opinion about nsu shreveport vs panola in carthage...

k-t-did · Feb 4, 2009

I am in the very same boat. I wish somebody had some info for us!

melareitling · Feb 4, 2009

I am already a student at NSU-Shreveport, and am now hearing some bad things being said about their Nursing program. Why is this? I thought NSU was a good school with a good rep. Didn't start hearing negatives about it until after I enrolled.

beeenieweeenie, RN · Feb 14, 2009

Well, as far as I know, the ADN program at Northwestern is on probation due to a low NCLEX pass rate.

If you're just going for an ADN, I'd go to Panola.

melareitling · Feb 14, 2009

Not good news. I am planning to get a BSN but want to complete the ASN so I can begin working sooner. Wonder why the pass rate is so low... Aren't clinicals for a number of schools completed at shared hospitals?

k-t-did · Feb 14, 2009

It is my impression that NSU could care less about their ASN program. I got a very "black sheep" feeling when getting advised there when I said I was only interested in an associate's degree. I already have TWO bachelor's degrees, so I don't NEED a BSN...but the advisor kept pushing it, saying "Well, I just don't know much about the ASN program...."

????

So, I chose Panola, even though I will have to drive. It's also 1/3 of the price of NSU, and the people at Panola said a good many of their students are from shreveport and arrange carpools.

Panola's pass rate for NCLEX is 100% in the flex option, and over 90% in the traditional program. Higher than NSU, for sure.

jesswus · Feb 25, 2009

I know, and have worked with people from both the Panola and NSU program, and I can tell you without a doubt the NSU program is better, and considered so by many of the hospitals in the S/BC area. WK has a stipend program with the NSU folks, if the program were poor, I doubt seriously WK would make such an investment. If you want to be better prepared, and more challenged, go to NSU. Please understand that having said that, Panola is not a bad choice either.

Remember, there are many factors that go into NCLEX pass/fail rates, and a lot of it has to do with preperation on the part of the test taker. Many programs have and pay for pre NCLEX courses for students, this is included with admission into a nursing clinical program (southern in shreveport for example), which has a positive effect on NCLEX scores. NSU does not do this, much I believe to their detriment. However, these classes give many sample exams, and much of the success by the students who take these prep courses are by memorization, not what they learned in their respective program. Hope this helps some.

k-t-did · Feb 25, 2009

See, and I have heard just the opposite. NSU is developing a very bad reputation around here, unfortunately. I have heard nurses say they can't stand working with the nurses from NSU in clinicals, and when they hear I chose to go to Panola, they say "I am SO glad you aren't going to NSU!" Two of my husband's friends have said that exact thing to him. (which surprised me. I kinda expected the opposite, choosing a small east texas school rather than the well known local state school.)

I don't have much experience with the program yet, but I do know Panola seems more disorganized, as far as administration goes. As far as education, we'll see! I actually think nclex pass rates mean something...when the differences are more than 10 percentage points, I think there is merit to that.

I also think school is what you make of it. If you apply yourself and make the most of your experience, you will do well and come out the end as a very good nurse, no matter where you go!

jesswus · Feb 26, 2009

Again, I am not sure where "here" is, but I don't feel like that is the case in the S/BC area, as most of the RN's working in hospitals in this area were educated at NSU. I Graduated from LSU and attended NSU, and it is truly a mess as far as administration goes as well. Generally, it has been my experience that a lot of the heresay about NSU is from people who 1. Never attended 2. Attended but could not get into clinicals at NSU. One of my very good friends could not pass clinicals at NSU, so he attended Panola, graduated, and is an excellent ICU nurse. He does not have the best of things to say about the program at NSU, then again, he could not pass there, so why should he? The best thing to do is go where you feel the most comfortable, and where you feel you will be the most successful. It is however, interesting to note, that several hospitals in the S/BC area will wait to hire NSU grads before grads from Panola and Southern-shreveport.

k-t-did · Feb 26, 2009

"here" is shreveport, where I live and work. Thanks for the input....even if we have different experiences!

pla84 · Mar 27, 2009

I'm about to apply to NSU ADN program:rolleyes: amd freaking out real bad.... any idea of how much GPA and TEAS score consider as a safe zone?... I didn't do well on TEAS while many other ppl got 90% and above... I can't sleep, can't eat, can't study... am I freaking out too much ? does anybody feel like this before when you apply for clinical?

k-t-did · Mar 27, 2009

I don't know about the teas, but I know it's pretty competitive. I know lots of people who have applied for more than 2 semesters and not gotten in. I also know that Spring is considerably easier to get in. Good luck!