Chamberlain College of Nursing - Addison

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Anyone know anything about this place?

Specializes in CNA in Oncology.

Has anyone ever been denied acceptance to Chamberlain? I just applied to the Chicago campus on friday. The campus is extremely high-tech. I love the fact that there will be great 1 on 1 attention with just 8-12 students in each class. Now im just waiting to take the Hesi exam. I have a 3.0 GPA. I pray I get in.

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About Chamberlain - sour cherry, here is my story. I start to work on my prereq. for nursing school, was a bit worry so I started looking around for other school as well and someone told me about Chamberlain. I was suspicious if this school is ok, it is new, not very established here around, no hospital staff knows about them..., regardless I came for aptmt. I left with information, I would fill up application, pay fee, do the test A2. I was told, that if I would pay today, I could do A2 right away, immediately, there is no issue. It is easy. They do not require prereq. you will do it through 3 years of B. degree. {just imagine, if it takes 1 -2 years to complete prereq. for regular school and then 4 years to finish bsn... what quality it could be... so what name this school may have later between possible employers...if students come out like hot potatoes not fully cooked} Anyway I got excited and I start working my way through. I had to do TOEFL. Worry, but well ok, let's do it for them. So I did. I do have some self confidence issue, especially when it comes to English essay writing. So I wanted wait till I will have result available. Meanwhile I was accepted into nursing program in the first school and because I got really excited about Chamberlain and I didn't want to hold place for someone who would like to go to my "original" school, I wanted to have process done - so I can call I cancel my first school. Since I knew I passed TOEFL, I start calling Chamberlain to schedule A2 test, left mesgs. two days later send email. {It took 5 days to answer that they don't have my TOEFL so they will not schedule me - in controversy their first info I could do that right away on my first appointment :)} I answered right away that I know I passed, i have scores and what they are. No answer for couple days. During this whole time I was trying to reach that particular person and it was just impossible. The other staff refused to schedule me and told me I have to wait for her. I explained them situation. "No you have to wait we don't know where in the process you are, what you have to bring with you and so on..." "Well I am willing to go through whole process all over again with other adviser then, in order to have it finished." They refuse it. So I asked that lady "So what the hell should I do, when I am stuck on one person who doesn't respond?" And that lady start yelling - SCREAMING that I am cursing at her and she will not continue in conversation with me. So I tried to defence myself, and I asked her, if the word hell offended her? That it is not cursing, it is regular word you can find in vocabulary. She continue yelling, so I just asked her, "You know what, do not transfer me to other adviser - as I asked originally - transfer me to the dean. She refused. So i called that general number and I asked girl there if she could transfer me to the dean. She refused - "I am not a switch board lady". Wow. So I just told her, if she doesn't let me talk to the dean, I will call the manager above, if she prefers that? She told me, laughing at me, that it is up to me. Ok. I tried, there is no number you can reach them. The numbers for their "manager central" are disconnected or it will transfer you to admission, which they don't have any number you can reach someone. So now if the things works this way now - in admission process.... how they possibly can work later??? When you pay them lot of money, and you are in the middle of education and you CAN'T transfer to different school? Right away after this drama "my" admission person called me oh, what is going on, I am sorry I was busy... {I do not care, the way how whole school is disfunctional, I am not going to waste money on such a school especially when I was accepted to different program. The jaw dropped. Probably very surprised. It looks like they have students who would not be accepted to other schools, so they come there, because they do not need to have any skills, GPA, prereqs... She was very surprised that someone who is accepted to nursing somewhere else was applying there. {how silly of me I didn't discover this earlier.} So again, what name this school will build in future and what would be the odds having job with diploma from this school??? And being one of thousands not probably very successful job applicants?

I just repeated I just reconsider my decision and I am going to my "original" school. And it is even better because one of my teachers offered me to work for him, so school would cover some of my tuition expense. It will just take regular 4 years. But better to have it done good way, then shortcut to the HELL. Yes, I used that word again and I don't think, that administrator will delete my post because I don't think there is so many crazy or heavily religiously impacted people around. So good luck on Chamberlain, later after and be careful do not offend the staff with using a word - hell or they not speak to you never ever again.

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About Chamberlain - sour cherry, here is my story. I start to work on my prereq. for nursing school, was a bit worry so I started looking around for other school as well and someone told me about Chamberlain. I was suspicious if this school is ok, it is new, not very established here around, no hospital staff knows about them..., regardless I came for aptmt. I left with information, I would fill up application, pay fee, do the test A2. I was told, that if I would pay today, I could do A2 right away, immediately, there is no issue. It is easy. They do not require prereq. you will do it through 3 years of B. degree. {just imagine, if it takes 1 -2 years to complete prereq. for regular school and then 4 years to finish bsn... what quality it could be... so what name this school may have later between possible employers...if students come out like hot potatoes not fully cooked} Anyway I got excited and I start working my way through. I had to do TOEFL. Worry, but well ok, let's do it for them. So I did. I do have some self confidence issue, especially when it comes to English essay writing. So I wanted wait till I will have result available. Meanwhile I was accepted into nursing program in the first school and because I got really excited about Chamberlain and I didn't want to hold place for someone who would like to go to my "original" school, I wanted to have process done - so I can call I cancel my first school. Since I knew I passed TOEFL, I start calling Chamberlain to schedule A2 test, left mesgs. two days later send email. {It took 5 days to answer that they don't have my TOEFL so they will not schedule me - in controversy their first info I could do that right away on my first appointment :)} I answered right away that I know I passed, i have scores and what they are. No answer for couple days. During this whole time I was trying to reach that particular person and it was just impossible. The other staff refused to schedule me and told me I have to wait for her. I explained them situation. "No you have to wait we don't know where in the process you are, what you have to bring with you and so on..." "Well I am willing to go through whole process all over again with other adviser then, in order to have it finished." They refuse it. So I asked that lady "So what the hell should I do, when I am stuck on one person who doesn't respond?" And that lady start yelling - SCREAMING that I am cursing at her and she will not continue in conversation with me. So I tried to defence myself, and I asked her, if the word hell offended her? That it is not cursing, it is regular word you can find in vocabulary. She continue yelling, so I just asked her, "You know what, do not transfer me to other adviser - as I asked originally - transfer me to the dean. She refused. So i called that general number and I asked girl there if she could transfer me to the dean. She refused - "I am not a switch board lady". Wow. So I just told her, if she doesn't let me talk to the dean, I will call the manager above, if she prefers that? She told me, laughing at me, that it is up to me. Ok. I tried, there is no number you can reach them. The numbers for their "manager central" are disconnected or it will transfer you to admission, which they don't have any number you can reach someone. So now if the things works this way now - in admission process.... how they possibly can work later??? When you pay them lot of money, and you are in the middle of education and you CAN'T transfer to different school? Right away after this drama "my" admission person called me oh, what is going on, I am sorry I was busy... {I do not care, the way how whole school is disfunctional, I am not going to waste money on such a school especially when I was accepted to different program. The jaw dropped. Probably very surprised. It looks like they have students who would not be accepted to other schools, so they come there, because they do not need to have any skills, GPA, prereqs... She was very surprised that someone who is accepted to nursing somewhere else was applying there. {how silly of me I didn't discover this earlier.} So again, what name this school will build in future and what would be the odds having job with diploma from this school??? And being one of thousands not probably very successful job applicants?

I just repeated I just reconsider my decision and I am going to my "original" school. And it is even better because one of my teachers offered me to work for him, so school would cover some of my tuition expense. It will just take regular 4 years. But better to have it done good way, then shortcut to the HELL. Yes, I used that word again and I don't think, that administrator will delete my post because I don't think there is so many crazy or heavily religiously impacted people around. So good luck on Chamberlain, later after and be careful do not offend the staff with using a word - hell or they not speak to you never ever again.

That was really confusing to read.

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I am sorry if it is confusing. I just hope it fill the purpose and it will help don't get in trouble when attending this school.

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No matter what nursing school u go to, ur credits will not transfer over to another school because every school is different. And i dont know where you will find a cheaper nursing school for ur BSN either. They are all around the same range, UIC which is the cheapest is at $19,800 a year.

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Exactly, you can't transfer, so once you in... you are pretty much locked. And the price - couple thousands doesn't matter me anymore. It is better to pay a bit more for quality education, than paying 75 G for Chamberlain - for school which quality is disputable, they even don't give you statistics if their graduates find a job... {yes, it is fun to pay loan 6 months after graduation, when no one will give you a job} And imagine paying those money, not possibility to transfer and complete ignorance and lack of communication if there will be a problem later... for example around graduation :) I discuss it with people who have BC and MA degrees from really good and expensive schools {still have jobs and are really well paid}, as well with nurses, hospital manager and docs, where I work and all told me, they wouldn't hire someone from school they do not know or school with bad reputation. They actually gave me an example of school in Chicagoland, which is expensive, accept anyone in program - but then no one wants their graduates, because their clinicals are lowsy, and employers just don't want to teach someone basics. I was told they would prefer to study longer but well, and pay more, but have good education and thus good chance for jobs. Well, it is all only your choice. Do what you want to do. If you can't get into another school, go for it, maybe you will have good luck and find job later. I believe if I couldn't get in another school, I would try school who takes anyone. And just pray, there will not be any issues later with this school. Because you will be on your own, it will be your bill you will have to pay. So do what you want to do, it is your life. I just want to share feedback and I am actually very happy, even I was disappointed by Chamberlain, but I am very, very happy it happened now, then later, for example around graduation... I am not so rich, neither young that I could waste 75 G or couple years on school I consider is good for nothing. Thanks to Chamberlain's unprofesionality, I discover, how impossible is to reach anyone and how badly you can get mistreated {and this all happening just in process of admission!!!, again - think what can happen later} I think I had good luck and I backed out in time. Thanks God. But again - you all, do what you want to do, with your life and your money. It's only your choice. There are people who makes their research, take it seriously, wants to know whole true and are careful, so they don't feel sorry later. I just want to let people know what is going on there. But it is everyone's choice.

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Exactly, you can't transfer, so once you in... you are pretty much locked. And the price - couple thousands doesn't matter me anymore. It is better to pay a bit more for quality education, than paying 75 G for Chamberlain - for school which quality is disputable, they even don't give you statistics if their graduates find a job... {yes, it is fun to pay loan 6 months after graduation, when no one will give you a job} And imagine paying those money, not possibility to transfer and complete ignorance and lack of communication if there will be a problem later... for example around graduation :) I discuss it with people who have BC and MA degrees from really good and expensive schools {still have jobs and are really well paid}, as well with nurses, hospital manager and docs, where I work and all told me, they wouldn't hire someone from school they do not know or school with bad reputation. They actually gave me an example of school in Chicagoland, which is expensive, accept anyone in program - but then no one wants their graduates, because their clinicals are lowsy, and employers just don't want to teach someone basics. I was told they would prefer to study longer but well, and pay more, but have good education and thus good chance for jobs. Well, it is all only your choice. Do what you want to do. If you can't get into another school, go for it, maybe you will have good luck and find job later. I believe if I couldn't get in another school, I would try school who takes anyone. And just pray, there will not be any issues later with this school. Because you will be on your own, it will be your bill you will have to pay. So do what you want to do, it is your life. I just want to share feedback and I am actually very happy, even I was disappointed by Chamberlain, but I am very, very happy it happened now, then later, for example around graduation... I am not so rich, neither young that I could waste 75 G or couple years on school I consider is good for nothing. Thanks to Chamberlain's unprofesionality, I discover, how impossible is to reach anyone and how badly you can get mistreated {and this all happening just in process of admission!!!, again - think what can happen later} I think I had good luck and I backed out in time. Thanks God. But again - you all, do what you want to do, with your life and your money. It's only your choice. There are people who makes their research, take it seriously, wants to know whole true and are careful, so they don't feel sorry later. I just want to let people know what is going on there. But it is everyone's choice.

i have never heard anything on chamberlains nursing school being sub-par compared to others. what evidence do you have in saying this? i think new grads coming out of most programs are in the same boat as far as finding jobs, just because chamberlain doesn't release statistics about their grads finding jobs doesn't mean the program isn't quality.

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I am a student at Chamberlain and we get updates a lot from the grads and our dean; we actually beat out 20 UIC grads at Dupage Hospital and got top honors for our clinical work at Norhtwestern Hospital. Either way there is a nursing freeze because of the economy so every new grad is having trouble finding a job. Idk where you heard of 75 grand for Chamberlain, if you transfer in your credits u can knock off 2 yrs! Even if you knock off 1 yr its only gna cost u around 45 grand

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Specializes in CNA in Oncology.

I know many graduates from Chamberlain and they have not had any problems finding a job because the school is not well known. All that matters anyway is if u passed the NCLEX which Chamberlain has a 97% pass rate. If they were pumping out failure nurses then they would not be accredited. Also they have a partnership with Northwestern Hospital which is one if the best hospital in Illinois. That says a lot.

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Yes, so if you have to study regularly - not "knocking off" {which I believe majority students will} then you have to pay around 75 G. {you mentioned 45 when you "knock off" 1 year... so how much does 1 year costs? {3 semesters right?} So 45 plus some 25... and I am on 70 G.... And every year there will be little update I guess, right? So when you applied and students who are applying now...I believe will pay little more. Plus all other costs, not just tuition, I will be happy ending with 75 G. I can actually pretty well defend this number using Chamberlain's own guides. Besides {if I 'knock off' prereqs like ENG 102, Speech, Math, Micro, Psychology - which I would have to pay school where I would take those anyway..., I would pay less on every school...} Which brings me to other question - do you do that critical thinking tests? Now I am I would say - absolutely positive - You don't. Because that school just takes anyone with no skills requirement, right?

And at hospital where I work, no one knows Chamberlain. I don't know what you beat other nursing students at, but in board certifications, - other students beat you - they are more successful and it includes even community colleges. I mean, Chamberlain doesn't have bad numbers, they are not just so great :)

Between what schools were you choosing when you applied? I am just wondering> Did you got accepted elsewhere? Or Chamberlain was your only chance?

I wrote, how it worked with me, and actually not just me - I find other people who wrote comments about people at Chamberlain...including teachers, and it wasn't very happy comments. There is not such a great success on the end, but bill of 75 G for no transfer/knock off. {Actually who would wanna transfer? Some student who is not successful at original college?}

What I want to say is, things did not function even in fundamental thing, so be careful around this "nursing degree" factory.

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Dexterosa....

I don't even know where to begin with you. I get it, you had a bad experience in trying to get information during the application process. That's really a shame too. What I don't get is where you get off attempting to literally BASH a program you know nothing about (outside the experience you had during that same application process). You are not a current student, or even a former one, so quite honestly you have no first hand knowledge of what it's truly like to be a student there.

Credibility starts with the facts. You say that other students and other schools have "beat" Chamberlain NCLEX results. Truth of the matter is that according to the most current data supplied by the State of Illinois, Chamberlain's 2010 NCLEX pass rates are in the TOP 5 among over 30 accredited BSN programs in the state (and if you look further down the list to the ADN programs, they also quite literally beat the pants off all of those schools except for 2). If you want to see for yourself, here's the website: http://http://nursing.illinois.gov/PDF/IlApNursingEdProgPassRates01292010.PDF

It's true that Chamberlain is very new to the area and not easily recognized right now to lots of people. I'm not surprised that your coworkers haven't exactly heard of or remembered the name. However, they are indeed making a great name for themselves in the various professional circles out there in hospitals and other clinical sites they've been associated with. Other students have already talked about the accolades the school has received in the short 3 years the school has been in existence, so I have no need to bring that up again either.

Finally, the school is not for everyone. I agree that the cost is not for everybody, but quite honestly the cost is relatively in the same ballpark as many other BSN programs in the Chicagoland area. Chamberlain does have standards and do actually deny applicants every semester. I know of a few myself. They offer a really challenging but satisfying program, and by no means are those qualities of the "nursing degree mills" you refer to. I'd be more concerned with the LPN and ADN programs in our immediate area who charge astronomical tuition for a LPN degree/certification. As with any college/university, there are teachers I've clicked with and others I haven't but I've never felt cheated or disappointed in the quality of their teachings. The school also offers awesome opportunities for extra support (academically, professionally, and personally) if you need it at no additional cost to the student. In all honesty, I highly recommend Chamberlain to friends and acquaintances despite the price tag.

It's too bad that things didn't work out between you and Chamberlain. I don't blame you for getting upset. Had there been a better relationship from the beginning, I do think you'd be pleased with the school. But to keep going on about speculations and opinions you've formed about the program itself solely based on your experience in the application process without having experienced the school first-hand is irresponsible and unfair to those looking to this thread for information on what the environmental and educational experience is like. Or basing it on - that your hospital coworkers have never heard of Chamberlain, your assumption that its NCLEX pass rates are sub-par compared to others, or whatever merit-less attacks you have put down because it sounds good. Honestly, it just comes off as sour grapes on your part. For what it's worth, the front desk people are actually really nice!

Peace and Harmony!:)

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Hi, thank you for your kind words. I really did not have good experience and thus good feeling about school, but just to let you know where I got my "conclusions":

so my first hand experience was on the open day where the admission person was answering questions. One of them: what if I will not pass exam or my GPA is low, it is under 2.75. Well That admission lady answered, they will do it somehow, do not worry, what will decide is your interest :) Already there I should be careful. This is big NO NO.

Other student I know actually say openly - you just pay and you will get in.

Trust me I really believe that this program should be bashed... since it is just a factory for nurses. You can't get anywhere else? Come here... You have less then 2.75.. you get in [there is always some chance to work it out, right?}, you don't have any prereq. - no problem, and you failed in exam... do not worry, we make you nurse and we make you nurse quick... well after all, this is not a business school, this is medicine, and those "students" will be taking care of patients - life people. It is not a game. This is serious matter, so there should be some limitations for people who are capable and who are not to do that. Would you go to the doctor who just did his med. school in two years instead of four, and his Mcat completely sucked, he didn't have to have any chemistry classes or anything else - they would teach him that in that 2 years... sounds ridiculous, right?... I doubt that you would choose him as your doc. So why it should be ok, for nurses?

Other than this first hand was not possible, because school did not communicate and refused to let me speak with person above pretty rudely. So after my first hand experience I am left only with "second" hand experience of people who wrote on internet, students who were complaining, they even named teachers and said that those should not teach - literally. {Addison campus, IL, the very same campus were they treated me so profesionaly, - so it is admissions with teaching personal together - that would make a great place to study}

Or other post where lady from hospital says, that Chamberlain has actually very bad reputation because their students "sucks" in clinicals, since they don't really have hands on training - since Chamberlain is in more states, hard to determine where from. Oh, and this post is actually here on the allnurses.com

To the latest data - just 2 months ago there were only first and last graduates so far. And yes, Chambelain said they had 97%, which is not bad. School were I went for informative sessions brag about they have 98 and more. I didn't check how it changed now in two months, I should I guess, they maybe spit out some more new graduates meanwhile.

And the costs - I never said that this school is overly expensive, did I? I believe that is only assumption of you and other girls attacking the price. What I wrote: I am not so rich to waste 75 G. {Which is around the price any other school would cost}. Anyway I am really not so rich to waste 75 G on school, where not only me did have bad experience and I have serious doubts about.

And it is funny how every girl going there says the same lines: It is great school. I got job exactly where I wanted...sounds like they teach you to say that :) {who knows the reality of nursing jobs, seriously doubt that.}

Honestly I don't really care, cuz I will go to different school anyway, I just really think that anyone deciding should know all true and really think of what choice will make and have all information. Not only one side. And except of data, use common sence too.

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