upmc school of nursing?

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I am going to be applying for the nursing program at my community college and taking the test in February. I am scared that I won't get in so should I also apply to a UPMC school? Does anyone know anything about these schools? All I know is that you get a diploma instead of a degree. Can you still be an RN with a diploma? Is there a difference in pay? Anything you guys know about UPMC schools would be great. Deadlines for applying, prereqs, etc. I can't seem to find any of that info online. Thanks for your help.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Hey, are you talking about St. Margaret's or Shadyside? While both are UMPC school's of nursing, they have different classes and admission requirements. St. Margaret's requires you to have all of your sciences out of the way before starting, where as at Shadyside most students take them along with their nursing classes. I believe both schools have agreements with Chatham for any college classes you might need, as well, as giving you some special opportunites if you were to want to go to Chatham for a BSN later on.

I personally went to Shadyside, I loved my time there. As you said, it is a diploma, not an associates, but, in nursing, it is pretty much the same thing. You will still be eligible to sit for the NCLEX, and will still be a RN. Shadyside and St. Margaret's both have much better pass rates than CCAC, and that was a plus for me in choosing Shadyside. Pay rate wise it's the same for an RN with an associates as it is for one with a diploma. Also, you will do clincals at all UPMC facilities, so you really get to see alot of unique diseases and procedures. IMO, Shadyside and St.Margaret's both are very heavy on clinical, which really helps. There are a number of Shadyside past and current students that post on here, and we have a thread for Shadyside students over in the PA nursing school forum. :)

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thank you so much for the helpful answer. im new to this board so i didnt know there was a specific place for shadyside stuff. i'll have to go and check it out. i was talking about shadyside more so than st. margarets. I dont have my sciences out of the way. Just chemistry. Do you know when the deadlines are to apply and when the program starts up next?

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

The next class for Shadyside starts in Feb (they start classes twice a year, June and Feb). Normally the deadline is around two months before, but I would call to find out. Also, if you decide to apply there, I would apply early, just to ensure a seat in the Feb class. Also, you'll need to take the pre-entrance exam.

At Shadyside, you can take your A&P 1&2, Nutrition, and Micro along with your nursing classes. These classes are taken through Chatham and taught at Shadyside with labs at Chatham (which is only about a mile or so from Shadyside, they have a shuttle to take students there). They don't require Chem.

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ok, sounds good. i am definitely going to call there and find out what i need to do to get into the program. I would rather be in a program with more clinicals than book work and i hear community is a lot of book work. Thanks again for the advice.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
ok, sounds good. i am definitely going to call there and find out what i need to do to get into the program. I would rather be in a program with more clinicals than book work and i hear community is a lot of book work. Thanks again for the advice.

No problem, I'm sure you'll have more questions later. I feel that Shadyside did a very good job of preparing me for the "real world" of nursing, as well as NCLEX. Once you get into the med-surg rotations, you'll be spending, on average 30 some hrs a week in clinical and 8-12 hrs in the classroom.

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Now that UPMC bought Mercy, there is another avenue for you to pursue. I went to Mercy Hospital SON and loved it! Almost all your clinical is onsite except for pediatric experience at the Children's Institute and your community nursing. It was a great education.

It is a state requirement that you have a C or better in Chemistry and Alebra. These can be high school.

I took all my non-nursing classes at CCAC while I waited for classes to begin, since Mercy does only do enrollment August 1. I took And P 1 and 2, Micro, Sociology, Psych and Human Growth/Development, and Nutrition all at CCAC /Boyce. I saved a significant amount of money this way and it was a good way to do it if you still need to work or have a family because even though it stretches it out an extra 6 months or so, it makes it more managable. I myself would not have been able to take my nursing classes, non nursing classes, work and raise a family all at the same time.

good luck to you! You've made a wonderful decision to be a nurse.:nurse:

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thanks for that option Laura. I am going to explore every option. That sounds like a good one since I would like to work atleast a little while i'm in school. What is website where I can get information on mercys school of nursing?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

I'd also mention that there are a couple non-UPMC diploma RN programs in the Pittsburgh area. Sewickley Valley Hospital and West Penn Hospital both have programs.

I graduated last June from Shadyside Hospital. Loved the experience.

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