WPH school of nursing or CCAC?

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2009

Have you looked into the other nursing schools in the area to increase your chances of getting in, St. Margaret's, Shadyside, Ohio Valley, Mercy, or Citizen's? I went to Shadyside, so can't comment on WPH or CCAC, but I had very positive experiences at Shadyside.

nocheapones · Mar 31, 2009

Thanks for the feedback. I'm looking into Shadyside and think I will apply :)

How long ago did you graduate? Where did you complete the college courses?

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2009

Thanks for the feedback. I'm looking into Shadyside and think I will apply :)
How long ago did you graduate? Where did you complete the college courses?

I graduated in June of 2008. I took the college courses at a community college back home in Ohio, but most Shadyside students take the courses concurrentally with the nursing classes. The courses are taught at Shadyside school, with labs done at Chatham.

nocheapones · Apr 1, 2009

I just wanted to thank you again for mentioning Shadyside. I've been reading alot of information on it, including opinions from former grads like you, and it seems like a really good school :up: I hope I get in. I'm pretty nervous about the psb test. I ordered all the books they recommended to help study for it. I hear the science section is particularly difficult.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2009

I just wanted to thank you again for mentioning Shadyside. I've been reading alot of information on it, including opinions from former grads like you, and it seems like a really good school I hope I get in. I'm pretty nervous about the psb test. I ordered all the books they recommended to help study for it. I hear the science section is particularly difficult.

This science section is a bit challenging in my opinion, partially because it had nothing to do with nursing (ie electrical questions and physics, ?!?, If you study those books you should be fine.

dckap · May 25, 2009

I just graduated from CCAC south campus. It's a very hard program, but I believe it should be. I chose CCAC for the price and also to get ADN instead of diploma, now I'm not sure it matters. If you want to get your BSN, some schools have arrangments with universities that allow for so many credits towards BSN for diploma grads. I also am having a hard time finding a job and if you go to a hospital school the usually hire you. I understand thats not a given in this economy, but I know Washington Hospital hired all of their grads in dec, it definetely increases your chances.

I also believe that hospital schools have better clinical experiences. CCAC clinicals leave alot to be desired. Your instructors are not always (50% of the time for me) familiar with the unit, staff, or even hospital. The staff are not always welcoming to students, they often act as you are an annoyance.Its a terribly awkward position for a new student to be in. Whereas, in a hospital school the staff are all familair w/ the instructors and vice versa. They also are used to constant student presence, and more accomadating because school is directely part of the hospital they are employed at. just some ideas, these are things I wish i would have thought about before I chose CCAC. Either way, be ready to work hard.

nocheapones · May 25, 2009

Thank you so much for giving me some important things to think about. Your post couldn't have come at a better time - I'm currently enrolled in a class that is only a pre-req for CCAC (I won't need it for anything else during or after nursing school) and I'm really wanting to drop it and just focus on the other two classes I'm taking that I will need no matter what program I get into. I'm also scheduled to take the NET there on Tuesday, and I really don't want to go. I've applied to West Penn and am in the process of applying to UPMC Shadyside for fall, and have a couple other hospital schools in mind that I'm eligible to apply to in spring if I shouldn't get in somewhere this fall. Anyway, thanks so much again, you definitely helped me make a decision I've been teetering on.

Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN · Jun 9, 2009

I will be graduating West Penn's program in 3 weeks!:bowingpur

It was a tough but fair program. I complete "some" pre req's at CCAC but did the majority of the science classes etc, concurrently with the nursing classes. It was tough but doable and at the same time, not sure I'd recommend that route instead of knocking out the pre reqs so that you can focus on nursing classes.

What I can say about West Penn though is that for the most part the instructor's are awesome and are extremely supportive of you in reaching your goal. I really can't say enough about the supportive atmosphere overall. But no mistake, nursing school is tough no matter.

Recently though b/c of how their stats have dropped for the NCLEX rates (and honestly it was a previous class that just skated by, waited to take the boards, and then a good many failed) They have upped everything. From the grading scale (didn't affect us just the class behind us on) to how many clinical hours. I'm finishing my preceptorship and we have 200 hours in a little over 5 weeks. Bascially it comes down to doing the 3 twelves, which granted is real life, but leaves little brain time to complete the essays and projects. So to say this last month has been difficult is an understatement. The original preceptor clinical hours was 80, so you can see, it more than doubled:uhoh3: However I have learned a ton, I'm on a cardiac step down and I feel much more confident than I did before this. (but still a loooooong way to go!)

Good Luck

mochabean · Jun 11, 2009

I overheard a couple of classmates talking about West Penn and CCAC today. They said they chose West Penn because the instructors are more supportive whereas with CCAC no one really wants to help you until your second year. Someone else had mentioned that on here as well.

mcRN2b · Sep 27, 2009

I am pre-nursing at CCAC and I am thinking about UPMC Shadyside or just continuing for the ASN at CCAC. CCAC is a better cost, for sure and I will have to dig up lots of quarters to be parked at parking meters at UPMC 5 days a week. However, their NCLEX-RN pass rates are MUCH higher than CCAC's.

I spoke to an advisor last week at CCAC and she stated that the RN program might change. Then, I thought of the K. Leroy Irvis Science Center that CCAC has under construction until 2011. I am trying to think about what to do.

I am doing my last pre-req and I am taking care of my Psy 101 and Micro right now. Exactly how much critical training does a CCAC student get compared to a hospital program? Is it really easier to get a job with a hospital program?

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Sep 27, 2009

What changes did the advisor say would happen in the nursing program at CCAC? The only change I've heard is that Pharmacology may be a separate required course.