[shaggyjo]

I was a student at PMI. It is a pretty good school. Like all programs it has it's ups and downs. The biggest complaint in my class was that everything was not "uniform". Some clinical groups had to do more paperwork than others, and were allowed to do more "nursing skills like start IV's while other groups were not even allowed to do blood draws, and it seemed that some of the curriculum got "watered" down because a lot of students were having a difficult time! It made those of us who worked our butts off a little frustrated to see "give me" points being handed out to boost the "not so hard working" peoples grades so everyone could pass!!
The education is there for you if you want it! The teachers in the classroom are pretty awesome. The teacher that does the lab is FABULOUS. They were all more than willing to go the extra mile to help any of us out!!

As for the cost..... well... when you figure there is no real waiting list.. just waiting for the next class to start..... and you can be 100% done in 2 years... and WORKING as an RN.....making money.... OR.. you can sit that 2 years on a waiting list and the CC.... me... I chose to get started and have the loans.... BUT be in the work force making the money 2 years sooner!! After all... by my calculations.. you are still UP 40k by being in the field 2 years sooner!!

Overall I am satisfied with the school, and the program... and I LOVED my classmates!!!

SJ

[MonkeysMama]

Does anyone know if you were to get your Associates from PMI if it would transfer to ASU? For example, would you be able to apply to the RN to BSN bridge program?

[AZMOMO2]

not sure but i will ask tomorrow.

[AZMOMO2]

I just got back from the info session at PMI. Well all in all the info session is a waste of time because they give you a booklet tell you to read it. You don't get a whole lot of answers that you couldn't have found out from a post on here. They Give you about a 5 minute talk about the first couple of pages. The program fee's and then tell you about the point system for admission and the tests that they'd like you to take right then. Which is why they tell you 3-5. There is a short basic math test you can use a caculator on. You get admission points for that then there is a 50 question math/english test that you get 12 mins to take and should get at least 25 questions right. Then your admission person will call you in a few days to tell you if you met the basic requirements to take the next step. The next step is to submit your transcripts from HS and any college classes you have taken. You get some points for those etc. You need at least 30 admission points to get an interview with the nursing department. Then after the interview is an essay. OK so it does cost ALOT. They are taking about 36 people in January 09 and then there is another class starting in Sept 09. Prices are going up from the 39,000 that they charge. It does not transfer to ASU, only U of P and 11 other online format RN to BSN programs. Lets see what else? Oh they only require ENG101, PSY101 and A&PI as prereq the rest are in the curriculum. BUT... if you have a lot of your prereqs completed it does not change the cost of the program and you may be required to take the again as well. They also only transfer in 18 credits on top of your pre-req ones they require as it is only a 72 credit hour program. 96 weeks They don't keep a waiting list but if you are not one of the 30-36 they take in January then you have to reapply. You also have to take the HESI and get a 75% to pass There may be more. I haven't but thats all I can remember. So if you make the time to go down there for the infor session be prepared to take the tests to start with so as not to have wasted your time. I'd say go ONLY if you are really really tired of waiting the CC route.

[MonkeysMama]

Originally Posted by AZMOMO2

I just got back from the info session at PMI. Well all in all the info session is a waste of time because they give you a booklet tell you to read it. You don't get a whole lot of answers that you couldn't have found out from a post on here. They Give you about a 5 minute talk about the first couple of pages. The program fee's and then tell you about the point system for admission and the tests that they'd like you to take right then. Which is why they tell you 3-5. There is a short basic math test you can use a caculator on. You get admission points for that then there is a 50 question math/english test that you get 12 mins to take and should get at least 25 questions right. Then your admission person will call you in a few days to tell you if you met the basic requirements to take the next step. The next step is to submit your transcripts from HS and any college classes you have taken. You get some points for those etc. You need at least 30 admission points to get an interview with the nursing department. Then after the interview is an essay. OK so it does cost ALOT. They are taking about 36 people in January 09 and then there is another class starting in Sept 09. Prices are going up from the 39,000 that they charge. It does not transfer to ASU, only U of P and 11 other online format RN to BSN programs. Lets see what else? Oh they only require ENG101, PSY101 and A&PI as prereq the rest are in the curriculum. BUT... if you have a lot of your prereqs completed it does not change the cost of the program and you may be required to take the again as well. They also only transfer in 18 credits on top of your pre-req ones they require as it is only a 72 credit hour program. 96 weeks They don't keep a waiting list but if you are not one of the 30-36 they take in January then you have to reapply. You also have to take the HESI and get a 75% to pass There may be more. I haven't but thats all I can remember. So if you make the time to go down there for the infor session be prepared to take the tests to start with so as not to have wasted your time. I'd say go ONLY if you are really really tired of waiting the CC route.

Wow...sounds like they really put you on the spot. I would have gone today, but I went to the Banner Fellows Program information session. This is really the only day I could have gone. I have CNA school starting soon, then A&P 1&2 this summer.

I really appreciate you sharing all of this information with us. It really helps with evaluating all of our options. So are you planning on applying to the Pima program?

[PMFB-RN]

Originally Posted by shaggyjo

As for the cost..... well... when you figure there is no real waiting list.. just waiting for the next class to start..... and you can be 100% done in 2 years... and WORKING as an RN.....making money.... OR.. you can sit that 2 years on a waiting list and the CC.... me... I chose to get started and have the loans.... BUT be in the work force making the money 2 years sooner!! After all... by my calculations.. you are still UP 40k by being in the field 2 years sooner!!

Overall I am satisfied with the school, and the program... and I LOVED my classmates!!!

SJ

*** For that kind of money you could easily afford to go to a state and CC without a waitlist, pay to live there for a couple years and still be money ahead.

[AZMOMO2]

I honestly don't think so. I am not sure if 40k is worth it. How on earth can I come up with that much money? I don't think standard student loans cover it and do I really want to come out of school with only and Associate's degree owing more than a house payment? Not having much money is the MAIN reason I chose to go back to school to better myself at my age. Ya know? I think I will just wait for CAC. The next class for their program is in January too, and the costs are like what 1/4 of the amount. And if I work as a CNA I in the meantime I can qualify through an employer to pay back the smaller amt. I want to be a nurse NOW but I think its not a great Idea for me. Now if I was going on grants and scholarship I sure would.


HOW WAS THE BANNER THING?

[MonkeysMama]

Originally Posted by AZMOMO2

I honestly don't think so. I am not sure if 40k is worth it. How on earth can I come up with that much money? I don't think standard student loans cover it and do I really want to come out of school with only and Associate's degree owing more than a house payment? Not having much money is the MAIN reason I chose to go back to school to better myself at my age. Ya know? I think I will just wait for CAC. The next class for their program is in January too, and the costs are like what 1/4 of the amount. And if I work as a CNA I in the meantime I can qualify through an employer to pay back the smaller amt. I want to be a nurse NOW but I think its not a great Idea for me. Now if I was going on grants and scholarship I sure would.

HOW WAS THE BANNER THING?

I agree with you...if I had $40k lying around, sure, but I already have that in student loans from my B.A. degree that I am obviously not going to use.

Is CAC, Central Arizona College? That is in Coolidge, right? Sounds like a great program...I believe I have read some posts about it.

I am planning on working as a CNA in the meantime as well. I start my CNA class on May 5th and will complete it in 3 weeks (daytime class). Then I immediately go into A&P 1 & 2 for the entire summer, then I have baby #2, and finally I start Micro in the Fall semester!! Ahhhh!! Then I will be looking for a CNA job. I am not brave enough to work and take A&P in a condensed format at the same time!

The Banner info. session was useful. Soo many people, standing room only!! I learned that you cannot apply to their program until you have fully completed BIO 202 and Micro. You have to be completely finished with both of these classes! Ahh!! I can understand it, but after you are completed with the class, you have to wait an entire semester for the application and interview process!! Haven't we waited long enough?? They said they were lenient with the last group (April 4 deadline) but from now on they are not making any exceptions. That is why I am planning on taking Micro in the fall. This way I can apply as soon as I get my grade in December.

Also, with the Banner app, your NET scores do not expire. So, when you turn in your NET scores for the MCCD program, that is it. If you are reapplying to Banner, you can use the same scores for every application!

Hopefully I can get in with the July cohort. I know they are not exactly the best company to work for, but I like the fact there are hospitals all around the country to choose from. I am also planning on delivering at Good Sam so it will be nice to see how the L&D department is. The program director seemed nice and it also seems like a good program. I live closest to CGCC but I am planning on applying for the Gateway program. I have heard (or read) soo many great things about their program.

I am also planning on trying to get a job with Scottsdale Healthcare and apply to their RN program. I know it is challenging to get on with a hospital though. We will see.

I am warming up to the idea of the Banner program...it would be nice to get in asap. Also, since I would not be paying for tuition and books, we could hire someone to stay with the kiddo's while I am at school.

So many options...so little time!

Keep me posted if you discover any other great programs and I will do the same!

[MonkeysMama]

Originally Posted by AZMOMO2

I honestly don't think so. I am not sure if 40k is worth it. How on earth can I come up with that much money? I don't think standard student loans cover it and do I really want to come out of school with only and Associate's degree owing more than a house payment? Not having much money is the MAIN reason I chose to go back to school to better myself at my age. Ya know? I think I will just wait for CAC. The next class for their program is in January too, and the costs are like what 1/4 of the amount. And if I work as a CNA I in the meantime I can qualify through an employer to pay back the smaller amt. I want to be a nurse NOW but I think its not a great Idea for me. Now if I was going on grants and scholarship I sure would.


HOW WAS THE BANNER THING?

Is it okay of I PM you? I have a question for you...

[AZMOMO2]

Originally Posted by MonkeysMama

Is it okay of I PM you? I have a question for you...

yes not sure how PM works but I'll find it.