Keiser University as of June 2010 reviews

[bcthompson630]

I was reading an old forum on people's opinions on Keiser, but I didn't find any that spoke of Keiser now in 2010. Some things have changed, apparently. I know that they are now accredited, first of all, and that the entrance test is the TEAS. I just wanted to know of anyone's opinion of how the school is now (especially Ft.Lauderdale)? Has anyone recently graduated from there, or is going there now? I'm looking into it and plan to take the TEAS in July to apply for next year.

Basically, I am 43 and need to change to nursing as a career (I'm burnt out after 20 years and the economy for education especially is so very bad - I was laid off along with 300 other teachers). I'm a teacher (so I have a BA), and have always loved health care, but kids and family made it tough to change careers midstream. I have the prereqs that I need for Keiser, but I would need another 2 semesters to finish the ones for general community colleges and such. I constantly hear how hard it is to get into nursing programs - there's not enough space so there's waiting lists. My grades are A's so far in sciences, so the GPA isn't what worries me as much as having to wait. Obviously, I'm not at the beginning of my career "life" and need to be earning more soon because my childrens' childsupport ends in 2012, and they will still need just as much help and care then as I give them now, so money will become a HUGE issue soon. I also know that once I have my RN, even from Keiser, I can apply to most BSN and MS programs out there (it's only if I leave during my program at Keiser and try to transfer credits then that the other colleges would not accept them, correct)? Please correct me if I'm wrong or you have any additional insights!

So, even with the big financial commitment for what is just an Associate's degree, will it be worth it do you think? What have you heard about the school recently? I can't wait too long. I figure once I have the RN I can go about applying to a public university for the BSN to save money then. It's getting that first degree that counts, right?

Please, please share your opinions and advice. I don't wish to provoke a debate on private schools versus public education, etc, etc. That previous debate took a bad turn from what I read from a previous thread from 2009. I just need to hear other's points of view. Thank you!

[spapach]

Hey guys I am thinking about applying for the nursing program at Sarasota. I was planning on going for my LPN first at MTI, but after all the entrance exams, fees, application process they told us that the class was canceled. So now I am trying to find another place to go. I have hospital experience, and licensed and a registered pharmacy tech. I have recommendation letters from the hospital also. So does everyone think that this is a good school (Keiser in Sarasota) ? Has anything changed since they became not for profit?

[TT33]

I know this post was over a year ago but I was wondering where did you call? Also did Keiser in the end accept your scores for the Teas that you did at MDC?

[nursewholovesart]

I am reading many good comments about Keiser, which makes me very surprised. Are we talking about the same school? I'm attending Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale and about to graduate. This is the worst school! This is my honest opinion and the opinion of practically everyone in my class and many other students in this Nursing Program. The teachers are awful, they can't teach. They are nurses without a teaching degree. Most of them are jaded and defensive. Students are tired of complaining. Clinicals are a waste of time! Deans won't listen. You end up teaching yourself. The tests don't correspond to the teaching. The complaints go unread , so everything repeats itself from semester to semester. The tests don't correspond to the teaching. The school is expensive for what they give. Unfortunately, I have not spoken to the students when I applied for this school.

[nursewholovesart]

i am reading many good comments about keiser, which makes me very surprised. are we talking about the same school? i'm attending keiser university in fort lauderdale and about to graduate. this is the worst school! this is my honest opinion and the opinion of practically everyone in my class and many other students in this nursing program. the teachers are awful, they can't teach. they are nurses without a teaching degree. most of them are jaded and defensive. students are tired of complaining. clinicals are a waste of time! deans won't listen. you end up teaching yourself. the tests don't correspond to the teaching. the complaints go unread , so everything repeats itself from semester to semester. the tests don't correspond to the teaching. the school is expensive for what they give. unfortunately, i have not spoken to the students when i applied for this school.

[Getting To Great]

i am reading many good comments about keiser, which makes me very surprised. are we talking about the same school? i'm attending keiser university in fort lauderdale and about to graduate. this is the worst school! this is my honest opinion and the opinion of practically everyone in my class and many other students in this nursing program. the teachers are awful, they can't teach. they are nurses without a teaching degree. most of them are jaded and defensive. students are tired of complaining. clinicals are a waste of time! deans won't listen. you end up teaching yourself. the tests don't correspond to the teaching. the complaints go unread , so everything repeats itself from semester to semester. the tests don't correspond to the teaching. the school is expensive for what they give. unfortunately, i have not spoken to the students when i applied for this school.

scary...i hope your making the best of it until the end.

[ErikaH007]

Hello! It's 2012. You need Micro lecture, micro lab, AP1, AP2 and their labs. Also nutrition, human dev, PSY intro. I do not remember the rest. BUT I did have to take AML2010: American literature. I did not have AML, so when I applied they said I could take the class while applying. Just need to show proof of enrollment by unofficial transcripts. They are not anal at all! I am a student who got a C in AP2 lecture and retook it at MDC and came back with an A. You do not need chem. I have a 2.9 in BCC and a 3.56 at FIU. I found out I was accepted into their program 4 days ago. You need a 3.0 min gpa. I was not getting into other schools like FIU and Barry obviously because of my grade history. Keiser was the only one who took me in so I am very fortunate that such schools exist. I thought i was out of options until FIU told me they accept credits from keiser. Anyways, you have to take the teas. I took it twice. If I took it a third time, my counselor told me I would of been automatically rejected. After you pass the teas, you go for an interview. You get interviewed from the nursing director. Be confident! And secure! Be ready to say why you want to be a nurse, and what qualities you have that would make you a great nurse, and what daily things do nurses counter and do. They asked me to write in paper what 3 characteristics or skills of mine were the strongest and why. Then she made me answer certain scenarios in the nursing working field and asked me what I should do. Very easy. Like how do you deal with doctors with attitudes, etc. Once your done, your counselor calls you to let you know if u got in or not. I was one of the 4 out of 12 students who made it for the May 2013 program to be selected. After i was told about this number, i thought to myself it must of been the interview that saved me. So make sure you are well prepared for this interview. A committee meets with the nursing director and comes to a decision together on each applicant. Your interview is grade! They only accept 25 students per term. They open their programs Jan and May and August I believe. Correct me if i am wrong on that. Anyways, the Associates in nursing is 4 semesters. That's what I'm going for because this school is pricey and bound to go up my counselor said. Listen, if you have to do something, you do it. Nursing is a promising job. I believed in myself that I would get in somewhere. And the power of positive thinking applies here! So be positive. Extra info: -I studied for a month for the Teas. They tell you what book to buy.-They accept financial aid.-If you work at any of the hospitals where they do their rotations/clinicals, you get 25% discount off tuition. Talk to your counselor about this. They will give you the list of employers you can go to work for the discount.

[SunnySide561]

@ErikaH007 How are you doing so far attending Keiser's nursing program? Have you graduated their program?

[SunnySide561]

@bcthompson630 I read your thread, and I too can relate in a way. Since then, have you decided on attending Keiser? Did you take the Teas V? If yes, how was it?

[gn01]

My question is do you know if anyone is having a hard time finding a job? I do understand that Keiser has agreements with many companies and students are able to get jobs with those doctors' offices or hospitals. What I want to know is, do some places not want to hire students graduating from Keiser? I don't want to fill stuck to only being able to get a job with some doctor's office or hospital on Keiser's list. I want to be able to work anywhere I want with my nursing degree. Thanks.

[campercass]

My question is do you know if anyone is having a hard time finding a job? I do understand that Keiser has agreements with many companies and students are able to get jobs with those doctors’ offices or hospitals. What I want to know is do some places not want to hire students graduating from Keiser? I don't want to fill stuck to only being able to get a job with some doctor’s office or hospital on Keiser's list. I want to be able to work anywhere I want with my nursing degree. Thanks.[/quote']

I graduated from Keiser in Melbourne Dec 2012. Me entire class was working by summer, and less than half work at hospitals with Keiser affiliations.

[nicksjenn0401]

I realize this post is a few years old but I figured I would try. Just trying to get any info on the Nursing program at the Sarasota location. Has anyone recently attended? Do you like it, any gripes or concerns? Also how is the NCLEX pass rate at that location? Thanks for any info.....