brendalwelch

Only those who put SF as their first choice would have gotten this email since the SF campus is disbanding and classes will be taught in San Mateo.

Hey ABSN Hopefuls! I'm in the SMU OAK ABSN program now (48 students, due to graduate May 2012), so if you have any questions I might be able to answer, feel free to send. Please note that often answers are campus specific so if you're interested in OAK for Summer 2012, I can probably help the most! Overall, it's a fantastic program, well worth the money (we all know that no one can really afford it), and we are learning a ton. Some instructors are better than others, some clinical sites are better than others, and it's what you make of it. But that's the case with any academic adventure! Tons of guys in the program and ages ranging from 23 - 58 years old. I'm 39 with a husband and two kids (ages 3, 6) and it's totally doable. The hardest part is the Fall.

Hi RN hopefuls! I'm currently in the SMU ABSN program in Oakland. 2 months in! I got in early with a 91.8% TEAS (Adjusted Total Individual Score), 3.8 overall GPA and 3.75 Science GPA. There were people pulled off the waiting list all the way up until the first day of class so don't give up hope if you don't get a call right away. So far, I love it! It's a bunch of money but I'm very happy so far with the instructors, the schedule and my clinicals. Our cohort is 34 women and 14 men -- ages 23 to 58! I'm 39 years old and feel like I'm in the middle of the pack in terms of age. Our cohort is super supportive of one another and not overly competitive, which I heard has been a problem with previous cohorts. I have two kids, ages 3 and 6, and my husband works full-time but the scheduling is doable. To give you an idea of the first three sessions (and PLEASE NOTE that every cohort every year has a different schedule so don't bank on this): Session I (5 weeks): Lecture/Lab - M/W 8:30am - 4:30pm Lecture - T/Th 9-noon Fridays off! Session II (5 weeks): Lecture/Lab - M/Tues 8:30am - 7:15pm (long days) Skills Lab (on campus) - Wed 9am - 4pm Clinicals (I'm at Kaiser Walnut Creek for the entire year) Th/Fri 2:15pm - 10:45pm Session III (5 weeks): Skills Lab - M 2pm - 8pm Clinical (Kaiser WC Med Surg) - Tues/Weds 2pm - 10:30pm Lecture - Th/Fri 9am - 4pm Weekends off for now (except need time to study, etc.) but we will start weekend clinicals in October. Hope this helps!!!

I live in walnut creek and was just accepted for SMU ABSN Oakland. I took anatomy and physio at Alameda CC, took micro at laney CC...all night classes. No problem getting in as compared to DVC which is more impacted. Took pharm online at barstow cc and pathology at SBCC. check http://WWW.rateyourprofessor.com cuz a professor can make/break your class! Good luck!!

Thanks for your honesty. But its just one opinion. I know 3 recent SMU grads from San Matron and Oakland and all three were happy with the program, passed the NCLEX and say they would do it all over again. Yes there are loans but they feel very prepared. Two are already working in area hospitals and one is still looking. School is what u make of it for yourself and there are ways to maximize opportunities in this job market. I will attend SMU Oakland in May after 15 years in computer technology and I can't wait!

Hopefully I can make everyone feel alittle better about the money. Don't look at the $90k-$100k that SMU Financial Aid is quoting. I talked to my friend who just graduated SMU San Mateo in December 2010, and gave her this $90k+ figure. She said that other than the SMU tuition (which she said includes lab fees), the ONLY OTHER school expenses for her were some incidental online module fees (~$100) plus books. She said if you buy used books, you can sell them back and regain most if not all of your money! Other than that, she said your only other expenses would be your living expenses (rent/mortgage, food, transportation, insurance, incidentals). Figure out your costs for your normal living expenses and then add the tuition and then you'll know your costs for the year. And this is how I'm thinking... yes, I'm quitting my well-paying full-time job and times will be tough for one year, but I'll be out in one year (instead of doing a 2+ year program) and will be working and earning a salary! Yes, the job market is tough but I'm networking now and feel confident that there are jobs out there! Confidence and connections will be key. I really like what bubbles313 said... "but compare it to other options that you do have and see what you've got? wait another year to get into another program that'll take two more years- or finally get it done with!"... so true but you have to do what is right for you. But I think if you give up on SMU (and if you don't have other nursing school options right now), you may be giving up on being an RN. The competition to get into these schools is only going to get worse IMO. Best of luck to everyone in securing financial aid!

For SMU ABSN Oakland students starting in May 2011, I have started a Facebook page. Please join if you will be attending MSU Oakland this May! adusf84 and bubbles313, please join! :)

adusf84.... glad you got your email! very exciting indeed. I took CPR last year thru the company where I work but it will expire before I start school. So I hear that as long as you take a course thru the American Heart Association and it's tailored to Healthcare Providers. 3-4 hours total. Check out http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3012360. For example there is one near me from 1-4pm on Sat, 2/21. As far as financial aid, I'm going to talk to my friend who just finished SMU ABSN at San Mateo to see how to go about applying for this. May also check with my bank, BofA. It's definitely a lot of loot but so worth it I hear. I believe that when it comes to finding a job, some organizations look to hire RNs with SMU training.

If you live in the Bay Area, check out Samuel Merritt University's Accelerated BSN program. They have several campuses (Oakland, SF, San Mateo, Sacramento). It's pricey but in and out in one year and you're ready to take the NCLEX to become an RN. There are many pre-reqs required which may not have been fulfilled by your undergrad degree. I start there this May 2011.

Hi "adus" and others... I just got my email from Che Abrahm with the Oakland Letter of Intent and $350 tuition deposit request. No other details yet. Debt... yes, we will all be in debt after this year of school :) but I firmly believe that we can find a job even in this tough market. It's all about connections. I live in Walnut Creek and am working on continuing to build relationships with every nurse/doctor/hospital I know and will try to continue volunteering at Kaiser Walnut Creek ED. I have a friend who graduated Oakland's ABSN program in 2009 and she found a job at John Muir within 5 months. Trying to think positive!!

My friend was also Oakland... not sure about the other campuses. I hope you get in!

I did finish my prereqs in December and was qualified, but my friend is still finishing her last prereq (patho) at SMU and she got an acceptance call today too. Not sure what this means in terms of overall acceptance... I'm sure they haven't made all their calls yet and will be doing so over the next 20 days until March 1.

So cool that you met my friend! Funny. She finished SMU San Mateo in December and just passed her RN exam. She rocks! She is my inspiration for this program! What program are you in now and where? Maybe we should talk about how to do school with 2 kids!! :)

Hi all, I got my acceptance call this AM from Anne for SMU Oakland for Summer 2011!!!!! So excited!! Start date is May 31, 2011. Anne says they will be sending out an email to me on Monday with details... she says that the signed letter of intent and deposit are due Feb. 25. I wish everyone the best of luck too and hope you get your call too. Now I need to set up major childcare for my 3 and 5 year olds!!! Yikes.

You can stipulate that you'd like to be considered for more than one campus in NursingCAS (under Designations)... they just want to know which is your first choice so they send you an email (or two or three) to ask you that question! :)