Azusa Pacific University ELM Program

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When I was seeking advice on ELM programs- I wish I had someone who gave me an honest opinion. So.... I want to be that person for any prospective nursing students. Azusa Pacific University was my first choice when looking for ELM programs. Little did I know how.. HORRID the program was. The program is COMPLETELY unorganized. The faculty offers minimal resources for struggling students. Expect to have missed BSN requirements- there have been multiple times hours were calculated incorrectly and we had to figure out how we would get the remaining clinical hours required by the board. I also hope you do not have a job, significant other, life- of any sort- because the schedule changes every week. Class times have changed mid semester. The clinical schedule is constantly changing and they expect you to be readily available. I guess-if you have no job or life this might be fine- but it will get frustrating eventually. 

 

If you have any questions regarding the program. please ask, I am happy to offer my honest viewpoint.

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Specializes in BA Psychology.

Hi Sylvia,

Thank you for sharing your experience. The chaos described is concerning. Could the constant changes in the schedule be associated with the pandemic? 

What other pros/cons do you have to share? And if you do not mind me asking, which campus are you attending as there may be differences in how each program is carried at the varying locations. So sorry to hear that your top school ended up disappointing you.

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Hello, I also applied to Azusa and would like to hear more your input. Did you end up finishing after those missing hours what was your overall experience? 

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On 1/13/2021 at 8:14 PM, vpetr002 said:

Hi Sylvia,

Thank you for sharing your experience. The chaos described is concerning. Could the constant changes in the schedule be associated with the pandemic? 

What other pros/cons do you have to share? And if you do not mind me asking, which campus are you attending as there may be differences in how each program is carried at the varying locations. So sorry to hear that your top school ended up disappointing you.

These changes occurred far before the pandemic began.

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What do you mean they don’t help struggling students. Is it true that if you get B- it’s consider failing? What do they do if you have several C’s do they make you retake the courses? 

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On 9/9/2020 at 1:55 PM, sylvia66 said:

When I was seeking advice on ELM programs- I wish I had someone who gave me an honest opinion. So.... I want to be that person for any prospective nursing students. Azusa Pacific University was my first choice when looking for ELM programs. Little did I know how.. HORRID the program was. The program is COMPLETELY unorganized. The faculty offers minimal resources for struggling students. Expect to have missed BSN requirements- there have been multiple times hours were calculated incorrectly and we had to figure out how we would get the remaining clinical hours required by the board. I also hope you do not have a job, significant other, life- of any sort- because the schedule changes every week. Class times have changed mid semester. The clinical schedule is constantly changing and they expect you to be readily available. I guess-if you have no job or life this might be fine- but it will get frustrating eventually. 

 

If you have any questions regarding the program. please ask, I am happy to offer my honest viewpoint.

I attend APU at IERC and I can confirm what you mentioned because we are currently experiencing this as well. This program is highly unorganized and the communication between the faculty and administration is AWFUL. I talk to some of the Monrovia students and they say the same thing. Since the school pushes you to get your DNP, there is a lot of redundant and useless, waste-of-time classes that they make you take. They can literally combine bioethics, research methods, and scientific writing into one class and keep it moving. Also, there is so much busywork, it will make your head spin. The ONLY reason why I picked this school over other schools is that you get your BSN. A lot of the other ELM programs don't do that so you're stuck with a cert that forces you to get your masters. The problem is, with a lot of nurses getting their BSN, it is hard to compete with just a certificate. Just my opinion, however. Anyways, I agree; having a job, friends, or family will make your life harder because the schedule is always changing. And yes, it changed for me mid-semester. I understand that things are changing with our clinical rotation due to the pandemic, but the changes that occur due to poor communication are not okay. I'm sorry, poor communication is incorrect. NO communication is more accurate. I have talked to other students from different nursing programs and I will admit that we get better rotations than some of the other programs during this pandemic... so that's a plus. The good thing about it is that the program is just a blip in your life and you will get out of this crazy program in no time. 

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On 5/28/2021 at 12:18 PM, Auroa02 said:

What do you mean they don’t help struggling students. Is it true that if you get B- it’s consider failing? What do they do if you have several C’s do they make you retake the courses? 

Hello, C's are not passing- if you get one C you repeat the course. If you get more than one C you get dismissed.

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Hello all, 

Thank you for your input. I just submitted my application for Fall 2022, and not going to lie, APU was one of my top schools since it has the option to get both BSN and MSN NP. I am still waiting on my application decision, but I am getting a little scared about the school after reading all this...

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On 10/13/2021 at 1:20 AM, AHK said:

Hello all, 

Thank you for your input. I just submitted my application for Fall 2022, and not going to lie, APU was one of my top schools since it has the option to get both BSN and MSN NP. I am still waiting on my application decision, but I am getting a little scared about the school after reading all this...

Hello @AHK!

I talked to my other nursing friends after reading original poster's comments about APU. They told me that every nursing program will have its downfalls, along with its perks. I also believe that it's a given that there will bound to be things you'll dislike about the program after being in it, no matter if it was your top choice. And I for sure believe that there will not be any program that will be 100% perfect from start to finish. I'd say that if APU is your top choice (as it is also mine), then just have faith and choose what your heart tells you. Don't let one person's experience influence what could be a great experience for YOU! 

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Thank you for you guys' comments about some issues you've been experiencing. I recently had an interview with APU for Fall 2022 and I also applied to WesternU as well. When comparing the two programs, I am unsure which is better. I know that with APU, you can get a BSN and an MSN in the specialty of your choice. However, with WesternU, you get an MSN-RN degree (no specialty) and can come back to get a Post-Master's in FNP. 

I feel like it's slightly "better" in a way to get an MSN-RN no specialty degree (WesternU) where you can work at bedside as an MSN nurse and then come back to get another master's certification for NP. 

With APU, you're stuck with a BSN at bedside. However, you COULD get an MSN in CNL and work bedside, but that means you won't have a chance to do NP since you already got a CNL. 

I wonder if I am on the right track with the way I am comprehending this. I would love to hear your thoughts about these 2 comparisons!

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Hi Sylvia!

Thank you for sharing! Your post has been extremely helpful. Just out of curiosity, what clinical sites does APU send its students to? I'm just scared because I have heard that some schools ask students to find their own clinical sites. Really hoping you could reply! Thank you in advance! ?

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Specializes in EMT.

Any one in the program can explain how the schedule looks like? I just applied and I am concerned about work. 

They told me you get your schedule in advance for the semester but I am afraid on what I am ready that they change things last minute. How many times a week do you go to campus?

 

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