Anyone get their degree from Akron Institute?

LookUp2Sky, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

Barleany - I will be taking my final at Akron Institute on April 21.....I finally made it!! I am part of only the 3rd class, graduating from Akron Institute. As you are probably aware, it is still a new program, which contained some bumps in the road, which are typical for a new program. Out of a class of 30, 19 have made it. The curriculum is challenging, and requires a lot of work (which one doesn't-LOL). I understand, that things are improving behind us, based on some input from our class, and the natural flow of things. Akron Institute is now approved by the Board of Nursing, and is seeking NLN approval. A new program has to wait a period of time before it can even apply for NLN approval, but they anticipate the approval sometime this fall...just in time for you.

I am an older student, and appreciated things such as, not paying for parking, books being part of the tuition, going to one building for my classes, and graduating with the same students I started with. The teamwork and camradarie truly help in a tough program!! You didn't mention whether you are already an LPN or not, even that doesn't matter for this program, other giving some background to begin with.

Please feel free to ask me any additional questions you may have. I am always willing to help out a fellow prospective nurse. We all need each other! Good luck, and keep me posted.

barleany78 · Mar 16, 2009

Hi! Thanks for the response! And glad to hear you are almost done. I didn't realize the program was so new, but had heard positive info on the school.

My background is a bachelors degree in econ and an associates degree in mortuary science. I'm a funeral director/embalmer, but I'm getting a little burnt out on that.

Can I ask you a silly question? Did you have to give a lot of presentations at school? I don't know why they make me so nervous! I can meet with families to make funeral arrangements and make announcements in front of people after the funeral, but the thought of giving a presentation in a classroom environment makes me stress. But I realize I will have to do, but was it that many? Were they always given by yourself or were they group presentations? Just trying to get myself psyched up for it =)

Thanks again for your help! Do you know where you'll be working?

LookUp2Sky, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

Wow, Barleany - That was a fast response! No, I have not decided where I will be working. I have had a couple of interviews, but I am an older student, and did do the "floor nursing, and night shift thing," as an LPN for several years. I'm not sure whether that's the direction I will be pursuing right now. I'm also considering going on to the bachelor's, and possibly Masters degree...I will be in school the rest of my life-LOL, and will be paying off student loans into retirement!

I, too, suffered from fear of speaking in front of groups. But, as I've gotten older, I've learned that the only way to grow, is by praying and walking through my fears step-by-step. Unfortunately, it is very uncomfortable-LOL. However, I only remember getting up in front of the class maybe 2 times, and it was during Micro (of all things). The rest of the presentations were done as a group. The other great thing is that, as I mentioned, since you will be with the same people all the way through, it is not bad, because you know everyone, and everyone is in the same boat. I even talked to my doctor about it, and she had me take 10mg of Propanalol, 1/2 hour before presentation. I tried it once and it really did work, however, I am a rather holistic person, and do not like to take meds, until I absolutely have to-LOL. Not that I'm telling you what to do, but just suggesting, do not let one fear (no matter what it is), stop you from anything. I am so guilty of becoming anxious about something way before it's time, instead of taking one day, one challenge, and difficulty at a time. I have learned (at 52 yo) that growth is painful and uncomfortable. So, if a person is feeling uncomfortable, they are probably growing-LOL.

Again, feel free to ask anything. I truly wish you all blessings life has to offer! Let me know if I can help out. :nurse:

barleany78 · Mar 16, 2009

Haha, no, thank you for the quick response! When you say "micro" do you mean microbiology? I took 2 micro courses with labs at mortuary school...maybe I can test/transfer the credit and not have to worry about a presentation! I'm so awful.

Ok, sorry so short...I have a 5 week old baby who just fell asleep so I'm thinking of taking a nap while I can!

Thanks again!

LookUp2Sky, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

Yes, I would think your Microbiology and probably Anatomy(s) would transfer, as well as Algebra, English, and any other basics. See, there you were worrying about something that may or may not happen-LOL. :wink2: Also, I forgot to mention in my last message, if you have a bachelor's degree, did you consider any of the accelerated BSN programs offered at University of Akron, or Kent State? They are 15 month programs, designed for those already possessing a bachelor's degree in another field, and consist mostly of the nursing segments, towards a bachelor's in nursing. I think you have to have a certain grade-point average, and I'm not sure what that is, in order to enter. It was not an option for me, since I didn't have a previous bachelor's degree.

Maybe we should switch careers-LOL. I did mine the opposite direction, i.e., had kids and a sit-down job when I was young, and now took on the harder (physically) demands of nursing. You, on the other hand, already pursued a career, and now have kids-LOL. Congratulations, by the way, on your new baby...they are tiny little miracles. I'm glad you took advantage of a little nap, while you can-LOL.

Look forward to hearing from you again. Are you in the Akron area...I'm in Ellet, if you're familiar. Have a great day! :nurse:

barleany78 · Mar 16, 2009

Thanks, I guess I was worrying for nothing. Though I do see a "speech" class that's required...sigh. One of these days I wish I can get over fearing presentations.

I've already applied to Kent State, but didn't get accepted. My bachelors degree GPA which I got in 2001 is a 2.5, so a lot of the schools won't even look at me since it's so low. But I was young and goofed off and didn't take it seriously. When I went to mortuary school in 2005 I was serious and got a 4.5. It seems like the associate degree programs are a little less serious about the gpa and they look at other things, so hopefully I can get into Akron Institute. Then even though it takes longer, at least I'll get my foot in the door and can do the ADN to BSN later on.

Congrats on starting a new career too! And I live in Akron, near the merriman valley.

Have a great day too!

morningmom · Apr 10, 2009

Hi! (First, sorry for the long post)

I wanted to add/emphasize a few things. I am a student there now too (I have probably seen the other poster around school, hard telling with all the blue scrubs who is who LOL)

There are a couple things I wanted to say...I hate speaking in front of groups myself. I am in the graduating class in December, so I think I am in the 5th? class to graduate. I already have an AS from UA, and a year under my belt from many years ago at Malone and all the classes that were comparable transfered successfully, which included Speech. So I did not have to go through that again. As far as the Micro goes (which will probably transfer anyways), the instructor (assuming it is the same one I had) made it so that the presentations are a group project, which helps. Plus as the other poster stated, you get to know everyone and it makes things a little easier. So far, I havent had to do any other presentations...and I'm not sure there is many if any left for me to do, though I could be wrong.

As far as my experience goes...just like the OP stated, there have been many bumps in the road, but the nursing faculty is working hard at ironing those bumps out. It is all part of growing pains if you will. We all get frustrated with decisions the school makes and things they do, but most of that is politics, and the fact that it is part of a larger network of Herzing University. One thing that frustrated me in the beginning mostly was taking some classes with the non nursing students. I might get slammed here, and I hope that isnt so, but many of the non nursing students can be very disrespectful to the staff and faculty. Some of the nursing students are too, but those usually get weeded out early. There were originally 4 in my class that really rubbed me wrong, and of those 4, only 1 is left, and she has changed quite a bit and I kinda like her. I have seen it and just shake my head. If you can just ignore that then you are golden so to speak...but for me, it is just a huge pet peeve of mine.

First the bad, as far as the nursing courses go...it is TOUGH, I will not lie. There is so much information put into such a little bit of time, that you find yourself studying and cramming A LOT. I was originally very disheartened when I got my first B...I was always an A student at UA (except for classes I really didn't like, so I didnt study or whatever for them), and the DON and I talked about it and she said that it is just the way nursing school is. You can get an A...but if you don't, then don't be surprise. So all of us that are A type students are now just happy with passing grades (which is a 76%).

NOW the good part...I am the president of an association in school(I wont go into which one..) but if you start in September, you will meet me. Myself and a couple of other students started the association in the school, and have had nothing but GREAT reception by the faculty and staff. They have been very helpful with us to get the association off the ground and getting things done. The nursing faculty, for the most part, has been wonderfully supportive and though they are tough...they do care. For the most part, if you are having trouble, you can go to them and ask for help with whatever you need help with. They are open to answering questions and trying to help you succeed. I have one instructor now (God help me if she reads this board..LOL...but nothing I say she doesn't already know)...that has a tough course. Many are on the borderline of failing, but she has said MANY times..."If you are having problems, come see me...let's try to figure out where your problems are and try to figure out how to resolve them." They do testing for ATI...ATI is a royal pain, and frustrating (you have to pass certain tests to go on, and they wont release your transcripts to the BON without passing the ATI final), but if you go in with the thought that the ATI is going to help you pass NCLEX...it makes it a lot better for you. For what it's worth, if you do not pass any of the tests, they do remediate and help you work on it...they don't just hold you back or not let you take the NCLEX...their goal is to help you pass the NCLEX, though there are a few complainers who think that they are...but I know that if they let me go test and feel I am ready, then I have a better chance at passing NCLEX (not saying I will for sure...but I will feel more confident).

SOOOOOOO in conclusion of my huge post here...if you are willing to work hard, expect and accept that you will have a lot expected of you, and have patience..then I say AI is a great school. By the way, I would assume you wont have any problems, but just so you don't get disheartened...passing the NET test does not guarantee you a seat, because you have to interview and they review your application....but it sounds with your credentials already, you shouldn't have a problem.

Good luck on the NET this month. I hope to see you in September.

barleany78 · Jul 21, 2009

Hi, I know this is an old thread, but I just wanted to see how things were going with you. Are you working someplace now or going back to school? I took the TEAS test at AI a few days ago and passed it, so I'll be turning in my app for the Jan class. Hope I get in!

LookUp2Sky, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2009

Barleany - I talked with you a while back about AI too. Just wanted you to know, I successfully graduated in April, and successfully passed the NCLEX with 75 questions!!! As I mentioned before, I was part of only the 3rd class through, and the program was still getting kinks ironed out. I understand, thanks in part to our class, that some things have been changed for the better.

It is a difficult program, but as the other poster mentioned, if you are willing to work hard...you can make it! Passing that TEAS test is a big example of being off to a good start!

Please let me know if I can answer any questions that may come up. I would be happy to answer. In the meantime...congratulations, you're off to a good start. Keep up the good work!

Hoping2BNurse · Jul 21, 2009

About how much did it cost to go through the program? I am thinking of either apply for Jan. or the May. Where did you do your clinicals at?

I am mostly concern with the science area of the TEAS. I haven't taken a science class since '99. What should I expect from this portion of the test? THanks for all and any advice.

LookUp2Sky, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2009

Hi Hoping...As I mentioned in my last post, I graduated in April '09. The program took me 18 months. It will take some people shorter, depending on the prerequisites that you already have. At that time, I believe the ballpark amount was around $25K? I believe they have had an increase since then. Keep in mind that if you're successful in the program and become an RN, you will make more than that in one year! Also, I look at it like, geez that's expensive, but I would consider paying that for a car...why not invest in myself-LOL.

We did our clinicals at Summa Hospital, Barberton, Akron Children's, Regency Hospital (for parts of critical care), plus nursing homes in the area. It was nice not to have to drive to Cleveland or Canton area, especially during the winter!

I hope that answers your questions. If not, I'll chat with you soon. Good luck