EvLu22

I think people don't always know that St. Kate's has two separate campuses and at the Minneapolis campus only offers Associate degree programs. From what I understand, their admission process is pretty simple, which I think was a sign of the times some 10 years ago (when the nursing shortage was the big talk of the healthcare field and nursing programs were springing up everywhere). Unfortunately, I think that they haven't kept up with the changing times and their admission policy has gotten them in some trouble in the Minneapolis AA program with the low pass rates. From what I hear, that is changing. No getting around the expense. My understanding is that the St. Paul BSN programs have much better pass rates. They take a lot more into consideration for admission process. Just thought that maybe I could help clear up some of the confusion about the school. You are right that a lot of untrue info flies around these boards!!

Hi! First off, I think St. Kate's really rocks. I did my BS there several years ago and when I decided to try to get accepted to nursing school, they were my first any only choice. You are right; they do seem to be the only school around here that provides a program for people who need to work as well as go to nursing school. I hear that the program is pretty competitve, and I was honestly kind of surprised when I got my acceptance letter. My GPA in my undergrad wasn't awful, but it wasn't the 4.0 I've heard many applicants say they have. Remember, sometimes people who are thinking about nursing school will take several of the generals, which can make their GPA look better or they may have a 4.0 in their prereqs (not necessarily in their undergrad). I can't speak for who will be accepted or why they will be accepted. But take time to write an honest essay that really reflects who you are. Really, they are just asking you to tell them about how you got to this point in your life and how it has made you who you are. Then you can tie that in to how that will make you a great nurse. Keep it short and sweet. Mine was no more than a page and a half typed, and I really feel that my essay is what got me accepted. My advice is not to be intimidated by the process. There are potential nursing students out there who have wanted this intensely for a long time and have worked really hard on taking lots of classes, sometimes just to attain that stellar GPA that *might* help them get accepted. I've spent a lot of time at St. Kate's in the past and I know they are looking for students who are going to succeed as nurses, but they also realize that a 4.0 GPA isn't necessarily a gaurantee of that success. I hope that helps ease your mind a little bit! Good luck to you!

Okay, I heard back from the advisor, and this is what she said: "Here is the information about your credential from the Nursing Department: "Your previous bachelor’s degree combined with this post-baccalaureate/second major results in a credential equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. The Minnesota Board of Nursing approves this credential and the St. Catherine University Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. The curriculum is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse (RN) and also will be eligible to obtain certification as a public health nurse." You will be able to apply to graduate programs with the second-major certificate." So I would maybe call the U again just to clarify if you are interested in St. Kate's. I'm guessing there was a misunderstanding in the communication! I'd be curious to know what you find out!

Yes, from my understanding they award you a second degree certificate, which is the equivalent of a BSN. From what I know of the program, you complete all the remaining gen ed requirements for the BSN major plus what is expected of typical BSN students in the nursing courses. It would surprise me that St. Kate's would be able to educate so many students through this program if it wasn't actually considered a BSN. What would it be then, I wonder? I just put an email into our weekend college advisor, so maybe her response could help us both understand better. I'd hate for you to get incorrect info if the program would actually work for you. I'll let you know what I hear back!

I certainly could take up a casual position, I suppose. My only concern with that would be adding one more responsibility to work, school, and family. But it wouldn't be impossible. I've heard it is typical of students in post-bacc programs to end up leaving their original jobs while in school to gain experience to put on their resumes when applying and work as CNAs. Some of those students may work in completely different careers though, so that would totally make sense. That is why I've considered dropping transcription within the year and finding something that does involve actual patient care. However, I'm also not sure if I'm willing to give up the flexibility, especially since this job keeps me brushed up on a ton of related material. Its a little different than coming to nursing from a degree in English and a job in journalism, do you think? Obviously, I'm a little far out of actually making a decision on this, but I appreciate your insight a ton. Knowing that I'm not a less desirable candidate because I have never actually cared for patients gives me incentive to continue transcribing because it already works well for me and my family!

Hi! Another option in the area is St. Kate's. They offer a Post-Bacc nursing program that awards a BSN in their weekend college program. I was accepted to the January 2013 cohort and started prereqs this fall (of which I only have 3 to complete so my school schedule is pretty simple until next year). The reason I thought I'd mention it is because as part of the weekend college, classes are offered evenings and weekends, so as to minimally disrupt your current lifestyle, as many of us have full-time or part-time jobs and young families. Of course, it is a private university, so it doesn't come cheap. I think it will be about $20,000 out of pocket when I'm done, including tuition assistance from my employer. In my situation, I will easily make that back in a year or two of working part-time in nursing, but I understand that it is a concern for a lot of people. Ultimately, I picked St. Kate's for the fact that I have two young children and a job that I need to work while I get through the program. I couldn't possibly alter my life so much for a program like Metro State or the U and expect to keep any normalcy for my kids. For me this is about them too. Good luck with your search!

Thank you for your response! So in your opinion, being in the system already is worth more than whatever patient care experience I could gain by taking a CNA job somewhere?

Hello! A little background: I was recently accepted to a nursing program for people who already have degrees in other fields. I currently work as a medical transcriptionist for a big healthcare system in the area. Obviously there is no patient contact involved, but I also have been here for 5 years and have a good relationship with my supervisor and knowledge of the EMR and am familiar with our hospital, etc. I'm still a couple of years out from my job search, but I've been contemplating if it would be worth my while to leave my job at the hospital to get some hours in an actual patient care setting after getting my CNA. It would probably be a dock in pay, which is not a huge deal, but I would also be leaving a health system/several hospitals I would ultimately love to work at. I'm wondering if leaving transcription or staying in transcription will make it harder or easier to find a nursing job down the road. I hear so many different things...its patient care experience, its who you know, etc. I would hate to leave the hospital if being a hospital employee would make me a stronger candidate (obviously I would be a cheaper candidate since I wouldn't need to be hired again). Would working as a HUC make me a stronger candidate? I'd just love to hear some thoughts on the subject. TIA!

JennAnne ~ Congrats to you as well! Wow, fun to connect with someone I'll probably get to know pretty well in the next 4 years here online! : ) Have you sent your acceptance of the acceptance yet? megstudent7 ~ I wouldn't worry too much. I'm thinking that they accept students in stages because I was given 2 weeks to reply or my application would have been cancelled. They will probably send out another wave of acceptance letters during the month. That what I'm thinking anyway! Good luck to you!!

Bumping this up because those of you who got in must have started your nursing courses by now, right? I just got accepted to the Post Bacc program and I'd love to hear how it is going for you! : )

Hi! I'm new and lurking around here. I'm in similar shoes as well. I have a BS from St. Kate's and applied to their Post Bacc program for fall 2011. I actually just got an acceptance last week and I was shocked but I'm also excited. I'm love to chat!!

Wow, thank you! I'd sure love to pick your friend's brain. : ) Has anyone else heard from St. Kate's? I got an acceptance letter on Friday!! I was really not expecting to get in, but I am extremely grateful. I applied and figured if I somehow got in, I would take it as a sign and become a nurse. Its something I've been thinking about for years and one thing or another has gotten in the way. So getting an acceptance letter a good month before I was expecting a rejection letter has to mean something, right?!

I'm curious too! I was hoping to find some people who are currently a part of the program who would be open to sharing their experience. This is a huge leap for me to get back into school and I'm scared to death!