Private Colleges???

testpilotb · Feb 27, 2008

I am interested in knowing where you "heard" the information? Are these hiring managers? Actual nurses? Former Ameritech students? I am considering this college too, but dont want to make a bad choice. I just dont want hearsay to be part of the decision.

Any input would be great! Thanks!

cnafromaz · Feb 27, 2008

I am interested in knowing where you "heard" the information? Are these hiring managers? Actual nurses? Former Ameritech students? I am considering this college too, but dont want to make a bad choice. I just dont want hearsay to be part of the decision.
Any input would be great! Thanks!

It is just hearsay. I just don't want to waste my time and money and end up not getting a job when I graduate. Any graduates out there from these type of programs that can give any input?? Thanks!!!

krazy_coconuts · Mar 30, 2008

I am halfway done at Ameritech. No one that I know of has had a difficult time getting a job after graduating from that school.

My advice to you:

Work your tail off in clinical, offer to do and observe as much as you can. I feel we are slightly disadvantaged as far as clinical hours go (the remaining hours are made up in a human simulator lab). This doesn't mean you won't get clinical experience, just be extra assertive to get as much hands-on time as possible.

Make a good impression during your preceptorship (last semester). If the manager and preceptor are impressed with you, you pretty much have a guaranteed job, if you want it, when you graduate.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide!

tmulder · Apr 2, 2008

I can't vouch for Utah Career College, but I graduated from Ameritech in October and I had my job 2 months before I graduated. My hospital employs about 15 people from Ameritech.

I agree with the above poster. Work your tail end of in clinicals, it will get you noticed by the other nurses and will help you get your foot in the door.

nursepearl45 · Apr 16, 2008

I am interested in getting my nursing degree with a private college like Ameritech or Utah Career College. I have heard from several people that students from these schools are having a hard time getting hired. I was just wondering if this is true and should I just be put on the waiting lists at the community colleges for 3 years?

Getting your RN from Ameritech or the others is in my opinion a waste of time as it is not nationally accredited. that means you can work in Utah but not at the U of U or the VA. It is also difficult to get other states to recognize it also. maybe a waste of time is not correct as any education has value but it is not recognized also if you want to get your BSN or masters either. This is not heresay but rather info friends of mine have gained that went ot ameritech

Lhanauma · May 27, 2008

Funny how I got my RN from that college and also work at the U of U. I'm one of 3 nurses actually, that graduated from Ameritech that work there. Also, you are wrong about only being able to work in Utah. The Utah intercompact license includes 21 states that you don't even need a new license for. Plus the other states have their own licenses, so you only need to pay a fee to get their state license if you move/reside there. Refer here for the truth: http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/nurse_compact_info.html

California is not one of the 21 states in the intercompact license but my fellow grad paid the fee and has a california license and works there. I read this last post and just could not let that bad information sit here on this board. I hope this helps. (check the link I added above for proof). That is the license that ameritechs school has you register for, and they are accredited by ABHES. Also, as far as the schooling goes we have 6 students that are getting their bachelors in nursing that transferred from ameritech to BYU-Idaho's bachelor program.

kristie_b1 · Jun 4, 2008

Stevens Henager College in Ogden is in the process of getting their National League of Nursing accreditation. It will hopefully be in place by the end of summer. Their first class of nurses just graduated.

The only thing about this program I don't like is that they require you to have 6 months of full time experience as a CNA before you can apply. I get paid way more at my current job than I would as a CNA. I'm probably going to attend school in California anyways.

ehan31 · Jun 4, 2008

A little late, but...

SLCC and Provo College are the only private colleges accredited as of now. Ameritech and UCC are NOT as of yet--if you want to advance to BSN later it is most likely your degree will not be accepted and you will have to take several courses over again. (It's happened to several I work with). You can get jobs after graduating from there, but if it's advancement you want later on, that will be harder. The hospital I work at has had a few problems with Ameritech students, but loved others. I don't know about UCC ones. Just depends on your future outlook. Some places will not hire RNs that went to a non-accredited school, so I'd advise checking around at different workplaces before you decide.

Provo College does not have a waiting list, you apply each period. SLCC has a waiting list that is, from my understanding, not accepting most applicants until the 2009-2010 year.

busphob · Aug 12, 2008

I have an appointment to visit Ameritech's campus. I read from many of you that it is really expensive. I currently work at IHC. If you had to make a choice would you choose the tuition reimbursement option and just hope you pull at 3.9-4.0 GPA on the pre-reqs and just wait for two years or get stuck paying back several thousand dollars in student loans going to a private school?

I was also wondering about the two year versus four year RN program? If you were to attend Ameritech can you transfer the credits to a state school to get your BS degree?

ehan31 · Aug 12, 2008

If you go to Ameritech the credits will NOT transfer to another school for a BS. I know several people who have taken this route. If you would like a 2 yr RN and that is the end of the road for you, it might be a good choice. However, since it is not accredited, you do not have the option of continuing your education in the future (BSN) since those schools will not recognize non-accredited school credits. (Most likely your RN licensure will be recognized but not your prereqs or nursing classes). I found this out by doing research prior to me going to school as well. Take a look at where you want to go with nursing before you make the jump to go to a school that isn't NLNAC accredited. Also take a look at your future employment options and where you want to work. Some places will hire only those who went to an accredited school, some don't care. It does cost in the ballpark of $35K for the nursing core, this does not include prereqs.

busphob · Aug 12, 2008

Thank you for responding. I so appreciate this. I have worked in the same department (Pathology for 22 years). I graduated with a B.S. in Business Management and due to no experience have not found a new job. I got interested in nursing when I heard they had 100 percent job placement. I like the fact that you combine training and experience with your schooling. I don't know what I would do if I spent all that money and found the same thing happening all over again.

I think I will apply for tuition reimbursement assistance from the hospital I work at and just take the pre-reqs and see what happens. If I don't get accepted, then at least I will have the pre-reqs done before going to a private school.

Also I heard the 2 yr RN's get all the grunt work and you will never raise up in the ranks like you would if you have a BSN. Another case in point, I have a BS and it has done nothing for me job wise. Is this another fallacy?