Members are discussing the cost and value of attending Chamberlain College of Nursing, with some sharing positive experiences and job outcomes, while others express concerns about the high tuition costs and potential debt. Some members advocate for starting at a community college for pre-reqs before transferring to Chamberlain, while others caution against for-profit schools and emphasize the importance of thorough research before committing to a nursing program.
I am beginning my nursing journey. Gathering all the info I need. Getting my classes together. Going to take my pre reqs at a community college.. Going to meet with an advisor tomorrow. My question is this: Is Chamberlain worth it for $90,000+? I'm 21 with a 5 year old son. I wrote down many questions to ask myself and one being where I want to be 5 years from now. And that is a Registered Nurse working with children at a hospital. I've been all year weighing my options about pursuing my nursing degree once all my pre reqs are completed and City Colleges of Chicago I will be waiting until Fall.
I am in no real rush to get in school but I was hoping to get in Malcolm X by the Spring or the Fall and the fact that it isn't a guarantee whatsoever kinda bothers me. I don't want to waste 2 years of my life waiting to get into nursing school whereas at Chamberlain, I could be right after I finish my pre reqs and in 2 years I will be one step closer to getting my BSN. Is Chamberlain worth it? It is CCNE accredited. I've been doing my research on this school and know a couple of people who is either attending it or have graduated from there.
Should I go for it?
I am looking at it form a different perspective than some. I'm not so worried about my loans and funding for school while I am there because I think that's negative and can be very stressful. I will worry about it when I graduate and become the Nurse I've only dreamed of.
Are there any current or alumni students of Chamberlain School of Nursing that can shed some light on me and give me more info and just help me in this journey? All is appreciated. Thanks!
Its different for everyone. i am 36 yrs old and looking at a second bachelors degree. i cant afford to wait until i get into a cheaper school. i am hoping to get my BSN by the time im 40. and hopefully pay my student loan and start working on my son's college fund---i refuse to let him pay for college. I am married and my husband, although not earning a lot, do take care of us. I am yet to start my time at Chamberlain, but no doubt that this is the route i want to take, and no matter what, it is the route i choose and will not regret it. Best of luck with your decision. I do realize that this is an old post---im new here :)
Have you considered Rasmussen? I have researched a lot about that school and while it's expensive, it's not as expense as Chamberlin. They also have and ADN to BSN and their BSN is transferable. ( accredited ) At least here in IL, there's a lot of success stories.
Here is my background, I went to COD for my prerequisites (very affordable!) community colleges are awesome, I worked my butt off and made sure I could get very good grades mostly As and Bs, I applied to a couple of nursing schools and I got in to NIU, the cost of tuition for NIU is 12,000 per year, so 24,000$ for a BSN or 90,000$? I would check out state schools first they are very cheap but i graduate in 4.5 instead of 3 years like chamberlain but theres ups and downs to every school. You decide what burden you want but I personally patience is great, rushing to get started to work is not good, enjoy your time in life even in school even though it is time consuming you only get to go to school once but get to work a life time
Hope it's OK that I bring this topic back up. I'm currently applying to different schools. Chamberlain (Pearland) is honestly the most convenient for me because of location, when the semester starts, its BSN instead of ADN, etc. It's expensive, but a majority of my expenses will be taken care of due to military education benefits.
I am hoping to start in September if I get accepted. I am also applying to the ADN programs at HCC and Wharton for the Spring start just in case, but would really like to get into a BSN program. I also want to apply to UTH, but it is VERY competitive I'm assuming.
It worries me that, in the future, I might not even be considered for a job because I went to Chamberlain? What about my experience or NCLEX score? Is a BSN at a more prestigious school better than a BSN here?
Chamberlain students seem to enjoy the program, but the general opinion doesn't seem to positive. I honestly thought Chamberlain would be an excellent choice in my situation but what I'm reading here is discouraging...
Would love some advice!
First of all, TEXN, thank you for your service!
The Chamberlain website Nursing School History, 125 Years | Chamberlain College of Nursing states that they've been around 125 years and were acquired by DeVry Education Group in 2005. They seem to have an OK pass rate, at least according to the Texas BON, for the 2 years they've been in Texas (I imagine that includes the other campus in northwest Houston). I also am looking at Pearland, and plan to attend the open house on Thurs Oct 15.
Currently I am in LVN school (private, non-profit) in south Texas and will finish next Sept. I also have a BS and some grad school, and a wide variety of work experience. My husband is disabled and we're both 50-something... I have debt but unlike the original poster and some of the previous posters, I don't have the luxury of time to wait to get into a program at community college (I already wasted several years in Austin playing that game...) I do hope the job market in Houston is better than Chicago (my original home town BTW). My husband goes to the Texas Medical Center for his Parkinson's--I will definitely check there.
TEXN, perhaps we can meet at the Pearland open house? I don't know about "status" of other schools--I do see that 3 ADN programs in the Houston area are under sanctions from the BON, and all are public community colleges.
I may be rambling, but that's my situation right now. The facilities look brand new and perhaps they'll give more personal attention esp for non-traditional students? I don't know...I'll be asking a lot of questions at the open house!
I too would like any opinions on Chamberlain or other schools, and the job market in the Houston area. Good luck to you, TEXN, whatever you decide.
Since your going to be doing core classes at a community college it wont cost that much because your knocking a year off your tuition. Thats what I'm doing. I plan on going to the school in Atlanta. They have scholarships coming into the school if your GPA is high enough. They also accept Pell grant and they offer another grant if you receive Pell. I've alao throughly thought out this option. I feel its the best one for me. I have a son also. You can PM me if you want.
$90K in loans for a BSN (I presume...?) is outrageous. I had the same perspective you did..
"I'm not so worried about my loans and funding for school while I am there because I think thats negative and can be very stressful. I will worry about it when I graduate and become the Nurse I've only dreamed of."
Well, that's what I thought too. Now I'm an RN with a BSN who doesn't get paid very well and who is still looking at loads of debt to repay. I'm not sure how I will ever be able to repay it at this rate. Nurses are severely underpaid in my opinion. On top of that, the "dream" job is nothing like I'd thought it would be. I love the patients, don't get me wrong. The problem is you are always running from one room to the next. No breaks, no lunches. Management breathing down your neck about all the things you DIDN"T do... when all you've done is BUST YOUR ASS all day long. It's a thankless job most days. What makes it worth it is having the privilege to really make a difference in people's lives when they are most vulnerable and in need of your help. However, at the end of the day, I'm still too exhausted to really do anything but veg out in front of the TV. I'm worried about how I"m going to make ends meet on a meager salary. My first raise was 60 cents per hour. I feel a bit stuck now.... and a bit resentful that this is the reality you encounter when you become a nurse: you are overworked, underpaid and underappreciated. There are definitely opportunities down the line if you can stick it out the first few years. But if you're a single earner/ head of household like me, it's really tough. If I were you, I'b be shopping around for a much less expensive route than $90K. That sounds paralyzing to me. Good luck!
Hi, I'm also doing my research of different schools to go to. I've read a lot of cons for both Chamberlain and Rasmussen schools. Did you attend either?
Specializes in Critical Care; Evidence-based practice.
The cost is a bit of an investment, but i feel it is worth every penny. I n February I just finished my MSN in nursing education through Chamberlain. I can't say enough great things about them! It is an accredited school, developed by nurses for nurses. Your instructors are always available, there is always a librarian available, abs they offer tutoring as well. They provide so much support for students it would be hard not to succeed. They help with applications and are great at answering any questions. They have many scholarships as well, and will help you with them.
In order to accept new students so readily they have 2 cycles of semesters. My favorite thing is that classes are in 6week sessions so you can take your 2 courses for the semester in separate 6 week sessions. It made all the required work so managble as I also worked full time through school. Another plus is that most of your coursework is asynchronous- meaning you complete it on your schedule as best works for you. Chamberlain also has great rubrics and communication so that it is very clear how your grade is earned and exactly what you need to do. Again if you still need support 24-7 it is only a phone call or click away! My friend got her BSN through Chamberlain and she took 2-3 courses each session while working full time as a single parent with 2 girls. It's definitely worth a phone call to see if you qualify for scholarships. Last thing about student loans- after you finish you can enroll in loan forgiveness, and after making your payments for the designated time (a few years) the remaining balance will be forgiven. So you may not be paying it the rest of your life but maybe a few years and the government will forgive the rest. Good luck! Chamberlain is awesome! Totally worth it!!
IMO that's nuts I went to a private university (JU) which is not cheap but because it's a non-profit I was eligible for grants & scholarships so I almost had a full ride. Otherwise I think spending that amount of money on a BSN is a bit crazy.
Hi, if you are taking your prereqs at a CC then transferring to Chamberlain, it WILL cut your tuition price down significantly. I'm entering Chamberlain with all my prereqs and it's only costing me $27,000. Hope this helps!
I have heard MANY arguments against going into this much debt over school. HAS ANYONE OUT THERE DONE THIS? WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE SO FAR PLEASE IN REGARDS TO JOBS OUT OF SCHOOL AND LOAN RE-PAYMENT? Thank you!!!!
Just trying to find as many opinions and personal experiences as possible... was this much debt worth it? Did you find a job that paid well after school in order for you to re-pay the loans?
siegosmama
3 Posts
Its different for everyone. i am 36 yrs old and looking at a second bachelors degree. i cant afford to wait until i get into a cheaper school. i am hoping to get my BSN by the time im 40. and hopefully pay my student loan and start working on my son's college fund---i refuse to let him pay for college. I am married and my husband, although not earning a lot, do take care of us. I am yet to start my time at Chamberlain, but no doubt that this is the route i want to take, and no matter what, it is the route i choose and will not regret it. Best of luck with your decision. I do realize that this is an old post---im new here :)