Nursing Program @Grand Canyon University

I still get sales pitch emails from GCU, and I'm about to graduate from another nursing program!

All this said, I really don't want to make statements that might make GCU students feel badly. They should be proud of their nursing school just like I'm proud of mine. My reason for posting here was to address the issue of GCU being "the best nursing program in the state" and the BSN always > ADN nonsense.

I know there's a huge debate about some schools being diploma mills. My thoughts are, any private school can accept any student - but which schools are going to educate their student nurses thoroughly in order for the student to pass their boards?

This is a link for the most recent NCLEX pass rates in Arizona. The numbers speak volumes.

We can go back and forth all day about which school is better, which degree is better, which hospital is better etc., but don't we all make our own success?

I can attend the school that I think is best, get the highest degree, and work at the most renowned hospital yet it's up to ME if I am to become just a mediocre nurse or if I am to become an excellent nurse.

Every school has their good and bad points. My philosophy was to attend the first school I got accepted into... that's what I'm doing and I'm going to achieve my absolute best.

Good luck to everyone

That's right! Good for you. THIS is what we look for when we interview new grads....

BTW, GCU had a 77% pass rate for 2008.
Best in the state....I think not.


12 other schools had higher pass rates, with 7 of them being CCs.

Hello, everyone. I am a new member here but I have been a fan of allnurses.com for quiet awhile but decided to sign up because I wanted to put my words on this topic.

I respect that everybody has their own opinions but some of you do them very disgracefully. Yes, people are speaking from their "experience" and judge GCU for being "diplomatic", "sales pitch" or "low NCLEX passing rate".

So here is MY experience with GCU:
GCU is a CHRISTIAN school that widely accepts and respects ALL religions. Just like working in Catholic West or any religious-affiliated hospitals where they do daily pray, GCU did put religious classes as pre-req/co-req to graduate. And you don't have to take this in GCU.. classes taken in any CC are transferrable.

Second, most of you may not know GCU's history but their tuition was as low as state university at one point because they used to be non-profit private school. After a million dollar debts, this California company bought them out which they establish online classes with various degrees available to everyone in all over the state. So, yes.. you will receive emails/letters from them like you will receive from other universities that offer online degrees. Heck.. I still receive emails from Johns Hopkins University for 5+ years.

GCU receives more than 150 applicants (actually more now) and only 30 receive a spot here in traditional program. So, the program itself is very competitive in each semester and there is NO waiting list like other CC schools do. Recently, ASU nursing programs have decreased the number of acceptance but GCU's spots are increasing more since they are not getting aids from the state. Not only there are programs in Phoenix (school and St. Joe's hospital) and Tucson.. they recently expanded their programs to JCL and even other hospitals are still pending. Don't forget, they also offer online classes as well for RN-BSN.

Third, as i said.. i have been following this thread and CARDIACRN2006 seems surprisingly bitter toward GCU students/grads. And it seems like you are laughing at 77% pass rate for 2008. I am sure you don't know this but there is this huge staff/classes changes going on in both Tucson and Phoenix school so this rate might have gone down dramatically compare to other previous years. In additionally, GCU students have excellent programs where they receive huge varieties of clinical experience, individual supports from professors and staffs, and great learning environment. The school may be located in a "bad" neighborhoods but the security is great within the campus and maintenance of the buildings/gardens/parking lots are great as well. And yes, some have a strong pride in GCU nursing school just like others do so don't take this in negative ways.

Also, with BSN vs. ASN. Yes, they get "paid" almost the same and take the same test but there ARE reasons behind why BSN have more options than ASN. Based on MY experience, BSN grads have slower start than ASN with techniques (starting IV, foley, etc. etc.); however, BSN nurses can critically think, know how to communicate with the clients and nurses thoroughly and have excellent assessment, research and teaching skills. There are scientific studies out there that those patients who were under BSN nurses' care have healed faster than cares under ASN nurses.

CardiacRN2006, I hope that you give GCU students/grads some chances instead of laughing at them for having low NCLEX pass rate. I see that you are finally getting your BSN as well so good luck with that.

If anyone have any questions about GCU and its nursing program.. feel free to ask me anything. Thank you.

77% pass rate IS laughable.
I give all students a chance. Please! You don't know how I am as a nurse, don't presume. I was sharing my experiences with the board.

Yes, I am getting my BSN. At a reputable school as well. No need for explaining the school away, or defending it. It speaks for itself.
The NCLEX pass rate speaks for itself.

As I said before, GCU is a perfectly respectable school. Some of us here on the board were addressing some of the absurd statements like it's the best nursing program in the state and that a BSN is always > than an ADN. GCU is the best program in the state only in the same way Liberty University is "better" than Yale.

Why do I get the impression that some GCU sales staff (aka representatives) are here, and not nursing students?

Hmmm. I get that same sinking feeling...

If I hadn't been accepted to a state school, I would have definitely considered GCU and been glad to be accepted there. And I would have been proud of my GCU degree, and my school.

But I wouldn't go boasting on allnurses that GCU the best program in the state and that BSN always > ADN. Now that's just nonsense, and all the pre-nursing students out there need to know it.

Hey Multicollinearity, Did you attend ASU, UofA, or NAU? I'm planning on attending ASU (if I'm competitive enough lol)!