Hi, new to this site, and saw that not alot of information has been posted about the Richmond Bryant & Stratton RN program. I am due to graduate the 20 month ADN program this August, 2011. Five (4 month) semesters long. It is a new program, as it has only had two graduating classes so far, the first having had only 5 graduates, and the last class of 18 having just graduated in April 2011. No Nclex pass rates to look up so far. This private college also has other locations, another one in the Tidewater area and in other states as well. They are in the process of acrediation, and currently the classes do not transfer, but they do accept certain transfer credits toward the program.
The program is a work in progress, as they keep changing things to improve, and there is certainly room for more improvement, and they are trying. It is expensive as it is a private school, but with Pell grants and scholarships they offer, it seems my balance owed here at the end it only around $25,000.
I chose this school because there was absolutely no waiting list, the entrance exam was a fairly easy teas test, it is a short program, and there were no prereqs to take as it is all included in the program. I checked out the community colleges, Fortis, ECPI, and RHST before making my choice. The cost seemed the same or less than the other private schools, and it has less of a career school feel, and more of a university feel with the same length semesters.
From what I have read, most nursing students feel like they dont know much when they get out of school. (I feel like I've barely scratched the surface). I feel that as long as you are prepared for the Nclex, then your prepared enough, and safe. B&S uses the ATI program heavily, and relies on it to prepare you for testing. It is strictly a day program, and you start your clinicals in the second semester. Since this is my last semester, I am now doing my 90 hour internship, and was able to choose the field I wanted.
All of the instructors are at the Masters degree level, so they are certainly qualified, provided you get one with teaching experience. Unfortunately, we had an instructor for Med-surg 1 that was terrible, and actually got us kicked out of any clinicals at HCA hospitals. It was her lack of knowledge, and not the fault of the students! She is no longer teaching at that level now, thank goodness, but we missed out on alot of education because of her. All of my other instructors have been excellent, and trained us well.
Will be glad to get out of school, and interested in learning the Nclex pass rates for the graduates. I would recommend this college for anyone wanting to get in and get out quickly. Most of my classmates intend on furthering their education past the ADN level, but I will be satisfied with furthering my education with certifications within my field of choice for now, as this is a second career for me. Feel free to ask me questions about the program, but I am new to this site and cannot private message. Sorry for the long length, but Im used to doing those three page APA papers!!!
