Chamberlain College- Phoenix

Chica17 · Jun 22, 2009

hey, also i start in the july bsn program & was wondering if ny1 lives in the happy valley area maybe wanna car-pool like every other week or sumthing?? lol i'm only going 2 days a week until sept. but wanna save $ on gas as much as possible!! :rckn:

tonyac · Jun 22, 2009

Hey Amanda, my scores are in the same area as you, I think my gpa is like 2.9. But they put me on hold (they may/may not do the same to you) so they can wait for more applicants to come in. My application was one of the only ones they saw at their last meeting. From what I understand, if there's like 20 other people with grades much better than mine, they will most likely get in, and I'll either get put on hold again or rejected? I thought I would find out last Friday, but now I am on hold until the next acceptance meeting (July 17) , and may or may not find out then!! When are you applying, and is it for the October session?

nnicolee · Jun 22, 2009

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on how the program is so far? I mean negatives, positives, everything:) I'm really looking at Chamberlain and GCU now and trying to narrow down basically which one better suits me. Basically they're both the same length so I'm not worried about times wise and money wise they're basically the same cost (I'll be using fin aid either way). I'm really interested in hearing what current students have to say (b/c from what I learned on this board they're accredited now...) So please , anyone, tell me your experience!

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2009

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on how the program is so far? I mean negatives, positives, everything:) I'm really looking at Chamberlain and GCU now and trying to narrow down basically which one better suits me. Basically they're both the same length so I'm not worried about times wise and money wise they're basically the same cost (I'll be using fin aid either way). I'm really interested in hearing what current students have to say (b/c from what I learned on this board they're accredited now...) So please , anyone, tell me your experience!

Chamberlain is definitely cheaper than GCU! I checked out GCU, ASU, NAU, UoP, UoA, and Chamberlain. Chamberlain is accredited by the same accreditation as GCU and the others. They are accredited by both NLNAC and CCNE. They are under provisional approval, meaning that they are approved., provisionally, until the first class graduates and passes the NCLEX successfully, then they will be fully approved. All new schools have that same process to go through. I haven't, myself started classes until July, but so far, I have met with the instructors, the dean, clinical coordinator and I really like the people there. They are so knowledgeable and helpful. I also like the fact that they only accept 50 students at one time, so there's more one-on-one time to learn.

GCU was also like that, but personally, I chose Chamberlain over GCU due to a few reasons:

*They require pre-requisites that were really expensive (that one nursing course that was close to $1,000) and you needed all the pre-reqs before getting accepted into the nursing programs (so you could do all that work and not get accepted later). (Chamberlain, once you are accepted, you are accepted... even if you had some pre-reqs to knock out.)

*They were really expensive... Way more than Chamberlain, per semester. (I would have had to take out a private loan on top of the max pell grant and max subsidized and unsubsidized loans.)

*Chamberlain College is ONLY nursing focused. So, EVERYTHING is focused around nursing! GCU has multiple focuses, so a class that may be needed by many majors will be more general than this microbiology/chemistry class I am about to take in Chamberlain. I have the book and it is focused around nursing.

*My personal last reason is because Chamberlain is closer to me, so that saves me gas and time (time I can use studying instead of driving).

I'll posts my comments as I work through Chamberlain! I also have a friend that started last semester and she absolutely LOVES it. She especially likes the 8 week long classes. I like the 8 week long classes because by the time you start getting bored with a class, it's over and done with!!! (You know how it is when you are taking a 16 week class and when the midterm hits, you are realizing that you are just wishing the class was over already....)

That's my personal take. I hope it helps!

nnicolee · Jun 23, 2009

Chamberlain is definitely cheaper than GCU! I checked out GCU, ASU, NAU, UoP, UoA, and Chamberlain. Chamberlain is accredited by the same accreditation as GCU and the others. They are accredited by both NLNAC and CCNE. They are under provisional approval, meaning that they are approved., provisionally, until the first class graduates and passes the NCLEX successfully, then they will be fully approved. All new schools have that same process to go through. I haven't, myself started classes until July, but so far, I have met with the instructors, the dean, clinical coordinator and I really like the people there. They are so knowledgeable and helpful. I also like the fact that they only accept 50 students at one time, so there's more one-on-one time to learn.
GCU was also like that, but personally, I chose Chamberlain over GCU due to a few reasons:
*They require pre-requisites that were really expensive (that one nursing course that was close to $1,000) and you needed all the pre-reqs before getting accepted into the nursing programs (so you could do all that work and not get accepted later). (Chamberlain, once you are accepted, you are accepted... even if you had some pre-reqs to knock out.)
*They were really expensive... Way more than Chamberlain, per semester. (I would have had to take out a private loan on top of the max pell grant and max subsidized and unsubsidized loans.)
*Chamberlain College is ONLY nursing focused. So, EVERYTHING is focused around nursing! GCU has multiple focuses, so a class that may be needed by many majors will be more general than this microbiology/chemistry class I am about to take in Chamberlain. I have the book and it is focused around nursing.
*My personal last reason is because Chamberlain is closer to me, so that saves me gas and time (time I can use studying instead of driving).
I'll posts my comments as I work through Chamberlain! I also have a friend that started last semester and she absolutely LOVES it. She especially likes the 8 week long classes. I like the 8 week long classes because by the time you start getting bored with a class, it's over and done with!!! (You know how it is when you are taking a 16 week class and when the midterm hits, you are realizing that you are just wishing the class was over already....)
That's my personal take. I hope it helps!

Thank you for your honest reply, and I was wondering if you could answer a few more questions for me. How is the financial aid? Do they offer out a lot of aid from your experience? Or is it all LOAN based (I really hate taking out loans since I'm only 17 so I'll need a cosigner and I don't want to have anyone worrying about my loans- since they're solely mine). Another thing I was wondering is, is Chamberlain affiliated with any hospitals? One thing I'm REALLY worried about is going to school , graduating passing nclex and NOT having a job. That'd be bogus and ludicrous to me... so are they affiliated with St. Joes or Banner? Also, how much were you quoted on the program costing? The woman I spoke to explained 73k is a good estimate (but I figure I'll knock out some pre-reqs and go there)... so maybe it will be 70k when I apply. Alsoooo (sorry for all the questions) where are clinicals held? I know they're based out of Phoenix and all , but are they at hospitals? What's the deal? Is it REALLY a three yr program... or is it bs?

AZamanda · Jun 23, 2009

Hey tonyac! I am applying for october, is that what your applying for? I really hope i dont get put on hold i really want to know as soon as possible if i get in or not. The advisor i'm talking to said i should find out by the end of the month

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2009

Thank you for your honest reply, and I was wondering if you could answer a few more questions for me. How is the financial aid? Do they offer out a lot of aid from your experience? Or is it all LOAN based (I really hate taking out loans since I'm only 17 so I'll need a cosigner and I don't want to have anyone worrying about my loans- since they're solely mine). Another thing I was wondering is, is Chamberlain affiliated with any hospitals? One thing I'm REALLY worried about is going to school , graduating passing nclex and NOT having a job. That'd be bogus and ludicrous to me... so are they affiliated with St. Joes or Banner? Also, how much were you quoted on the program costing? The woman I spoke to explained 73k is a good estimate (but I figure I'll knock out some pre-reqs and go there)... so maybe it will be 70k when I apply. Alsoooo (sorry for all the questions) where are clinicals held? I know they're based out of Phoenix and all , but are they at hospitals? What's the deal? Is it REALLY a three yr program... or is it bs?

Hello, TO answer your questions in order:

The financial aid depends on your qualifying status. If you don't make super high money... well, actually, you are a dependent, so it all depends on your parents income. If they don't make super high money, then you should get the max pell grant (which is free government money). The max you can get per semester is a little over $2,000 (I don't remember the exact amount). Even with a pell grant, you will have to take out a student loan (which is not credit-based at all, so you shouldn't have to have co-signers... every student gets a certain amount of subsidized and unsubsidized... one, which is interest-charged, the other isn't... and you must take some from each). Basically, with those two things, you shouldn't have to pay more than the $100 tuition deposit out of pocket (not including the $15 parking pass per semester). They also average about $700 per semester for books... which I came out this semester with only $200 (I purchase my own books on Amazon.com or some other site if they are cheaper...). The way this works... If you take more than 12 credit hours, then the tuition amount stays the same... So, if you can take 17 credit hours (like I am this semester), then you are basically taking a couple of classes for free (which in the long run, you don't have to worry about paying for). So, take as many as you can handle!

Every nursing college MUST have some form of contract with a hospital in which clinicals take place at. So, in relativity, yes they are affiliated with hospitals. Being a brand new nurse in clinicals, as long as you make sure you are attentive and do the best you can and get on the hospital's good side and prove that you are a good worker, you never know... I've had that happen to me when I was doing my clinicals while training as a CNA... I got offered a job while training. I didn't take the job, because I didn't want to work at that place. I am now working with hospice care. Back to the question, they have some assistance, but it's really up to you to find a job. As a nurse, you'll have absolutely NO problem as the US is in high demand of nurses! Right now, they are affiliated with Banner Health. They are in the process of St. Joe's and other hospitals.

The total tuition all depends on how many classes you transfer in, how many classes you take at once (see my above explanation on taking more than 12 credit hours) and how much books cost each semester (again, I got my books for only $200 this semester compared to the $700 that they estimate).

I just spoke with the clinical coordinator the other day (since I have babies and wanted to know more about clinicals, myself). This is what they said: During the second part of the third block of the first year (third semester of first year), you will start clinicals. For 6 weeks, you will be going to a group home near your home, only one day a week from about 5:30am - 12:30pm or so. After that, you will be going to a hospital near your home for I believe it was 15 weeks, twice a week from about 7:00am - 2:00pm or so. You will be going to a total of nine different departments and when you hit obstetrics and pediatrics, you will be going for 12-hour shifts (instead of eight hours), twice a week (around the second block/semester of the second year is when that happens).

Last question: Yes, it really is a three year program (from the very beginning). I, myself, have two AA degrees, so I've knocked out a lot of the first year's pre-reqs. I am starting in the third block of year one. The difference with Chamberlain vs. ASU or others is that it's an accelerated program. Each class is only 8 weeks long (except those that are 15 weeks, like Microbiology/Chemistry), so that they are knocked out faster. The other colleges have the typical 16 week courses, so their program is a bit longer. Chamberlain has two sessions during one semester. So, for example, I am taking four classes in the first session (two of them are a semester long class) and then the second session, I am finished with two of those classes and picking up two more classes. So, I am knocking out six classes in one semester (I am taking 17 credit hours total). ...But I'm not taking all six classes at the same time... making things a bit easier than trying to focus on a whole bunch of classes at once.

I hope I explained that in a way for you to understand.

If you have any further questions, please let me know. I'll try to answer them the best I can.

nnicolee · Jun 23, 2009

Hello, TO answer your questions in order:
The financial aid depends on your qualifying status. If you don't make super high money... well, actually, you are a dependent, so it all depends on your parents income. If they don't make super high money, then you should get the max pell grant (which is free government money). The max you can get per semester is a little over $2,000 (I don't remember the exact amount). Even with a pell grant, you will have to take out a student loan (which is not credit-based at all, so you shouldn't have to have co-signers... every student gets a certain amount of subsidized and unsubsidized... one, which is interest-charged, the other isn't... and you must take some from each). Basically, with those two things, you shouldn't have to pay more than the $100 tuition deposit out of pocket (not including the $15 parking pass per semester). They also average about $700 per semester for books... which I came out this semester with only $200 (I purchase my own books on Amazon.com or some other site if they are cheaper...). The way this works... If you take more than 12 credit hours, then the tuition amount stays the same... So, if you can take 17 credit hours (like I am this semester), then you are basically taking a couple of classes for free (which in the long run, you don't have to worry about paying for). So, take as many as you can handle!
Every nursing college MUST have some form of contract with a hospital in which clinicals take place at. So, in relativity, yes they are affiliated with hospitals. Being a brand new nurse in clinicals, as long as you make sure you are attentive and do the best you can and get on the hospital's good side and prove that you are a good worker, you never know... I've had that happen to me when I was doing my clinicals while training as a CNA... I got offered a job while training. I didn't take the job, because I didn't want to work at that place. I am now working with hospice care. Back to the question, they have some assistance, but it's really up to you to find a job. As a nurse, you'll have absolutely NO problem as the US is in high demand of nurses! Right now, they are affiliated with Banner Health. They are in the process of St. Joe's and other hospitals.
The total tuition all depends on how many classes you transfer in, how many classes you take at once (see my above explanation on taking more than 12 credit hours) and how much books cost each semester (again, I got my books for only $200 this semester compared to the $700 that they estimate).
I just spoke with the clinical coordinator the other day (since I have babies and wanted to know more about clinicals, myself). This is what they said: During the second part of the third block of the first year (third semester of first year), you will start clinicals. For 6 weeks, you will be going to a group home near your home, only one day a week from about 5:30am - 12:30pm or so. After that, you will be going to a hospital near your home for I believe it was 15 weeks, twice a week from about 7:00am - 2:00pm or so. You will be going to a total of nine different departments and when you hit obstetrics and pediatrics, you will be going for 12-hour shifts (instead of eight hours), twice a week (around the second block/semester of the second year is when that happens).
Last question: Yes, it really is a three year program (from the very beginning). I, myself, have two AA degrees, so I've knocked out a lot of the first year's pre-reqs. I am starting in the third block of year one. The difference with Chamberlain vs. ASU or others is that it's an accelerated program. Each class is only 8 weeks long (except those that are 15 weeks, like Microbiology/Chemistry), so that they are knocked out faster. The other colleges have the typical 16 week courses, so their program is a bit longer. Chamberlain has two sessions during one semester. So, for example, I am taking four classes in the first session (two of them are a semester long class) and then the second session, I am finished with two of those classes and picking up two more classes. So, I am knocking out six classes in one semester (I am taking 17 credit hours total). ...But I'm not taking all six classes at the same time... making things a bit easier than trying to focus on a whole bunch of classes at once.
I hope I explained that in a way for you to understand.
If you have any further questions, please let me know. I'll try to answer them the best I can.

Wow, thank you SOOO much for answering all my questions! I really appreciated it and I plan on speaking to them soon! The basic fact that they have an alliance with Banner completely sealed the deal for me since I WANT to work for a Banner Hospital eventually! ( The gilbert one to be exact!) Maybe we'll be classmates?! jk

you'll get a kick start before I do. So did you have to get tested - HESI, NET anything? I basically just graduated from high school - actually a year early... so I never had a chance to take my ACTs or SATs but when I spoke to the lady she told me ACT and SAT scores dont matter. Do you think I have a good chance getting in with my high school GPA or 3.53?

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2009

Wow, thank you SOOO much for answering all my questions! I really appreciated it and I plan on speaking to them soon! The basic fact that they have an alliance with Banner completely sealed the deal for me since I WANT to work for a Banner Hospital eventually! ( The gilbert one to be exact!) Maybe we'll be classmates?! jk you'll get a kick start before I do. So did you have to get tested - HESI, NET anything? I basically just graduated from high school - actually a year early... so I never had a chance to take my ACTs or SATs but when I spoke to the lady she told me ACT and SAT scores dont matter. Do you think I have a good chance getting in with my high school GPA or 3.53?

Yes, I had to take the HESI test. They give you a great website that has a downloadable practice guide. I got high 90's on the HESI test. WIth your high GPA of 3.53, you'll DEFINITELY get in! Since you don't have any college credits, you will most likely start in the first block of year one. The other great thing about this is that it's a Bachelors program. That's the fourth reason why I chose Chamberlain... It's a BSN program. I didn't want to get into the nursing program through the community colleges, because I already have two AA degrees and I plan on furthering my education to become a Family Nurse Practioner... I didn't want to waste time getting a third Associates degree when I can get it all done at once at Chamberlain with a Bachelors degree. This way, once I graduate, pass my NCLEX and work for a bit, then I can move on to get my Masters.

You will do great with those high grades! Good Job and Good Luck!!! We'll keep in touch!!! Any further questions, I'm here all the time!!! (I say that now... Who knows how much time I may have once classes start! :wink2: )

nnicolee · Jun 23, 2009

Yes, I had to take the HESI test. They give you a great website that has a downloadable practice guide. I got high 90's on the HESI test. WIth your high GPA of 3.53, you'll DEFINITELY get in! Since you don't have any college credits, you will most likely start in the first block of year one. The other great thing about this is that it's a Bachelors program. That's the fourth reason why I chose Chamberlain... It's a BSN program. I didn't want to get into the nursing program through the community colleges, because I already have two AA degrees and I plan on furthering my education to become a Family Nurse Practioner... I didn't want to waste time getting a third Associates degree when I can get it all done at once at Chamberlain with a Bachelors degree. This way, once I graduate, pass my NCLEX and work for a bit, then I can move on to get my Masters.
You will do great with those high grades! Good Job and Good Luck!!! We'll keep in touch!!! Any further questions, I'm here all the time!!! (I say that now... Who knows how much time I may have once classes start! :wink2: )

Okay, so the website they gave me I guess isn't online anymore... how would you recommend I study for the HESI now?!?! :/

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2009

Okay, so the website they gave me I guess isn't online anymore... how would you recommend I study for the HESI now?!?! :/

Gee... I wonder how I can get it to you. I actually have the whole manual printed out. It's like 30 some pages or something. Have you tried to do a google search on HESI study questions? Maybe something will come up. It's really not that difficult at all. You can also search NET study questions, because they are basically the same.

I have a digital copy of the HESI on my other hard drive, but I haven't hooked it up to take stuff off of it....

tonyac · Jun 24, 2009

Yes, I am applying to October as well! Pleeease let me know what feedback they give you! You should know at the end of this month? I was told the next meeting is July 17th, then they start holding meetings every other week.. I hate waiting!! A friend of mine is already accepted to the October class. And it looks like you and I have almost identical scores.. so if you get positive feedback, then I will feel better! Let me know and good luck!