Samuel Merrit Info .Direct entry

karmyk · May 4, 2006

edit: Is this regarding transferring in as a traditional BSN student or doing the ELMSN (direct-entry masters) program.?

Orthonurse · May 4, 2006

bs transfer.......thanks sorry for the misunderstanding..thanks again

labfreak · Jul 15, 2006

hey there,

i am in the samuel merritt absn and i have to say that while the teachers

are awesome that I can not recommend Samuel Merritt as a nursing school.

already only 6 weeks into the program my fellow classmates have had classes

without classrooms, instructors who were hired the day of class, rude administrators who put on the front of caring but when you call or deal with

them directly are completely cold and unhelpful. The administration at Samuel Merritt fails at a very fundamental level. One girl had to take her PPD twice because they lost her immunization records. Most days our lab instructors have to ask us what we are doing in class that day.

I spoke to a girl in the regular BSN program and she said that they had

the same problems and that she will finish her program in December, but that she really does not care for the school. Apparently when they scheduled her for clinicals they scheduled her to be in two places at the

same time and when they attempted to fix the problem they sent her to her third choice place.

Most of my classmates are upset and feel betrayed by the school.

We've even held elections to send representatives to talk to the administrators.

The program is hard yes, but its 75% hard because of the administration and 25% hard because of the actual school work. Its a big waste of money. The program doubled in size this year and will go from 2 sites to 4 sites next year. Each student pays $48,000 dollars in tuition for ABSN. Next year they will accept over 200 students. You do the math. Plus they are getting grants and underwriting from major companies to pay for the new prgrams. Basically they are cashing in on the nursing school rush and giving minimal attention to the students once they get their check.

Anyway, like I said, sadly I cant recommend Samuel Merritt.

karmyk · Jul 15, 2006

That's strange... While I've heard some complaints about the ABSN program before (part of the reason why I decided on the ELMSN instead of the ABSN program... but problems are always expected from anything practically brand new), I've actually heard positive things about the (traditional) BSN program. One of my cousins is currently in the BSN program that Samuel Merritt does with Saint Mary's College, and she actually is really happy there. She liked working with many of her teachers and even was able to get a really good externship job for the summer.

From the Oakland ELMSN students I've spoken to, I've heard positive things about the ELMSN program. However, they also complained about administration issues... but that's a given anywhere you go: back when I was new to the military, the hospital at the base lost my medical records in the middle of my top secret security clearance application process... and several years ago, the administrative staff in my unit lost my mobility folder, which basically contained all the personal information you can imagine I would need to bring with me on a deployment overseas... so I'm not a stranger to administrations & records issues and the problems that come along with them... but I can't say much about Samuel Merritt's problems since I haven't started the program yet. I guess I'll find out when it happens. ^^;

I will admit to running into one minor admin issue so far: my PPD paperwork... but I kept a copy for reference just in case it was lost (a habit since the military sadly "misplaces" important personal documents all the time), so I just faxed Samuel Merritt another copy, and the issue was quickly and easily resolved.

labfreak · Jul 15, 2006

hey i wish you the best and hope your experience is better than mine and

most of my classmates. I am just really frustrated with the program and am trying to tell people what they might experience. Good luck to you! :)

Testa Rosa, RN · Jul 17, 2006

Hello my fello pre-nursing/nursing students:

Am a little disheartened to hear all this; SM is my first choice as I'm gearing up for the application/testing process this Fall. I expect this of any organization going through growing pains, however, and will keep my hopes up. I've heard nothing but wonderful things from the people that hire nurses from SM; which is how I found out about them in the first place. The admissions coordinator who went over my transcripts with me in Oakland was wonderful. I did get the sense from the info session that there was some strong personalities; but considered this a good thing as I want to learn from people like this. I've tried calling my old chemistry lab partner who is currently in the ELMSN program, but fear she is too busy (also a mom like me) to return my calls. Will give you all the scoop if I hear anything. Again, am focusing on the positve word of mouth posted here. My choices are limited as I live in the East Bay and have children. My prior degree/experience in the business world before I answered the call to follow my lifes dream of becoming a nurse makes me feel as the ELMSN-Case Mgmt was custom made for me. I have a 3.7 in my core science; 3.6 in my last 60 units, am booked to take the NET soon and even with my math phobias I'm raring to go...so will consider myself lucky to be accepted. Again, things must have gotten pretty bad for students to organize this way, and hope it was just a blip and until I hear more I will figure this is just a "Every organization has it's weaknesses." sort of thing.

Many blessings on your journey! I hope our paths cross soon.

Bertolozzi