Samuel Merritt University ABSN Program Prerequisites

Published

I have applied to Samuel Merritt's ABSN program for a fall '09 start (SF branch) and am wondering if anyone else who is either in the program or has applied does not feel like their online Patho and Pharm classes have adequately prepared them for entering nursing school. I got an "A" in Pharm and a "B" in Patho and don't feel like I have learned anything! I live in the Bay Area but am considering moving to DC to go to Georgetown University's 2nd degree program, even if I get in to SM because it requires you to take these classes again. Is this crazy or realistic? Help! Thanks!

I'm glad you asked! You need to be prepared to travel to clinicals, and you also have to be prepared to "not get what you want" all the time. That means that a clinical site might be 5 miles from you, but they would rather have two people travel 30 miles each than have one travel 5 and the other travel 60. Each campus decides clinical assignments differently, though; I was at the Peninsula campus, and, except for our first couple assignments, the faculty left it up to our class to determine a decision making process and make assignments.

I did clinicals at Mills-Peninsula, El Camino, Kaiser Santa Clara, Kaiser Redwood City, and San Francisco General. Other sites included: San Mateo Medical Center, Kaiser San Jose, and Kaiser Hayward, plus we were offered rotations at Children's Hospital Oakland, Kaiser SF, and Marin General, but those were all either cancelled or not enough students had interest. I believe the more recent classes have rotations at Valley Med and Good Samaritan as well.

If you are thinking about the Peninsula campus, then do be prepared to be in the south bay a lot! For senior preceptorship, you do get to request your unit and hospital... I would say that at least half of us got nearly exactly what we asked for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the info!! I'll definitly be investing in a medical terminology book!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CalBear,

Thanks so much for taking the time to post all this helpful information.:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Casey11. Sorry, but I don't seem to have the option to PM with my account... not sure what's wrong. Did you have micro at COM? That's where I took it in spring '08.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi Casey11. Sorry, but I don't seem to have the option to PM with my account... not sure what's wrong.

You need 15 or more posts to be able to send a pm. You can however read any that are sent to you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi Casey11. Sorry, but I don't seem to have the option to PM with my account... not sure what's wrong. Did you have micro at COM? That's where I took it in spring '08.

Sorry wrong person. I went to BCC with someone from Marin who I was planning to apply to SMU's fall program. I thought you were here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi carolc415,

I haven't had any significant human HC experience, but I have, like you, done quite a bit of animal welfare volunteer work and know how to set up & admin. feline sub-q fluid, prepare/give injections and so on... not the same as nursing, but as least we know we can handle the meds, blood, other body fluids and pt suffering. I included this info. in an addendum to my application b/c I thought it _might_ be relevant. Good luck with your application!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey future nursing students! Has anyone received a phone call for the admittance of SMU for Fall yet? I think I'm breaking down here... unknowingly, unwillingly. I just realized that I am pretty stressed about this all (my morning thinking took me for a spin and landed me right on an epiphany!) My eczema has never been this bad... and I just realized I wake up every day.. and I think, "Is today the day when Samuel Merritt will call?" OR am I just going to get some rejection letter any time now? It bugs because I'm applying for a job located in 510 area code... so they've been calling me and teasing me! I know, it's only another 2-3 weeks before we all know... BUT........... who's with me in this emotional allergic reaction?!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My anxiety levels are high, too. I totally understand about the body's reaction to stress! If Sam Merritt doesn't take me, I'm heading into a Somatic Psychology program at JFK. I'm DONE with the nursing school app process. I'm on the waitlists for 2 ADN programs, if I have to do it that way, so be it, amen!

So many of us have our futures riding on the mail or a phone call...ugh! I'm trying to distract myself by accomplishing something constructive around the house or ANYTHING that will take my mind off of it. Because once the decision comes, I don't want to think back about how paralyzed I could have been, waiting....waiting....:nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi carolc415,

I haven't had any significant human HC experience, but I have, like you, done quite a bit of animal welfare volunteer work and know how to set up & admin. feline sub-q fluid, prepare/give injections and so on... not the same as nursing, but as least we know we can handle the meds, blood, other body fluids and pt suffering. I included this info. in an addendum to my application b/c I thought it _might_ be relevant. Good luck with your application!

Good for you for putting it in your app...! I gave it a lot of thought and I was thinking they might think I was nuts to try to correlate vet tech work to nursing. But now I'm kicking myself, I shoulda put it in there...shoulda, woulda, coulda....I bet a lot of us are having these hindsight moments now :nuke: In fact, veterinary techs are called 'veterinary nurses' in many animal clinics and facilities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

carolc, i know the feeling--- my friend is a CNA and she's been struggling with her classes... and hasn't applied to any nursing programs... but is already feeling discouraged. She may change her career/educational choice to something else... sighs. 10 more days people!! Please post if you received a phone call/letter.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
carolc, i know the feeling--- my friend is a CNA and she's been struggling with her classes... and hasn't applied to any nursing programs... but is already feeling discouraged. She may change her career/educational choice to something else... sighs. 10 more days people!! Please post if you received a phone call/letter.

blustar--yes, it makes me think of those movies where people are in prison making hatchmarks on their walls, counting the days :wink2:

I know we've all been reading a lot of these posts on this site that could really discourage us. But there are a lot of inspiring posts, too.

I decided to pursue nursing because it can be rewarding, it's a highly skilled profession, it can provide some good $ for a good quality of life, and it's portable to any corner of the world. So I'm gonna stick with trying to get there eventually.

But I TOTALLY understand how any of us would be having second thoughts...jeez, our future patients (or students we mentor) will get an earful if they ever ask us "So, how was it getting in to nursing school?" :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion