Anyone get their degree from Akron Institute?

StudentGrace · Dec 15, 2009

I completely understand what you are saying. When I called they asked to schedule me for the TEAS test (which I believe is monthly around the 3rd Friday). Once that was done, I maybe received one or two calls due to crossed communication between depts that I already scheduled the test. You take the test and get immediate score (it is computerized). Then you fill out application and get any transcripts by the deadline - even though tests are monthly, the classes start quarterly. About a month or so after they mail out accepance letters. In this letter you are advised of the orientation/information meeting and then scheduled an appt with financial aid representative. With all that said, I don't really know how often they would call if you didn't schedule a test date - however, once you schedule the date you are pretty much done with calls.

From what I heard, recently the school did pass the NLN requirements and unofficially earned, however, it will be official when it will be awarded in January. From what I understand any school cannot automatically be awarded this until 2 or 3 years after they have started a new program. I guess they want to see how a school succeeds and if graduates are prepared and can pass board exam.

I have a friend who graduated this program. When the NLN board came to do their review there was one evening when they invited students and previous graduates and hospitals that are in the clinical rotations to give their thoughts and opinions. According to my friend, the hospitals raved about the program saying they can trust that the students are ready to hit the floor working and have no problem hiring them. Of course, I am telling you her take on this meeting, but I don't have any reason to not believe her. She was hired immediately at an area hospital and said it was the best decision she ever made.

Your best bet is to call the school directly or stop by and visit them and ask one of the admissions counselors the particular questions you have. They are really great and understand that people are only trying to make the best choices they can.

foreverLaur · Dec 23, 2009

My friend just graduated and seems to like it, but I haven't talked to her much about the details.

What I don't get is why would you attend a 5 semester program that is over $400 a credit hour when you can head 40 mins north and do a 4 semester program that is $80 a credit hour, a lot longer standing, and more reputable?

Maybe I'm missing something?

JBaker77 · Dec 23, 2009

I understand your point. I think it's all about getting the degree sooner. I have a neice that started at Kent Stark Campus. She was given a time frame of when she would get into the nursing program so she worked her prerequisites there while waiting to get in. She found out later that they misled her on the waiting period so she had to rework her game plan. I think people are willing to pay the extra money just to avoid the headache of waiting to get accepted. I understand why some would think it's crazy to spend $$$$ for an Associates, but I think it's also crazy to spend 3 to 4 years for a 2 year degree because you're waiting to get into the program.

foreverLaur · Dec 23, 2009

So why not go to Tri-C? They don't have a waiting list and are placing for Fall 2010. Not bad...

JBaker77 · Jan 6, 2010

The 45 minute drive is too far.

foreverLaur · Jan 6, 2010

Eh I'll be doing it 4 days a week!! The massive savings in tuition, the ability to start much sooner, and the much better reputation of the program was worth it IMO.

JBaker77 · Jan 6, 2010

Wow, that's great! You must be so excited. I have some personal questions if you don't mind, but I'm asking out of desperation for the information, not because I'm trying to be nosey. I am a non-traditional student going back to school after eons of years of being away from school. I'm wondering what the admissions requirements are. Do you already have your pre-req's out of the way? Did you have to take an entrance exam? When do classes start? Also. when I checked out Tri-C I noticed there were multiple campuses. Which one takes nursing students? That might be a dumb question but I was trying to use Mapquest to figure out my traveling time so without knowing which campus I would be going to there was no way to figure it out. Btw, I'm in the Akron area. Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it.

foreverLaur · Jan 6, 2010

Wow, that's great! You must be so excited. I have some personal questions if you don't mind, but I'm asking out of desperation for the information, not because I'm trying to be nosey. I am a non-traditional student going back to school after eons of years of being away from school. I'm wondering what the admissions requirements are. Do you already have your pre-req's out of the way? Did you have to take an entrance exam? When do classes start? Also. when I checked out Tri-C I noticed there were multiple campuses. Which one takes nursing students? That might be a dumb question but I was trying to use Mapquest to figure out my traveling time so without knowing which campus I would be going to there was no way to figure it out. Btw, I'm in the Akron area. Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it.

I'm sorta non-trad too. I'm only 23 but I already have my bachelors degree and will have been out of school for 1.5 years when I start.

The prerequisites are Intro to Biological Chemistry, College Composition I, Intermediate Algebra (or higher), General Psychology, and a minimum 2.5 GPA. If you do not have a cumulative 2.5 GPA, don't worry. If you have a minimum 9 credit hours at Tri-C, they will ONLY look at your Tri-C GPA. That means you can have a 1.9 GPA from 200 credit hours, take 9 credit hours at Tri-C and get a 2.5 and VIOLA. You are eligible for the nursing program.

The entrance exam is the Hesi A2. All nursing schools will soon be going to this as the NET will soon no longer exist. It is offered almost every day of the week. You can't take it until you meet the prerequisite requirements I listed above because the school has to given you specific information to take the exam. Once you take it, scores are sent to Tri-C and they send you an application.

For the traditional day ADN program, classes start every January and August. For the modified evening/weekend and accelerated programs, classes start every August. Classes tend to fill up about 3 months before they start.

The traditional day ADN and accelerated ADN programs are at the Metro campus which is in downtown Cleveland. The modified evening/weekend program is at the East campus.

I posted a SUPER long thread about the program that has all the information you could ever want so I'd recommend checking it out.

https://allnurses.com/ohio-nurses/tri-c-cleveland-411546-page9.html#post4051974

JBaker77 · Jan 6, 2010

THANK YOU!!! Tri-C should hire you to be their recruiter, LOL! I checked out the other info you gave pertaining to Tri-C and I can't thank you enough. I know the others on this site feel the same. :bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur

morningmom · Feb 7, 2010

Ok...Let me weigh in. I havent checked the boards, but that is because I finished in December and took my NCLEX Thursday (WOOHOO I Passed) anyways...to answer a few questions on accreditation and why I chose AI?

NLN finished their process and as of December the school was waiting on getting the official paperwork, I believe the DON was going this month? or next to Columbus to make it official. NLN requires so many graduates to pass boards as one of the things that they require. One of my instructors was a graduate of Kent state early on, before they were working on accreditation..and she said she has had no issues furthering her education(she became a nurse midwife which is a masters) or getting a job. There is a couple of schools in Ohio who are not accredited (couldn't tell you whcih ones, I forget) and do not intend on getting accreditation but have no problem with their nurses finding jobs. The only problems I have heard was with the VA hospital. The only issues other than that as far as not being hireable are because it is an associates program. Akron General does not, at this time, hire associate grads with no experience, they will hire once you have experience. When I spoke to Cleveland clinic earlier on in my program, the woman said that because AI was a NLN candidate that they would consider hiring.

As far as why I chose AI, as stated by someone else, the waits for Kent, Akron, and Stark were long(though they will not tell you that up front). I am a complete non traditional student, I am currently 39 and a single mom. I do not have time to wait, especially since I have a degree already (an associates in computers) and Tri-C was WAY to far for me to drive with daycare deadlines for pick up, sitter requirements etc. especially when the weather is bad.

I feel that I got a quality education there...and to be honest those that have posted nasty things on here about AI, I think I know who they are...and let's just say they were removed from the program either by failing, or unsafe practices in clinicals.

foreverLaur · Feb 7, 2010

Akron General does not, at this time, hire associate grads with no experience, they will hire once you have experience.

Do you know if they count nurse aid experience as experience? By the time I finish, I will have close to 4 years of nurse aide experience in a hospital based setting doing typical nurse aid duties plus foleys, EKGs, phlebotomy, etc. I know it isn't nursing experience, but maybe it would help in getting hired at a place that doesn't normally hire new grads??

morningmom · Feb 7, 2010

Do you know if they count nurse aid experience as experience? By the time I finish, I will have close to 4 years of nurse aide experience in a hospital based setting doing typical nurse aid duties plus foleys, EKGs, phlebotomy, etc. I know it isn't nursing experience, but maybe it would help in getting hired at a place that doesn't normally hire new grads??

I have no idea...I'm sorry. I know that Akron General has taken the stance that ASN degrees they feel do not have as much clincal experience (this is not just AI BTW..the is all ASN programs) Across the board with that experience though, will help you get a job in many places as a new grad. As you get so far in your program, let me strongly urge you to see if you can get a Nurse tech job...that seemed to have helped several of my fellow students get jobs easier.

Right now new grad jobs are far and few between all over the country(I've been looking at the various different state boards today to see how it looks..and I looked at about 5 or 6 states, it looks bad everywhere).

Sorry I can't be any help. Good luck!