anyone actually graduate and employed from Baker College

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I am debating on applying to Baker Nursing program. I have a 4.0 and 82% on the Kaplan. However, before I sink in any more money I started looking into their program. When I actually started some research i found out some very disturbing things. First, I learned that out of the 40 people they accept into the nursing program about 10-12 actually graduate? Also, I know several people in the healthcare industry that do not know of ANY Baker nurses? In addition, I learned they are not accredited with NLNAC or any other nursing organizations, which I'm told is a very big thing. I personally know someone that dropped out after having to retake classes over and over and ended up going there for 3 years. She is now finishing up at MCC in the time they quoted. (She is a good student also)

I found that because teachers are so hard to get in the nursing programs that the Clinton Township campus has very poor instructors. I've taken classes at Auburn HIlls, Flint and Clinton and the quality is unreal. (Auburn having the best profs)

So out of curiousity, has anyone actually graduated from Baker and passed the NCLEX and is employed? Does anyone know someone that actually graduated? I'm willing at this point to transfer to another school and take the chance of waiting because I'm starting to get a bad tatse about Baker. Anyone IN the program now? Any thoughts?

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I'd like to do some research for you, but i have some questions:

1. Where is this college?

2. How much do they want for a two year program?

3. Do they have a waiting list?

4. Are they pressuriing you to sign up IMMEDIATELY?

It sounds like it may be a for-profit school and I have a very low opinion of those. I'm taking it that you're in Alabama (keep in mind when posting these questions that AllNurses is international and not everyone knows automatically where Clinton and Auburn Hills is).

If they are pressuring you to sign up immediately, as in "this price is only for you and only good today", then RUN, run for the hills! I might be able to research this for you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I'd like to do some research for you, but i have some questions:

1. Where is this college?

2. How much do they want for a two year program?

3. Do they have a waiting list?

4. Are they pressuriing you to sign up IMMEDIATELY?

It sounds like it may be a for-profit school and I have a very low opinion of those. I'm taking it that you're in Alabama (keep in mind when posting these questions that AllNurses is international and not everyone knows automatically where Clinton and Auburn Hills is).

If they are pressuring you to sign up immediately, as in "this price is only for you and only good today", then RUN, run for the hills! I might be able to research this for you.

OP, please note that this responder has pointed out that he/she may be doing research that you yourself could do. This internet forum may not be your best bet for finding information....at the very least, you should post it in the state-specific forum.

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OK, I did some research and if this is Baker College in Michigan, then run far, far away. (BTW, this is why it's important to post your state if you are in the US because I saw "Auburn" and immediately thought Alabama - I then saw "Flint" and it cued it in that it might be Michigan. Some people don't know that, so it's good if you are asking about regional schools that you post your state if you want college info).

The key phrase that should tip one off comes from their website:

Baker College Campus | Professional Nursing Training

Notice this in the second paragraph:

"Not similar to other colleges and universities, Baker is a career institution, with one goal: to offer you precise job training so you can have a very satisfying career as soon as you finish college. Instead of being a career student, you will become a successful career professional."

I may be very wrong on this particular school, but any school that identifies itself as a "career college" or "career institute" is usually a rip-off. They tend to have extreme tuition charges and will be unaccredited. If the school itself is accredited, then ask if you particular program is accredited. If you get any other answer than yes, or if you get some answer along the lines of "we aren't accredited now, but by the time you graduate, we will be", DO NOT SIGN UP. They tend to say anything to get you into the door, then ask for huge tuition amounts upfront. If the student does graduate, then they will be saddled with a huge amount of debt that will take years to pay off, years longer than a student in a traditional university.

You mentioned that the college admits 40 students, but of those, only 10-12 graduate. Yes, there are many good reasons for this attrition, but keep in mind that there have been reports of students attending these "career colleges" who are bullied into dropping out, but they'll keep your tuition money and YOU will be saddled with the overall debt, and that includes the interest in paying this off.

As I said, this program may be on the up and up, but we've seen many students on here that have been suckered in to these programs with bad results.

I have first hand knowledge of these schools and their tactics, and I want to pass this on so that others can be warned.

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According to the Michigan Department of Public Health Task Force on Nursing all nursing schools will need to be accredited through one of two accrediting agencies soon. As I understand it, they are in the process of getting accreditation. One of the nurses I work with said NLNAC. It sounds like you are talking about the one in Flint and they are a relatively recent program. They advertise on the radio and TV about their life-long employment assistance and they say they have a 97 (or was it 98) percent employment rate.

I work with some Baker grads and they know their stuff. MCC grads usually are good too. U of M Flint... now those grads need a bit more clinical time.

Hope that helps.

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UnionRN2 - If this is the case, then I applaud MI for creating these standards. I hope this applies to all schools, profit and non-profit, or private and public. Many of these schools will get around these standards by stating they are private schools, and such laws won't apply to them. I do hope it does apply as I abhor the practices of for-profit schools. Understand that I'm not from MI and I'm not trying to demonize this school. It's just that I saw a few red flags on their website that reminded me of problems associated with for-profit schools and would like to share what I've experienced with them.

OP - Keep in mind what roser13 said and that you need to do your research, both on and off the Internet. Educate yourself to the practices of for-profit schools. As you said in your original post, you have sensed some bad feelings about the school. Calling the HR departments of local hospitals and asking about this school might be a good idea.

Also, as roser13 said, there are state specific forums here under the "Region" tab at the top of the page, you may get more info in the Michigan forum.

Good luck!

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remigirl-STAY FAR AWAY FROM BAKER COLLEGE!!! THEY ARE FAR FROM ACCREDITED FOR ANYTHING!!!! THEY HAVE A HORRIBLE REPUTATION IN THE STATE, HORRIBLE INSTRUCTORS, AND WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF TUITION DEBT WITHOUT A DEGREE!!! RUN FAR FAR FAR FAR AWAY-I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE!!!!!

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Hey there! I just wanted to tell you that I graduated from Baker in December and I had 2 job offers within 2 weeks of graduating. I started my nursing job 2 weeks ago with a salary of 55K/year plus two weeks vacay to start, 401K matching and health insurance. Not sure what you are all hearing, but I speak from experience. Baker worked for me. I also have two girlfriends who graduating in Spring who are doing BSN programs now at OU and one at U of M dearborn. Also two more girls got jobs out of the state after graduating.

Good luck!

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You said you have been offered 2 jobs? Are they in a well known hospital or facility or one of the smaller ones? I want to be at a particular hospital and I am just curious because I have heard alot of negative things about Baker and I am currently taking classes and about ready to apply for the program. Also, which campus did you attend? Thank you so much for your help!:D

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A LOT of nursing schools lose large percentages of students- that doesn't always reflect on the school- sometimes the students find that they're not cut out for nursing (willingly or otherwise:D). All schools are going to make themselves sound like the next best thing to sliced bread....nobody applies to "The Mediocre Academy" :D :eek:

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Hello Remigirl, I think you should email me at [email protected] I know some things about the program as I am a student currently in the program.

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I was accepted into the PN to RN ladder program at Baker College of Auburn Hills. I have heard great things about how difficult the program is and how well educated the graduates become. It was difficult to get in (over 200 people applied and only 16 entered the PN program) but if you are confident you can get good grades and do well on the Kaplan it is great. My gpa was 4.0 with an 86% on the Kaplan. I know accredidation might seem to you very important, but speaking from a business owner perspective, I don't look to see if my nurses schools are accrediated, I look to see that they know their stuff. If you chose Baker I'm sure you will have great knowledge when you're done if you apply yourself.

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