UPMC Mercy vs. UPMC Shadyside

Sharawnda · Oct 8, 2009

Thanks, I may look into it. I have two kids[20 months and 4 months], and I was going to quit working and just go to school full time during the day. How are you working out your situation with children? I realized that I couldn't do nights and weekends because I would have to work, then go to class and I would never be home to care for the kids. We have to figure out a system especially since my fiance works a varied schedule, many times "second shift".

pj4854 · Oct 8, 2009

I don't believe you are legally bound to work for any hospital, even with tuition forgiveness. If you decide not to work for them, you pay the tuition back and that's pretty much it. Also, since jobs are scarce, if you are not interested in the leftover jobs that experienced nurses don't want, you won't be forced to take one of them. You just have to decide if you want to pay the tuition back or not. The only thing you are bound to is repayment if you forego the tuition forgiveness.

Sharawnda · Oct 9, 2009

I don't believe you are legally bound to work for any hospital, even with tuition forgiveness. If you decide not to work for them, you pay the tuition back and that's pretty much it. Also, since jobs are scarce, if you are not interested in the leftover jobs that experienced nurses don't want, you won't be forced to take one of them. You just have to decide if you want to pay the tuition back or not. The only thing you are bound to is repayment if you forego the tuition forgiveness.

That was also explained to me, however, you will be required to pay it back all at once in a lump sum!

pj4854 · Oct 9, 2009

There are a couple ways to look at it. I do know that Shadyside School of Nursing provides so much clinical hands-on experience, which I don't believe you get other places. From what I understand, even Pitt's 4 year grads don't graduate with as much hands-on experience. It's all in what you want. The way I look at it, if you sign on WITH the tuition forgiveness, you have the option of opting out I believe at any time (of course, paying back what you used). BUT if you hang in there until graduation, you can even make your choice then. I really don't think there's anything to lose, especially because Shadyside School of Nursing gives you so much more than other schools. The evening/weekend program is another option. Hope this helped.

kbm318 · Oct 11, 2009

I attended the information meeting this past Sat. at Mercy and can say I honestly didn't care much for it. I felt as if their teaching style hasn't caught up with the 21st century. Plus I didn't like how they didn't have their own sim lab, you had to travel to Oakland in order to access them. But that's just my two cents. I think I will only be applying to Shadyside out of these two.

Sharawnda · Oct 11, 2009

I agree with you in some respects. They don't have tvs and DVD players in every classroom. And their mannequins in the lab on site aren't as nice as the ones at Shadyside. I assume the simulation lab at the new Palumbo center is probably just as nice as the one at Shadyside. You do have to travel for both schools, however, just to get to lab. There are many, many pros and cons for both schools, and I have created a list to diplomatically determine which school I would choose IF I were accepted to both!{which is not a guarantee at this point}

Shadyside is MUCH more expensive, and I guess you get what you pay for in some respects. I do appreciate Mercy's holistic approach to Nursing, and I like that they are guided by Christian values. I haven't decided what school I would choose yet.

Did you happen to know where we would park at Shadyside? I know the students said there's a shuttle to take them to Chatham, but where do the students park during the day?

pj4854 · Oct 11, 2009

I think I might be a little concerned if the tuition is that different, meaning that I do not think Shadyside tuition is high, especially given all the clinical experience you gain. We've been on clinicals with Pitt students (a 4-year program) and they don't seem to get near as much hands-on time. I don't know what figures you're getting or your source. As far as Christian values go, I don't know that I would base much on that either. If you are truly getting into nursing for all the right reasons, then you do have wonderful values, whether you boast Christianity or not. I have no idea what Mercy is like and I am going to assume that it's a wonderful school as well. I just am not sure how much weight I would put on statements made regarding Christianity. A school, like a person, can say anything they want about Christian values, but how you live and behave is what matters more so than what you say, if you know what I mean. Parking can be an issue at Shadyside, but leases are available and whether or not you lease, you still have a shuttle to take you to a lot of the places that you need to go.

Before I go on rambling, I will just suggest that you check out the clinical time and experience that you get. To be honest with you, being almost done with the program, I can tell you that I wouldn't want any less clinical time and from what I've heard from students at other schools and from nurses working on floors where I've been, no school compares to Shadyside, not even 4 year programs.

I hope this helps!

kbm318 · Oct 11, 2009

I agree with you in some respects. They don't have tvs and DVD players in every classroom. And their mannequins in the lab on site aren't as nice as the ones at Shadyside. I assume the simulation lab at the new Palumbo center is probably just as nice as the one at Shadyside. You do have to travel for both schools, however, just to get to lab. There are many, many pros and cons for both schools, and I have created a list to diplomatically determine which school I would choose IF I were accepted to both!{which is not a guarantee at this point}
Did you happen to know where we would park at Shadyside? I know the students said there's a shuttle to take them to Chatham, but where do the students park during the day?

You don't really have to travel to get to the Sim lab at Shadyside other than walking out one door and in the other. I think it's much easier than having to drive to it from the campus. I am also starting to create lists for the schools I am applying to which, but I'm still mixed on what to do.

I don't know where to park although the girl that gave my tour at Shadyside said she had a parking pass for a lot a few blocks back or so and took the shuttle to get to class from there. She also said if you get lucky sometimes you can find parking along the street and once you get to know all the roads around the school you can learn where there is free parking as well.

pj4854 · Oct 12, 2009

That is true about the parking for Shadyside. The lot the woman is talking about is a guarded lot and there is a shuttle that runs from the lot to the school. If you were with a couple other people, you can walk it in about 5 minutes, but I wouldn't recommend walking it alone. Truly, parking wouldn't hold me back.

Sharawnda · Oct 12, 2009

You don't really have to travel to get to the Sim lab at Shadyside other than walking out one door and in the other. I think it's much easier than having to drive to it from the campus. I am also starting to create lists for the schools I am applying to which, but I'm still mixed on what to do.
I don't know where to park although the girl that gave my tour at Shadyside said she had a parking pass for a lot a few blocks back or so and took the shuttle to get to class from there. She also said if you get lucky sometimes you can find parking along the street and once you get to know all the roads around the school you can learn where there is free parking as well.

Regarding the lab, I meant that you have to travel to go to Micro lab and A+P lab. I am from Bloomfield, so I know the area pretty well. As far as street parking, it is limited, but I think it's a matter of getting there early enough so that spaces are still available, as well as not parking on a road that is for residential permits only. That area of town is going through a MAJOR development, three or four years ago it used to be considered a somewhat "bad area". This means EVERYTHING in that area will become more expensive {ie. parking, dining, shopping, etc}. But that is not a total deterrent for me. I guess it just depends on personal preference, and what things are most important to you as a student. Everyone has certain circumstances that sway them one way or the other, and I still have set my mind on one place yet.

Sharawnda · Oct 12, 2009

I think I might be a little concerned if the tuition is that different, meaning that I do not think Shadyside tuition is high, especially given all the clinical experience you gain. We've been on clinicals with Pitt students (a 4-year program) and they don't seem to get near as much hands-on time. I don't know what figures you're getting or your source. As far as Christian values go, I don't know that I would base much on that either. If you are truly getting into nursing for all the right reasons, then you do have wonderful values, whether you boast Christianity or not. I have no idea what Mercy is like and I am going to assume that it's a wonderful school as well. I just am not sure how much weight I would put on statements made regarding Christianity. A school, like a person, can say anything they want about Christian values, but how you live and behave is what matters more so than what you say, if you know what I mean. Parking can be an issue at Shadyside, but leases are available and whether or not you lease, you still have a shuttle to take you to a lot of the places that you need to go.
Before I go on rambling, I will just suggest that you check out the clinical time and experience that you get. To be honest with you, being almost done with the program, I can tell you that I wouldn't want any less clinical time and from what I've heard from students at other schools and from nurses working on floors where I've been, no school compares to Shadyside, not even 4 year programs.
I hope this helps!

Both UPMC schools log over a 1000 hours of clinical experience in two years. That is why I like both of them, and I haven't considered a 4 year program. As far as the cost goes, I was told of the increase in tuition and the change in the Tuition Forgiveness program at the Open Houses for both programs. I was given a sheet of the Financial requirements for Shadyside as well as for Mercy. They have changed for the incoming class of 2012. And as far as Christianity is concerned, I wasn't boasting or implying that UPMC Mercy was better in ANY WAY simply due to their Christian/Catholic background. I was simply saying that it was a point that I could appreciate as a medical professional. It was not to knock any other schools values or philosophy of learning. I think Shadyside is a great school as well, and I haven't decided which one I would attend IF I get into both schools. It's just personal preference, that's all. I think Nursing as a career implies many aspects of Christianity and it's maxims like, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Whatever one's background, you should possess the desire to "do good" regardless of religious [or non-religious] preference.

narnnehc · Dec 1, 2009

Sharawnda-Did both Shadyside and Mercy change their financial aid requirements to the same thing? ie they both have a 10,000$ copay in addition to the two year loan forgiveness program. I haven't talked to Mercy about their tuition but it seems like that the info on the website is out of date...any info would be appreciated.