Nursing Program @Grand Canyon University

Hi I am new... About school in Arizona, anymore you can have the best grade, and work hard but unless there is a school that is willing to let you in all your hard work is a waste. A school doesn't make you a better student, you make yourself a better student. I am not a religious person however, I took the courses to be able to apply to GCU. I took them at Rio and they were the easiest A i have ever had. Anyways I think that no matter what a school is ranked it is up to the person to make the best of what they want to be. I would rather go to a school and bypass my RN and gain my BSN without a two to three year wait. I am not getting any younger and the economy wont be getting any better any time soon. So in all facts if a school is willing to not have a wait list and pick from to top choices more power to them. I would rather take my chances at a so-so school and work my butt off to learn all I need to and become a well rounded nurse then wait two to three years for a "top school" to finally call me... Am I wrong???

I graduated from GCU's BSN program, and I can honestly say that I learned what I did, I passed my boards on ethe 1st attempt, and I got the job I have all because of my own efforts and because of the help of my study group. I agree that saying that GCU is "the best" and far above the rest of the AZ nursing programs is far from the truth. Based on my experiences with the entire program, I don't think I could recommend it to anyone... and that's all I'll say

Hi BlondieRN09,
Why would you not recommend this school?? The only reason I ask is because I'm waiting to hear if I got accepted for the Spring semester. Please share. You can reply to me personally if you want.

Hi i am wondering the same thing I applied for May 2012 fast track program. What happen to make you say you would recommend this school?

The nursing program at GCU is wonderful! I am currently a sophomore there and have many friends in the program! Here's the thing:
There is no waiting list!
It is NOT as competitive as ASU, U of A, or NAU!!!
The avg, gpa of applicants is a 3.4 ish compared to a 3.8 for ASU and U of A
You get your BSN as opposed to RN


At a community college, have fun with wait lists (some are 1.5 to 2 years) and on top of that, you only get your RN, not your BSN. So you can add ANOTHER 1 to 2 years on top of all this to get your BSN.

GCU is pretty expensive but you are going to waste more time (and money) waiting to get into programs elsewhere.

Just my advice as a student that goes to the school & knows people in and out of the program.

Feel free to ask any questions!

I went to a CC like that....by the time we graduated they had weeded out anyone that was deemed not to pass NCLEX in order to keep accreditation. So therefore they do have a great NCLEX pass rate. Does that make it a better school? I think not. There are good and bad aspects in any school but I truly feel that the true learning begins on the job. And hopefully you have the framework from nursing school and some great mentors to help you get established.

I'm intersted in the fast-track BSN program at GCU. I did all the paperwork and background check and am looking to start in "block 2" in spring, since I have coursework of "block 1" that I want to transfer in. I was told by the dean that I have to do a math test and a simulation lab in order to transfer in as advanced placement? Does anyone have any advice or who is in the program right now that can tell me how the program is?

I would be starting in Spring 2010 at JCL. Thanks!

Hi,
I am into my 4th class in the on line BSN @GCU. Basically it is a fast track program, classes lasting 5 week long (short). Intense - yes, easy @ time -yes. I work full time, have kids and husband and laundry and dishes and 1 dog and 2 cats and soo far I am makin it with wonderful grades. I will finish with my BSN Sep. 2010, started May 09....
Great school, just you need to be on your toes and computer savy.
good luck!
gail