tmow86

I loved my instructors, I loved the school! I am not sure how the new ciricculum will change that. I am a PROUD St. Margaret SON graduate! i am saddened that they are changing the program. The biggest thing, it will not be as intense since it's going from 19 to 22 months in length. That will be helpful to everyone but I think the clinical experience will be WAY different which is the part that saddens me. St. Mag's grads are usually set apart from others. We have such an excellent program. It's not easy by any means and you HAVE to sacrifice A LOT. It HAS to be priority for you. The instructors are great!! Like I said, I loved them. Some people didn't. You just have to go to school, dont' cause drama and roll with the punches. My biggest advice for those starting the new cirriculum is to start with an open mind. You need to know that this will be new for the instructors as well, and it's probably hard for them too because they are changing what was an elite program. I am sure St. Mag's will still find a way to be set apart though, in that I have no doubt! Blood, sweat and tears and I graduated TOP 5 in my class. Good luck!!

I just graduated from ST. Mag's. The new cirricculum from a St. Mag's SON outlook is going to be MUCH different that it currently it. They are changing it to run like Shadysides where pre-req's are included and clinical time is different. It will NOT be as intense. ST. Margaret's is a very TOUGH program and I am sure with the new cirriculum it will still be tough! But you come out being a great nurse and a very well respected nurse. I had a job 2 1/2 week before graduation, I graduated March 1 and just took NCLEX last Friday the 29th and foudn out today that I passed.

^^^NOT TRUE. Hospital diploma programs get a way better clinical experience and you are well prepared at the end of the program.

awe, sorry. They will not forward your application, you have to apply all over again to Mercy because their process is different. :-(

I printed out ALL Power Points and use highlighters, several different colors. I highlight things that are said multiple colors one color....then reglar stuff they stress alot a different color, etc. If they say "this is important"..I have a red sharpie and I put a star by it and highlight it! As you go you will get used to and pick up certain clues as to what your instructors think are impoartant! Good luck!! For the hx things you could just make notecards..but for such things as the nursing process etc, notecards are not very helpful....at least they weren't for me!

St. Margaret's required the PSB before admission, too!! I was scared to death about it. I got in the 90's on everything but the science, I got 78th percentile. I was going to apply to Shadyside as well but you have to be in the 80 percentile in everything and I just missed it. You can also use the PSB exam to apply to any other UPMC program, the results are good for two years. Just an FYI!! I thought about Shadyside because they have the evening/weekend program, but I am glad I am in St. Margaret's and I also work at the hospital at a casual position. St. Margaret hospital does hire a lot of their grads, however a friend of mine that worked on my floor, graduated CCAC in May, was hired as a GN on 6B, so they do hire outside of the UPMC hospital programs!! I think you will be just fine on the PSB, especially with a BS already! I am 32 and only had an associates from 10 years ago, so I was out of school with minimal education, so you can do it!!!!! I bought the mcgraw-hill nursing school entrance exam study guide to brush up! good luck!

I just finished my semester at UPMC St. Margaret and we do clinical at St. Margaret for the first level, then move to Magee, Western Pshych and Childrens, we do not do clinical at Mercy. Good luck in your decision!! I wanted the hospital program over the community college for the more enhanced clinical experience, but everybody's wants and needs are different! Follow your heart and where you want to go and I bet no matter what you pick, will be the right choice!

So far I like it a lot...It's super INTENSE....right from day 1. If your willing to commit and put in the work you'll be great!!! Keep us updated on your progress and any other questions, feel free to ask.....we were in your shoes once too!! :-)

good luck to you guys! I just started on June 20th!!!! It's a long process and believe jguy and myself ...feel your pain!!! Good luck!

I start in 7 seven days....Monday June 20th. I am sooo freaking scared and excited at the same time!!!

Charlie, Kayla and I went and got fitted for our uniforms this week! We then went to the scrub shack to see what they all for shoes. We got these white landau shoes that feel AMAZING. We also got 20% of nurses week. :-) We also got our physicals and name badges this week as well! Next week is our meet and greet, and then our pre-admission day is the 26th. I am so excited. I know this is old news for you Feb starters! I remember being so jealous and excited when you guys were posting about going to these things, and in a blink of an eye, here I am! :-) What all does the pre-admission day consist of? I am very excited for that! Jguy, haven't heard from you for while, hope all is well! I work with a few students at the hospital and get pointers from them. I am dropping to casual though on June 19th, then I can pretty much work when I want to! I am just so ready to go, and get this show on the road! I hear from everybody about how difficult the test questions are. I am worried about grasping that! Good luck you to guys and I'll be seeing you soon!

THREE FEET TALL!! LMAO!! I am going to have to get a bookshelf of some sort to put them on! Good lord! I can't express my excitement enough about how happy I am that I finish up microbiology and that also finishes up my pre-req's! SOOO glad those are done with, I am ready to move on...!!

awesome, thanks Tina! That is good to know that we don't have to lug the books to class just binders etc!!

I am the queen of questions! I am just one that like to be prepared so I naturally have a million questions! For St. Mag's do you carry a lot of stuff with you? What kind of bag do you use? I have been wanting a Vera Bradley bag for so long but not sure if it will be big enough if we need to haul a bunch of books/binders to class, or just stick with my boring ol' adidas back pack! HAH! 6 more weeks or so!!!

and I am not putting down the BSN, I just think the ADN would be a great place to start. I plan on obtaining my BSN afterwards.