Gcu fall 2014 hopefuls

gamez28 · Mar 26, 2014

Ok thank you. I'm nervous for Patho. I will also be driving 3 1/2hrs one way every week to take this class over the summer. Mohave community college does no have a Patho class.

ScrubGirl88, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2014

Ok thank you. I'm nervous for Patho. I will also be driving 3 1/2hrs one way every week to take this class over the summer. Mohave community college does no have a Patho class.

You should try ad take it through pima online

ryleea1, BSN · Mar 26, 2014

Hey,

So the hesi version for the GCU requirement is different than the hesi taken at Maricopa community colleges BUT the hesi at community is pretty basic. Also, they do the 'no minimum score' because at the end of the day GCU wants to make money. So while it remains competitive they'll take enough to fill a cohort. But remember, multiple things weigh into this acceptance. I had a friend with a 3.2 GPA but was employed by the hospital and got accepted. And I've seen a girl with a 3.3 and high test scores get accepted.

I am in the St Joes fast track program. Nurses with their BSN are preferred over nurses with their ADN especially in this day in age. Most hospitals like john c lincoln and high prestige hospitals like Mayo Clinic require you to have your BSN within 3 years of employment if you only have your ADN (and that's if you get hired/were previously hired). Also, as I'm sure you have heard, a BSN program is more leadership focused, as well as more clinical hours, & a externship at the end. So there is a difference. I have heard good things about program graduates finding jobs but just an FYI, though there is a high demand for nurses, the job spectrum in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area can be found to be scarce. I had a friend graduate and find a salary paid nursing job making 69k within several weeks. At the same time I have a friend who is a new grad that cannot get into a new grad hospital program to save her life. I chose St. Joes because I've heard rumors that there are job offers along the way. Employment time in exchange for tuition reimbursement. So that may be a thought when picking a cohort at a hospital vs at main campus.

How many classes you have done prior to submitting your application is usually not considered as long as it is probable that you can finish the remaining before the program start date. But most nursing students do apply with roughly 16 credit hours left (or currently taking)- I did. Just make sure your GPA is decent/competitive.

mkane6206 · Mar 26, 2014

All good info ryleea1. I already have a BS in management and am changing careers. So far I have completed all of my prereqs. other than Patho. I will probably start in in the next few weeks at Rio Salado. I am torn between applying to GCU for fall 2014 or to wait and apply to GCU, ASU and U of A for their january 15 cohorts. There are so many links here that argue for each program, but very few give specific examples of what was good about it or what really made it terrible. I understand the administrative part is frustrating especially the financial aid, but I am more interested in the details of the programs itself. Additionally, I would love to hear from people that graduated from these programs and provide their feedback on the after school experience. Has anyone been discriminated for a job based on the school they attended? For example I know several people that got their degrees from University of Phoenix and were told (off the record) that certain employers do not respect these degrees and prefer their people to have traditional school experience. Has anyone had the same experience with regards to GCU?

MoseL · Mar 29, 2014

I see that St Joes is a primary choice for most...does anyone know much about the scottsdale location?

ryleea1, BSN · Mar 29, 2014

If you look back in 2012 and 2013 forum posts about the program there are some really good detailed posts about pros and cons. Not too much has changed. The biggest issue is the disorganization of the program. The fall start will be the third group to experience the new curriculum. Just recently, fast track went from 20 months to 16 months and a whole block of curriculum was dropped and jammed into the other four blocks. The biggest complaint is that your first patient experience is med surg/psych clinical which is a lot considering before you had geriatrics as a first clinical. There is a lot of online sim lab clinicals to count for clinical hours since GCU is not able to accommodate the required amount to be a certified program through just hospital interaction. Recently, this past semester, GCU had trouble getting signed onto clinical sites therefor, a lot of peoples preferred clinical sites were removed from their schedule. Small things like book changes, wether a CD or site code can be used, and whats needed for class have trouble getting communicated to the students so there is a lot of last minute running around. I know two GCU graduates who found jobs right out of school. Again, a lot of the affiliated cohorts offer jobs throughout the program and have preference after graduation. I have not heard any discrimination towards GCU and trust me I did my research. I had started off at Chamberlain's program years earlier and immediately transferred after reading the fine print and the comments said by employers. GCU is one of the lesser political programs. Rumor has it that ASU student's pay their way in- which I completely believe. I recently had a friend 3.97 GPA with volunteer service galore, was not accepted into the program. Haven't heard too much about u of a. I've heard more complications about the pre req portion of nursing than the actual program. I know you wanted feedback from a post-graduate student but just sharing what I do have.

I recommend applying for fall. You can always not accept a position in the program and reapply if needed. Also, another pro about GCU's program is they do have the fast track option which is nice in comparison to ASU's.

mkane6206 · Mar 29, 2014

Once again, excellent feedback. I will be applying this weekend for the fall semester at St. Josephs. I have all of the prereqs. done other that path. and I will take that soon. If there is one positive that I heard is that St. Josephs is a good teaching hospital.

One comment you did make that is not correct is that ASU does have a fast track option. The application deadline is sometime in September and the cohort starts in January and it is only 12 months versus 16 at GCU.

Thanks for all of your input. You definitely did your research and seemed to have similar concerns. Glad to know I am not the only one thinking this way.

mikemyers · Mar 30, 2014

12 mos program is post-bach. Fyi :)

mikemyers · Mar 30, 2014

ASU 12mos program that is

bootsbug · Mar 31, 2014

So for GCU fall 2014 hopefuls, what classes is everyone currently taking?

BabyMamaJenn · Apr 1, 2014

So for GCU fall 2014 hopefuls, what classes is everyone currently taking?

I just finished A&P II Lab last week...

Still have 3 weeks left of Sociology and Spanish.

April 7th starting Pathophysiology... Then I'm done!!!!!

Soooooo excited.

ryleea1, BSN · Apr 1, 2014

I read that a 13-month accelerated option is available only to those who have a previous bachelors degree. Mayo used to be their fast track option but I heard it was discontinued and now able to be completed at the traditional pace.