ITT Tech's New Program??? - Page 7

I agree that nursing programs should be competitive as getting into MD programs. This way they select best people to provide critical care for ill patients. In this job, you can't afford making mistakes because you can ruin people's lives. I don't think that more expensive program means that you're getting a better education. The difference is that community college and public university gets State funding while private colleges don't and have to charge its students higher tuition.

I am a student in the first cohort of ITT's ADN program in Portland Oregon. I have the advantage of having been an LPN for more than a few years before entering this program. I find many of the courses challenging, and have learned a few things along the way that I did not previously know, or fully understand.
I am not going to sugar coat anything, this program isn't "easy". I am fortunate to already have a background, otherwise I would struggle in this program. I work full-time and have a big family to care for. Any other nursing program would demand I be in a classroom or clinical setting 5 days per week. I am able to work, attend class and clinical, and still be a mother to my children; (that in itself is priceless!)while maintaining a 3.96 GPA.
We just finished up at a local clinical site and were told by all of the staff (including the nurses), that we were the best group of students they had ever seen come through their facility. I think as a practicing nurse that has had groups of students come through hospitals and facilities that I have worked for from programs like Linnfield, PCC etc. This was a huge compliment.
I would like to add a comment to anyone out there that is looking for a nursing program. It is not the program that makes the nurse. Each student takes what is offered from their program and applies it to their practice. I may take something totally different from this program than any other student in my cohort. I determine what kind of nurse I am. I improve on my practice by broadening my horizons by way of educating myself.
Best wishes to all who are trying to decide what will work best for them. I too was at the same crossroads, and I now feel I made the decision that was best for me and my entire family.

I don't think anyone is saying that having graduated from a for-profit college that accepts everyone who is willing to pay for it will automatically make you a bad nurse, or even a worse nurse than someone who graduated from a regular college or university. All we are questioning is whether you will ever get a chance to prove it--in a tight job market, if I were hiring, I would pick someone whose merits (undergrad work, medical experience, references, etc.) got them into the most competitive programs in the area. We should probably all walk away from this thread pretty soon because it is apparently impossible to be objective about it, especially if you are in it. (I always say, of course I think my way is the best--if I thought another way was better, I would do that.) I hope everybody gets a fulfilling job after graduation, and I intend no disrespect to anyone, whatever path you choose--just my

airbender....thanks!

kudos! ...and thank you for this link. this is great information for prospective nursing students. http://www.ocnnursingdiversity.org/d...2010report.pdf

nursing programs do need to be strong in ethics, in values, and in rigor. no one wants to become an rn, so they can kill patients. last i checked, all nurses need to pass the nclex to get their licences.

the osbn website, posts nclex pass rates, not retention rates. i'm greatful....but nclex pass rates alone don't mean a lot... a number alone, is just a number.

the state of california has nclex pass rates and retention rates for nursing programs. context makes stats more meaningful:

example1: -100% nclex pass rate:20% retention rate- (10/50)

in a 50 seat program, 10 consistantly graduate. all 10 consistantly pass the nclex - 100% pass. (the 10 who passed, may still not have the gpas to enter a bsn program.)

example2: -70% nclex pass rate: 80% retention rate. (35/50)

in a 50 seat program, 40 consistantly graduate and 35 consistantly pass the nclex 1st time..... i know which program looks better to me.

(the 5 who failed can re-take and pass the nclex. all 40, can still be nurses. the ones who re-take, may even be better rn's. all, may have the gpa's to enter a bsn program. )
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good stats on a program, would lead to a better fit for nursing students - and a better fit for nursing programs. better data, better results - for everyone.

nursing programs take stats on their students. nurses take stats on their patients - even patients as important as the president of the united states. what's wrong with a nursing student asking for relevant stats on oregon nursing programs in order to make informed personal, finacial, and academic decisions - in the interest of finding a better fit?
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for itt's costs: i calculate oportunity costs, not just the price tag. i factor in program odds, and personal costs. i don't have easy access to hard numbers. i guess, and gather info from students in the program:

1) 2-3 years in pre-reques

2) waiting 1-2 years wait to apply and get into a program

3) rough statistical probability of getting bumped out of a program, and having to wait 1 or more years or more to re-apply to other programs and start over - minimum 4 to 6 years before rn licensing.

4) income lost, due to years of delayed entry to the job market as an rn. each year of delay, constitutes a full salary of lost income.

5) risk comfort level

... for me, itt is the lower cost. and lower risk of failing. i believe itt can also do a better job of teaching me how to be a nurse, because they fit my learning style....i believe the job market will open up in 2013 - 2014. it won't matter as much at that time where my degree is from. there will be jobs for everyone. i'm willing to take the risk.

given 5 to 7 years to get through a 2 year nursing degree in ocne, and 2.25 years for itt - the oportunity cost of years working is ~ 4 times the annual salary of a starting rn. (the salary should go up, after 2 years experience.)

to me -not everyone - ocne represents a loss of 4 years of work as an rn at approx $40,000/year. roughly ~ $160,000 to $200,000+? toward the oportunity cost to take the longer, ocne route - and ocne has a higher probability of failure, just because ocne, finds value in making it difficult to learn, just for the sake of making things difficult. same basic material, different phylosophies of learning.

subtract the $24,000 to $20,000 for an ocne adn from the $30,000 for itt's program (credits transfered in). this gives an added up-front cost of $6,000 to $10,000 to go to itt. i'd be able to work ~ 4 years earlier and make ~$150,000+ added income on the back-end - and the probability of success is higher with itt. it 's very rough, and not precise. no matter how it is adjusted - itt is a much, much lower long-term cost.

from my perspective - maybe not for others - not only do the costs fall in favor of itt, so does the level of risks. as an ocne student, the chances of realizing any real gain from association with ohsu by being in ocne, is very, very low maybe not even 6% - maybe 2%? so, i can't see investing a high level of risk, more than half of a decade, and any money, for single digit chances at success and the loss of four years of income.


given i go on for an msn or bsn earlier via the itt route, -the total net savings would increase. i already have two business degrees, add foreign language skills - i should be marketable.

it won't pencil out the same for others. itt will not be the best bet for everyone, but it is for me.
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did i read that post above correctly? "entrance in (two year) nursing programs, should be as difficult as entrance to md programs." an md is a doctorate. work more, to achieve less? is somebody going to be handing out doctorates at the adn and asn graduations? nurses are making goals, to make anything more difficult, and with difficulty being the main desired end? ...hmmmmm.... i don't see the advanatages here....is ocne the only one doing this?

can anybody tell me where ITT does their clinicals?

I need some guideness please. I was thinking about going to ITT tech for nursing in fort myers florida. So no BS or any sugar coating please. Should I want until they are acrredited first then go or just go ahead and go for the nursing program some where else and wait on the long waiting list at another school.

pjcna27,

My no BS answer is go to a school with current accreditation.

i guess i have to wait on the long ass waiting list????????????????????????

Going to a non accredited school is like buying a car w/o a warranty. You can certainly do what you want, but it's not the smart move in my book. Heck, I got into a nursing program for this Fall and it's unlikely I'll even attend anyway.

yeah that true. I call the florida state and they told me that itt nursing students can set for the borads and if they pass they are license to work