Chamberlain or Maricopa CC

Mr.RNaz · Jun 21, 2017

I got my AAS in Nursing from the community colleges and then went on to get my BSN from NAU. To be honest the only thing I like is that fact that I didn't have to spend so much money because I went though the community college and a state University. Chamberlain is a for-profit school so they will have a different approach on recruitement. They have to meet a quota to keep the doors open and turn a profit for their investors. They will be nice and give you all the attention and smiling faces when you walk in the door becasue they want your money. The community colleges aren't goning to sugar coat anything for you. The program there for me, was challenging but in the end, I felt like I got a great educaiton that prepaired me for my career today. I have talked to other nurses who I work with that went to Chamberlain, and they all say the same thing, I wish I could have spent less money on getting my degree. Some of them can't afford to buy a house or a condo by themselves because they are in so much school debt. So, my advice, go take your pre reqs at the community college, and try to get in to the program there. In the end it will cost you less money, and you can do an extra set of classes while you're at the community college and you will graduate with an AAS in Nursing and a BSN from one of the state univesities. The cost in the end will be much lower leaving you with the ability to use more of your nursing salary for other stuff like hosing, car, travel or what ever else. I know they have a wait list at the community colleges but at your age, it's not that big of a deal. Just make sure that you work your tail off to get a good GPA in all of your pre reqs. Don't let the advisors at any of the schools discourage you either. Best of luck regardless of what rout you take.

Lavender111 · Jun 21, 2017

Thanks for taking the time to write a detailed reply! I think the community college option is sounding better and better. And I guess it is easier for private schools to paint a pretty picture when they're on the run for your money. Thanks again

futureepinurse · Jun 21, 2017

The previous poster mentioned a waitlist. It is not exactly a waitlist. I believe you enter into the maricopa nursing pool once you have finished all of your prerequisite courses and from there you apply to the CEP program of your choice. You must meet the prerequisites required of both the community college and the university. There is information about this online if you search maricopa CEP. I believe you get three community college options and either one or two university options although for the posts of late I have only seen them mention one university. There are generally two admit dates a year for fall (you actually start in summer) and spring (you actually start in the fall). Anyone in the pool can apply and they will select based on your GPA and HESI exam score, so as far as I know, as long as you are a competitive applicant you will be considered regardless of when you entered into the pool. I suggest meeting with an advisor from one of the community college nursing departments to ask them more specific questions. Good luck! I would also suggest looking into taking your prerequisite courses at community college and then consider applying to either ASU or UA for their BSN programs. ASU will only look at a select GPA pertaining to their prerequisite courses and you can apply as a transfer student into the traditional prelicensure program. Granted, you will have to make sure that a lot of your general education requirements have already been met to make sure you can finish the upper division nursing courses in either 16 or 24 months. They also require the TEAS exam. At Arizona they also look at a prerequisite GPA based on a list of prerequisites you can find online and look at HESI as well as an interview and I believe GPA from your last 60 units which would basically be your general education requirements from community college. You might get more of that "feel" you are looking for by doing your BSN through ASU or Arizona and will take most, if not all, of your nursing courses in person since the online aspect of the CEP program sounds a little overwhelming. Although once you get started on your prerequisites you may find that you enjoy and can self-monitor in your online classes better than you think! That will also allow you more freedom with a work schedule since you won't be driving to campus and sitting in a classroom, which can eat up a lot of hours in the day when taking a full time semester courseoad. Going the ASU or U of A route will be more expensive but definitely not as expensive as chamberlain especially if you qualify for any grants. Additionally, if it came out to be a comparable price consider what having a BSN from a well-respected, non-profit 4 year university will look like to employers compared to a for-profit technical school. There are a lot of things to consider, but ultimately you must choose what fits best with your long term goals. Best of luck! College is a whole new ball game compared to high school so try to kee your head down and remain focused.

LivinOnIce, ADN · Jun 21, 2017

My advice:

1 - never put yourself that far into debt when there are cheaper options that offer equal training opportunities

2 - never ever pay that much money for a field that you have no experience in (if you don't, work as a CNA or in the medical setting first if you never have)

3 - make sure the program you are paying for is accredited. Not all programs are fully accredited and then you have to wait (sometimes several years) for your degree to mean anything.

When is private school a good choice:

1 - You already have enough money to throw out

Believe it or not, that's the only real reason. Many people will say it's because they don't have time to wait. This is a false lie we tell ourselves. Even if you're 40 years old, waiting 3 years, graduate in 2, you'll be 45 and have 30 more years of capable working. Look at the big picture. Unless you have the money and do not need to take out loans, is it really worth it? Unless you graduate from upper-level training such as a DNP, CRNA, or PA program, spending $50k is outrageous no matter how you look at it.

Lavender111 · Jun 21, 2017

Thanks a lot for your reply! I was looking into transferring to ASU but heard it was pretty much impossible for transfers to get into the traditional BSN program because of their point system where students who took prerequisites at ASU were favored. On their website it says you have to compete for empty spots and there are no guarantees there will be any. Colleges are definitely hungry for their money :banghead:

I also read on the forums that the CEP recently has gotten pretty hard to get into, I read a post where someone with a 3.8 GPA got rejected which is a bit scary. I was thinking of just trying for the CEP and if I don't make it waiting on the wait list and becoming a CNA and working during that time.

Thanks for your advice! :up:

Lavender111 · Jun 21, 2017

Thanks for the reply! I do get ahead of myself wanting to be a nurse as soon as possible but patience is the key to success in some cases and I need to pace myself. Sometimes you need a reality check :shy:

I might try for the traditional program with the waitlist and become a CNA while waiting. At the very least I would have experience and a leg in the door with a potential employer and something for my resume. Thanks again for your reply :up:

rachaelofcourse · Jun 21, 2017

As someone who started out at a for-profit school in AZ that is not Chamberlain (gee, bet you can't guess which school!), I urge you to go the CEP route. I am in the middle of block 4 and a CEP student and I can honestly say I am much more satisfied with my education in the CEP program. The cost for Chamberlain is not worth it. I am in an obscene amount of debt from my previous school - not as much as the total cost of Chamberlain, but pretty close. That sucks because it cuts into the amount of mortgage I can get approved for, a huge portion of my future paychecks are already gone, and my daughter will be in middle school before my loans are paid off (she's 2). While the "quicker" option may seem like a good idea at the time, I urge you to think about the future. Student loans suck, and you really want to avoid them or take as minimal amount out as possible.

Good luck, future nurse!

Lavender111 · Jun 21, 2017

Thanks so much for the reply!

I am really sorry to hear about your debt, that sounds just insane especially considering that program didn't even work out :eek:

I think some sense has definitely been knocked into me and I will try and get in with CGCC's program despite some negative reviews I've read on here from a few years ago. I was turned off from the CEP program after reading how competitive it's gotten and how people with high GPAs were rejected, but at the very least, I can be on the waiting list and become a CNA in the meanwhile. Hopefully I'll make the CEP and suffer through the online courses. Dealing with those sounds better than being tens of thousands of dollars in debt for years.

I am also in love with your profile picture!

rachaelofcourse · Jun 22, 2017

Thanks so much for the reply!
I am really sorry to hear about your debt, that sounds just insane especially considering that program didn't even work out
I think some sense has definitely been knocked into me and I will try and get in with CGCC's program despite some negative reviews I've read on here from a few years ago. I was turned off from the CEP program after reading how competitive it's gotten and how people with high GPAs were rejected, but at the very least, I can be on the waiting list and become a CNA in the meanwhile. Hopefully I'll make the CEP and suffer through the online courses. Dealing with those sounds better than being tens of thousands of dollars in debt for years.
I am also in love with your profile picture!

Thank you! I love Dean.í ½í²œ

You could always make the extra 10 minute drive to MCC! I have heard nothing but good things from them. The online classes are not bad at all!

All_night · Jun 23, 2017

As a current Chamberlain student who regrets attending the school, I approve of your decision And being a CNA is the best decision a nursing student can make! Good luck, Amy.

crossfitandnursing · Jun 23, 2017

I'm currently taking my prereqs at CGCC for the post-bacc BSN program at ASU and have had nothing short of a positive experience! I've really enjoyed the smaller class sizes, especially when it comes to the lab sciences, and my professors have all been wonderful. Pro tip: Research your professors beforehand and try to sign up with the adjunct professors in the evening who are also practicing physicians during the day, particularly for A&P and Patho. They're SO knowledgeable, both about the coursework and the field, and have a lot to offer in terms of relating the topics to real-life scenarios they've experienced. It makes going to class much more enjoyable. :)