I'm applying to Samuel Merritt College in N. California and was wondering how often and how long are classes? Also, how much time do you spend studying outside of class? Plus, how often are clinicals?
Basically I'm asking what a typical week would be like?
I tried calling them and they couldn't give me a straight answer. It was like the person on the phone didn't know.
I went to SMC in Oakland when the economy was better and went to work as a new grad in Sacramento (my choice). My friend just graduated from the SMC Oakland program and is having a tough time finding a job in the East Bay because of the hiring freeze. (she was initially accepted to the San Mateo program but was offered a spot in Oakland before the program started which was better for her b/c she lives in Concord, just FYI). The SMC program is very fast pace. Typically classroom stuff 2-3 days a week (sometimes 8-5 other times 1-9 etc.) and then 2-3 days of clinicals (sometimes on weekends). It depends on if you want to get done in 1 year or 2 years. I don't know anything about CSU EB though ... good luck!!
Hello, I am in the Oakland SMC program (started end of May), and it is a fast past intense program. It's tests, tests, and tests! Classes are broken up into 5 week sessions so if you don't like your schedule, just hang on cuz it will change in a few weeks. The first session we only had classes 4 days/week just to warm us up. Now we have 3 days of clinicals and 2 days of classes (7am-7pm). Most of the times I get out by 5:30, but it really depends on your lab group. The studying doesn't let up when you have clinicals, you just have to find a way to squeeze it in. I just got the schedule for next couple of terms and clinicals are on Fri/Sat/Sun. That sucks!
I also originally got into the San Mateo program and was able to transfer to Oakland. They shuffled people around until the last minute.
I keep reminding myself that it's only a year. That's the big deciding factor on my choosing SMC, plus it is a BSN. I got into a few cc program and chose SMC.
Good luck w/ you decision. You have 2 good options.
I went to the SF Campus today to check-out the commute (2 hours via BART) and location of the school. Do many of your classmates take BART? Do you feel safe leaving the building/school? Do most of your classmate commute? Also, what do clinicals include?
Thank you so much for the quick response. I am really having a tough time with this decision. The one year is very tempting but my real hesitation is graduating feeling confident in nursing skills and the commute to SF? In your opinion, could you add a 2 hour commute and still be successful in the program?
In my opinion, SMC grads are just as well prepared for a new grad RN program as an associates or traditional BSN program (possibly more prepared because this is not your first degree and you have more "life experience"). Nursing school is truely just a "basics" and you will learn most everything in your first job.
Hi everyone! I know this thread hasn't been added to recently but I'm hoping a few of you are still around. Thanks for all the valuable info! I'm waiting to hear back about the June '09 ABSN program in San Mateo and reading your posts has made me a little nervous about the whole issue of class cohesion. I'm a friendly person and I definitely want to get to know everyone in my class (IF I get in) but group study has never worked for me. I don't want to offend anyone or miss out on getting to know my classmates but it is important to me do well in my classes and I simply don't retain information unless I study on my own. Does this mean this program is not a good choice for me? Is anyone who is currently in the program or a graduate also a more independent learner? What was your experience like? Do you have any advice for me? Thanks!
I am in the April cohort. Everyone in our class studies on their own and I think it would be safe to say that we use group study as a tool and a way to bounce information off each other. I studied for exams on my own and if I felt the need to add a study group session, then I would.
I'm in the Oakland ABSN program and usually study on my own. I do have a study group where we divie (sp?) up study guides and do group take home tests (if we are so lucky to get them). I prefer to study on my own too. There are some people that meet in groups and study for tests. It just depends on your style. There are so many different styles of learning and different types of classmates. Don't worry . . . you won't have trouble fitting in. Everyone is very supportive of each other.
I love reading these posts. I just met with a counselor for the Sacramento ABRN program. I am hoping to get in and start in January of next year. Any advice for someone a year out from starting and going through the whole application process? Thanks!!!
Save your money Moni. Program is very expensive, very disorganized, and the instructors are useless. Have you checked out CSUS or Sonoma? Much better values...
This site is great. I'm curious to meet any Oakland ELSMN-FNP almuni. I'm planning on applying to the Sacramento campus and I want to know if there's a difference between to the campuses. Such as faculty, instructors, etc...I've heard Oakland's SMC is the best of the two, but any advice would be appreciated! Thank you.
CaliRN29
50 Posts
I went to SMC in Oakland when the economy was better and went to work as a new grad in Sacramento (my choice). My friend just graduated from the SMC Oakland program and is having a tough time finding a job in the East Bay because of the hiring freeze. (she was initially accepted to the San Mateo program but was offered a spot in Oakland before the program started which was better for her b/c she lives in Concord, just FYI). The SMC program is very fast pace. Typically classroom stuff 2-3 days a week (sometimes 8-5 other times 1-9 etc.) and then 2-3 days of clinicals (sometimes on weekends). It depends on if you want to get done in 1 year or 2 years. I don't know anything about CSU EB though ... good luck!!