Enursing

Hi Snoopy4! You're in a tough spot, and I feel for you. I decided to go to SMU because it made sense for me at the time. However I've heard good things about both of the other programs I was accepted to (Concordia and CSUN). I think it depends most on where you want to work when you're done and how much debt you're comfortable taking on. The SMU name carries some weight in the Bay Area and therefore might be worth the money if you want to work up here. I can't back that up with evidence, it's just what I've heard, but I've heard it a lot. I can definitely see how working in the hospitals up here and being familiar with how they work can help when you're applying for jobs here. But is that worth the cost to you? If your family, friends, and your "community" is up here - it might be worth the cost to have them close. Be assured the ABSN program is very demanding. I knew it'd be hard - but not THIS hard, and I was a straight A student before this. If these things don't matter THAT much to you, I'd go with the less expensive option. Less debt is always better in my mind, and the program is so intense that the time flies by. I do think my decision was the right choice for me, but it really depends on you and your situation. SMU's ABSN is a great program - I have learned so much and have been very challenged and I'm only 4 months in. I feel very supported by the staff, students, and other cohorts. Unfortunately I don't know how other schools are, so I can't speak for that. So weigh your pros and cons and go with what you're most comfortable with. The strength of the program is important - but you will also get out what you put in. I think it's the clinical assignments that matter the most because that is where you learn how to actually be a nurse. I'm not sure where else you were accepted, but I know both SMU and Concordia have strong relationships with good hospitals. If you're like me, you're looking for a black and white answer. But it's not there - you have to do what feels most right to you. And get used to this because there is NO black and white in nursing :) There are typically students that can talk to you about their experience. If you have questions about the programs, call the admissions office and ask to speak with a current or past student. That is a great way to get more info for your decision. Good luck and PM me if you have any more questions! And most importantly, congratulations!

Hey small-ring - I named it Fall 2014 for our start date. Searching "Samuel Merritt Fall 2014 ABSN" on Facebook should lead you to it. :) Hope this helps!

small-ring Just search for "Samuel Merritt Fall 2014 ABSN" and request to be added to the group!

@jh3697 You have to make 15 posts before you can send a PM.

I was able to add someone so created the group. It's under "Samuel Merritt Fall 2014 ABSN" on Facebook. Congrats to everyone who was accepted! And those who are waiting don't lose hope!

Hey guys I'm going to start a Facebook Group for Fall 2014 ABSN students. Can someone PM me their email or name so I can friend you on Facebook? You need two people to start a group.

I got my acceptance call this afternoon! Congrats to everyone who has gotten in! And to those who haven't heard, there is still hope!

I believe I also read that people who were wait-listed for one cohort and didn't get in had gotten accepted for the following cohort. Not sure how often that happens but there is always a chance!

I know of someone who was #19 and got in. Not sure how many above her got in but I do think you'll move up quickly!

Yes thank you Movingwolf! Haven't heard anything either. Hopefully soon!

Haha - thank you for the fair warning that you might try to dissuade to open up a spot. I agree that looking at NCLEX scores may not be the fairest way to evaluate a school - I didn't consider a difference between RN-BSN and ABSN programs. Thanks for shedding light on that. And good to hear you've met SMU grads with good things to say about the program!

Thank you so much zzbxdo! It's helpful to hear insight from people with real world nursing experience - especially those in the Bay Area.

My advice is to buy the Study Manual and 2 practice test bundle from the API website directly. I think it is around $100 but it is the best value. This was the most relevant study material because the two practice tests were very similar to the test itself. The Kaplan practice test book was helpful but not as closely aligned. The API study manual says it covers everything that will be on the test. This was unfortunately not true BUT it covered almost everything (I remember it not covering some physics, physiology, and rate of work - know this equation!). If you know what's in that book you will do well. The amount of information you need to know is very broad so don't try to learn everything. Focus on your weaknesses and strengthen them! Make sure you can do all of the math problems - this is an easy section to focus on because it is finite. Doing well here will lift your overall score. Study the language sections and the types of passages and sentences so you can do well here, as well. The contextual vocabulary was pretty straight forward to me - but there were a lot on the test - so be sure you are clear on these too! Hope this helps!

Also, for me A&P1 was mostly memorization which is easier for me. A&P2 was more complicated so it required more study time.

I would take Micro with A&P 1. I did it that way after having not been in school for 5 years and did really well. It's a good kick in the pants but just study a lot, talk to your professors, and stay on track and you will be fine!

Thanks zzbxdo. I live in NorCal now and am planning on returning. What do you mean by the bulk of new grad programs being in SoCal? Are there a lot more opportunities for new grads down south? This is all very helpful. Thank you!

LM NY - I just listened to their webinar and they said they didn't get past 1st tier last year because so many qualified people apply.

Hi RunBabyRun, thanks for the info. I didn't see any accelerated programs at CSUs in the Bay Area and wanted to do a quicker program so I only applied to ABSN programs.

I also noticed SMU's NCLEX pass rates were kind of low at 85% while the other schools I've gotten into have 94% and 97%. Does anyone know how indicative this is of program quality?

Can any of your vouch for the quality of the SMU ABSN? I have heard both good and bad things about their program which makes me nervous considering the high cost. I was accepted into schools down south that are much cheaper but with the drawback of not being able to network in the Bay Area during clinicals, etc to help land a job afterwards.

Hi Shelby, Thanks for the insight! Do you know anyone who has gone to Samuel Merritt's program and not had a good experience?

For clarity - SMU here means Samuel Merritt University's ABSN program in San Mateo.

Hello, I was recently accepted to 2 ABSN programs in Southern California but live in the Bay Area. I am waiting to hear back from SMU but want to know ahead of time how to pick a program. I know you're not supposed to pick on money alone, but everything i've read said that where you get your BSN doesn't matter, it's all about what you do with the education. If you have another opinion on this, please share! That said, let's talk money. SMU is $66k tuition alone, which doesn't include books and other fees listed on their site. (I have not been able to get the actual cost of the ABSN from the internet - if anyone knows please let me know.) CSUN's program costs $18k, all in. That is a GIANT ($48k) difference. CSUN's loan would cost $240/month, SMU's $771/month. My question is if going to school in the area you're planning on working in is very helpful in landing a job afterwards. Basically, is it worth the $48k to go to SMU and establish connections in the Bay Area to help me get a job? For instance, if I go to CSUN and move back to the Bay Area after graduation, will I have a harder time getting a job because I went to school not in the area? How many nurses got their first jobs at a location of their clinicals? If anyone has any insight on the quality of either program or how to decide, please let me know!