Members are discussing the pros and cons of attending Chamberlain College of Nursing, with some expressing concerns about the school's reputation, NCLEX pass rates, and accreditation. Military benefits are mentioned as a way to cover costs, and there is a debate about the value of attending a for-profit school versus a more traditional nursing program. Some members are considering alternative schools like Lone Star College in Texas.
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?
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.
Sooooooooo many resources and the staff tutors and peer tutor are very approachable. If you went here you would be assigned a coach/mentor (or two) for the whole course. I have attended several colleges/universities and I am impressed with the resources that this school has. Yes it is pricey, but the Houston campus, in my opinion, is worth it. Many people had negative things to say about the school and that a student from there would be "bypassed" but honestly speaking to many people who have graduated from there- or are about to graduate have already got a job lined up.
I hope you do get a chance to go to the open house. Ask LOTS of questions
Its been a few years since you made your initial post. I am curious what school you eventually chose. IMO, hospitals only care that you have an unrestricted license. I don't thank many of them care where you got your degree from.
Hello! I am a former Corpsman and am using my veteran benefits to pay for school as well. I'm set to start at Chamberlain University in January and am so excited. I have spoken with students from chamberlain that have had success and have nothing but positive experiences. It is a private, for profit school. It is hard and expensive and due to them not requiring a ton to start, it's pretty easy to get in and say you want to be a nurse but most of the negatives come because those people can't make it and are in debt.
I also work at a major hospital in the area and I work directly with clinical directors. All of them are extremely excited for me and have said they will hire me immediately and that it does not matter where you went to school. All new grads start in the same place with the same lack of knowledge that only hands-on experience (especially the orientation) can give. The only drawbacks for new grads are starting in areas with kids in critical settings (I'm sure you can guess why) and that's not a chamberlain specific thing. It's everywhere.
Go anywhere BUT Chamberlain. You would think I would be counting down the days until I can become a nurse like I've been climbing mountains to achieve but with this schools like every step you take, you feel further away from the finish line.
I learned about this school from a colleague while I was applying to another nursing program out of state. She described Chamberlain as a self-paced and she actually enjoyed it which was rare to hear about nursing school. She admitted feeling apprehensive about entering nursing herself even though she was one of the smartest people I've come across and even with her experience in the field. But nursing is a BEAST and to come out on the other end is rewarding in itself. But it doesn't need to be, which I always thought that. Why burn out students before they get there? Most schools don't realize their students are already working 12s, getting reports practically being nurses, which is why alot of people choose a program like this. It's supposed to be heavy because its condensed, but the institution has the power to be the program that sticks out. The school's philosophy seemed to be that, although the program is demanding, they would provide support every step of the way. However, since starting, I've noticed all my previous instructors have run for the hills. While faculty turnover is expected, at the Jersey campus, which is just one building in a field, news travels fast. It seems the administration can replace departing teachers easily with their leads and deans, but they know students are too financially committed to the program to protest changes made every term. So we're their lab rats. For a school that charges for a wellness course aimed at preventing "Nurse student burnout," you'd expect less pressure in an 8-week semester with no real breaks. Yet, as we approach the end, it feels like the support has vanished. Nursing school is inherently challenging, and we experience emotional stress comparable to medical and law students. But this institution advertises a "unique" curriculum on all its platforms I had to unfollow because its not true. Go to the campuses, interview the students. They increase tuition and uses us as guinea pigs while they struggle to maintain accreditation. To illustrate, we might finish a semester on Thursday, with the last clinical day possibly on Saturday or Sunday, and by the next Monday or Tuesday, we're thrust into a new class. Expected! But It's as if we've transferred to a completely different school which is not supposed to be the case. We're in the same room but bombarded with new policies—policies we're already aware of through rumors, as the school doesn't bother to inform us via email. We're left to adapt on the fly. And I understand, thats like any hospital or workplace but I'm not getting paid. In fact they increased tuition so I needed to make outside adjustments and now with the grading policies and everything else changing, I need to change around work too so I'm trying to figure out how to pass school and pay for it. So no, Chamberlain is not a good school. Whatever they promise you and tell you is likely to change within a month of being there guaranteed. It's not about the hardness of the program, I expected this! But there's no consistency, there's no emotional support or care from the teachers, they are changing what they want and do want for assignments and its messing with grades. Teachers make you do work not counted towards your grades already knowing we don't have time. It's a mess. But hey, at least they offer night classes (there's no resources at night).
JacAn001, BSN
139 Posts
Sooooooooo many resources and the staff tutors and peer tutor are very approachable. If you went here you would be assigned a coach/mentor (or two) for the whole course. I have attended several colleges/universities and I am impressed with the resources that this school has. Yes it is pricey, but the Houston campus, in my opinion, is worth it. Many people had negative things to say about the school and that a student from there would be "bypassed" but honestly speaking to many people who have graduated from there- or are about to graduate have already got a job lined up.
I hope you do get a chance to go to the open house. Ask LOTS of questions