Nursing Program @Grand Canyon University

And I recall that same former nursing instructor admitting that the RN-BSN program at GCU was a diploma mill...

Ill take a BSN (traditional) from GCU any day of the week over an ADN from the best CC in the state. Know matter how you cut it a BSN>ADN....

If that were the case, then CC wouldn't have a chance, and neither would ADNs.

I actually have experience with many GCU students. And, well, everything I've said is true.

.....And in todays market with the plethora of new grads, those with the BSN will have the advantage over someone with an ADN.

I have tons of associates all around the valley with various forms of medical experience, they tell me that GCU hands down has one of the top nursing schools in the state if not the best.

The last several new grads that we've hired have been ADNs. So, that tired old argument isn't true. That's not based on theory, or presumptions. That's based on real hiring practices. In real life. Go figure.

Also, I've had the opposite experience, plenty of hospitals saying the prefer the CC grads, and that GCU grads are not top quality.

The difference is, I actually KNOW this, have experience with GCU students and grads. I don't need to "hear" it from 'associates' or other people. I can make up my own opinions. Based on real experiences.

Yes, I remember that.

Arizonabuckeye,

Your statements remind me of the GCU (sales) representative who used to constantly email me, trying to get me to apply. The top universities don't try to sell themselves and deluge students with sales pitches. Nope, they just take the top students and reject the rest.

Now you are correct that a BSN is often desirable. However, all pre-licensure programs, BSN and ADN, are not equal. Some BSN programs are lacking or suboptimal, just as some ADN programs are. GCU is known for accepting the student, not his or her GPA, as it is commonly stated on the board. It's a high-tuition program that tends to pick up those with lower GPAs, those who have been declined at the state universities. How you are attempting to parlee this status into "one of the top nursing schools in the state if not the best" puzzles me.

Now all this said, be proud of whatever nursing school you choose to attend. A few years after graduation, it doesn't really matter so much where you went to nursing school. A lot of this sniping we read on the board only comes from students, as nurses out there working really don't care about ego contests regarding whose school is better.

Put yourself in the shoes of a hiring manager at a hospital. You've got two new grads to pick from. Canditate A has a BSN from GCU, a GPA of 3.1, and is young and inexperienced. Candidate B has an ADN from a tough community college known for "weeding out" and a 4.0 GPA. Candidate B is a 30-something career changer with years of work experience demonstrating mature people skills and savvy problem-solving experience. I'd venture to say candidate B, with the ADN is in a stronger position.

So well said multi!

And, since I sit on an interview board, I can tell you thiat this is EXACTLY what we look at!

OMG isn't that the truth, they will not stop calling ..........................and all they talk about is their positives (such as cadavers lab) and not the fact that their board pass rates are of the lowest out of ALL AZ schools- the adviser claimed that this was because "anyone" at any point was allowed to take the boards.... hmmmm yeah don't believe it or that they're located in one of the WORST parts of Phoenix........ My main grievance with GCU is that my mom wanted to attend their because she wanted the religious atmosphere but when the adviser heard about a "rising star" early high school graduate like myself she totally disregarded my mom. That's totally not cool. I have completely written off GCU as a nursing school in AZ because they are NOT professional.