University of San Francisco nursing program versus Samuel Merritt nursing program

[philzcoffeel0ver]

Hi all,

I am very interested in the nursing program for both schools and would like to ask for some advice: do both schools have the same level of good reputation when hospitals interview the graduates from USF and SMU? Or are graduates from SMU treated differently from USF graduates?

I would appreciate any advice from anyone in the healthcare field or anyone who has had friends graduate from either university. It is a tough decision for me because I understand that USF requires students to wait one year before starting clinicals, and the nursing program is 3 years in addition to that (so 4 years total), versus SMU which is only two years and slightly cheaper since I won't have to pay for another year there. I am wondering if the quality of education at USF would be better than SMU or vice versa. Any help is appreciated....thanks for reading!

[Marykdarling]

I think RunBabyRun's comment about SMU was merely an opinion.

I am am graduating from SMUs BSN program this year, and I can say from experience that the hospitals we have contracts with and the nurses we work with are pleased to work with SMU students. Personally I have never heard someone talk about SMU in a poor manor (as far as the other hospital staff is concerned).

I rhink if anything, there is a little rivalry between the BSN programs in the bay are. Who knows.

Anuways, we do only complete 1 clinical rotation at a time, we do get preceptors and clinicals matched for us, and 99% of the teachers are excellent and want to see you succeed.

Yes, it's expensive. But I didn't have to wait to get into nursing school. It's only two years and you're done! Also, our NCLEX pass rates are as competive as the other BSN programs. You can check the BRN for the official numbers.

Good luck to everyone, and if anyone has questions about SMU, let me know!

[RunBabyRN]

RunBabyRun,

I forgot to ask you; why isn't SMU well regarded? What did you hear about SMU from the nurses and nurse managers you've encountered?

Maybe it is a bias answer, but someone I recently met (who is a SMU graduate) said the opposite of what you said about USF vs. SMU.

Thanks, RBR!

Not a lot of specifics, but a general distaste, and I haven't seen anyone working on these units from SMU.

I think RunBabyRun's comment about SMU was merely an opinion.

It's the opinion of those I've been around for 2 years in clinicals, not my own. I haven't been around enough SMU grads to have formed my own opinion. We have a couple of new grad USF nurses on the unit, and they're great from what I've seen thus far.

[fancyeyes, BSN, RN]

My vote CSUs > USF > SMU

[zzbxdo]

I have Co workers and peers who are both pleased and displeased with their education at smu. More on the middle and meh side. My vote goes for csus for education/cost tuition.

[mommy_endeavor]

A lot of recent new grads from SMU have been getting new grad jobs compared to other schools. Interviewers say SMU has a good reputation. I'm a recent grad and was overall happy with my experience. It was expensive but worth it. The instructors are very very well educated and experienced.