Achieve Test Prep for CNA to RN

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello, my wife who is a CNA is interested in using Achieve for an accelerated RN program.  The wait lists for regular schools/colleges are 1+years out so being able to start now is a plus.  She never completed college and only took a handful of courses.

After speaking to an Achieve counselor, the way the program works is they gave a list of classes that she can immediately test out of by, and then take about 5 other courses at the local community college, although its not taking a full course.  It's more of attending once a week with a professor they coordinated with and the class isn't as long as a typical college class.  This allows the flexibility to still work full time while taking these courses.

Then after getting through those, there are RN specific courses to take that follow a similar structure.  All in all, can complete all the courses and have the college credits in one year and then submit/take the NCLEX.

Total cost is about $11K, which normally would be a lot but we've saved our government stimulus from Covid and that's basically how much we got from the IRS.

Now we could probably do it for half the cost but in at least twice as long, so the accelerated option is enticing for us.

Been searching online and keep seeing random posts about negative things with Achieve although they are vague.  So looking to get some specifics on whether this program is legit.  Willing to pay extra to get an accelerated program so if there is another better program am interested to hear. 

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
3 hours ago, LJ1 said:

Thanks for the feedback.  So are there any accelerated RN programs that are legit?  Since most of the regular schools have a significant wait list, there is nothing we can take now (even for regular gen-ED) so we are willing to pay a premium to get started now, while we currently have free time.

Look into Rio Salado Community College - it's through the Maricopa Community College system (Phoenix Arizona), it's all online, and the credits are transferrable mostly everywhere. She can start there with her general education and science prerequisites.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Since your wife never completed college, she is ineligible for an accelerated BSN/MSN program as they requires a previous bachelors degree,

See  CCNE nursing accreditation website to identify collegiate nursing programs available in your area.   National League for Nursing CNEA accredits associate, diploma and bachelor programs too, searchable by state.

Best wishes in finding a program. One year wait is not as bad as three years in some states like SE PA and California.

 

Fine print from the bottom of Achieve Test Prep online Ad

Quote

 

Achieve Test Prep is a college education consultant and test preparation center that helps you earn your degree faster. Achieve Test Prep is not a college and does not issue degrees or give college credit. The programs listed above and elsewhere on this website are test preparation programs offered by Achieve Test Prep to prepare you to take exams from an independent accredited college or an independent testing center. Achieve purposefully remains independent and does not align itself with any college nor do we commit to any agreements with any college. By being truly independent, we offer a completely non-biased approach to recommending the best possible college route to our students. While Achieve Test Prep is an expert on the policies and procedures of many colleges, the final decisions about credits and degrees rests with the colleges. You must independently apply for and be accepted into a college.

https://www.achievetestprep.com/nursing-lpn?campaign=Bing+Brand+-nursing+form&utm_campaign=Bing+Brand+-nursing+form&utm_source=Web+Ads&msclkid=27cb25b6d1bb13b7b40d4577a94d9e2f

 

 

Specializes in oncology.
On 6/9/2021 at 10:48 AM, LJ1 said:

although its not taking a full course.  I

 

On 6/9/2021 at 10:48 AM, LJ1 said:

the class isn't as long as a typical college class. 

 

On 6/9/2021 at 10:48 AM, LJ1 said:

 This allows the flexibility to still work full time while taking these courses.

 

On 6/9/2021 at 10:48 AM, LJ1 said:

All in all, can complete all the courses and have the college credits in one year and then submit/take the NCLEX.

This is a BIG scam...Why wouldn't every one do this? 

Make sure you always look at:

NCLEX RATES

GRADUATION RATES

NON-Profit or FOR-Profit

General progression of education - CNA to RN in ONE year? Minimally it is 2 years and usually after general education courses are done. 

Please do thorough investigation...go out to your community college, talk to non-profit college people, talk to practicing nurses.

 

Specializes in Wiping tears.
On 6/9/2021 at 2:23 PM, LJ1 said:

Thanks for the feedback.  So are there any accelerated RN programs that are legit?  Since most of the regular schools have a significant wait list, there is nothing we can take now (even for regular gen-ED) so we are willing to pay a premium to get started now, while we currently have free time.

All the schools I know don't care about your premium. We all get through the selection process. In some nursing schools, after failing mathematics twice and also must pass it with a grade B or higher, the student is out.  All the sciences must be B and greater. Failing 2x or 3x, the student is out. So failing one of the classes is enough to disqualify a student from applying. Another challenge is to pass a nursing entrance exam. In my experience, I'm a student nurse, this was limited to three tries. I passed the first try, but I wanted to be competitive. I took it and scored higher.  In some nursing schools, the applicants can only take, for example, TEAS-ATI, 2x otherwise try to pass at 3x and find the nursing schools that accept 3x attempts. 

When a student is officially accepted and admitted into the nursing program, the medication calculation must be passed at 90% to 100%. In my school, 2 mistakes are a fail. After failing it, depending on which nursing school your wife is in, she can probably retake 2x or 3x. She fails it, she will be withdrawn from the program and reapply. This is also limited. 

FYI, I'm not underestimating your wife's intelligence. If she can wing everything in one year including her RN, let me know. I'll clone her. 

Even with a quarterly class, I don't even know how she will magically complete the general education alone.  ? 

Specializes in oncology.
On 6/9/2021 at 4:23 PM, LJ1 said:

So are there any accelerated RN programs that are legit?  Since most of the regular schools have a significant wait list, there is nothing we can take now (even for regular gen-ED) so we are willing to pay a premium to get started now, while we currently have free time.

Since the salary for RNs rose, because of the complexity of the job, the competition for school slots has increased. As you have found, the scammers also come out in full force. If they have your telephone number and email, they will keep dinging you with more false claims and enticements (may be block them)

You need to have a discussion with your wife as to why she wants to be an RN. Since her college experience is limited, does she understand the effort and time science courses like anatomy and physiology. Microbiology take? Then craft the plan to allow her to devote her time to school. Glad you have a nest egg. Think about making sure she has the freed-up time to study. 

There is no way to 'cut in line' but there IS time for her to learn, grow and see if the RN profession is one she wants. 

I truly wish the best for both of you...there are no short cuts, and as I said earlier, community college is probably the fastest/cheapest route.

In order to even apply to nursing school, your wife will need complete several prerequisite course. Then, during nursing school, there will be several more non-nursing courses (science, English, psychology, etc). My advice is simple. Cast a wide net. Nursing school admission can be difficult. 
 

1. Identify the nursing schools near you. There is no such thing as an online nursing school. Investigate these schools. NCLEX pass rates, graduation rates, tuition, accreditation, non-profit/for profit, etc. Typical for profit courses do not transfer to non profit schools. Do not overlook community colleges. There are plenty of RN-to-BSN programs, many of which are online. 
 

2. Identify the prerequisite courses at the schools you identified above. Most schools have a way to determine if a course taken at another school will be deemed equivalent to its course. Some schools give preference if you take the pre-requisite at that school, but others don’t. Try to  take classes that will transfer, if needed, when you start applying. I’d take these classes predominately at the school you want to go to for nursing school.  But try to find equivalents so you can apply elsewhere as well. 

3. Take prerequisite classes. Get A’s in them. A lot of these can be done online (science classes with labs tend to be in person, at least the lab portion. Online labs tend to not be transferable if you do find one.)

4. Do whatever else is required to apply (volunteer, shadow, TEAS test, etc.)

5. Apply to nursing school. If you don’t get in, start taking the general education classes (again, make sure they transfer). 

Appreciate all the feedback.  Made some notes on things to talk to the advisor about and will see what they say.

Agree with everyone that best route is to take Gen ED at local community college but what Achieve is saying is for the basic courses she can test out, so basically take a fresher training and in a couple months test out of most of the Gen ED, then can focus on taking the more complex courses.  But will definitely at least talk to the local community college to see our options there.  Especially if we can take some courses as a non-matriculated student, so should be able to avoid extra long wait lists by doing that.

As far as the interest, she actually was studying to be an RN over 10 years go but life happened (3 kids) and she had been doing stay at home Mom work since then.  Now that the kids are in the public school system, it was a good time to expand from CNA to RN.  She has also shadowed under various under RN's and is very interested in becoming a RN.

Will see how the call goes with Achieve and will let you know what they say.

Specializes in oncology.
3 hours ago, LJ1 said:

what Achieve is saying is for the basic courses she can test out, so basically take a fresher training and in a couple months test out of most of the Gen ED, then can focus on taking the more complex courses.

We are trying to tell you that Achieve is NOT a college nor do they have any accreditation in nursing. I do not understand how their courses will help her test out of courses unless they mean CLEP. It would be in your better interest to stop listening to anything Achieve says. From their site I can deduce they produce study materials and nothing more. I have never figured out from their site who writes and determines their study materials are current, accurate and worthwhile.  Talk to an accredited, nonprofit college.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

PLEASE stop talking to Achieve. Seriously- BLOCK them 

Specializes in oncology.
17 hours ago, LJ1 said:

Especially if we can take some courses as a non-matriculated student, so should be able to avoid extra long wait lists by doing that.

"we", odd. Most community colleges have open admissions, meaning anyone can take classes. You do not need to be attached to a program unless that program has 'selective' admissions. Matriculated means enrolled so you are saying she can take some classes with a status of being "unenrolled"? Are you saying she can take nursing classes without being accepted into the nursing program? Be aware that possibility does not exist anywhere in actuality.  I am starting to think you (we) are a plant from "Achieve". Why isn't she on here asking the questions?

There is NO Way to avoid extra long wait lists unless you pay exorbitant amounts of money for a poor quality, poor reputation, poor NCLEX pass rates, for profit program that 'will take your money and tell you to teach yourself'.

 

Specializes in Wiping tears.
18 hours ago, LJ1 said:

 "She has also shadowed under various under RN's and is very interested in becoming a RN." 

Will see how the call goes with Achieve and will let you know what they say.

Achieve wants your money badly. Anyway,  shadowing does help your wife, but there's no way that someone can credit her for that for licensure.  

49 minutes ago, londonflo said:

"we", odd. Most community colleges have open admissions, meaning anyone can take classes. You do not need to be attached to a program unless that program has 'selective' admissions. Matriculated means enrolled so you are saying she can take some classes with a status of being "unenrolled"? Are you saying she can take nursing classes without being accepted into the nursing program? Be aware that possibility does not exist anywhere in actuality.  I am starting to think you (we) are a plant from "Achieve". Why isn't she on here asking the questions?

There is NO Way to avoid extra long wait lists unless you pay exorbitant amounts of money for a poor quality, poor reputation, poor NCLEX pass rates, for profit program that 'will take your money and tell you to teach yourself'.

 

"We" because we are both researching options for her.  She's contacting schools and I'm doing research online, so we're kind of a team here trying to find a solution.

I do agree the testing out is probably just CLEP tests for gen end which we could do on own on.  But their program also appears to bypass the wait lists at other schools.  So that's what we're going to ask.  I know Achieve is not a school but more of a counselor type deal, but if they have a way of getting us (sorry, her) to the front of the line, then it's worth the price.  But will talk to them next week and find out.

+ Add a Comment