UPMC St. Margaret RN Program

Jasoninpa · Aug 21, 2009

I also am looking into trying to attend UPMC St Margaret SON, hopefully this coming April. I called today to request the application, and in the voice message they said that they do offer the tuition forgiveness program. One other thing that has me nervous is they mentioned an interview to get into the LPN program? Please say it's not so; I am a nervous wreck for interviews. Anyone have to do an interview to get into their LPN program? Thanks.

FOLK110 · Aug 23, 2009

YES, RUN FAST! I WAS A STUDENT THERE AND WORKED MY BUTT OFF AND WAS TOLD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST SEMESTER (AFTER FAILING THE FIRST TEST) THAT I COULD QUIT THEN AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR READMISSION BUT I'M NOT A QUITTER, AND I GAVE IT MY BEST! 5 WKS BEFORE GRADUATION I FAILED BY 0.02% AND NOW I'M NOT GRADUATING AND WORSE THEN THAT ALL MY TIME WAS WASTED. I'M NOT ELIGIBLE TO COME BACK AND I NEED TO START FROM THE BEGINNING SOMEWHERE ELSE PLUS PAY THEM BACK IMMEDIATELY! THEY'RE HEARTLESS WITH NO SENSE OF COMPASSION! INSTRUCTORS GOSSIP MORE THEN THEY HELP! SO RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN! DO YOU NEED BOOKS OR UNIFORMS? I HAVE ALL OF THEM. :cry:

K98 · Aug 23, 2009

I also am looking into trying to attend UPMC St Margaret SON, hopefully this coming April. I called today to request the application, and in the voice message they said that they do offer the tuition forgiveness program. One other thing that has me nervous is they mentioned an interview to get into the LPN program? Please say it's not so; I am a nervous wreck for interviews. Anyone have to do an interview to get into their LPN program? Thanks.

I haven't heard of a program that doesn't require an interview.

FOLK110 · Aug 27, 2009

K98, I got an email saying you replied to me but i'm not sure how to open it and I don't see the reply posted. sorry or you like you can send again.

FOLK110 · Aug 27, 2009

honey, did you read what I wrote? I guess it's a good school if you compare it to no school but like I said I failed last term 5 wks before graduation by 0.02% and didn't even hear a "good luck, good bye, nice knowing you". They were not helpful and play the favorites!

Jasoninpa · Sep 5, 2009

Wow, I really feel for you having made it through to the end only to be denied the diploma. You can probably at least transfer your credits to another program. :) About how many people started and ended in your class? I see that St. Margaret's completion rate is fairly low. Is it because of the rigorous nature of the program or what?

I'm torn as to whether I should take all the prerequisites at CCAC in the spring and then just apply for St Margaret's June or Shadyside's fall program. Unfortunately, the end of first term at CCAC would not be until after St Margaret's had started for the LPN program, which presents a scheduling conundrum since my classes for both schools would be at the same time of the day. I can either enroll into 18 credits at CCAC starting January and miss the LPN program. Or I can skip CCAC and hope I get accepted to the LPN program. If I don't get accepted, then I go months again without any schooling; this is problematic, because I'm anxious to start learning and to get on with building a career. What to do, what to do...

FOLK110 · Sep 6, 2009

If youre going to the LPN program at St Marg's then you can take your prereqs there while your in the program and it's through Penn State. They don't require you to have prereqs before you start. Yes there pass rate is very low (lowest in the state), we started out with 25 or 26 and 11 graduated! Yes I failed out 5wks before graduation and can't transfer because its units and not credits, so starting the process all over again.

burghnurse · Feb 2, 2010

I graduated SMSON. There are definitely pros and cons about this school. Classes are taught through "death by powerpoint" lecture style. If you don't have the greatest attention span, or having a computer infront of you tempts you too much watch out :) Different instructors get their questions from different places- you'll figure that out as you go. A con would be the academic support is poor. They'll just tell you to read the book... which isn't really all that helpful all the time.

There are good and not so great instructors at the school too, as with any program. Some play favorites, some were just horrible people, but the second level instructors were very fair, accessible and wanted you to learn and succeed.

Through the first level I definitely played the smile and nod, you are right I am wrong, to not get on a certain few bad side.

They have high expectations of you, some impossible, but you have to just plow through it and learn everything that you can. There were definitely days of tears driving back from clinical, but looking back, I did learn. The only thing that helped me through the course is the bond that our class had.

The first level of the school is the hardest. That is where half of our class failed out (Adult I). However, of that half most came back and were successful. And yes some failed by less than a point (heartbreaking!). Some left because of personal reasons, and I think two failed clinical (but were let back in- so there is I guess a little compassion sometimes).

A definite pro would be all the clinical experience that we get. I am finding with interviews for jobs unit directors are really happy with SM grads, so they must be doing something right. AND another pro would be the passing the NCLEX rate is 100% for the past two classes.

This program is definitely for self-learners, don't expect to have your hand held.

PSUAlum2103 · Sep 1, 2011

Hi, I am currently a Basic 2 student at St. Margaret nursing school...Since your an alum, I would like to know what you thoought about the program and also what I should be expecting for Basic 2 & Adult 1...I'm starting to get scared over adult 1 because people say its the 'make or break it' course. What was so difficult about it? Clinicals?> the tests?? THank you for your help!!! :)