Chamberlain of South Univ for FNP online program

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 28, 2016

Chamberlain would have you start in February/March. The January semester just filled up.

2flysteph · Aug 28, 2016

R u serious, I dont know if i can wait that long, this is very discouraging. The website says that classes start October 24, so there is no way i can start this year? Should i just start with South this week or wait??

akt2016 · Aug 29, 2016

Yes, they are serious. I talked to an advisor from Chamberlain less than a week ago. He told me that the next available start date would be at the end of February for their FNP program.

Buyer beware, BSN · Aug 29, 2016

If one or the other, and no other choices between these expensive for-profits, I suppose Chamberlain (DeVry) is the way to go. I'm sorry to see that you seem to be in a hurry about starting school. This puts you in a box that may have limited your ability to do through research on schools in general.

Reasons for Chamberlain (DeVry):

1. Much sounder financial situation than South. This could impact on your ability to graduate. * see ITT tech and Corinthian debaucle for what could happen. (they may have forgotten to tell you this)

2. South will require arbitration agreement on condition of enrollment (not good)

3. Chamberlain (DeVry) may have the arbitration agreement also (most for-profits do) but they have better graduation and retention rates (at least for undergrads) collegecard.ed.gov.

4. Do a web search on Educational Management Corporation, South's parent company, and you will be unpleasantly surprised. As of November 2015 they paid a $95.5 million dollar fine leveled against them by the Department of Justice for false claims in student recruitment.

5. In 2014 they delisted from the stock market and today their OTC stock is worth 1cent per share.

So while no one can tell you what to do, there you have some of it. Why they don't reveil these facts to potential students is curiously telling. Transparency was never in the for-profits play book.

Granted Chamberlain (DeVry) has its problems, but compared with South I would take financial stability any day over cheerful, hopeful, empty promises.

By the way, I'm on no one's payroll and would recommend South if I could but I believe the facts speak for themselves and no matter what the recruiters tell you, to them it's all about enrollment numbers and not you. (most often)

So considering it's your time and treasure, don't let ANYONE sell you a bill of goods and most of all be cautious. Lots of sharks in the higher education pool these days.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 29, 2016

R u serious, I dont know if i can wait that long, this is very discouraging. The website says that classes start October 24, so there is no way i can start this year? Should i just start with South this week or wait??

Most NP programs have you apply months & months in advance and limited start dates. I know you feel you are in a hurry, but it's really only a few months. In the grand scheme of things, it's not that long to wait. I won't be starting NP until Fall next year and I'm OK with that. I currently attend Chamberlain for the RN-to-BSN and was going to do FNP with them starting in January. However, my employer will only reimburse the RN-to-BSN with them, not NP. I have to go to a state school to get reimbursed, so it limits my choices. At first I was bummed about the 9 month wait (I'll be done with BSN in Dec), but I'm glad I get the extra time to add more experience in the ICU to my nursing skills.

I think getting a quality education should trump the time factor. I'm not knocking South because I know nothing about them, but I can definitely say that I've enjoyed my experience at Chamberlain. If I wasn't limited in my choices, I'd still go there.

Buyer beware, BSN · Aug 29, 2016

Most NP programs have you apply months & months in advance and limited start dates. I know you feel you are in a hurry, but it's really only a few months. In the grand scheme of things, it's not that long to wait. I won't be starting NP until Fall next year and I'm OK with that. I currently attend Chamberlain for the RN-to-BSN and was going to do FNP with them starting in January. However, my employer will only reimburse the RN-to-BSN with them, not NP. I have to go to a state school to get reimbursed, so it limits my choices. At first I was bummed about the 9 month wait (I'll be done with BSN in Dec), but I'm glad I get the extra time to add more experience in the ICU to my nursing skills.
I think getting a quality education should trump the time factor. I'm not knocking South because I know nothing about them, but I can definitely say that I've enjoyed my experience at Chamberlain. If I wasn't limited in my choices, I'd still go there.

After reading my post I would give you the go-ahead to be very weary of South. Another thing to know. You must nail down the preceptor issue with any school. The quest for them is very competitive and you must know before you sign on the dotted line how they will substantivly help you get the 5 you will need. Have them put this in writing because the preceptorships come at the final third of the program and if you don't have that nailed down you'll be left with a ton of loans/out of pocket without the degree. Even reputatble schools can be deceptive in this area. There are too many NP students and by far not enough preceptors. Be careful here or you will be let down. This is one free-for-all area of nursing ed and no one cares. Not so-called leadership, CCNE or the money grubbing schools themselves.

The politics of the NP preceptorship problem is enormous but even on this site the quiesence is deafening.

Abeautiful01 · Aug 31, 2016

Thank you for posting this. 'lol finish BNS in Jan and plan to research schools for NP online. Keep us posted. good luck!