Apollo Program and IASIS Hospitals

Hey all,

I am new here and I would love some input on this. I am looking at attending Apollo's nursing program. I would be breaking in on Block 3 (I have all my pre-req's done), done in 16 months and all for about $28,000. They base their admissions on NET scores, so I don't think that I will have a problem. I could start as early as Nov 2007. PMI is too expensive ($40k and won't give me credit for pre-req's), and I am hearing awful things about Ethel Bauer's program and possible losing their approval is the AZ BON, and we all know the nightmare that is the community colleges. So, Apollo has an agreement is IASIS hospitals (St Luke's, Mesa General, and the new Mountain Vista) where they will contribute $18,000 to your tuition for a 3 year work commitment, and also hire their extern's for $15 an hour while in school. I already live in Mesa, so commuting to an IASIS facility wouldn't be a problem. And Apollo will be getting ACICS accreditation later this year, so their credits will transfer like all the other tech schools. I eventually want to be a nurse midwife. So, what do you all think?

I hate to sound negative but, I wouldn't work for IASIS. They are a for profit organization. I had clinicals at Tempe St Lukes and the working conditions weren't great. The nurses on our floors were very unhappy. Actually, most of the nurses that were there quit and are now working at the hospital that I'm currently at. I've also heard other classmates that had clinicals at Mesa General say the same thing about that hospital and that it was very unsafe. A coworker of mine worked there for a short time but she left because she felt that her license was put in jeopardy everyday.....

Maybe some other posters can give you some positives about the organization.

Is there a way that you can attend Apollo and not sign on with IASIS? 3 years is a very long time to have to commit to any hospital.....

No, you don't have to commit to IASIS to go to Apollo, but $18k takes a huge sting out of the $28k, especially when they strongly advise you not to work while in school and I can't borrow $28k of federal monies.

The Banner Health Nurse Fellows Program is a program that is designed to increase the capacity of existing college nursing programs while building a pipeline of qualified registered nurses for Banner Health. The program provides students entering the Maricopa Community College nursing program the opportunity to receive education assistance in exchange for an employment commitment after completion of the nursing degree program. (3 yrs)

http://www.bannerhealth.com/Careers/Education/_Nurse+Fellows.htm

OP- I'm a little confused. You stated that you'd be entering school at block three, but that Apollo would still cost $28K, is that right? For two blocks???? I don't know why you don't look into going into the Maricopa colleges, for block 3, if you qualify. There isn't a wait for that, you can usually find a school to start block 3 in. Plus it will only cost you about $2000. I would stay as far away from Iasis as you can. I work in L&D right now and one of my fellow nurses (who has 20+ years of experience in L&D) was telling me she left Mesa General because she was afraid that she'd lose her license. I haven't heard anything good about that company, I'd be afraid to commit 3 years to it!!

Keli

Let me clarify, to Apollo, Block 3 is the beginning of the nursing program. All your pre-req's are done, and you have 16 months left. So, it would be the same as waiting on the Maricopa waitlist. As for the $28k, time is money. I could wait for a year or so to get into the community colleges and pay $5k or get in now, and be done in 16 months and pay $28k. I have been reading not good things about Mesa General, and L&D is where I want to be. They are opening up a new hospital at Power and Germann this summer. But if the policies are bad, I guess a new facility won't change things. Thanks for the input!

Let me clarify, to Apollo, Block 3 is the beginning of the nursing program. All your pre-req's are done, and you have 16 months left. So, it would be the same as waiting on the Maricopa waitlist. As for the $28k, time is money. I could wait for a year or so to get into the community colleges and pay $5k or get in now, and be done in 16 months and pay $28k. I have been reading not good things about Mesa General, and L&D is where I want to be. They are opening up a new hospital at Power and Germann this summer. But if the policies are bad, I guess a new facility won't change things. Thanks for the input!

Why don't you just attend the abrazzo program through Phoenix Baptist. They pay for your program in exchange for 3 years as well, and they will take your pre-req's too. That would save you the whole $28K.I planned on doing that after I get my LPN. I still have several pre-req's left though.

Do you have a link to this info or possibly a phone #? I haven't heard of this program at all. I am not an LPN.

Do you have a link to this info or possibly a phone #? I haven't heard of this program at all. I am not an LPN.

Go to the AZBON website and find the link...education...from there you can find aprroved R.N programs and this is listed under the Baptist Health program, I believe. Then it will give you a contact number. I definately would NOT spend even the $18K on Apollo if you have pre-req's done already(just my opinion). Let me now what you find out.

I looked at a school last week and they offered me full scholarship through IASIS and I have to make a commitment to work for this company for either 1, 2, or 3years. Three years for the full scholarship. There is not an IASIS in my area so they are willing to give me money to move on. They have facilities in UTAH, FL, TX, AZ, and a few others. I am just unsure about this. 24,000 is a lot of money but,I am not sure about the pay they offer. Or what positions I would be offered? I am currently waiting to take my state boards for LPN. Looking at 1.5 years to get my ADN. Does anyone know anything about the other facilities they own? Any help would be appreciated. I read a few things about this company that I did not care for, but the threads are from 2003.