University of Pittsburgh Nursing

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2009

Hi all,
I am a senior in high school who was recently accepted to the University of Pittsburgh's School of Nursing. It isn't the least expensive of my options, but I have heard it is one of the top nursing programs in the nation from my guidance counselor.
She, however, is not a nurse, so I would be extremely interested in some feedback from current students at Pitt, Pitt alumni, or people who are just really familiar with the program.
My questions are:
1. Do most students receive their first choice clinicals at UPMC?
2. Is a car necessary when clinicals begin? How about during junior and senior year?
3. What is the dynamic of the nursing program like? Competitive? Friendly? A mix?
4. How accommodating is the administration to the requests of the students?
And, most importantly, what are employment opportunities like upon graduation? Do the majority of students graduate with a job offer in hand? Or is it just as difficult to get a job as anywhere else?
Thanks! When I visited the university I was massively impressed!

Gosh...I graduated in the 90s and to behonest I kinda forgot alot of stuff.

I think it will have changed over the years, but I know that you don't always get your first pic of things..a car wasn't 100% necessary and a good bit of students took the bus or tried to get grouped with someone who had a car. There are tons of clinical choices close to the university and along the bus line. It was semi competitive yrs ago. I guess I was out of the loop a bit. I kinda did my own thing. Some teachers were a bit more accomadating than others. Now as far as getting jobs??? Its changed so much in the last few yrs that someone else would know better.

simmaron · Dec 28, 2009

First off, I want to congratulate you on getting accepted into PITT. :yeah: It is a very competitive university to get accepted into.

I graduated in 2007 with my BSN right out of high school. The clinical experience was very unique, varied, and challenging. UPMC practically owns the majority of the healthcare system in Western PA, so there is no shortage of possible clinical sites. From what I remember, most clinical sites were assigned to us. Most clinicals are in the Pittsburgh city UPMC hospitals (such as Presby, Childrens, WPIC, Magee, Shadyside, etc.) so if you are living on campus, they are easily accessible via city or PITT bus (free with student ID). There are a couple clinicals which require off campus travel, such as to community hospitals, nursing homes, etc. For those, car pools were coordinated within your clinical groups.

Overall, the dynamic with our nursing class was very nice. Everyone was pretty helpful and friendly, although there will always be competition in an academic environment, it was a wonderful experience. The school itself wants you to succeed, so they will accommodate for extenuating circumstances, however, this is college now, so if you don't do the work and study, you will not pass. They will guide you but will not hold your hand.

Most of my classmates were offerred jobs the spring semester of senior year while in Transitions (the last course with 1:1 clinical experience in your area of interest). You are able to network as a student, and with the name PITT on your resume, they will definately notice you. My only advice is to befriend the nurse managers/supervisors in the areas you want to eventually work in. They will then recognize your name when you apply and you will be more likely to get an interview. As a new nurse grad, the saying, "It is not what you know but who you know," definately applies.

Hope this helps your decision, and good luck!