Concordia BSN Program?

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Hello everyone -

I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience or heard anything regarding Concordia Mequon's BSN program? I have been considering their Accelerated 2nd degree BSN program and applied last night. The accelerated 2nd degree program is new to Mequon, and they just had their 1st cohort start in March 2018. The fact that it's a brand new program has me thinking twice already, but the program features some flexibility that's hard to not consider at this stage of my life. I'm 42 years old, married with two very small children (2 and 5). What's attractive about the program is that not only is it a 14 month program, but you take only ONE course at a time. Yes, the courses are crammed into 4 weeks, but I love the fact that it is one course at a time. Also, it's a blended program, so you do online work during the week and then are required to be available Friday, Saturday, Sunday and sometimes Monday for clinicals and lab/simulation.

All this being said, I can't find anything with regards to Concordia's reputation for their nursing program, either good or bad. Can anyone here speak to their reputation for their traditional BSN program? My assumption is that the ABSN program is too new for anyone to be able to speak to that, but if anyone has any info on the ABSN that would be very helpful as well!

I'd appreciate any info since I've been kinda tearing my hair out trying to decide between Concordia and MSOE for the accelerated 2nd degree route. And, yes, I've considered the MATC to BSN completion somewhere afterwards option. :) I got all the way to where I was accepted into MATC's ADN program, but just couldn't get over the fact that I would be putting in 2 years and still coming out with only an ADN and would have to go back to school AGAIN even though I already have a Bachelor's. Call me crazy for being willing to pay for a private school for a nursing degree, but I guess I'm trying to leverage my existing Bachelor's, and at 42 years of age, I'm feeling the time crunch as I eventually would like to go on for the DNP.

I've heard really good things about MSOE, by the way. I spoke with a nurse at Wirth Park in Brookfield that said they have excellent students, and I've read positive things on here about their program. The only thing is they have you juggling several courses at a time on an accelerated track, and their schedule is intense with not much wiggle room. My first impression is that MSOE might be more stressful than Concordia because of how the program is structured, but who knows?

Okay, I've talked long enough. :) I really hope someone here might have some input that might be able to sway in one direction or another between these two. Thanks in advance for any help!

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Hi, did you end up entering the program? I'm considering it for Spring 2020 (just missed Spring '19). I am much in the same situation, 2 kids, them and me a bit older than yours/you.

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Hey there! I had actually decided on MSOE, but now I'm considering Concordia again because their cohort is actually a better fit for me than the one for MSOE. I just think it helps to have a good dynamic. I have heard good things about both MSOE and Concordia, but moreso MSOE. Did you apply already?

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Whew a bit late answering this! No I haven't applied yet but have emailed the admissions team back and forth. I'm torn between Rasmussen College Wausau's 18 month program starting in Jan '20 or this one. Really the end date is the same, Concordia is more expensive (about $6k plus room during clinicals...I live about 2 hrs away) but perhaps better quality. Ugh so many factors! I just want to start after so many years of false starts.

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@guidoth1 Just messaging you in case you happen to still come on the site! I'm in a similar position with you with MSOE and their accelerated BSN program. You went and then switched, could you please tell me what you didn't like about MSOE? I have multiple options but I'm very conflicted with making a choice. Any input would be appreciated! Thank you !

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I'm at Rasmussen - finishing in December. MSOE is too far of a drive for me and really Concordia is too. If u have any ? about the program let me know. It's a for-profit school but the program is solid 7/10 in my opinion. 

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 @adjappletonHow long is your program? MSOE is 18 months, so I’m assuming that would give me more time to learn things? 12 month programs would be better just to get it done and over with, but would that put me in a position of being completely overwhelmed by the pace? It seems like other comments indicate MSOE is “hard” but would give me  more time to manage the material, whereas a shorter 12 month program may be “less hard“ than MSOE, but its’ pace would be overwhelming. Do you have any feedback from other students about how they feel about their program or of MSOE? I’ve never been to Wisconsin and have been self-educating myself on what factors indicate a program is strong. Anything else you can share would be appreciated! 

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Yes Rasmussen is 18 months. 11 week quarters with 2 week breaks in between. I cannot fathom has anyone does the 12 month programs in that I'm at 13 months and counting and I am terrified that I'll be starting a job in 4/5 months. And I'm no dummy but I also don't have any healthcare experience. Sounds like u can pick up and go anywhere. You have to be very self motivated.  Grades r tough 94 above A, 85-93 B (no rounding) 78-84 C. And ATI tests are 20-40% of your grade and pull u down unless u get a 3. I've lost at least 3 A's to ATI. Wisconsin rural is tough unless u are liberal. msoe is in a very very rough neighborhood but campus is safe. It all depends what fits your circumstances. Several of my ADN classmates *** a lot about stuff, and they don't even have the extra BSN classes. A lot of them work too and they are busy in that respect. I have a family so imo if u work, have kids, and school...something has to give (not in a good way). But I've known a few who've done it.

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I'm sorry if my question is stupid but what do you mean by getting a 3? Thank you for the explanation!

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ATI is a testing program made by same company that does NCLEX. Google "ATI cut scores". Just know that getting anything above an 85 %or so is very rare.

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Thank you! I just did, I didn't know much about the ATI but thanks to you now I understand much better! 

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