Unm

Columnist · Feb 27, 2007

I am currently in the UNM BSN program. Make no mistake, it's competitive to get in. Keep your grades as close to 4.0 as possible and do some volunteer work. Starting with the new, accelerated curriculum that began this past January, UNM expanded the BSN program to the Taos and Valencia campuses. At least this time around, students did NOT get to out-and-out choose which campus they wanted to attend. Some Albuquerque-area students were assigned to the Taos campus. So, keep this in mind.

All of that said, I am quite satisfied with the program so far. Yes, there are many frustrations with the program, such as the fact attendance is mandatory and some of the teachers just aren't cut out to be lecturers, but on the whole I am happy, very thankful to have gotten in, and excited to be just 14 months away from a BSN.

I know the waiting list for CNM's program is long. UNM does not run a waiting list; you have to re-apply if you don't get accepted the first time. However, their plan is to try to start a new BSN class 3 times per year: January, May and September. That means they will be able to accommodate a LOT more students per year, which makes your chances of getting in better.

Good luck to you!

mo-mo · Apr 4, 2007

I'm a 2ooo alumni, and had a positive experience, overall. A friend of mine was in the ADN program at the same time I was in the BSN program and she graduated only 1 semester before me. It wasn't that competitive then, though. Good Luck!

mrsalby · Apr 8, 2007

I am about to begin the RN to BSN at UNM and have had a positive experience with the CON office and staff as well as instructors so far that I have taken some classes under (Patho classes).

I am completing my ADN with Santa Fe Community College and have had a good experience there. They also do not have a waiting list and the program transfers into UNM's RN to BSN.

Good luck with what you choose

jessicab · Apr 15, 2007

I graduated from UNM December of 2006. I loved it, but of course no where is perfect. One thing I will say though, is I heard the new program is not well organized, so just make sure you advocate for yourself! Good luck, its worth it!

jobo.84 · Jul 23, 2010

UNM nursing school is actually a very poor institution. Their NCLEX passage rates is in the low 70%, where nation wide for BSN programs it is well into the 90%. That is horrific. The program thrusts a lot of junk tasks that have little to no value. The UNM program provides very bad prep for the NCLEX and for nursing in general. It is likely one of the worst BSN programs in the nation either statistically speaking or from content. It is a "busy work" school lacking any form of substance. The school ought be avoided; many of the community colleges offer a better overall education. It is a rather pompous and ineffective school...and I know as an unfortunate graduate of the place. Avoid! And, I did attain the accelerated BSN. It was a waste of money.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jul 23, 2010

Wow - that is awful. Has the program been put on warning status for loss of accreditation yet?

allnurses Guide · Jul 25, 2010

No, and that is just one person's opinion and point of view. I did my Master's on line with UNM and had a great experience.

bibibi · Jul 27, 2010

I heard a lot of bad things about the nursing school I went to but I didn't find it that bad. I think one can complain about any nursing school. They may all be unorganized because schools don't have money to keep full time faculty around at all times for all the classes. Therefore, teachers come and go and program may seem unorganized.

Rimzy · Jul 31, 2010

UNM nursing school is actually a very poor institution. Their NCLEX passage rates is in the low 70%, where nation wide for BSN programs it is well into the 90%. That is horrific. The program thrusts a lot of junk tasks that have little to no value. The UNM program provides very bad prep for the NCLEX and for nursing in general. It is likely one of the worst BSN programs in the nation either statistically speaking or from content. It is a "busy work" school lacking any form of substance. The school ought be avoided; many of the community colleges offer a better overall education. It is a rather pompous and ineffective school...and I know as an unfortunate graduate of the place. Avoid! And, I did attain the accelerated BSN. It was a waste of money.

Why are u posting the same thing in all the threads, your credibility is really below zero right now.

azilliRN · Aug 1, 2010

i graduated from cnm last april (2009) - i have heard good things and bad things about unm and cnm. unm has always had a competitive nursing program and i knew it was hard to get into. it is true that you have to reapply every semester if you aren't accepted the first time. however, coming from cnm's a.d.n program with a ba in history, i found the program to be successful and i learned a lot from my clinical instructors. just ask lots of questions. i took some months off after i graduated from cnm to study for the nclex, which i passed the first time. every school is different in the way they approach the curriculum. stick it out at cnm - get the best grades you can and then jump into the unm accelerated bsn program. it's just a suggestion. in fact, i'm thinking of going to unm for a masters rather than at the university of phoenix. haven't made up my mind yet where i want to go. good luck to you in whatever you decide to do. :yeah:

allnurses Guide · Aug 5, 2010

. in fact, i'm thinking of going to unm for a masters rather than at the university of phoenix. haven't made up my mind yet where i want to go. good luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

i compared u of p and unm, unm won hands down. up is horribly expensive, does things in short bites as opposed to using an entire semester. i did the online masters in nursing ed. the faculty bends over backward to to make sure you get what you need. i got to know several face to face by going to alb. once in a while to discuss stuff, but they were always accesable by email or phone as well.