Nursing Program @Grand Canyon University

I can respect that. It's a pragmatic approach to the BSN. Some of us, though, care deeply about where we get our BSNs from and what we actually learn. For some of us, GCU conflicts with our desires and values. I do understand that GCU does not conflict with everyone's desires regarding higher ed.

Last time I looked at the GCU website, I looked at the employment section. They stated that all instructors and professors must be true Christians and that their beliefs would basically be vetted by human resources contacting their churches and pastors.

That tells me that they do really, really care that the instruction comes from those who are 'real Christians' as they deem. That also made me nervous.

Maybe things have changed...

I taught clinicals there from 2003-2005...I was hired with only "what is your religion" question on the app...

I never led my students in prayer...I always attended the first few lectures, so I could be on the same plane w/ the classroom instructor...Never any prayers in class...

I left because I moved, plain and simple...

When I left, a private group of buyers bought the university, and the online education program blew up and expanded...

When I graduated from there in 1996, I was a non nurse who matriculated into the tradional program (no accelerated program then, however now they have an 18 month, classroom program)

I don't mean to ruffle any feathers, but having worked as an RN in Phx for 11 years, I always heard good things about GCU (classroom, traditional), and the GCU grads with whom I worked were top notch...No one ever had horror stories of "revivals" (I think the poster was referring to chapel, which was one hour weekly when I attented, and truthfully, I always studied during these)...

Anyway, I certainly advocate pride in one's program...Just remember, be more proud of the accomplishment of graduating, period

Fair enough, Hogan.

I too struggled with the decision in 1994...but there were waiting lists at the CC all over the valley...I had my eye on the prize at the end...

FWIW, I am as anti-religion as they come, and consider myself Agnostic, as I did back then as well...

Hogan, I switched from talking about traditional pre-licensure to RN-BSN programs. I was referring to RN-BSN decisions regarding which schools.

But yeah - for getting that RN - just about however you can is what I say.

Of course not. Because most of the people who would have 'horror stories' don't go to GCU! I assure you that if I had to go to the "Grand Celebrations" weekly that I would have horror stories indeed!

And again, I'm already a nurse, so I'm speaking about the RN-BSN programs there at GCU. I already graduated from the best ADN program in the state! I'm proud of it, I advocate for it, I recommend it, and I perform to it's high standards (if I do say so myself).

Now, I will disagree with you about another thing. It DOES matter from where you graduate to a degree. If an average student goes to a bad school, then they are going to have an even harder time than an average student going to a great school. I know, I've seen lots of them from bad schools! I won't mention which online ADN program it is that I'm talking about.

Nothing new...This thread is 3 years old, and from your first post, you have disagreed with me (though that was only last year)...That's okay...

I likely despise religion more than most...

Went to GCU's website:

http://www.gcu.edu/five_guiding_principles.php
mentions "christian" one time, pertaining to integrity

http://www.gcu.edu/admission.php
"Although the University seeks to integrate Christian faith and practice into all aspects of campus life, no statement of faith or religious affiliation is required of prospective students. Applications for admission are considered primarily in light of the applicant’s academic qualifications."

I think the religion rhetoric discussed here, is just that...

We'll just agree to disagree...

One more thing Cardiac...

I hope after many years in nursing you will realize that where one went to school is maybe 5% important...

Who you had for instructors (inspirational ones, mean ones, etc) contributes another 5%

The rest is up to you, and what you learn along the way...I've only been doing this 12 years, and have so much more to learn...

The friends I still have from GCU mean so much more than anything else there that happened to me...

peace

Where I went to school, and the teachers there don't even rank as high as 5% total. My teachers were neither mean, nor inspirational.

I'd give my tech experiences and EMT experience much more credence than that. In fact, I learned WAY more skills in those two professions than I ever did in nursing school.

But, I was speaking of new nurses coming into nursing with a poor background from thier school. I'm well aware of what experience means as a nurse. I'm well aware of what each day brings to my practice, how each shift I learn something new.

I'm not your typical new nurse. If you met me, you'd never know I was new.

But that's ok, because it's the only argument that you have left, I guess. When all else fails, point out how much more experience you have over the people who disagree with you. It was very thinly veiled...

Honestly, I barely remember the people I went to NS with. It seems like eons ago. I could literally care less about them.

I care more about the quality of MY education. Not if I make lifelong friends there. Wasn't that the point of this thread? Somehow, I mentioned that I didn't think it was the best BSN program in town, and it turned into a "wait until you've been a nurse as long as I have" speech.

Interesting.



Again, the point was that thinking that GCU was a top ranked school, and how it made me chuckle.

Still does.