Salem State University (SSU) BSN starting spring 2015

U.S.A. Massachusetts

Published

  1. How many *OTHER* nursing programs did you apply to?

7 members have participated

Good evening!

I have peeked through these boards for a few years, and since I finally sent in my application to the SSU BSN nursing program yesterday (spring 2015), I thought that I would make a profile name and start a thread. I am more nervous about going to a university than the nursing classes, if you could imagine! Having some people to talk to before I get there with similar interests may help my nervousness. I am a perpetual community college student, so I have ZERO experience with the big schools--even though it is a small-big school :)

Some of the things I would love to hear about are: family/career/education backgrounds and how you became interested in this nursing program (or nursing in general); what your end ideal dream/goal is as of right now; if you have been admitted yet (!); anyone that has experience with this specific program at this school, or what you have heard; if you live in the area already, or when you are moving out; and anything else really. I know the deadline is still a ways away (November 1st, I believe) so I might be alone here for a bit, but answer anytime because I probably won't have another thread until I am about to graduate, and will continuously check back.

I will answer these questions myself soon, just wanted to get it out there.

Pleasure to meet you!! :x3:

Specializes in Medical cardiology.
I am a first year student at SSU and I wish someone told me what I am about to tell you right now.

Here it goes:

1. Try to get all prerequisite classes out of the way like Biology, A&P I & II, Chemistry I & II, Microbiology (they will accept micro from community colleges although they say they do not. Call just to make sure about the Middlesex microbiology transfer), Anthropology, English Comp, Public Speaking, Psychology, etc. THIS WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE A LOT EASIER!

2. Unfortunately, I started the program after they changed the Health Assessment professor and it has been extremely tough. So tough, that more than half of students failed the first exam.

3. If you are going to take another course with Health Assessment, take easy courses! I am currently taking Chemistry and am extremely stressed because of the decision.

4. Going to a community college is both cost effective and will save you a lot of aggravation -- trust me! CC courses a lot of times are easier.

5. Have all your fun now because once you're in the program, it is extremely hard to do anything else. I am feeling really guilty about taking a break from my nursing school studies to write this advice at the moment but I know at least someone can use this information.

Let me know if anyone else has any questions about the program!

Hey there, I hope you figure everything out. Try not to stress out too much because it will mess you up more. Do you mind if I ask what your first NURSING classes were per semester? Also, what are you talking in addition to it? Maybe I could give you some study tips that helped me. I am worried that they will only allow me to take one at a time, and that it will be spread out over 4 years even though I don't need any non-nursing classes.

-Sorry about the ball-buster teacher.

Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Critical Care, Dual dx, Hospice.

I was thinking about deferring to Fall. I heard it is easier to matriculate then. The only prerequisite course that I still need to take is Chemistry. If it is going to be a huge hassle, I will just start in the Spring, but I am commuting from New Hampshire so I would prefer not to start in the middle of winter.

Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Critical Care, Dual dx, Hospice.

Is there another professor for Health Assessment? I chose Salem State over Fitchburg, Northeastern and MCPHS because it had such a high pass rate for the NCLEX and most of the reviews I read were great. Is the program a solid program? I also heard a lot of material is not difficult but just time consuming.

Specializes in Medical cardiology.
I was thinking about deferring to Fall. I heard it is easier to matriculate then. The only prerequisite course that I still need to take is Chemistry. If it is going to be a huge hassle, I will just start in the Spring, but I am commuting from New Hampshire so I would prefer not to start in the middle of winter.

I have never heard of prerequisites for this program, but I'm sure it will help out with nomenclature having taken these classes beforehand. My husband goes to SSU, and all I know is that the parking is a nightmare. Everything else seems like a normal ol' university. But maybe the parking is normal too. I have heard good things about their pass rate too. Whatever you decide, I hope it works out for you. I do not look forward to winter, either, and I live pretty close. Where in NH do you live?

Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Critical Care, Dual dx, Hospice.

Technically no prerequisites were required but what I mean by prerequisites is all of the non-nursing classes. All of your biology courses, chemistry, math and all general education requirements. I live in Hooksett, about an 70 minutes from Salem State, not looking forward to the traffic either.

Specializes in Medical cardiology.
Technically no prerequisites were required but what I mean by prerequisites is all of the non-nursing classes. All of your biology courses, chemistry, math and all general education requirements. I live in Hooksett, about an 70 minutes from Salem State, not looking forward to the traffic either.

Omg! You must be very driven to sacrifice that much of your time (and gas money). I used to have to drive to Hooksett from Kingston and it was terrible. I mean, I did enjoy the down time and the radio, but it was long. I remember when I was thinking of a degree in Dietetics. I would have had to drive to Lowell or Framingham, and it would have been a long trip there and back. I just don't have it in me to do it. I dislike driving 20 minutes to work. But, you do what it takes to get what you want/need, so good on you. It's a good quality to have. Are you looking to be an RN in Mass? It seemed like all of the schools you mentioned were in Mass.

Are you looking for nursing, or just general admittance? 3.4 GPA, that's a B. That is an above average grade if you consider C as average. I don't know what the school's minimum GPA is, but there are always exceptions anyway. I can't imagine it is higher than a 3.4. I doubt you will have a problem getting in with a B and some credits. I would just continue talking transferable classes until you make the switch. If you know your intended major, then make sure they fit into that. You really should talk with an adviser at your current school. There are so many articulation programs to make the transition smoother (not to mention cheaper). The most helpful advice that I can give you is to get the best grades possible in the most relevant classes. If you do that, then they will have no reason to say no. Good luck.

Hello - that was was helpful, I would love to get in to the Nursing program at SSU.

Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Critical Care, Dual dx, Hospice.

Yes, I work at Lahey on a Detoxification unit. I'll likely start there. Although, I would love to work at Mass Gen or Brigham. My other degree wasn't at Salem State. I went to school in a different area!

I am a first year student at SSU and I wish someone told me what I am about to tell you right now.

Here it goes:

1. Try to get all prerequisite classes out of the way like Biology, A&P I & II, Chemistry I & II, Microbiology (they will accept micro from community colleges although they say they do not. Call just to make sure about the Middlesex microbiology transfer), Anthropology, English Comp, Public Speaking, Psychology, etc. THIS WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE A LOT EASIER!

2. Unfortunately, I started the program after they changed the Health Assessment professor and it has been extremely tough. So tough, that more than half of students failed the first exam.

3. If you are going to take another course with Health Assessment, take easy courses! I am currently taking Chemistry and am extremely stressed because of the decision.

4. Going to a community college is both cost effective and will save you a lot of aggravation -- trust me! CC courses a lot of times are easier.

5. Have all your fun now because once you're in the program, it is extremely hard to do anything else. I am feeling really guilty about taking a break from my nursing school studies to write this advice at the moment but I know at least someone can use this information.

Let me know if anyone else has any questions about the program!

Thank you

hey jacky, i tried to pm you back, but i haven't posted enough yet so it wont let me... does anyone know how much i need to post to pm?

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
hey jacky, i tried to pm you back, but i haven't posted enough yet so it wont let me... does anyone know how much i need to post to pm?

We ask that 15 or more posts are made

just graduated May 2014

I can help you.

this may help as well:

https://allnurses.com/massachusetts-nursing/salem-state-nursing-915562.html

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