Chamberlain college of nursing...arlington campus...

U.S.A. Virginia

Published

I am looking into going to chamberlain at the arlington campus this fall...anyone else looking here or know much about the school? I just started looking into it and might go take a look around the school next week. I have heard mixed reviews about the school in general. Some love it some say the pass rates are low and it's a waste of money. Just trying to get a feel for what the school is really like. It's really the only nursing program close enough to me that is not a 4yr program. I LOVE the fact that they have a 3yr bachelors program which is what i had been looking for. Any advice/comments are appreciated!! Oh also any comments on the entrance exam?

Best of luck to you I wish I didn't fall for all the false impressions this school made. First of all do all your research and realize that you will be spending a great deal of money here and that is all they care about... The money. They will lure you in with those entrly level classes and make you think you will pass..after that you are thrown into the lion's den and left on your own with out help, assistance for students, or support.

There was only one faculty member there that used to go above and beyond for students however, she no longer does. The rest of the faculty at Chamberlain are less than mediocre. I think they hire ANYONE with a BSN/MSN just because they are desparate for instructors and having more students apply. They do not keep you informed of changes especially if it means you graduating on time, and paying more money. This all goes back to the principle of expansion...meaning lower standards. No matter how horrible an instuctor is, Chamberlain keeps them. Even their instructor turnover rate is horrible. For all the money I have paid, I feel like I have recieved a low quality education. So be prepared to teach yourself nursing because the instuctors will not do what they are paid to do...instruct. Attend Chamberlain if you wish these are just my opinions. Good luck to you.

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GLS300,How long did you attend Chamberlain? I'm finishing my second semester and I'm in my second session of all NR classes with clinical. I love the school, my professors are amazing. They offer us a lot of support and I feel like they want to see us succeed. I'm just curious how you had such an opposite experience?

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I'm really surprised to hear you've been having such a negative experience. I started at Chamberlain Arlington in October, and I really like my school. What happened exactly? When you say the professors are less than mediocre, I find it hard to imagine we're thinking of the same professors. Our nursing instructors are wonderful, and many of them have 25 to 30 years of experience as nurses in many different specialities. And regarding support for students, we have an overwhelming amount of resources available to us. Every session we have had a group come in to discuss tutoring available to us. Last session we were introduced to 3 MSNs specifically available to us for tutoring. They constantly let us know to go to them when we need help with anything at all. Not to mention there is the online program smartthinking available for online tutoring, which I have used more than once and its very helpful. Also, if you score less than a 76% on an exam, you are required to meet with the professor to discuss your grade and how you can improve. I feel like our professors want us to succeed and provide us with many tools in order to do so. I'm sorry to hear you had a negative experience, but I'm just really surprised.

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Hey all-

I am a nursing student hopeful, currently waiting if I got in the traditional RN program fall 2012 at NVCC. I am thinking of choosing chamberlain as my back up in case i don't get in. Or take more classes to increase my GPA and apply again for hybrid online spring 2013 or Fall 2013 again.

When does fall 2012 start? and is there another start in the same year? Are you all having a great experience? What do i need to get in and get accepted?

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I am a second year student at Chamberlain Arlington. I have a mixed experience with a leaning toward the mediocre. Without trying to be angry about the fact that I pay out the nose for "world class nursing education" and don't feel that I am receiving one, is difficult. So please forgive the emotion behind what I have written. Objectivity may not be best at this point since I am dealing with yet another tear in the mirage. Without knowing me, you would think all i want to do is complain, but I really hope things change there for the better, as I do have a little less than a year left.

I sat through orientation and listened to Dr. Hughes, the President of Chamberlain Arlington, Va. talk about Chamberlain providing a "world class nursing education". Thus far, I am not impressed. It makes it hard to come to school and be positive, although I do try and I put my all effort into my education as reflected by my grades.

As many of these things may seem like minutiae, they add up, much like the nickle and diming of fees at Chamberlain. At $8000.00 + a semester, I find it to be unacceptable service/education that I am paying for. Every semester brings a new bout of frustrations ranging from poor communication with instructors and administration, as in waiting days for time sensitive replies, to some instructors being unfamiliar with teaching materials, or just plain incompetent. Why did I have to pay for a Chemistry class with a lab, when there was NO LAB?? And as a kudos to the students in the class, we the students taught ourselves the material, we certainly did not learn from the instructor as shown in the class evaluations. That is one positive about Chamberlain: the majority of students are highly motivated and passionate.

When I finally got to my nursing sequences, again incompetence was encountered with my Fundamentals lab instructor not being able to get through the required material and our class fell behind. Then our class was interrupted by a videographer wanting to film a commercial for Chamberlain. My first encounter in this situation was with the Dean of Admissions. When I was asked to leave the classroom, because of not wanting to participate in the video I calmly expressed frustration to him. His unprofessional reaction of, "Don't talk to me about it, Corporate told us we had to do it." and "If ..(I)..have a problem to put it in writing." was absolutely disrespectful and certainly not befitting of any Dean's salary I am paying for out of my tuition. This led me to one administrator, who heard me out about our class being behind and the frustration of my learning environment being interrupted to benefit the profit of Chamberlain/Devry. The situation was rectified thanks to her and to the instructor that came as a replacement.

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Supplies in Fundamentals lab had been sporifice, again, wondering where my money goes.. Sharps boxes full and not emptied so they don't work, not enough gloves or alcohol wipes, machines and beds that don't work...

I heard the reasons for the delay of my Fundamentals clinical experience, which should have been taken care of a month before hand as students were prepared with their paperwork, yet the facility and Chamberlain were not. We missed 2 of 7 clinical days because of the red tape problems. 3 weeks later, we were thankfully reassigned, but on that first day, we were there for 3.5 hours because our clinical instructor had to leave. These are not my problems. This is not what $8,000 pays for. This is not reflective of a "World Class Nursing Education." In fact it supports the unfortunate stereotype of profit driven higher education; charge as much as the government financial aide will allow, but not follow through on services.

Every semester I prepare by acquiring the books and supplies required in my syllabi, ending up paying for items that aren't used and difficult to return with a full refund thereby losing out on precious dollars. I would expect that teachers are prepared enough to let students know what is really used in class, BEFORE class starts, not just the carte blanche roll out of an "E-Learning Syllabus". Much money has been squandered on an "I clicker "($45), not to mention several books that were not returnable to the book store, or the electronic bookstore (approx. $350.00 including some still shrink wrapped).

These examples are just a small vignetting of what goes on. There is a pattern of disorganization, communication breakdowns and maybe even a poor vetting standard for some faculty.. I don't know for sure, but I do know, this is unacceptable for the high dollar education we as students are paying for. Many students share their feelings, which amount to similar frustrations. Some may voice it, others just vent to other students. I know I am not alone in these feelings about Chamberlain, but here you have one students experience.

I had the expectation of really wanting to be a person that promotes this school and be excited about my nursing education. My grades are excellent and I am a passionate, creative, smart person that really wants a World Class Nursing Education. I could not with any amount of integrity say I would recommend Chamberlain at this time to prospective students.

The curriculum is challenging and having to deal with these "problems" add to the stress of a rigorous program. There are a few great standouts at the school and hopefully there will be more as the school develops, but right now, in my opinion, the amount of money paid does not equate for the excellent standard that was promised.

I will keep you updated as things progress. I really do hope for a turn around.

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I'm going to Arlington campus VA,they raised the tution from $7000 to more than $9000 per semester. The faculty is unavailable for any question or help. Teacher's won't return your e-mails. The expectations are not clear, yet if you don't complete things exactly how they want them, you aren't allowed do go to lab and learn your skills. There is only ONE open lab, on friday afternoons, yet if you don't go to it, you probably will have trouble passing. The clinical dates are not told to you, till a week before they start, which makes having even a part time job difficult. It is a lot of money, for not much education. I would recommend a community college over this one, i'm middle of the program and very regret for step into this school, my friend had some family issue and decided to Withdraw from one course but they dont accept withdraw unless you withdraw from all other courses and repeat them again which cost alot and will ruine your financial aid, Thats all about money!

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Hi Nurse.Wannabe. Just wondering how is Chamberlain going? Its been a little while and I'm planning on atending just wanted to hear a little more reviews. Thanks

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Hi, is this a hard program to get into? Thanks.

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Hello fellow ex-WCC student,

I was in the same exact boat, I withdrew from the OB course but me was due to a more personal issue with "the" dreaded OB instructor:***:.. I now attend the Addions, IL campus. I can not say enough about how much I love it!!! WCC was a total waste,not only financially, time wise, but emotionally as well (you know exactly what I mean).. Yes, Chamberlain may be expensive, but it is soooo worth it. As far as getting credits on previous nursing classes, I only got credit for NUR105. It sounds a bit disheartening, but BELIEVE me, when you are sitting in class, you will be telling yourself "omg, I didn't learn sh*** at WCC! Two years of my life a waste!"... I'll stop ranting about WCC, some will say I'm just another disgruntle student, and they are probably right, but I take this into consideration at WCC I was barely surviving w/ a C average.. In Chamberlain, I have made the Dean's list for 2 semesters! and I average a B+ grade now. So no it was not that I was dumb, it was that WCC made you feel that way!

Good luck to you and wish you best of luck!

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I see your very helpful so if you don't mind answering this question... How's the financial aid?

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It's been awhile since the last post. Anyone have any updates? Has anyone graduated? Are you still doing well?

Are there maybe any new prospects (like me) scouring for alternate options than the CC for a nursing degree?

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It's been awhile since the last post. Anyone have any updates? Has anyone graduated? Are you still doing well?

Are there maybe any new prospects (like me) scouring for alternate options than the CC for a nursing degree?

Hey! I graduated from the Arlington campus in Sept of last year. Prepped for the nclex for about 1 month and passed in Dec '13 on the first try. I applied for a job in Jan '14 and got hired in a 2 week time span. I feel CCN really prepared us...even though we all had admin struggles. I don't regret my decision to go there...even though it was very expensive.

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