CCAC vs. UPMC Mercy comparison?

oramar · May 7, 2009

There are people that are better qualified than me to answer this beings it is over 25 years since I graduated from CCAC but I will take a shot. CCAC was and continues to be a very difficult program. I just talked to someone who is in this years graduating class and she was going on about how difficult it is. Nothing wrong with that as they want to have grads that pass the boards and they DO. I think about one in three persons pass all their nursing classes on the first try. Now just because you don't pass on first try does not mean you are done, many people retake classes and go on to graduate. Someone told me that Mercy has a much higher percent of people that start and go straight on to graduate. So you would be spending a lot more money at Mercy but you are more likely to graduate. However, if money is the BIG issue than you can't beat CCAC prices. PS if someone post info that conflicts with what I say than by all means take it seriously because it has been a long time since I was in nursing school

Sharawnda · Sep 15, 2009

Hi Glenn! I wanted to know if you decided on a program? i am currently considering UPMC Mercy for Nursing School, and I would like to hear anyone's opinion on it. I am also considering UPMC Shadyside.

glennmatthew, ADN, RN · Sep 16, 2009

I ended up choosing CCAC Allegheny campus. When it came down to it, my decision was based on conversations/opinions I gathered over the months as to the quality of the programs as well as the over all cost.

We just discussed this yesterday in clinical. Apparently there is some disparity between the different campuses at CCAC as far as what's covered in the first semester. In general though, most everyone I spoke with indicated that CCAC's program is excellent and the new nurses coming out of CCAC are much more prepared than some others. With that information there was no way I could rationally spend $10,000 more for an education that I never heard much positive feedback on.

Good luck!

mcRN2b · Jan 27, 2010

I just handed in my application to CCAC for this fall and I am NOT hearing that it's better than UPMC Shadyside. I am hearing that the clinicals are not as good. I have also noticed the NCLEX pass rates are not as high at CCAC as at UPMC Shadyside.

I am going to take the PSB for Shadyside because CCAC seems disorganized. They have chosen a harder entrance exam but still took Pharmacology out of the curriculum. And, they are taking applications from last week to Feb 15 yet, we still have to wait until April to get an acceptance letter (hopefully)?! There are additional nursing subjects that are not on the CCAC form with the structure of the nursing courses that comes in the packet that will cost extra.

Also, I think the teachers at Shadyside also work as nurses and not just instructors. Plus, they just got money for a scholarship from an alumni for a whopping $900,000. She must have really liked it there. I want good preparation. This is a tough business and nurses eat their young. It's tough too since there's lots of choices in Pgh. for nursing school. I hope I pass the PSB. For CCAC, I'll see. But really, CCAC ought not to have so much variation between campuses. I find that's poor organization. Would I be better if I went to a campus other than the one I get into? I can't help but wonder.

Sharawnda · Jan 27, 2010

Well, I just received my acceptance letter to UPMC Mercy, and I am waiting to hear from UPMC Shadyside in March. I am leaning towards Mercy, simply for the fact that they are closer to my kids daycare, and cost half as much as Shadyside. It seems strange to me that Shadyside would charge so much more, when the curriculum is almost identical to that of Mercy; after all, they are "sister sites". I just hope that the price tag on Shadyside isn't to filter out "certain people" in attempt to keep the program "elite". I can't think of any other reason why it would be more expensive based on what I have seen at both schools. The funny thing is that UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing is not even in Shadyside! It's in East Liberty.

MissCharlieRN · Feb 5, 2010

I'll be graduating from CCAC's Boyce in May this year. Every clinical instructor I've had also works as a bedside nurse. Most of the lab and theory instructors do, too. I felt like I learned a good deal from this program and am happy with my education.

"There are additional nursing subjects that are not on the CCAC form with the structure of the nursing courses that comes in the packet that will cost extra."

I'm not sure what you mean by that, maybe I read it wrong but it sounds like you're saying there are additional nursing courses offered by CCAC that aren't offered in the curriculum?

mcRN2b · Feb 6, 2010

I'm not really sure. I saw a course for IV drug therapy and it didn't have an NRN code. Are those courses integrated in the NRN classes? Do you get experience with IV during your clinicals? I also noted that there are drug calculations in clinicals. Is this correct, or would I have to take Pharmacology (3 credit) as a separate class? I've been thinking that I have been working hard to get into CCAC's program, I should continue to have my ASN if I get accepted in the program since it seems like I would be limited to Chatham. And, I also noted that many states won't even hire a nurse with a diploma. And, what do you mean by bed nurse? Do you mean ICU?

Also, do you think I can switch my choice on my application form even though I already handed it in? The deadline is about 10 days away. I made North campus my 1st choice and South my second but, I would like to switch that around. I'm starting to hate Perry Highway!

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2010

I saw the listing for IV drug therapy listed as a non-credit course. You'll be taught how to prime IVs in 101. Pharmacology is not a required class for the nursing program. Pharmacology and dosage calc are integrated in the material for lecture and skills. From my understanding, 'bed nurse' refers to a med-surg nurse. I don't know if you can switch campuses. You may want to call the school and found out.

MissCharlieRN · Feb 6, 2010

CCAC does offer CEU classes, too. The IV therapy (just like the OR Nursing course) may fall into that category. It's probably a class that you can opt to take when you graduate to earn your CEU hours where they will teach you to be proficient in IV therapy. You learn to prime IVs and hang them and piggy backs in either 101 or 102 (I can't remember), you learn IV push in 202. You also briefly go over IV insertion but they said you'll gain proficiency in that in 205 (which I start in March).

The dosage math is very basic algebra that you go over in 101 and 102.

And by bedside nurse, I mean they work in hospitals with patients.

I would contact the department secretary to switch the campus. I was able to switch from South to Boyce last minute.

MissCharlieRN · Feb 6, 2010

Oh, and as far as variances between campuses, I believe the same curriculum is followed at each campus, the teachers just have academic independence. The structure is the same, (101 is fundamentals, 102 is med surg/peds/ob for the same amount of time, 202 is med surg and pysch, 204 is critical care, 205 is a transition course) and the same text books are used and they follow mostly the same outline, but instructors just have different methods of teaching.

mcRN2b · Feb 7, 2010

Thanks for the feedback. It's been really helpful. I'm still figuring out if making the switch to South campus is worth it. I do prefer the drive. Does anyone have any experience at South campus they'd like to share? I think it's a lovely campus. Were there ethnic minorities in the nursing program?