als224

Hi Abigail. For the 2-year track, we only take half of the classes each semester, and nearly all of the clinical courses are in the second year. The only clinical I have done has been psych, which was at Beth Israel, and was interesting, but short. (Supposedly it's more to just give you a small amount of exposure to the specialty as most nurses will not work in that area.) Here's a short breakdown of the classes I've taken so far: Patho 1 & 2, and Pharmacology- All have/had the same professor, **********, and she is WONDERFUL. Very helpful and gives a lot of great interactive lectures. That being said, there is a lot of content covered, making these some tough classes. Of those students who I know have been placed on academic probation due to low GPAs or inadequate grades, these classes have been contributors to that in most cases. They're definitely manageable classes, but prepare to do a lot of studying. Communications- Not very exciting, but not very difficult either. The professor, Dr. ****, is very knowledgeable, especially about geriatrics, and tells stories that often reminded me of why I want to become a nurse. The main difficulty I had with testing in this class was not knowing what to study as a lot of the content is very general, common-sense type stuff. Psych- Briefly covers psychiatric disorders and some medications. Professor **** has some great stories about her time working as a psych nurse that really make the class interesting, and the exams aren't too bad. Ethics- The ethics professor I had has left Pace to head the nursing program at UC Santa Barbara, so I won't go into his course. Two masters courses, Decision-making in Nursing and Concepts of Primary Health Care- Two online, theory-based courses that are pretty easy. Less content based, and more self-reflective, these courses are excellent GPA boosters. I have heard from some of the 1-year students that they had qualms with their professors for Peds/OB, but I don't really have any details to provide. Overall, I have enjoyed the program so far, but I also know others who have their complaints, mostly about lack of support for students. For most people, though, if you are prepared to work hard, study long hours, and work with your classmates, it's certainly possible to succeed in the program. I hope this was helpful! Best, Ashley

Hi All! Congrats to everyone who has been accepted to this Fall's cohort! For those of you who are still waiting, take comfort in the fact that many of last fall's students were not accepted until the end of July, and I even know of a few being accepted in early August! I am a current student in the program, and chose to do the program part-time over two-years, so I will be in some of your classes starting this fall! Please feel free to ask me any questions about the program, as I will be happy to answer them. Also, if anyone is looking for a place to live, let me know- I'm possibly looking for a roommate starting mid-August or September! Best, Ashley PS- I just asked to join your Facebook Group! See you there!

Hi all! I started the Pace CDP program at the NYC campus in Fall 2011, and am doing it over 2 years. So far, I have had a generally positive experience. The professors I've had up to this point, though occasionally a bit disorganized, are passionate and knowledgeable about both nursing and teaching. Many have widely varying experiences in nursing and their commitment to the nursing profession often serves to remind you why you have chosen the field for yourself. There is a lot of pressure put on the students to hold regular study groups and really work together to learn the material. The information is made available, but it is certainly your job to know it, and know it well. Our small group of 2-year students (there are 4 of us) meets 1-2 times a week in addition to the scheduled classes, and it seems to be beneficial. All four of us hold part-time jobs. It's my opinion that it would be extremely difficult to undertake the 1-year program and work at the same time. From first to second semester, we lost about 2 students of the original 21 or so. I know that at least one of those two has transferred to the program at Pleasantville. The classes are not easy, but you certainly learn a lot of valuable information, and it is definitely interesting. As far as Pace University as a whole, like others have said, they're slow with admissions, slow with financial aid, and can generally be a bit of a pain in the butt, but I think that the nursing program faculty (at least those that I've worked with thus far) have made up for it. I believe that if you come into the program prepared to work your butt off, you will succeed. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, and I will answer them as best I can. Best, Ashley

Fox- I did get a call in to financial aid today, and they said I would be eligible. I also made it official and asked my adviser to revise my schedule for the 2-year program. Just seems like a better choice for me right now. Thanks for all your help and advice!

Hey Fox! So I'm thinking pretty seriously about switching, and figure I need to make the decision ASAP! I've got an interview for a part time job on Friday to make a little extra cash, but was wondering if you were still eligible for federal financial aid like stafford loans when you dropped down to half-time (6-7 credits). The gov site says I should be eligible, but that the university may set their own standards for half time. Any experience with this?

Fox- I will be taking Patho this fall and also Evidenced Based Practice (409) online. I'll let you know when I find out what books I need for those. For 624, I am in section 71951 with Kutzin. What about you? Also, did you start in the 1 yr program and switch to the 2? I've heard a few people have done that. I'm feeling pretty confident that I'll be satisfied with the one year program, but it's kinda nice to hear that switching is an option if we feel that it's truly too much.

Fox- Thanks for the words of encouragement! The good news is, I am taking 624 this coming fall. The bad news- I just looked at the text list and there's a ton! Would it be okay if I PM you re: any books you may have? Thanks for all the help, tips, and advice! I really appreciate it.

Hi Fox. Thanks for the info. I have already seen that administrative things such as financial aid, etc, seem a bit off, but am happy to hear that you've had positive experiences with the instructors. Are you in NYC or Pleasantville? Any tips for those of us set on the 1 year program?

Short- Thanks for the reply and encouragement. Congrats on completing the program. I'm excited to get started in **GASP** just a few weeks!

Iryna- sorry it took me so long to respond. I actually have been accepted to and will be attending Pace University in NYC in the fall. I would love to be in the GEM program, but would have a hard time waiting til August 3rd to make a decision, as it would put me in a real pickle as far as turning down other offers, etc. Unfortunately, it will still be very difficult to turn down Rush if I were to be accepted. I wish you guys the best of luck!

Hey. Wanted to post that I was accepted at Pitt for Spring but will be declining and attending Pace starting in September. Good luck to all! I hope that those who read this thread in the future will find some hope here :-)

Hey guys! Just requested to join the facebook group. Super excited to meet you and the others in the cohort. I've got a lot to do in the next 2 months. To you guys happen to know how large the class is?

TLC- I hope everything works out for you. Good luck and all the best! -ALS

TLC- I was also declined. I was actually a little surprised as I had thought I nailed the essay. Fortunately, I found out last week I was accepted to Pace University in NYC, and will be starting there in the fall. Did you apply to and/or get accepted anywhere else?

MMGB- Have you had an opportunity to speak to any current students? All those negative comments still scare me a little, but it seems like they may have just had a bad year. I looked at NCLEX pass rates, and there was one year where only 8 people took the test! Besides that, they've had wonderful pass rates with around 45-55 people taking the exam. I'm really looking forward to getting my packet in the mail next week. Do you currently live in NYC, or will you be moving there? What sort of educational and health care background do you have? Oh, and what classes are you signed up for first semester? So excited with so many questions!

Congrats tothc! I was recently accepted at Pace and am strongly considering going there! I'm so proud of us and our low GPAs! I hope we can give some hope to others coming through these boards in the future looking for some inspiration to overcome their low grades and become nurses!

Got a call today and it seems I've been admitted! They said I should be getting a letter next week. Anyone else hear from them?

Iryna- Just completed the online information session, which I guess is similar to the info session Molly does before interviews. It's tough waiting another whole month for a response! I'm expecting to hear back from some other schools soon, and am hoping I don't encounter problems with deposit deadlines and whatnot. Have you applied anywhere else? -Ashley

bTLC- The essay topic just came up, and I'm pleased to see that it is a "what would you do" type case study. Good luck with your essay and I hope we both get good news July 5th!

ththc- That's certainly very frustrating, and is actually a bit of a turnoff to the program. Doesn't say much for their student support system or responsiveness, and you can never know if this is simply a good warning of what it might be like as a student there! Regardless, let me know if you get any sort of response!

Nomad- A while back I had looked into traditional BSN programs, but decided it wouldn't be the best route for me. I have been relieved to find, however, that schools do value other things besides GPA, as shown by the fact that I have been invited to "the second round" of the admissions process at both Kent and Rush so far. I think that where I went to school makes a big impression, as well as the other roles I took on while I was a student. GPA is important, but it seems its really just a part of the big picture!

Finally got some good news! I've been invited to interview at Rush and will be doing my phone interview Monday. I've also been invited to the "essay round" at Kent State, which is on Monday as well. I feel like I've already made it past a big hurdle with the paper application round. They know my GPA is low and are still interested, so that's a great sign. I hope this gives all those with low GPAs trying to get into this type of program some hope!

Hi all! I have an interview coming up on Monday for the Rush GEM program, and have been browsing this site for others who may be going through the application and interview process. Have seen a few people mentioning that they have applied, but no threads specifically for those wishing to enter the winter 2012 cohort, so I figured I'd start one! I'm quite excited to even be considered for an interview here as I thought myself a long shot for the program. I'll be doing my interview via phone as I'm from NY, but hope that I will be able to nail it from afar! Anyone else out there interviewing or waiting?

Haven't heard anything yet. As others have already been accepted, I have a feeling I won't be. :-(

tothc- I did apply to Pitt and haven't heard anything either. Do you know if anyone else has? Who knows- maybe you and will be this cohort's 2/15! (At least its not 0/15- that's kinda how I've been feeling about it these days!) paw and JR- I'm trying to stay mostly in large cities in the northeast with my applications, and few of those take teas test scores. I have tried to apply to schools that take GRE scores as I think my scores on that test help to boost my app. How do you know which schools use point systems? Does it just indicate it on their websites?