"For-profit" schools... As bad as they say?

Nursing Students General Students

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I was on another thread, and someone stated that they believe the reason someone hasn't passed their NCLEX was due to the fact that they must have gone to a for-profit school... Are they really as bad as they say?

The reason I'm asking is because I have applied to Galen College of Nursing, which is a for profit school... I applied knowing what they were, but also after doing my research.. They have a high pass rate, and offer job assistance, which could or could not be helpful. They are also going to be getting their NLN accreditation this June, but still...

Have any of you attended a for profit school, and if so, have you been able to find a job/ what was your experience on taking the NCLEX-RN?

Please, only people who have gone or who have second hand experience (ie, your friend, husband, wife, etc attended).

Also, please no negativity on this thread... I'm seeing more and more of it on AN :(

Thanks in advance guys and gals.

Specializes in Informatics; Telemetry/Med Surg.

What's that saying... You get out what you put in..? Something like that, lol! But it's true. Not sure what the other person meant when they said they can't pass the NCLEX because they "must have" went to a for-profit school. If you did your research and see that this school has good passing rates for NCLEX then I would say that it should pass as an acceptable school.

P.S. Where did you get your information about them getting their NLN accreditation in June? If you got that information from the school, I would personally call NLN (or who ever it is) and verify that. Also, I don't think they're a regionally accredited so could be harder for you to move on to get your BSN...which a lot of hospitals are starting to require now.

Hope this helps! :) Good Luck!

Specializes in LTC.

I went to a for profit school the first time around for a degree in Hospitality Management (I was a casino pit boss and table games HR coordinator). I actually got a lot of really good real life information. I was very good at what I did and often said that my foundation at my for profit college gave me that. Here was the issue I ran into: when I went back to school for nursing NOTHING transferred! I have retaken a lot of curriculum because of it. Math, English, Psych.

For nursing, I can't say how it would be, but in general, they are not as bad as they are made out to be. I did, however, spend 5 years paying off loans. It wasn't so bad, but if I'd gotten the same degree in a more traditional way I would have most likely been debt free. It was a counter balance in a way, though, because the school helped me land my first job, and then later when I moved across the country, they helped me get placed again.

I have two friends who went private route. One was to do an accelerated program which wasn't avail anywhere else. She did fine, passed, no stigma that I knew of. The second student was older, 2nd career, and didn't want to wait. She was also fairly rich so it was no big deal to her to drop the money. She felt the school was good, passed nclex her first time, and was a great nurse when I worked with her a few years ago as a new grad. As long as you research that is key, and also attempt to talk to recent grad or current student. The college should have alumni referrals for you. As the others have said though, I would prefer accredited for all the reasons that they said.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Wait- you're asking for honest opinions, but want 'no negativity'?

I don't think it's the for-profit schools you need to be wary about. It's the pop-up schools that just want your $$$$ that I would throw caution to. Do your research and talk to previous grads.

Did you post this just to make a point, or do you actually have something to say? When I say negativity, I mean people who go on threads just to bash, or who don't answer the question. so...

As long as you do your own research regarding the school and their accreditations... You should be fine! Be your own advocate! I felt the very same way about the school I applied to, chamberlain college of nursing. It's a for profit school as well but it's regionally accredited and and accredited by the CCNE. Ask questions, research, & gather as much information you can about the school. Do they offer BSN? Or only ADN, just curious. Nursing is a very difficult field as it is but whatever program you go to, we all sit in front if the same boards. It's up to you to find out whether or not the school will have you feeling well prepared the day you take the test! Yes, for profit schools seems way more expensive but honestly, once you factor in all the costs there really isn't a massive difference between a for profit school and a traditional school. Hope this helps you! :)

I will say that's the hospital I work at now won't let students from the for-profit school do clinicals there. I also know my boss doesn't hire people from the for-profit schools. They come out of school an are not prepare at all. The nurses and scrub techs she has hired in the past are all ill prepared and can't even do simple basic care. The NCLEX pass rate is horrible too.

I will say that's the hospital I work at now won't let students from the for-profit school do clinicals there. I also know my boss doesn't hire people from the for-profit schools. They come out of school an are not prepare at all. The nurses and scrub techs she has hired in the past are all ill prepared and can't even do simple basic care. The NCLEX pass rate is horrible too.

this school has a good pass rate, and from what I've heard from hospitals and ltc they will hire Galen grads. I know of hospitals in the area that will not let the ccne and/ or nlnac accredited schools do clinical there, I think it's a hospital's choice and preference....

I go to a for profit school and I am enjoying the experience so far. They just built a brand new building with top of the line learning facility. And they are renovating the remaining buildings. its a perk that most state schools cannot afford to do on a regular basis. I like knowing that I am using the most up to date technology that I will encounter in the hospital.

I go to a for profit school and I am enjoying the experience so far. They just built a brand new building with top of the line learning facility. And they are renovating the remaining buildings. its a perk that most state schools cannot afford to do on a regular basis. I like knowing that I am using the most up to date technology that I will encounter in the hospital.

Do you mind if I ask what school you go to? Lol it sounds really similar to one I'm interested in.

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