Apollo College RN Program

ChuckE · Nov 17, 2009

And we're off on another semester!

**Hey ChuckE, it's Stacy from Class!!!
I also will be starting my 3rd semester at Apollo tomorrow and can't wait. The program has been great so far, I agree with Shannahan that I wish the clinical sites were different. As long as I'm being taught what I need to know to graduate and become licensed, the actual site does not make much difference. I'll most likely be working at a different hospital anyway :)

crangel · Nov 17, 2009

After speaking to the nursing admission rep today, I decided I am going to go ahead and apply. I have seen some people posting about the apollo program, they are saying that they have a bad rep? Has anyone heard about this. I know they said they have job placement with their program. Where are they doing they clinicals? How do they do their financial process? Can anyone help with that. I know they said that the university of phoenix takes their credits for the BSN? Does anyone know what the cost of the RN-BSN program is after school?

Hopefully I get in. Their class starts in march.

shannahan · Nov 17, 2009

I just started 4th semester and am excited about it! I hope you get in! When Apollo first started their RN program they didn't do a good job. this may be where the bad rep came from. They have revamped the program and professors since then. If you look on the BON website you will see that they have a very high nclex pass rate. People say that the students lost along the way are a refection of the school. I disagree. All of the students that I have seen who didn't make it, it was their own fault, usually due to working too many hours and not able to put in the study time needed. Apollo provides great tutoring if you are struggling.

We just took a hesi exam that predicts neclex success and our class did well. I tested above the nat'l average and I attribute that directly to the instruction I've gotten from Apollo.

I'm not saying Apollo is perfect - no program is. There are trade offs for everything in life.

You can call UofA for the pricing info but I know it is high. Just follow the process and financial aid will fill out your paperwork. Clinicals are at IASIS hospitals. I don't know if they do job placement but I wouldn't count on it. Good luck!

crangel · Nov 17, 2009

Thanks for all the info. I hope I get in too!

Thanks again. :yeah:

ChuckE · Nov 18, 2009

I don't know about the bad reputation of Apollo, but looking at the NCLEX pass rate for the year to date, Apollo has 88.89% pass rate.

ASU as a comparison has 88.35% (BSN).

As for the clinical sites, the 3rd semester sites are at Phoenix and Tempe St. Luke's Medical Center.

crangel · Jan 8, 2010

I start the March Class on the 22nd!! So excited!! I will finish my pre reqs there as well!! I know the cost is a lot to bare, but I think at the end it will be worth it and I will be able to afford my huge loan payment!

How is everyone doing in the program? How are clinicals? Cant wait until I actually start the nursing classes!! :lol2:

shannahan · Jan 8, 2010

Congratulations Crangel! I'm in the middle of 4th semester at Apollo and I love it (as much as you can love nursing school anyway). It's extremely difficult but overall I am happy with the school. Time has flown for me. Doesn't seem that long ago that I first decided to go to nursing school and got on this board to start asking questions.

crangel · Jan 11, 2010

Thanks so much! I cant wait to start. Has anyone graduated yet? How is the job market right now for Apollo Grads? So people have said that some hospitals wont high grads from Apollo? Does anyone know what the starting rate is for a new grad?

Feedback is always helpful!

Thanks

Bug Out, BSN · Jan 11, 2010

Thanks so much! I cant wait to start. Has anyone graduated yet? How is the job market right now for Apollo Grads? So people have said that some hospitals wont high grads from Apollo? Does anyone know what the starting rate is for a new grad?
Feedback is always helpful!
Thanks

My wife and myself graduated March of 09, working at LTC/Rehab facilites, 80k a year for LTC. Job market is not great all around. Most of my classmates are in hospitals btw, they do however prefer BSNs but jobs are there.

crangel · Jan 12, 2010

Thanks for your feedback. Are you saying 80k in LTC each person or combined with your wife? Hopefully I get lucky after and land a great job. If you dont mind me asking -how were your clinicals? What hospitals did you go to?

And congrads on finding a good job!

How did you like the program?

Your feedback is appreciated!! :lol2:

Bug Out, BSN · Jan 12, 2010

Thanks for your feedback. Are you saying 80k in LTC each person or combined with your wife? Hopefully I get lucky after and land a great job. If you dont mind me asking -how were your clinicals? What hospitals did you go to?
And congrads on finding a good job!
How did you like the program?
Your feedback is appreciated!!

80k each.

Clinicals were good, all except pediatrics. For peds we went to a daycare and watched babies sleep, literally...

We went to Mountain Vista Medical Center for OB, Med Surg/Tele, St Lukes Tempe, Phx St Lukes for Psych.

We pretty much went to all the IASIS hospitals in the valley.

The program was what I expected it to be. Not the quality of one of the community colleges or ASU but there was no waiting list and I have more than made up the tuition in my yearly income difference from being a CNA.

My choice was wait for 1-2 years to get into the community colleges or ASU or pay 30k to go to Apollo. In the time it would have taken to get into one of the other schools I am gaining experience and a great salary.

Honestly I did not care about the school good or bad, the only thing I wanted were the tools to take and pass the NCLEX. Nothing else mattered.

Apollo did everything I wanted exactly how I wanted it. I would recommend them for serious students who want to get their RN ASAP.

Clmbng Solsbury Hill · Jan 12, 2010

I actually liked the clinical sites from Apollo. I stopped in the middle of the program and got my LPN because I'm in debt up to my.....well, you know.

If you have the time, I'd recommend attending one of the community colleges. You'll save sooooo much $$$$. :twocents: