Aspen University

Nursing Students School Programs

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Hello!

So I'm currently on the waiting list for Maricopa Community College and I just heard about Aspen University. Has anyone heard of them or even attending their BSN program? I am trying to do my research and gather information on the University, but really can't find much, can anyone help?

On 7/17/2019 at 4:37 PM, steven007 said:

I had looked into Aspen a little while ago for their masters program. They were one of the only schools in North America I found that offered a masters with a forensic specialty in nursing. Additionally, they were the ONLY school in the USA I could find that would accept my Canadian nursing license and not make me register my license in the USA (I did my license before Canada adopted the NCLEX, so I would have to re-write which was a no no for me).

The reviews are generally positive from students. I am not really sure how well recieved a degree from Aspen is. In Canada, if you are a nurse with a masters, it is generally expected that you have done it at some offshore US or Australian school online and no one really cares about the quality or reputation of the school. They just care that you have the piece of paper that says you have a masters.

I am not sure about how well received it would be in the USA and for a BSN (which would be your foundational degree to nursing practice, unlike a masters which is just supplementary and more a novelty for nurses, IMO).

I ended up going to a Canadian school after all. It was cheaper but required more of a time investment than Aspen would have. I think in general it would be a good choice. They were helpful for me when I was on the fence about applying and they also have an enticing tuition payment program where you just make installment payments instead of paying the full amount in one lump sum. It is also accredited. Therefore, I think it would be a safe choice!

My 2 cents.

Hi, can I ask you a question? Do u live in canada. R U an LPN OR RN. I was looking for university/ colleges in North America, & came across Aspen university. I live in canada.

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On 3/6/2020 at 7:32 PM, otilika said:

The only issue I had is that when I recently tried to apply to an MSN program at another university, that specific university wanted me to have a BSN from a school that's both CCNE accredited AND regionally accredited. Apparently, Aspen U. is not regionally accredited. I got accepted into another MSN at a school who only was looking for CCNE accreditation (as most schools are).

Hi, I’m curious what MSN program you chose. I am looking to start an MSN in January but I was worried about Aspens accreditation.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MS, SNF, OTC, Perianesthesia, LTC.
On 7/9/2020 at 1:38 PM, LoeMax said:

Hi, I’m curious what MSN program you chose. I am looking to start an MSN in January but I was worried about Aspens accreditation.

They have dual accreditation.  Have you researched both? That's what I did when I was shopping around for colleges. They hit the mark of what I wanted. 

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On 3/6/2020 at 7:32 PM, otilika said:

Not sure if you are still reading these responses, but I completed my BSN at Aspen University, after having gotten my RN with an ADN at a community college.

At the moment I have been a nurse for five years and have worked everywhere from med-surg, trauma, to the ICU.

Where you went to school matters only for your first job. Once you get the first job and have a good record and experience in it, that's what will move you forward more than anything else.

I am financially conservative and I think it's insane to take $50k in loans to get a BSN anywhere. I chose Aspen because I had to continue working full-time during school and because it was affordable.

To this day, I think I made the right decision. Sometimes I wish I could brag that I went to a more renowned school, but instead, I take pride in not having accrued loans.

When I graduated from Aspen I had been working as an RN for two years, and so employment was not an issue for me.

The only issue I had is that when I recently tried to apply to an MSN program at another university, that specific university wanted me to have a BSN from a school that's both CCNE accredited AND regionally accredited. Apparently, Aspen U. is not regionally accredited. I got accepted into another MSN at a school who only was looking for CCNE accreditation (as most schools are).

For the MSN what school accepted the BSN from aspen? I’m currently in their core and I want to get my NP degree however the lack of accreditation has scared me. I don’t want to be stuck at a BSN and if I leave I’ll have to start over since no where takes their credits. 

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On 9/16/2019 at 10:11 AM, QueenOfTheNuts said:

Did you get the information you were looking for? I see this topic was posted a couple of months ago but I've been taking this program for about a year now and I would be happy to answer your questions that you have. That is if you still have any.

I have some questions. Are you graduated now? Was it hard to find a job because they’re not regionally accredited and what graduate school were you able to go to? I want my NP but many schools won’t acknowledge the degree from aspen. I already finished my pre req and I’m getting nervous because I’d have to retake everything if I try to get out of Aspen. I just want to be sure my degree will be acknowledged??

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MS, SNF, OTC, Perianesthesia, LTC.

I have 10 classes left. I find it interesting that most jobs won't acknowledge Aspen because that doesn't make any sense. It's dual accredited so its nationally and regionally accredited. And like in my area we go with nationally accredited which makes more sense than a regional accreditation. I've had my transcripts from Aspen reviewed for an advanced practice degree and they were accepted. I didn't have to redo any classes. I've had it reviewed also for a doctorate program and did not have to redo anything. What are you going through with these colleges that they're telling you that they're not going to accept it? I have yet to find a college that won't accept a BSN from anywhere. They don't look at your transcripts they could really care, they just want to see those three little letters behind your name because it shows that you have advanced education and learning. ?

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Thank you so much for your response! In Arizona they are only nationally accredited. After my BSN I want to be a psych NP however major schools like ASU , NAU UofA and UofP will not acknowledge the credits even after I pass the NCLEX and have my BSN to further my education. This is what I was told upon calling all of these *regionally accredited (aspen is not). However, I was told Aspen has a sister school in California called the university of America and they are regionally accredited and accept all aspen students so I guess that helps my concern of not being able to further my education. I’m now worried about being able to find a job after my BSN while trying to obtain my NP. Will hospitals accept me and hire me even though Aspen isn’t nationally accredited? I feel like that is the most concerning now that I know their sister school is accredited regionally. 

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MS, SNF, OTC, Perianesthesia, LTC.

Are you currently working as a RN now?

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No I’m currently in their BSN program 

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MS, SNF, OTC, Perianesthesia, LTC.

So if you're not currently working as an RN, then yeah a facility is going to look at your last degree obtained. Because that's your last degree and they want to make sure that you actually have the credentials and skills needed in order to be able to work. But if you're working as an RN then they're probably not going to care quite as much. So if you're not working in some capacity, find a PRN while you're going to school and then it's one less thing you have to worry about. In terms of acceptance and all that good kind of stuff. I have yet to see an employer look to see where somebody had their BSN Donna, they only cared about the actual letters. And that was mostly for magnet status. But then again different states have different requirements?

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So if I proceed with aspen, get my BSN do you think I’ll be able to get a job because I passed the Nlex or will they say the school isn’t regionally accredited therefore they won’t hire me? What I’m getting from your responses is they only care about your license  once you graduate and the “BSN” after your name. I just want to make sure them not being regionally accredited won’t hinder my ability to find a job upon graduation. I asked aspen but they’re of course biased. I wanted a second opinion! 

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MS, SNF, OTC, Perianesthesia, LTC.

Are you doing a prelicensure BSN?  I did not do that.  I obtained each degree independently,  did NCLEX and upgraded my jobs.  Again,  it's going to be based on your area.  Your experience is what is going to matter. If you do not have any experience then yes a facility is going to look at your credentials harder than if you have experience and tacked on a degree. If you are getting their pre-licensure BSN what you need to ensure is that you have the adequate clinical skills and everything need it in order to succeed in your field. Again,  the colleges that I'm applying to with my Aspen credits, are accepting them. 

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