Bellarmine

[btsteven]

anyone know anything about Bellarmine, I will be attending the Accel BSN in May.

Steven

[GeminiTwinRN, BSN]

Bellarmine in Louisville, KY?

[btsteven]

yes, Bellarmine in Louisville

[GeminiTwinRN, BSN]

I have two friends that attended that program and while they say it was extremely difficult, they are glad they chose that program. It was/is very expensive but hopefully you qualify for scholarships.

I attended undergrad at Bellarmine, and one of the things I loved about it was the class sizes being very small and intimate.

What sorts of questions do you have?

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Steven,

I moved your thread to the Kentucky Forum, where you are most likely to find others familiar with the program. Good luck to you.

[SweetLadyJ]

I plan on attending Bellarmine's accelerated 2nd degree BSN program in 2009. Right now, the tuition is $34,950 for the whole 12 month full-time program. I heard that 99% of the students that go through Bellarmine's program pass the NCLEX-RN exam. They also said Bellarmine has excellent career placement for nursing. They only accept 125 students into their nursing program each year.

I also have an undergrad degree (BA in accounting) and MBA degree from Bellarmine. I like Bellarmine's small class sizes too. However, I absolutely hate accounting and only did it because I was undecided when I graduated high school and my dad chose this major for me. I hate mindless cubicle desk jobs in front of a computer all day. That's why I'm considering nursing as a career, plus I want to make a difference and have more interaction with people and to help people.

[af205]

I know this reply is no help for the previous persons question, but for anyone who is currently looking into Bellarmines 2nd degree program: don't waste your time or money. They raised tution from 33,000 (2007) to almost 40,000 for the 2008 cohort. They require a 77% to pass each course. If you don't pass a course, obviously, you cannot continue in the program.

They say the program is aimed at non-nursing majors, but they pretty much think your previous degree or job gave you relative experience.

First day of clinicals they really didn't "teach us" they threw us into it after 2 weeks of (non helpful lectures and limited labs) so we spend our 40,000 teaching ourselves.

If you don't have an extreme desire to go to Bellarmine, don't do it, unless you have LOTS of prior knowledge in the medical field. In that case you may be ok.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

I know this reply is no help for the previous persons question, but for anyone who is currently looking into Bellarmines 2nd degree program: don't waste your time or money. They raised tution from 33,000 (2007) to almost 40,000 for the 2008 cohort. They require a 77% to pass each course. If you don't pass a course, obviously, you cannot continue in the program.

They say the program is aimed at non-nursing majors, but they pretty much think your previous degree or job gave you relative experience.

First day of clinicals they really didn't "teach us" they threw us into it after 2 weeks of (non helpful lectures and limited labs) so we spend our 40,000 teaching ourselves.

If you don't have an extreme desire to go to Bellarmine, don't do it, unless you have LOTS of prior knowledge in the medical field. In that case you may be ok.

af205;

Don't get discouraged- you are in one of the best nursing programs in the state. It is admittedly an extremely competitive program, though. If it helps any, I've worked with tons of Bellarmine nursing students (accelerated BSN included) in area hospitals during their clinicals, and have never had issues with them being unprepared, etc.

Have you considered working as a CNA while in the program? It will help you a lot. The fact that you're a Bellarmine nursing student will get you a job in any hospital in the area, but if you work for Norton, you can do the Norton Scholar program, and get tuition assistance. Here is some info: http://www.nortonhealthcare.com/careers/working/norton_healthcare_scholars.aspx

you do have to sign an agreement to work for them after you become a nurse, but I've worked at the downtown facility, and they have great ratios there.

If you need a local nurse mentor, I'd be glad to help in any way I can. Feel free to PM me, and good luck in your program. Don't give up just yet- you can do this!

[luvmy2dogs]

Hi,

I've applied to Bellarmine for the May 2009 cohort and hoping I'm accepted. They seem to have a good reputation here in Louisville, and also I am anxious to get through a program quickly. I've finished the prereq's except nutrition, which I am completing this summer independent study. I weighed the cost versus U of L and in my situation Bellarmine won't be too much worse since I would be looking at more prereq's for U of L (labs for micro and A&P, patho, pharm), as well as finishing a semester later. I have to also consider paying more for childcare to attend classes for those extra semesters.

I would appreciate help, if someone on this forum is familiar with Bellarmine 2nd degree. Could someone tell me about clinical hours and how far in advance you know? I have 2 children under 4 and need to make childcare arrangements for each semester. Has anyone here gone through this program with small children, and is it doable? I'm sure it'll be tough, but I'm very motivated and I finished a degree before while working full time.

Thanks in advance!

[SweetLadyJ]

I know this reply is no help for the previous persons question, but for anyone who is currently looking into Bellarmines 2nd degree program: don't waste your time or money. They raised tution from 33,000 (2007) to almost 40,000 for the 2008 cohort. They require a 77% to pass each course. If you don't pass a course, obviously, you cannot continue in the program.

They say the program is aimed at non-nursing majors, but they pretty much think your previous degree or job gave you relative experience.

First day of clinicals they really didn't "teach us" they threw us into it after 2 weeks of (non helpful lectures and limited labs) so we spend our 40,000 teaching ourselves.

If you don't have an extreme desire to go to Bellarmine, don't do it, unless you have LOTS of prior knowledge in the medical field. In that case you may be ok.

Why are you complaining about Bellarmine's requirment of getting at 77% to pass each course?

And of their program is aimed at non-nursing majors...it's an accelerated SECOND DEGREE BSN program. And no, they do not think your previous degree of job gives you relative experience. They do this program because there's such a shortage of nurses and there's so many people (like me) who are considering a career change that they give this option for non-nursing majors.

And about their clinicals and teaching yourself... you have to make the best of any experience. I went to Bellarmine for my BA degree in accounting and Bellarmine seems to be "learn on your own" type school anyway. You just have to keep in mind that you get most of your experience on the job, not in school. School doesn't teach you experience. School gives you an idea about what you're getting into.

And You don't need a lot of prior knowledge in the health/medical field before going to Bellarmine's accelerated nursing program.

[iteachob, MSN, RN]

I don't know anything really about the accelerated BSN program, but I did get my Masters in Nursing Education at Bellarmine. The faculty there are simply awesome! It is a very highly thought of program (BSN as well as MSN). Well worth the $$ in my opinion.

[af205]

First of all, I'm not "complaining" about the 77%. Second of all, unless you are an employee of the Bellarmine Nursing program I don't understand why you are trying to tell us you know how the program is.

This is how it has gone for the 2008-09 cohort:

Orientation: about 90 students (?) dropped down to 75 before the program began.

First term: maybe 68 or so passed

Second term: follwing this term I think the class is now down to about 40 or so.

Bellarmine has the highest number of students ever, needing to retake a particular course from the second session (that was not taught by qualified instructors) for spring of 2009. What does this mean for those students? They have to wait until the term they were to GRADUATE to retake this 2nd session course.

What does this mean? Simply, Bellarmine doesn't care if you fail out during the program but if you make it until the end of the program they will do anything to make sure you pass the NCLEX, because THAT is the only thing that goes on their record accessible to anyone via the internet. Check the updated stats on the NCLEX. I think 5 of the 20-25 students that actually graduated have already failed the NCLEX and those were only the ones that took it by July.

Their program is poorly structered. Half of the nursing instructors have not practiced in 10 years, meaning they don't truly have relative opinion/knowledge and don't put forth too much effort to help you. The department as a whole is incredibly disorganized.

To wrap this summary up, YES, I am still in the program. I wish I had chosen another school and regret spending my money here at Bellarmine. But to finish in May, I need to stay.

I am not trying to discourage anyone, but I am warning everyone. Go to Bellarmine and TALK to students not the staff. You will see that many are very unhappy. It is not the BEST program like people say, it is the toughest to actually get through. This is only a warning. If you get into Spalding or U of L i would consider your options, thouroughly.