Wilkes University or Misericordia University

hope3456, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2014

Have you visited the PA state forum? You might get better responses there

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Jan 22, 2014

I live in the area and hear far more students talk about Misery than Wilkes. I know that Misery has a far better reputation.

Talon · Jan 22, 2014

I am an RN from the area. Don't have any particulars on either program, however, just know that the area is already very flooded with RNs and finding employment is difficult. Best wishes in your endeavors.

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Jan 22, 2014

I am an RN from the area. Don't have any particulars on either program, however, just know that the area is already very flooded with RNs and finding employment is difficult. Best wishes in your endeavors.

Not sure what hospital you work in but the one I work in is hiring like mad...

cpatobsn · Jan 22, 2014

No, I haven't. Thank you for the suggestion!

cpatobsn · Jan 22, 2014

Wow. That really surprised me. I have heard differently from both schools about employment after graduation. Why are they flooded? Do you have any coworkers that went to either school that would have a program preference?

onetraumanurse · Jan 23, 2014

I graduated from Misericordia's second degree BSN program so I suppose I am biased. I loved my program. The instructors were wonderful. My class had a 100% pass rate on NCLEX. We were all employed as nurses within approximately 3 months post graduation. I won't lie, you have to be pretty motivated as it is a lot of studying at home. The program is pretty amazing.

I know Wilkes was having issues with their NCLEX pass rates a few years ago. Past that, I don't know a lot about their program.

As far as jobs go, there certainly hospitals hiring here. I got called for an interview the day after I applied to my current position. I do drive 45 min to work everyday but that was because I wanted to work in ICU at a Level I Trauma Center. I know our unit is always hiring. I also had job offers on multiple units at both the hospitals here.

Hope that helps. If I can be of any more assistance, please let me know.

cpatobsn · Jan 23, 2014

I graduated from Misericordia's second degree BSN program so I suppose I am biased. I loved my program. The instructors were wonderful. My class had a 100% pass rate on NCLEX. We were all employed as nurses within approximately 3 months post graduation. I won't lie, you have to be pretty motivated as it is a lot of studying at home. The program is pretty amazing.
I know Wilkes was having issues with their NCLEX pass rates a few years ago. Past that, I don't know a lot about their program.
As far as jobs go, there certainly hospitals hiring here. I got called for an interview the day after I applied to my current position. I do drive 45 min to work everyday but that was because I wanted to work in ICU at a Level I Trauma Center. I know our unit is always hiring. I also had job offers on multiple units at both the hospitals here.
Hope that helps. If I can be of any more assistance, please let me know.

Thank you for your response! It is great to hear such positive feedback. Did you complete the part time evening program? Were you able to work full time while in the program? What field were you in prior to pursuing your second degree? Did you feel Misericordia offered good clinical experience? What year did you graduate that you were able to find a position so soon after graduation?

Thank you for your help!

cpatobsn · Jan 23, 2014

Not sure what hospital you work in but the one I work in is hiring like mad...

Wow. That really surprised me. I have heard differently from both schools about employment after graduation. Why are they flooded? Do you have any coworkers that went to either school that would have a program preference?

cpatobsn · Jan 23, 2014

I am an RN from the area. Don't have any particulars on either program, however, just know that the area is already very flooded with RNs and finding employment is difficult. Best wishes in your endeavors.

Wow. That really surprised me. I have heard differently from both schools about employment after graduation. Why are they flooded? Do you have any coworkers that went to either school that would have a program preference?

onetraumanurse · Jan 23, 2014

Thank you for your response! It is great to hear such positive feedback. Did you complete the part time evening program? Were you able to work full time while in the program? What field were you in prior to pursuing your second degree? Did you feel Misericordia offered good clinical experience? What year did you graduate that you were able to find a position so soon after graduation?
Thank you for your help!

Yes, I created the part-time evening program (PTAENP). I did not technically work full-time while in the program. I was working per diem at a local hospital as a nursing assistant/unit desk clerk. Many weeks I worked full-time hours, my husband simply had a job that allowed me to not have to work FT. Many of my classmates worked FT throughout the program, though. I had completed nearly all of a journalism degree and had enough credits to qualify for the second degree program.

I thought they truly made the most out of what they had as far as clinicals. Be prepared for clinicals to be at night (it is an evening program, after all). This means that we wouldn't be there when doctors rounded during the day and other daytime things. This bothered me while I was in school but was never a problem after school. I work nights now so I am still not around when that stuff takes place. My employer provided me with a few months of day shift while on orientation and quite frankly, that was enough for me lol. Misery does do 12 h day shift clinical for Peds/OB and 6 hr day shift clinical for community health.

I graduated in August 2011. Hope that helps.