I'm wondering if any one has heard of Brandman University. They have a new ABSN program in San Diego, CA that i'm looking into. My grades are not competitive but i want to get into my career soon.
Has anyone been to this school, and if so, how did you like it? Do you think I'll be able to land a good job as an RN if I were to apply and attend? I'm nervous, since it is a new program! Such as, what if they end up closing and the degree won't be valid ?
So I got my acceptance letter in May, had a zoom meeting with my counselors in the beginning of July where I was issued an education plan with projected graduation date. included in the academic plan were general education courses that I had already taken (chem, micro, physio, anatomy). I was asked to submit a syllabus for theses to petition them. I was told that even if these are accepted it would not change my graduation date.
Hello! I was accepted for fall cohort. At first they said they didn’t accept my bio 101 class from cypress college, but after sending in my syllabus it was approved. what’s going on with everyone’s classes?!?! I finished all my pre reqs. Only ones they wouldn’t let me waive is the LBSU courses
So I take it's been about a week or two since. Hmm, okay I hope it doesn't take long for either of us to find out.
As far as for me, I was waitlisted for this Fall 2020 but unfortunately did not get in. Afterwards, I was notified my evaluation came back from admissions and was missing 4 courses. Meaning the courses I took from CSUSM and SWC were deemed non-transferable and was recommended to retake them through straighterline.com. B/c I've never heard of the website and found it weird they're weren't accepted, I asked to petition. I expect them to be accepted as well, especially after being told someone was accepted with all credits from SWC.
Can anyone confirm BU's accreditation? I'm not really understanding what "counts" and what doesn't. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe after this program we'd graduate with a BSN, take the NCLEX, and work as an RN?
The school is accredited, like every school k-12 into university level classes Covid has made everything a bit more complex, take longer, and seem unorganized. Everyone from teachers to students are having difficulties navigating in new waters. It is not the school that is "unorganized" it is the system they are working with and the state of california. The building for this ABSN program is literally been under construction since the mention of this program. It is still under construction. Some rooms are complete while others are not. Students accepted will do a "zoom" meeting and even virtually visit the campus with a live person walking them around it.
As for the numerous transfer courses and issues and questions. It seems like an awful lot of confusion with acceptance vs not. I'm not sure if this is the "only" nurse program all of you applied to or not? It seems like it is based on these frustrations and questions about why courses didn't transfer or what's accepted or why blah blah blah....
All RN programs have courses that are to be completed prior to start of nurse courses.
#1. Majority of programs actually want these 100% complete with very good grades and overall GPA before submitting an application and even then the cohorts are small and only few are taken.
#2. Science course grades count the most (they are weighted) not unusual either. Also must be current. (also not unusual, many programs had a 3-5 year max expiration date) this program initially was relaxed on that, each cohort has become less and less. Criteria is stricter and tighter.
#3. Previous experience in healthcare hours mattered. It did not require them, but it definitely seemed to count against you for not having them. The more the better it seemed. Plus in exactly what kind of experience seemed to matter as much.
#4. If you have a previous bachelors degree, seemed to take precedence over not having one. The next best thing was being 100% done with pre-reqs (minus LBSU 302/304) as are required to [ALL] degree or no degree to start in this program. Must also pass them with a min of a grade C to enter into nurse classes. If you do not pass them, your initial start date will be missed and a new program outline schedule will be made. This applies to nurse core classes also, once in the program. So try not fail any classes the 1st time around. You will get charged again on classes. And they are now more expensive due to Covid. (an additional $250 per unit & tech fee and lab fee on top of that) oh and uniforms and supplies ~~another $2000 to tuition total.
#5. Tuition will be different for everyone. Some people need courses, some do not. The prices reflect what (you) are needing vs what someone else does. So do not compare each other's estimates as they will confuse you. Also financial aid is super weird here. They are a brand new program and it seems like all you get if you qualify is pell grant and they do not do much as the school is "private" so it will cost more than a state university nursing program that also accepts all types of financial aid. They do allow to pay per semester and that part is nice as each is divided into (2) parts a Fall 1 and Fall 2 semester. Same with Spring and Summers. Helps people pay as they go, for those not wanting to take out loans. ?
#6. The clinical hours are set up in San Diego affiliated hospitals. Expect to do them there if you do not live locally in San Diego. The hours are all day, or back to back and most of the day. Due to Covid (in class labs and tests) are TBD "online" or "hybrid" or "proctored" or combination of all these forms. (pretty much just as every college is doing right now and has been)
#7. All accepted students will have individual "zoom" meetings with the nursing staff and financial aid and the Dean. You will meet the students in your identified cohort during that same zoom meeting. Most if not all of these numerous questions will be addressed then, also any pertinent Covid issues for future starting students, as none of you have started yet these things may change for you. Crossing fingers it does not, and they proceed for all of you as scheduled and in person. Otherwise it sounds like they will rearrange your courses to be able to do what can be done "online" first and push what cannot till later when covid ends or state allows in person class times to be less social distanced. Right now they are spacing classes to a lot the social distancing criteria and as everyone with kids knows, class room size is small. It's nearly impossible to fit all (25) of the students into 1 classroom at 1 time and be 6 ft away, nor not make physical contact as the course requires "hands on" teaching within students and teachers.
I hope this helps some people with answers. I hope all continues to run ontime and a bit more smoothly for everyone. They are trying their best to go quickly. And there is only 3 people that cover the ABSN program once students are accepted. They are who evaluate, re-evaluate and grade and review nurse students for admin purposes. So yes, they take a bit of time and patience to get everyone done. There are lots of applications they review. And like some of your posts, it is SMART to not be rude or picky or annoying to those who have the power to determine your fate. It is hard, it is unnerving and in Covid with nothing else to do but worry and stress all day long, try not to! Find anything other than to pester them everyday to find out results. They are more frazzled than you are, and working very hard.
Anyone accepted, you will enjoy your classes. You will enjoy the staff. Just be patient and kind and it will all be okay. ?
Thanks so much for the update! Good to know what I'm in for this fall since communication has been somewhat lacking - as you say - "they take a bit of time and patience to get everything done." Also for the clarification of the $250 "raise in tuition" due to tech fee. I hadn't seen that before. That's only on the class hours, not the clinicals, right? I asked financial aid but never got an answer.
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So I got my acceptance letter in May, had a zoom meeting with my counselors in the beginning of July where I was issued an education plan with projected graduation date.
included in the academic plan were general education courses that I had already taken (chem, micro, physio, anatomy). I was asked to submit a syllabus for theses to petition them. I was told that even if these are accepted it would not change my graduation date.
same for you?