Salem State University accelerated nursing summer 2017

jdictson · Feb 27, 2017

March at the latest, but I was hoping for February. Nobody ever gave a definite answer. Too many variables.

ashmash · Mar 2, 2017

Hey guys! Just thought I'd let you know that I called Salem and they said we'll hear from them mid-March!

reginaxoai3 · Mar 2, 2017

aww that sucks thanks for the update

jdictson · Mar 2, 2017

It's bs because it's a whole 5 weeks later than last year's decisions. For a program that starts in May, I'm concerned this program doesn't have their **** together. If anyone from last years cohort stumbles on this thread could shed some light on the quality of the program, that would be awesome!

reginaxoai3 · Mar 2, 2017

yea It's still a fairly new program so I feel like they might be still sorting things out on their end in terms of the program and not necessarily the application process.

futureRN9802 · Mar 3, 2017

Hi Everyone,

I am a member of last year's cohort (still in the program, scheduled to graduate in August). That is too bad that you are not hearing back until mid-March, we did indeed hear around mid-February, but perhaps they have changed the admission process.

The best way I can sum up the experience with the Salem State ABSN is, you get what you pay for. "Not having their s*** together" as one poster mentioned, is unfortunately the hallmark of this program. Things are chaotic and frequently change last minute (sometimes unavoidable situations, but often times not), and it leads to a lot of frustration on the part of the students. The administration is extremely disorganized, but won't take ownership.

We have had some truly outstanding professors in this program, most notably in Med Surg which is run as a 12-credit course with clinical in the fall. From what we have heard at school and in this forum, that content makes up the bulk of NCLEX so we are happy to have had such a good experience in that class. Unfortunately, there are also some really poor professors, and the administration is sorely lacking in dealing with this issue. Without going into too much detail, we have had 2-3 courses in which we as a group (truly, the entire class) have been pushing on the administration and escalating to the highest level in the university because we were not being taught and in fact have been on the receiving end of very poor behavior by the faculty. The administration has made it very clear that they do not want to hear our concerns, which is truly unfortunate both for us and for future students of the school. Salem is a relative bargain when compared to the private schools in the area, but $470 per credit is still too much IMO to not be learning.

My personal feelings on the program, it is a means to NCLEX. If you want a really stellar education, spend the extra money and go elsewhere. If you want to save about $40k and still be able to sit for boards, this is an okay option. Supposedly the pass rates in the direct entry program (which was what the school had prior to the ABSN, which is "new" this year) have always been 100%, and we are curious to see how my group fairs. Leads me to another point - the university will be the first to use "new program" as an excuse for disorganization, but please know that they had a direct-entry masters program for years and the structure was almost identical so this really is not a valid reason. Should you choose to go with the Salem program, just be aware that the admissions process is just the beginning of 15 months of chaos. Despite everything, it does go by really fast.

I sincerely wish you all the best of luck in your decisions (as they come!). If you have any specific questions please feel free to continue posting and I am happy to answer as best I can.

jdictson · Mar 3, 2017

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! This email makes me more inclined to go to UMASS Amherst now that you've shed a little light. I really loved the idea of being so close to Boston, but now I feel like the quality of the program is more important. This is going to be a hard decision no matter what. :woot:

erin789 · Mar 7, 2017

Just signed into my Navigator account...accepted!!

jdictson · Mar 7, 2017

Congrats!!!

jdictson · Mar 8, 2017

Can you share your stats Erin?

amanda978 · Mar 9, 2017

Congrats on the acceptance! I have been waitlisted. Has anyone else heard back? On navigator it says I will hear if I have a spot after the May 1st deadline which will be too late because I have been accepted to other places this was just my top choice. I hope I will hear back sooner.

jdictson · Mar 9, 2017

Also waitlisted.