I will get accepted and what will the wait be?? Can anyone help answer this for me??!! I am totally ok with having an RN diploma versus an associates. I plan on completing my BSN online anyway.

tryingtobeanurse · Oct 24, 2010

I agree that the BSN may be required eventually, however, the NCLEX pass rate of Mercy cannot be ignored. These graduates seem to be much better prepared for entry into practice due to the exceptional amount of clinical experience they receive in their training. It is a possibility that BSN graduates do not receive as much clinical practice. Everyone must eventually leave their textbooks in the classroom and do the job. I have talked to BSN and some ASN graduates that have really struggled in their first nursing jobs due to not having the clinical experience. It is one thing to do procedures in a sim lab and quite another to have the experience performing procedures on an actual sick, living person. It is one thing to read about nursing in the community and quite another to have a clinical rotation at CMC and attempt to nurse that community back to health. It is all about practice, practice, practice. The first nursing jobs are generally hospital floor nursing. Nurse managers probably really don't care if you know the correct way to site resources in a nursing research paper but I am willing to bet that they care if you can insert a foley catheter into a female patient on the first try, or if you can start an I.V. without infiltrating the vein. They are concerned if the new hires need a babysitter or if they can be trusted enough to do the job with minimal supervision.