MUSC ABSN FALL 2020

garssta · Feb 17, 2020

Hey @maya_jk congrats on your acceptance!! I know what you're going through - I hate the waiting.... I applied to MUSC, Duke, and Emory. I already paid my deposit to MUSC... so, I'm struggling with deciding if I want to forfeit that money for another program (if I get in). I hear back from them March 1 and March 13.

Congrats again on your acceptance!! Good luck on your other schools, and I hope your decision will come easy ? .

maya_jk · Feb 17, 2020

Hey @garssta

The waiting is by far the hardest part! I waiting to hear from OHSU, UNC, and UMASS. My cousin suggested I ask for an extension to make my decision. Do you know if this is possible or how strict the school is about this?

garssta · Feb 17, 2020

@maya_jk to my knowledge, I have never heard of them giving an extension because of the popularity of the program (but it doesn't hurt to ask). They are also strict on deferments - they will only consider one if you are unable to attend due to some major issue that is out of your control.

LAktl · Feb 18, 2020

I was accepted yesterday, and I am super excited!

I do have a question. What are your factors that you are looking beyond just the length of the program + cost? How are you guys making your decisions about which program to choose?

Also, do you think MUSC is worth the money?

maya_jk · Feb 18, 2020

@LAktl Besides length and cost, an important factor for me is location and quality of clinicals. For example, one program I applied to is in a relatively small town in southern Oregon, so the clinicals would be in small community hospitals and would require some commuting as well. MUSC is a large teaching hospital, so to me you’re getting the best opportunity for your clinical experience in a setting like this. Also an important factor for me is that I am very interested in pediatrics and MUSC has a very reputable children’s hospital, whereas other programs I applied to do not.

To me, the cost of the program is comparable to others. Even as an out of state student, the cost is about the same if not left than the programs I applied to in Oregon.

Hope this helps!

garssta · Feb 18, 2020

Hey @LAktl congrats on your acceptance! MUSC was the cheapest program I applied to - a lot of programs in NC/SC/VA/TN are private and cost double, if not triple.

I am taking into account MUSCs education AND hospital ranking/reputation, research opportunities (I want to get my PhD after the ABSN), location (the food in Charleston is awesome), and that its unique in the sense of it being a health science center. One of the classes we take is on interprofessional education - meaning we take a seminar with students across all of their colleges (Med, Pharm, Public Health, etc). Medicine is shifting to a collective front and I think they are one of the forerunners in that.

I hope those points made sense and did not come off as ramblings lol

LAktl · Feb 18, 2020

Thank you for you inputs. I agree that the fact the program is in Charleston and is at teaching hospital is ideal! Do you think the location plays a factor in potential cities of where I could get a job? I know MUSC accepts out-of-state students like myself, but they did not provide data on where the students end up working.

I think my hesitation is mostly coming from costs, but I am super thankful that I at least have an option for absn. I was not eligible for my in-state program, which would have been cheaper.

If we do not end up MUSC, I wish you two the best with your careers!

garssta · Feb 18, 2020

I am not sure of the actual statistics, but I know an ABSN grad in NC and in NY (both graduated last year). Once you have your BSN and pass your NCLEX you pretty much solidify your job security - nurses are ALWAYS needed. I am sure that MUSC, given that you would be a grad from their program, would prefer you stay at MUSC (they might even try to woo you), but the decision is ultimately up to you.The only difference between states is your license - so you would need to pass a licensure exam for the state you intend to practice in.

Thank you! The same goes for you! I wish you both a happy and meaningful career ?

Kala D. Steward · Feb 18, 2020

Hi @maya_jk congratulations on your acceptance. I will be attending the Fall 2020 cohort as well. I’m currently in San Diego. One thing that helped me make my decision was visiting Charleston. I have family about an hour away and they live in the country. Charleston is the city and I’m a city girl lol. After visiting Charleston and MUSC for their open house, I was sold. They’re program is ranked #1 or #3 (I forget) their simulation lab sold me. It’s really really nice and you can stay in as long as you want and practice on your skills before going into the hospital. I will also be a veteran by the time the program starts and this school is military friendly. I know once people graduate from this program, some already have a job lined up (found out during the Q&A from the students). I know one girl was going to Texas to do a nurse residency program in the ER. So after this program, you’ll have a lot of opportunities. Hope this helps you.

nicole tek · Feb 19, 2020

Hi! I am from Long Island, NY and I just got accepted into the program 2 days ago. I am considering the program, but definitely want to visit first before accepting the offer. Is there a facebook group that is made for the ABSN for Fall 2020?

Kala D. Steward · Feb 19, 2020

Hi @nicole tek congratulations. I think you should visit! If you’re a city girl, I think you’ll like Charleston. And I was looking on FB for a group but I haven’t seen one.

maya_jk · Feb 19, 2020

@Kala D. Steward Unfortunately I do not think I will have time to visit Charleston before I have to make a final decision, but I have heard nothing but wonderful things about the city. I would be coming from Eugene, Oregon, which has a population of about 150,000, but sometimes feels smaller. I haven't spent any time on the East Coast or in the South, so it would definitely be a big move for me.