Cheapest school in Hampton Roads

U.S.A. Virginia

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I am looking to get my associates degree in nursing, but I am older, married with 3 kids, so I need to do it as cheap as possible! Are there any coupons for college? :wink2:

For what it is worth, although I am not a student there, I continue to hear good reports about Riverside in Newport News.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Emergency Nursing.

Admittedly, I'm a little biased, BUT for what it's worth...

MCI is very overpriced and has a very high failure rate. The school and its representatives makes every effort to lure you with the fact that you will graduate quicker, but they neglect to inform you of what the failure rate is. Not to mention the non-refundable fees and tuition.

I am 23 weeks away from completing TCC's ADN program. It has been tough, at times, unfair. Difficult, yes. HOWEVER, Tidewater just attained the HIGHEST NCLEX pass rate in the entire state. That means above UVA, above ODU, above NSU, above MCI.:yeah:

I truly love this school, but will rejoice when I can put nursing school behind me!!! I can't speak for Sentara or Riverside. IMO, the hospital-based programs give the students a better chance to learn clinical skills. Most of the hospitals that hire around here vouch for the skills of TCC grads. Apparently, we are well prepared :D The associate's programs give you the educational credit you need to continue your education though. There is a push to make RN's have BSN's, and has been for years, so my advice to all who undertake RN school is to never cease adding to your education, which is much easier with an ADN.

It's been tough. I am a mother of 2 with a part-time job. I am also a Nursing tutor for TCC, so look me up if you make up your mind...:nurse:

Good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

I am Thomas Nelson student and would highly recommend their program. And for those who live in NN, York County, Gloucester, Williamsburg/ JCC or points West on 64 they are opening a new campus in Williamsburg it will add another full size class of 50-60 Nursing students at that site. My understanding is this campus/program will start in fall 2010.

Currently there are 2 options a Fall 60 student class in Hampton and a 10 person Spring (January) class in Williamsburg.

The great thing about any state ADN program is that you can transfer credits to other majors if you find that nursing isn't for you, this isn't an option with Sentara or Riverside, and MCI is quarter based not semester based so those credits are also hard to transfer.

I will also say that among the RNs that I work with, MCI New Grads are not favored when they come to the floor. I can not say why specifically because I stay out of those conversations, but there is definitely a bias against MCI grads, rightfully or not.

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Hi there Im looking to start my prereqs at TNCC in June, just wanted to get your input on the nursing program at TNCC.

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I know that you said that you were looking for an associate degree but I would really recommend Sentara's School of Health Profession. That's where I am going and will be graduating in Summer 2010. We are also military and I totally understand the time constraints and juggling family life with school obligations. But Sentara's instructors are very approachable and family friendly. It is a strenuous program but we are making it. It's also pretty reasonable. I think it's about $3000/semster plus books which aren't too bad. You have to have pre-reqs done before you can start but they are pretty good about accepting classes. I had credits from North Carolina, VA, and Indiana and it all worked out. It's a 22 month diploma program and I have found that a large number of the students are "non-traditional" with families and kids of all ages. Also, I applied last winter when we found out we were coming back to this area and took a couple classes to meet my pre-reqs and was able to start in August, when we had just moved out here in May. Good luck with your search!

I would love to hear more about this program! Thanks!!

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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

Well, I just finished at TNCC. And having seen hundreds of posts on here it seems pretty typical of all nursing programs. The staff is very supportive if you are puting forth the effort they will work with you.

One thing to remember is that along with the class of 60 at the Hampton Campus there is a class of 30 that starts in January at Williamsburg's new Warhill Campus.

I am very pleased with the education that I received from TNCC. The curriculum was challenging and the instructors were supportive. I worked as a Carepartner for Sentara and I can say that my skills are better and my knowledge is right there with graduates of other programs.

One area that is a bit of concern right now is that there are so few opportunities for new grads. So my advice is to try and land a Aide/Tech/Carepartner position with one of the hospitals (MIH, Sentara, Riverside, VA) and use the tuition assistance from them. This may cost you by being "forced" to take a RN position that isn't what you want, but it will also open many more doors and working as an new grad RN on a floor that isn't your dream is better than not working as a RN.

Best of luck to you.

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What is the difference between a diploma program (Sentara) and an associates like through MCI? Do hospitals look at one as better than the other?

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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

MCI is MUCH faster and is MUCH MUCH more expensive, TCC or TNCC also have Associate degrees at a much more reasonable cost (+/-$100 per credit).

As for Sentara or Riverside, the big positive in today's job market is that you should have a job when you finish, but I also know that if you are unsuccessful in those programs or you choose to work for another hospital system they are VERY expensive.

The old school of thought was that Diploma programs gave you more clinical time, having spoken to diploma school students I don't know how true that is. I think everyone is doing 3-4 hours 2-3 days of classroom and 12ish hours in clinical every week. I believe that Sentara and Riverside have pretty much the same prereqs as TNCC and TCC, I don't know what they are for MCI.

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It is hard to figure out what the right choice is in schools....

I want to be a RN, I know that for sure, I just didn't know there were so many ways to achieve it.

When applying for a nursing job, are all RN's looked at the same,(diploma, AS, BS) or are one type preferred over the other. If I am going to go through school, I want to make sure I am the most desired.

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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

I don't know that one is held in a higher regard than the other from a New Grad hiring standpoint. But there are things to consider and you eventually will be "encouraged" to get your BSN. Many hospitals are trying to gain Magnet status and part of doing so means their goal is to have 70%(?) of all RNs be educated at the BSN level or higher.

So, first there is the Diploma program (not MCI), do prereqs as a PT student for 18 months or so, then 22 months of Nursing School.

Second, the ADN which is very similar to the Diploma schedule, but you are earning academic credits that can transfer if you have to move from this area.

Third is the BSN, if you already have a BS in another discipline you can try to get into an RN articulation program at ODU, NSU, Hampton U, or VCU. These are full time programs, but normally only 4-5 semesters. If you are starting from 0, then you are looking at 4 academic years (8 semesters) going full time, but the Nursing prereqs are built into your curriculum.

There are other things that need to be investigated, such as waiting lists, costs, and NCLEX pass rates (http://www.dhp.state.va.us/Nursing/nursing_edprogs.htm ), but I don't know how much weight I'd place on that unless it's really poor.

I don't know if my ramblings may have helped or hindered but it's done now.

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