Bellarmine

gabriella86 · Sep 23, 2008

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.

Ouch!

Bellarmine was my second choice but I decided to go with Galen so I could get tuition reimbursement for my BSN after I graduate and start working. I have to say I have been curious as to wether or not I made the right choice. I think it was just the name that made me want to go to Bellarmine and the fact that I went to catholic school growing up.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Sep 24, 2008

af205- have you considered transferring to U of L?

af205 · Oct 1, 2008

I looked into it, trust me. It just seems to be more complicated than the time would be worth. It would add on an extra year or two even because of the app deadlines and all the classes. If I would have known I would have chosen Spalding or UofL no doubt!

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 3, 2008

Spalding is a good school, and they offer some flexible scheduling options. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

goodguy123 · Feb 28, 2010

sweetladyj,

i am accepted into Bellarmines may 2010 start accelerated nursing. Can you give me some advice on good/bads of bellarmine? is the acccelerated program extremely intense?

goodguy123 · Feb 28, 2010

af205,

did you complete the accelerated program at bellamrine, was it worth it? im accepted to start in may 2010 and would like some advice. youve mentioned that if we were accepted somehwere else to go there instead of bellarmine, im debating between 2 programs. please helpl

thanks

deasiac · Apr 28, 2010

Does anyone know what the average admittance statistics are for this school? Is it a tough/competitive program to get into?

winnieleigh · Oct 18, 2010

I did the excel program, and I came out prepared.