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For those that don't know i will say it again, I was chosen as an alternate for the school i am currently attending nursing program, alternate #8 to be exact. Although i am not giving up hope that i may get in because like many on here have said it is possible for 8 out 100 to not be able to attend for some reason, I have decided to try to get into other schools. This one program i am very interested in is a 2 year diploma program UPMC shadyside. I would love to go there and they even have the possibility for you to go there for free and work at there hospital for 2 years after you graduate, I have to write and essay though and take the PSB exam anyone ever had to write and essay to get into a program, also any info on the PSB-RN(was it harder than the NLN).

Also there is Community college of Allegheny county(CCAC) in downtown Pittsburgh. CCAC has 4 campuses the farthest one is 30 min from me and each campus has nursing program, 2 even have a class starting twice a year. I am scheduled to take the NET there so i would like to get some info on that to(is that harder than the NLN)

I took the NLN PN to get into the program at the school in which i am currently attending. I got a 71 composite percentile with 112 composite score. Now i had been out of school for almost 10 years and i know thats not the best score in the world its not that bad they were only looking for 50th percentile an i at least didn't get turned down completely even though i didn't get in

Now I'm ready to take these other exams full force and get a better score then i did on the NLN-pn, These other exams i am taking are for RN

I have a few questions

Can you get financial aide the same way for a hospital program(in case i don't gt the loan forgiveness for working for them thing) It says financial aide is available for those who qualify but the whole program cost 15,000 if they would give me almost that much over years to go to school how would they do it for the hospital program? does it go by semesters like college does? Also what shoul di write the essay about?

Any info you might have or advise would be great thanks and sorry for the long rambling post

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Hello, I'm also applying to Shadyside (all ready sent in my application and essay, still waiting to take the PSB). I suggest you call the school and request an admissions packet which will give you all the info you need. The entrance essay is on why you want to be a nurse and why you choose Shadyside as your nursing school. As for the PSB, while I am scheduled to take it on the 29th so I can't tell you alot. I do know that the entrance exam covers four sections verbal, math, reading comprehension, and science. To be considered for admissions, you must be in the top 75 percentile of each section. I know from others that have taken the PSB-RN exam that the science section is considered the hardest, followed by verbal. Yes, you can apply for financial aid at Shadyside, such as Pell grants or federal loans, but I don't see why you would not be accepted for their loan forgiveness program. Let me know if you have any more questions. :)

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I got the info packet and it just make sme want to go to UPMC shadyside even more. I am gonna hurry up and get my app in the mail before the 17th so i can take the exam on the 29th as well, That would be so great if they would do the loan forgivness plan for me, but they probably dont like ot hire male nurses there. Someone told me that most big hospitals and most nursing facilties dont like ot hir emale nurses, but im not gonan let that stop me from trying.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
I got the info packet and it just make sme want to go to UPMC shadyside even more. I am gonna hurry up and get my app in the mail before the 17th so i can take the exam on the 29th as well, That would be so great if they would do the loan forgivness plan for me, but they probably dont like ot hire male nurses there. Someone told me that most big hospitals and most nursing facilties dont like ot hir emale nurses, but im not gonan let that stop me from trying.

If you know your stuff, I don't see why any hospital wouldn't want to hire a male nurse. FYI for loan forgiveness you can work at any hospital, clinic, or facility that is owned by UPMC, not just UPMC's Shadyside hospital. :)

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NoelChristine,

You know the pink recommendation forms. I don't understand the beginning that i am supposed to fill out. What part to i check

the first one says "I give up my right to read this recommendation

the second " I don't give up my right to read this recommendation"

I don't understand What this means, can you give me any info?(anyone reading this feel free)

Also i am sending my stuff off today so i can take the exam on the 29th, what are you using to study.

I see you are from Ohio i used to live in East Liverpool, went to high school there for a while, is that where you live?

Sorry for all the questions, thanks for all your help

ANDY!

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
NoelChristine,

You know the pink recommendation forms. I don't understand the beginning that i am supposed to fill out. What part to i check

the first one says "I give up my right to read this recommendation

the second " I don't give up my right to read this recommendation"

I don't understand What this means, can you give me any info?(anyone reading this feel free)

They are just asking if you wish to give up your right to read your recommendation or not. If you trust the people recommending you to say positive things, then there's nothing wrong with giving up that right, but you do whatever you feel comfortable doing. If someone was going to write something negative about you, they may be less inclined to give you a recommendation once they see on the front of the form that did not give up your power to read their recommendation, and thus could read what they write about you.

Also i am sending my stuff off today so i can take the exam on the 29th, what are you using to study.

Here ( http://cfcc.net/learninglab/PSB/PSB.htm ) is a site that I am finding helpful. I'm also using "Nursing School and Allied Health Entrance Examinations" by Marion Gooding. This book was recommended by Shadyside for preparation, along with "Barron's How to Prepare for the Nursing School Entrance Exam" by Grimes and Swick. If you've all ready had some general ed courses, they'll probably help!

I see you are from Ohio i used to live in East Liverpool, went to high school there for a while, is that where you live?

No, I actually live in the western edge of Ohio, close to the Indiana line, but I have ties to Pittsburgh and would love to move out! It looks like a great town.

Sorry for all the questions, thanks for all your help

ANDY!

No problem, Andy, feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

Today I received my confirmation letter from Shadyside informing me of testing policies. I recieved this approximately a week after I sent in my material. I'm studying really hard for the entrance exam, focusing on science alot. Since I'm also working through microbiology right now, I think that'll help. Like you, Shadyside is not my first choice. I'm simply applying late in the game because UPMC St. Margaret's doesn't have room for me until Feb '07. :specs:

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Andy, I started a therad for those trying to get into Shadyside. Feel free to check it out! :) (I can't get the link to work, so just paste it into the address bar)

http//allnurses.com/forums/f170/anyone-starting-upmc-shadyside-school-nursing-153513.html

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