Aside from the price... is Chamberlain a good school?

I know the Chamberlain is a VERY expensive, for-profit school. Fortunately, my education is mostly taken care of due to military benefits.

My concern now is the reputation of Chamberlain and if going to this school will have a negative impact on finding a job as an RN in the future. From what I read, reviews are mixed. But a lot of the students going to the school seem to have a positive experience.

What do you think?

I am waiting to hear back from them on whether or not I've been accepted. I still plan on applying to UTH, as well as ADN programs such as HCC and Wharton, but I'm really hoping Chamberlain works for me... Its the most convenient for me?

Thank you in advance!

That's very true elkpark, and I think going through a rigorous program or getting into a school like UT, A&M, the other big Texas schools that come to mind says a lot of about the dedication of people/nurses.

But even with a 3.4 GPA in the pre-reqs that UTH requires I'm pretty scared! I'll admit I'm scared of the heartbreak too, but I definitely want to give it a shot. So maybe skipping the Chamberlain fall start, applying to UTH, then finishing up some more pre-reqs would be a better idea.

I'm wonder though... if I don't get into UTH, do you think doing an ADN program then going into a BSN program would be better than going to Chamberlain? Curious on some of you guy's opinions on that!

Pixie.RN said:
Sounds like a solid plan. Good luck, and thank you for your service! I ETS in 3 days. Wow. :D

Thank you, and thank you for your service! ETSing is nice haha!

Glad you're having a good time at Chamberlain! :) I would be going to the Pearland (Houston) location. Lots of their students seem happy with the program, which is promising!

Specializes in Progressive Care.

Since you're in the Houston area and said you might try some of the community colleges, I would also recommend Lone Star. They have a good reputation and you can apply to several of their campuses in one go. Additionally, I hear that Texas City's CC is very supportive of nursing students. Just apply to all of them and see who offers you an acceptance letter -- don't put all your eggs in one basket.

(Full disclosure: I am a Lone Star grad from '13 and I did manage to find a hospital job, as have numerous classmates. That said, most plan on going back for their BSN.)

Thanks TinaMari! If I don't get into HCC, Wharton, or UT I will try for Lone Star. I wouldn't be able to apply until spring for them unfortunately.

Specializes in ICU.

In my area, attending a for profit school will get your resume thrown in the trash. Very few are accredited here. Each campus will have it's own individual accreditation so you need to look at that. And even at that, each program in each school is accredited. For example the NP program may be accredited, but the BSN is not. It has to do with pass rates for licenses. For NCLEX-RN pass rates you really want a 95% and above. In the 80's is not good. What if you spent all of that money and could not pass the NCLEX? Would the money be there to go to another school and start over. Because I can almost guarantee those credits will not transfer. So think about that also. If you ever want to further your education down the line, the only place you will be able to go is Chamberlain. And what if you are out of money by then? You will be in trouble.

I keep going back and forth about Chamberlain in Atlanta. The reviews I find are so mixed (more bad than good) and it makes me VERY nervous to think about paying out all of that money. I started the application process last Fall and withdrew my application within the 10 day grace period because I got nervous about the reviews! And as Heather mentioned, about individual campus accreditation, this is what it says under 'Georgia' on the Chamberlain website- "Chamberlain has received initial approval for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program from the Georgia Board of Nursing'. The way I read that, the Atlanta campus is not fully accredited yet...it has only had one graduating class. I know the college is in other states, but not the Atlanta campus...the way that sounds! 

@Pixie.RN Can you read my post and give feedback, please? You were posting at the same time I was! What about Chamberlains Georgia accreditation stating "initial approval"? Thanks!

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
RN2BE0630 said:
@Pixie.RN Can you read my post and give feedback, please? You were posting at the same time I was! What about Chamberlains Georgia accreditation stating "initial approval"? Thanks!

I wouldn't go to a school that is not fully approved by the BON. I am sure Chamberlain will eventually receive full approval, but nothing is guaranteed.

Thanks for the replies guys!

Heathermaizey said:
For NCLEX-RN pass rates you really want a 95% and above. In the 80's is not good. What if you spent all of that money and could not pass the NCLEX? Would the money be there to go to another school and start over. Because I can almost guarantee those credits will not transfer. So think about that also. If you ever want to further your education down the line, the only place you will be able to go is Chamberlain. And what if you are out of money by then? You will be in trouble.

Thanks Heathermaizey, very true. I eventually plan on furthering my education pass the BSN so need to make sure the credits I take now will mean something to other schools.

However, looking at the NCLEX pass rates for Texas, particularly in Houston, VERY few are above a 95%. Except UT of course! That one is at a 95%. :up: But if I don't get into UT, I'm out of luck with pass rates. The community colleges are fairing poorly at 70%, except Wharton at 80%. Chamberlain is at 78%.

Yikes. I may be taking a gamble anyway I go. I'm going to hold off on Chamberlain for now work and my buns off to get into UT. My grades are decent but not spectacular. I took the HESI for Chamberlain, have to take it again for UT so I can do the critical thinking part, so at least that gives me a chance to score pretty high since I have an idea on what's on the HESI now. I'm missing one pre-req which I finish next month, then I can apply..., but would still be spending the fall finishing up the other pre-reqs they want before you start.

HCC would be my next bet. Get my ADN then immediately transfer into a BSN program (and I could start working in the meantime). Then Wharton or Lone Star (I can't apply to either until Spring, wouldn't start until NEXT Fall).

Bleg!

Specializes in CV/CT SICU.

Just wanted to leave my thoughts about Chamberlain. I graduated from the Houston campus. I think it is a great school even though it is pricey. The last time I checked the price is actually about the same as attending HBU or St. Thomas but I know many students who used their military benefits to attend and it worked out fine. As far as preparation for working in nursing and NCLEX, Chamberlain is very dedicated to their students and have many resources to help aid them in their journeys. The Houston and Pearland campuses are always looking for new ways to help the students succeed, whether it's having alumni mentor students, giving students free access to NCLEX 10,000, NCLEX materials, or just being an ear when things get tough. The program at Chamberlain is very rigorous and nothing is handed to you. You will earn your degree. Chamberlain also has great clinical relationships with every major hospital system in the Greater Houston area with most students gaining post-nursing school employment as well as student externships while in school.

houstonrnhopeful said:
Hey TEXN,

Just wanted to leave my thoughts about Chamberlain. I graduated from the Houston campus in August 2014. I think it is a great school even though it is pricey. The last time I checked the price is actually about the same as attending HBU or St. Thomas but I know many students who used their military benefits to attend and it worked out fine. As far as preparation for working in nursing and NCLEX, Chamberlain is very dedicated to their students and have many resources to help aid them in their journeys. The Houston and Pearland campuses are always looking for new ways to help the students succeed, whether it's having alumni mentor students, giving students free access to NCLEX 10,000, NCLEX materials, or just being an ear when things get tough. The program at Chamberlain is very rigorous and nothing is handed to you. You will earn your degree. Chamberlain also has great clinical relationships with every major hospital system in the Greater Houston area with most students gaining post-nursing school employment as well as student externships while in school.

Thanks for the positive info! I too am looking at Pearland possibly in a couple of years. I plan to attend the open house in Pearland on Oct 15.

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