I have been doing research on nursing schools and saw that Concordia University has a new ABSN program. I have not heard much about the program or about the nursing school at Concordia in general and was wondering if any former or current student could weigh in on their experience at Concordia. I have been contacted by the enrollment specialist and it seems thorough and promising. I'm just hoping I didn't just get recruited for a program that isn't very reputable. Any thoughts are welcome!
That being said, here are some things to know if you are considering applying to CU's ABSN program:
If you call the advising/admission office, be prepared for an interview. They make sure you are up to their standards before releasing any information to you. So take some time to compose yourself, outline your conversation to include: why nursing, experience in healthcare, grades and GPA, why Concordia, spirituality, experience with online learning, financial status, etc. They especially appreciate sincerity, self-motivation, leadership and communication skills.
Do some research beforehand about the ABSN program. Some key points to know:
CU is a christian college
program is 16 months
mostly online
CU's ABSN is the ONLY accelerated bachelor's program in Portland that does not require applicants to have a bachelor's degree beforehand
3 start dates: JAN, MAY, AUG
AAOT/bachelor's degree is preferred
must have current CNA license
KAPLAN is required for those w/out bachelor's degree
some additional classes are required (humanities, religion, etc.)
3. Keep up on communications. Treat every interaction with them as a continual interview.
4. Ask questions! If you are not comfortable with online learning then this might not be the program for you. It's an expensive program and not for the faint of heart.
Good luck! I'll keep you all updated after my in-person interview and (hopefully) go into my first semester come August!
Have you started class yet? I’m currently taking classes and preparing to go to Concordia. The cost worries me but I like that a portion of it is online.
Do NOT attend this program. It is hard to underestimate how terrible it is. Concordia Portland used to have a legit nursing program but it is a diploma mill now. There is ZERO administrative support and it is beyond unorganized. I am in my 3rd semester and have had NO clinical experience that is in person. The communication is astoundingly bad and the director sends out passive-aggressive emails periodically when there are complaints from students about things like communication and transparency. I am beyond disappointed with this program and am now going to graduate with NO clinical experience. This program is expensive and totally misleading on their website about what they actually offer. I would literally go anywhere else if I had it to do again.
Do NOT attend this program. It is hard to underestimate how terrible it is. Concordia Portland used to have a legit nursing program but it is a diploma mill now. There is ZERO administrative support and it is beyond unorganized. I am in my 3rd semester and have had NO clinical experience that is in person. The communication is astoundingly bad and the director sends out passive-aggressive emails periodically when there are complaints from students about things like communication and transparency. I am beyond disappointed with this program and am now going to graduate with NO clinical experience. This program is expensive and totally misleading on their website about what they actually offer. I would literally go anywhere else if I had it to do again.
Hi S.Megan,
Thank you for your insight regarding your experience thus far. Are you able to elaborate on what your clinicals have been like if they haven't been in person? Has any reason been provided as to why they aren't in person?
Do NOT attend this program. It is hard to underestimate how terrible it is. Concordia Portland used to have a legit nursing program but it is a diploma mill now. There is ZERO administrative support and it is beyond unorganized. I am in my 3rd semester and have had NO clinical experience that is in person. The communication is astoundingly bad and the director sends out passive-aggressive emails periodically when there are complaints from students about things like communication and transparency. I am beyond disappointed with this program and am now going to graduate with NO clinical experience. This program is expensive and totally misleading on their website about what they actually offer. I would literally go anywhere else if I had it to do again.
This doesn't match my experience at all. The program is good. I have enjoyed my time at CSP.
Do NOT attend this program. It is hard to underestimate how terrible it is. Concordia Portland used to have a legit nursing program but it is a diploma mill now. There is ZERO administrative support and it is beyond unorganized. I am in my 3rd semester and have had NO clinical experience that is in person. The communication is astoundingly bad and the director sends out passive-aggressive emails periodically when there are complaints from students about things like communication and transparency. I am beyond disappointed with this program and am now going to graduate with NO clinical experience. This program is expensive and totally misleading on their website about what they actually offer. I would literally go anywhere else if I had it to do again.
I was wondering about this! Since the original post Concordia University closed (2020) and the only remaining program is the ABSN operating under Concordia St. Paul MN. I talked extensively with their admissions specialist and felt like they were trying to sell me on the program as though it was a used car. Most programs are highly competitive and do not lack applicants/interest, no need to sell it. Most surprising to me is tuition costs are comparable with OHSU's ASBN, but the entire program is asynchronous. I am very confused about how pre-recorded content can cost the same or be as effective as in-person instruction.
This doesn't match my experience at all. The program is good. I have enjoyed my time at CSP.
What has your experience been with the clinical portion? Since the lecture portions are asynchronous, have you found professors easy to reach/do they offer much support? Thanks!
I was wondering about this! Since the original post Concordia University closed (2020) and the only remaining program is the ABSN operating under Concordia St. Paul MN. I talked extensively with their admissions specialist and felt like they were trying to sell me on the program as though it was a used car. Most programs are highly competitive and do not lack applicants/interest, no need to sell it. Most surprising to me is tuition costs are comparable with OHSU's ASBN, but the entire program is asynchronous. I am very confused about how pre-recorded content can cost the same or be as effective as in-person instruction.
That is the beauty of autonomy; you can make your own decision. Yes, Concordia Portland closed, but CSP ABSN is a part of Concordia, St. Paul, a regionally accredited, private Christian university, and CCNE accredits the nursing program; these are both the gold standards for accreditation. I did not find the admission process to be trying to "sell" me on the program; quite the opposite. CSP cared about my admission process and supported me for months before acceptance into the program; this is quite different from any other program where you are really on your own to figure out admissions. CSP costs around the same as all the other BSN programs in the PDX area. CSP is hybrid, but you are still in-person 2-4 times per week, attending labs, simulations, and clinical. The faculty is incredibly responsive to email, and you can always set up office hours over zoom. Most courses offer weekly, live zoom meetings that serve as Q&A or mini-lectures that correspond to the week's content. If you are worried about the "effectiveness" of the hybrid program, Google "Oregon NCLEX pass rates." CSP pass rates are the same, if not higher, than the other nursing programs in Oregon. With that said, you need to be a self-starter and motivated, as you are free to design your weekly schedule as you see fit, which to me, is a benefit.
Regarding clinical, the first term was long-term care, the second term was community health in a community-based clinic, the third term was inpatient hospital, and the fourth term is your practicum in an inpatient facility. The pandemic impacted all nursing program clinical placements, and CSP was no different. Things are returning to normal, and clinical at CSP is currently what I listed above.
That is the beauty of autonomy; you can make your own decision. Yes, Concordia Portland closed, but CSP ABSN is a part of Concordia, St. Paul, a regionally accredited, private Christian university, and CCNE accredits the nursing program; these are both the gold standards for accreditation. I did not find the admission process to be trying to "sell" me on the program; quite the opposite. CSP cared about my admission process and supported me for months before acceptance into the program; this is quite different from any other program where you are really on your own to figure out admissions. CSP costs around the same as all the other BSN programs in the PDX area. CSP is hybrid, but you are still in-person 2-4 times per week, attending labs, simulations, and clinical. The faculty is incredibly responsive to email, and you can always set up office hours over zoom. Most courses offer weekly, live zoom meetings that serve as Q&A or mini-lectures that correspond to the week's content. If you are worried about the "effectiveness" of the hybrid program, Google "Oregon NCLEX pass rates." CSP pass rates are the same, if not higher, than the other nursing programs in Oregon. With that said, you need to be a self-starter and motivated, as you are free to design your weekly schedule as you see fit, which to me, is a benefit.
Regarding clinical, the first term was long-term care, the second term was community health in a community-based clinic, the third term was inpatient hospital (sites are hospitals in the Portland/Vancouver area), and the fourth term is your practicum in an inpatient facility. The pandemic impacted all nursing program clinical placements, and CSP was no different. Things are returning to normal, and clinical at CSP is currently what I listed above.
Thank you for such a thoughtful answer. I can see how a hybrid program works well with regard to flexibility. Great to hear they have weekly zooms as well as responsive professors! As with many programs I am sure success is based a lot on what a student does with the resources available. Thanks again! I appreciate it.
Delcon
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Have you started class yet? I’m currently taking classes and preparing to go to Concordia. The cost worries me but I like that a portion of it is online.