IUON Graduates?

U.S.A. Oregon

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Hi:

I was wondering if anyone has heard anything about (IUON) the international university of nursing in St. Kitts? It sounds interesting but expensive. I have not heard of any clinical's in Oregon or California, does anyone know if they are a reasonable school to go to. Or any schools in Oregon without a huge wait list?

Thanks :)

Wow, where to start....wow...

First yes iuon is a school that students that are really driven to succeed in nursing should attend. Yes, iuon has and is still going through "growing pains"....but...you mentioned iuon earning its respects from new colleges and "vetrans" (veterans), wow...after talking to professors at iuon, they and I would like to know what you are talking about. If you mean the visit by potential partner school, well that is what they call salesmanship.

I had to call some of the instructors to clarify and make sure I was not off base here. So, lets clear up some misnomers.

Everyone should know by now that St. Kitts is not a US territory or the 51st state. Going to iuon on St. Kitts you'll have a grand experience with dealing with really wonderfully friendly people, once they get to know you. Facts are facts, St. Kitts is a poor country. The see the foreign students as a source of income, and with some apprehension. We have the money, they need the money...so charging $1150 a month for a 15 year old clunker is within reason (yes, there are some fond funny moments). The iuon "housing" is a list of owners that have gone to iuon and placed their name on a list stating they have a room/house for rent. A iuon employer is suppose to go and check it out, make sure its "good." There is no discount. After you are on island and settled, and make friends, is when the joustling to lower the expense begins and you see 3-4 students to a place or 6 student go in to rent a $1150/month 15 year old clunker and put on a clown show everytime they arrive anywhere....

The clinical s are, you are right, different than in the US. For starters you are dealing with patients more on a one-on-one basis. In the states we were running 4-5 patients in the final semester. AND EVERYONE will tell you, at iuon one is going to be a GOD in therapeutic communication. You go to the Cardin Home, the Grange, and sometimes to JNF and that's ALL you do. Yes, yes, there is the occasional blood sticks, the countless glucose sticks, heck I was even in to assist with a NG placement, took stomach residual to see if the ng tubes were set right, observed a birthing (normal and c-section)...all of which can be done in the states, maybe not as OFTEN...

Others have mentioned "north american egos," its not that at all. Or some desire to run a full code as a nursing student and getting handed a Nursing Degree afterwards for saving the life; that someone saw on a ER dream episode... Call it a spade that is a spade, the expierence is nice, but lacking in the full dynamics one would get if they stayed in a stateside school. From expierence, when you get to a stateside school you will see the "night-and-day" difference. So, its not a ego issue, or a new cultural issue, it is a issue with being prepared. Yes, again the Kittians are wonderful.

Now the facts of this following statement are false in regards to the employment part of this statement.

...the Caribbean Track Regional Commonwealth Boards/ Exam slated for April 2010...either in Canada or Austrialia where Iuon currently have graduates employed too.

Per my conversation with the Dean and some of the professors at iuon, there are NO students working in Canada or Australia (if you meant the "Land Down Under"). There were only 4 students that took the Caribbean Track, 3 passed. 2 went back to Jamaica where they are from the other to a country in Central America. Canada, well brace yourself cause it is not pretty for iuon, was were about 10 Vietnamese students went to because their financial support disappeared and the promises made by the upper echelon never materialized for them to continue at iuon. There are even a few students from Africa that are stuck on St. Kitts. When the banks pulled the loans out we all were affected, and promises made by the iuon head office, again, never materialized. A few of the students have sought St. Kitts citizenship. Just another "growing" pain? hmmm suckage is more like it.

You have to remember, nursing school is considered a undergraduate program, so it is a lot harder for private banks to give out loans, especially now. There are no federal (USA) loans that were usable for a non-American school.

To sum it all up. If you are driven to get your degree, then yes, this is a option. Can you make the most of it? sure. Is it worth it? .......

You have to believe me when I say, iuon did not prep us for nursing, they are too easy. Making a pinata as a Mental Health final isn't exactly what we should be "challenged" to do. We had a student fail clinical's, and passed on to the next semester. Teacher knew of a student that made a medication mistake and allowed them to pass and move on. Both without any actions taken. No accountability. (yes, its on the teacher/dean, but ask yourself what kind of environment is that to get a NURSING education)

Out of my class that hit iuon and went on to passing from a partner school, all have passed the nclex. They did it.

We pass the boards because we knew, we realized, we understood, that iuon did not do their part, it was on us to know the material. We stayed up in all-night study sessions, we supported each other, we waited outside the testing door praying and worrying, "we"....and we would not suggest to anyone to go to iuon.

Again, make your own decision. On this forum there are a lot of post about NOT attending. There are those like yours. Then there are those that just want to forget about iuon, only say they graduated from KY, NJ, AZ, and never mention their stint in iuon, put the proverbial "happy face" on and nod yes and smile and walk on/change the subject to the weather.

...no its not bitterness your reading, just disappointment in my education. And thanks but JC and I have a great relationship already...

If you're accepted in a stateside school, go there.

:paw:

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Hi all! :loveya:

Thanks for all the previous posts about IUON (both positive and negative)! I just attended an info session yesterday and am looking foward to enrolling for fall 2009 either through IUON or the LC college option for studying abroad. Can anyone (enrolled or graduate) give me further advice regarding ball park figure for total amount of loan needed for the 2 years all together (St. Kitts and U.S affiliated School), cost of housing (affordable apartment in safe area), what area to live (close to the school bc no car). Any suggestions will do bc I want to weigh out my options and be prepared. Thanks in advance!

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My experience attending IUON was positive for the most part. Some people attended IUON and just partied every night and got drunk on weekends and expect to pass their exams. It probably can happen but with very poor grades. I graduated IUON with 3.8 GPA and transferred to USA parthner school along with other colleagues and we have all passed the NCLEX on the first try. IUON education is on paw with any USA teaching instituion, they all have the same degrees. On the down side the clinical experience is not the greatest, however, the parthner school compensate for any deficits in hands on experience. Contact me about any other specific questions.

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i just graduated from IUON/Seminole State College (IUON's sister school in oklahoma)..if you have questions..i'd b more than happy to answer'm!!

Hi, I'm not sure if you are still reading this thread but I have lots of questions and concerns about attending IUON in Fall 2009. I hope you are still reading this thread

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My experience attending IUON was positive for the most part. Some people attended IUON and just partied every night and got drunk on weekends and expect to pass their exams. It probably can happen but with very poor grades. I graduated IUON with 3.8 GPA and transferred to USA parthner school along with other colleagues and we have all passed the NCLEX on the first try. IUON education is on paw with any USA teaching instituion, they all have the same degrees. On the down side the clinical experience is not the greatest, however, the parthner school compensate for any deficits in hands on experience. Contact me about any other specific questions.

Hi Missynurse! CONGRATS on finishing sucessfully and passing the NCLEX(especially on the first attempt) :yeah:Did you do the BSN track? If so, which partner school did you transfer to in the states? Were you able to transfer over up to 42 units as they mentioned on their site? Also How many semesters did you spent at St. Kitts and also at the U.S Partner school. Lastly, How much all together would you recommend to take out in loans and how much did you actually spend? Sorry for all the Q's...I just applied for Fall 09 and want to make sure I am making the right decision :o. Thanks!

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IUON is not perfect, nothing in life is. IN addition, there is nothing wihtout risks. However, if you have not been accepted in a USA school then it is worth going to. Yes it does prepare you for the NCLEX, they use the same tools like ATI and ERI for you to practice answering NCLEX style questions. However, at the end of the program, you still have to practice answering NCLEX style questions to build your confidence and learn the technique for this exam - and this is for every school.

I recommend people who are looking for an apartment to go ahead and rent one and look for a room mate while you are in St.Kitts or tell the housing manager for IUON that you are looking for a room mate and to give your information to any student that might be interested.

Yes i have over $60K in debt, but my startlng salary as an RN is much more than that amount. If i had to i will do it all over again.

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I transferred to a school that is no longer taking IUON graduates. I did the BSN, 3 semesters and was able to transfer more than 42 credits. You might have to borrow about $40K for IUON. I probaly saved about $15.K of my loan. You will have to check their website for current parthner schools. However, they would not leave you without a parthner school.

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I transferred to a school that is no longer taking IUON graduates. I did the BSN, 3 semesters and was able to transfer more than 42 credits. You might have to borrow about $40K for IUON. I probaly saved about $15.K of my loan. You will have to check their website for current parthner schools. However, they would not leave you without a parthner school.

Thank you so much for the detailed advice and info missynurse! Your curent posts are probably one of the most helpful ones I've read so far regarding IUON. Is it okay to ask you further questions/advice as I move along with the process? Thanks Again!

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Hey Baca...Are you coming into IUON in the month of Sept 2009?? Mind if I ask what state you are coming from??

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"Hey Baca...Are you coming into IUON in the month of Sept 2009?? Mind if I ask what state you are coming from??"

Yes, I am planning on attending this fall semester so I'm going to St. Kitts in the beginning of September. I live the Bay Area (CA). What about you? Are you attending this fall as well?

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nope..actually I'm a 4/5th semester student ( but been here on the island for 2 semesters already). I'm just giving any information students may need to know when they arrive here or if I can try to recruit other students here =P ( I apologize if that sounds a bit deceiving). Is there anything you like to ask or know about St Kitts?? Just to advise you, food here is somewhat expensive - depending on what you are looking for, so pack any goods you think you may not find here or think it is overpriced. Be sure to find housing in areas like Mattingly or Camps (within walking distance from school), Bird Rock you will need a car.

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"nope..actually I'm a 4/5th semester student ( but been here on the island for 2 semesters already). I'm just giving any information students may need to know when they arrive here or if I can try to recruit other students here =P ( I apologize if that sounds a bit deceiving). Is there anything you like to ask or know about St Kitts?? Just to advise you, food here is somewhat expensive - depending on what you are looking for, so pack any goods you think you may not find here or think it is overpriced. Be sure to find housing in areas like Mattingly or Camps (within walking distance from school), Bird Rock you will need a car".

Wow, thanks for the heads up. If you don't mind me asking, are you doing the BSN or the ADN track and how much longer do you anticipate being on the Island? I will not have a car while I'm there, so my plan was definitely to live as close by the school as possible. How much is the average decent 1 bedroom apartment nearby the school?

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