"For-profit" schools... As bad as they say?

Nursing Students General Students

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I was on another thread, and someone stated that they believe the reason someone hasn't passed their NCLEX was due to the fact that they must have gone to a for-profit school... Are they really as bad as they say?

The reason I'm asking is because I have applied to Galen College of Nursing, which is a for profit school... I applied knowing what they were, but also after doing my research.. They have a high pass rate, and offer job assistance, which could or could not be helpful. They are also going to be getting their NLN accreditation this June, but still...

Have any of you attended a for profit school, and if so, have you been able to find a job/ what was your experience on taking the NCLEX-RN?

Please, only people who have gone or who have second hand experience (ie, your friend, husband, wife, etc attended).

Also, please no negativity on this thread... I'm seeing more and more of it on AN :(

Thanks in advance guys and gals.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Yeaaaah...ok aubgirl. Anyway, I went to *insert for-pofit school here* and had no problem passing state boards or finding a job BEFORE I tested for LVN as well as RN. I now work for a major national hospital in the ER. I have previously held a plethora of other nursing jobs (psych, hospice, long-term care, etc) and HR's main concern was that I had a free and clear license and that my references checked out. It's tragic that you would make such a blanket statement about us being "not prepare (sic) at all" when I'm sure you could not have possibly met every nurse who has graduated from a for-profit school.
I don't think any one was making a blanket statement.......I think many posters were just advising her to use caution and do her homework before making a decision.

California and several other states have found issue with some of these for profit school with concurrency issues, the science requirements (or lack thereof) and the lack of a formal pharmacology classes.

"only those states that have explicit education requirements of concurrent theory and practicum will nurses have licensure issues.

excelsior college new york nursing graduates have had same issue recently. see state board licensure requirements here]

These are states having concerns over concurrent theory and practicum, so I would look at other 37 states to obtain license:

Alabama

Arizona

California

Georgia

Illinois

Kansas

Louisiana

Maryland

north Dakota

Oklahoma

Vermont

Virginia

Washington"

Schools I was referring to have nothing what so ever to do with the school the OP mentioned for I know nothing about Galen

Contrary to popular belief, nursing schools do not need to be accredited. Accreditation is a purely voluntary process that the school undergoes to ensure a level of quality in the education they provide to their students. Accreditation of a nursing program is not mandatory or required.

Nursing programs only need to be approved to operate by the state board of nursing. If the school is approved to operate, graduates are eligible to take NCLEX and attain nursing licensure just like the graduates of accredited schools.

Graduates of unaccredited nursing schools run into problems with other areas, such as furthering their education and securing employment with certain entities. Government employers such as federal prisons, the VA, and the Department of Defense will not hire RNs who graduated from unaccredited schools. Many RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN programs will not accept credits earned from unaccredited nursing programs, which limits the options for pursuing higher education.

In my state, it's a longer process to take the NCLEX if your school isn't accredited. I'd be more concerned about obtaining a job though. Every hospital I have applied at (and its a lot) requires a person to have graduated from an accredited school. I'm sure there are places that will take you, but if you have the option of going to an accredited school it'd be a much better idea.

The other issue others have brought up, is the issue of credits transferring in the future.

Specializes in Peds, Float, Ambulatory, Telemetry (new).

I went to a for profit school. I was very skeptical because I got in so easily. And paid out the wazoo. But you know what? Out of 10 students, one failed NCLEX and she only failed because she had terrible test taking anxiety. She passed the second time though. I passed. We were the second graduating class. And most people passed with the covetted 75 questions. (Not me, 91:rolleyes:). The school has a high pass rate.

And I only had a hard time getting a job because I had to move right after graduation so I didn't have an upper hand like my other classmates who got a job soon after passing NCLEX.

As someone else said, you get in what you put out. Just do your research and you should be fine.

Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

Just make sure about that accreditation. If the school is telling you that, it may not be true. It is HARD to get a job from a school that isn't. So, that's my main concern. The hospitals that we do clinicals in do not allow any of the for-profit schools in. They used to, but didn't feel it was safe for their patients. That's my only input.

Also, I might add Galen is NOT getting their accrediation-If a school is in candidacy status for NLNAC-it is required for the information to be on the NLNAC website-they are not and I'm sorry but they have sold that story for years-I was going to attend Galen-I called the NLNAC and they told me no Galen hasn't tried to obtain NLNAC status-they are members of the NLNAC but that's it.....

I called the NLNAC is Janaury.

I personally have never heard anything negative in regards to Galen but I do know employers are starting to weed applications out -stating that the applicant must have graduated from an accredited school//

Good luck

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

every school is for profit. Some just build the profit into their budget so they are not taxed on it. Every business has to make a profit in order to remain in business. Is there some other criteria you are looking at to evaluate the school? Consider your Board of Nursing. They have lists of who is "acceptable" and what the NCLEX pass rates are

Actually, for profit schools have a clear motivation to have high NCLEX pass rates. It's a huge part of their marketing scheme. They love to pull out the NCLEX pass rates in their sales pitch.

I went to a for profit school for my LPN. I will tell you up front that it had more than a few shady elements. They start with the high pressured sales pitch as soon as you walk in the door. They have you take an insulting "aptitude test" that's ridiculously easy and then try to stroke your ego by telling you how "good" you did. They lie about job prospects. I was told many of their LPNs go on to work in hospitals. As a hospital aide myself, I knew this was BS. And then there was the price.....

But I went into it with eyes wide open. I'm pretty cynical and savvy, so I saw through the crap straight away. I confirmed through the BON that their graduates were indeed eligible to sit for the NCLEX. I got my state's unemployment program to pick up a huge part of the tab. I checked with local facilities that hire LPNs and was reassured that they all have hired grads from this school. I put in my 12 months and got my license.

Just do your research. The admissions staff you talk to are SALES PEOPLE! They will tell you what you want to hear in order to get their commission! Remember, being skeptical is a virtue, not a fault.

All for profits have a high pass rate and say they help you find a job. A lot of places will not even look at a resume if you went to a for profit school.

Also, the teachers at these schools are usually not qualified to teach. Take it from someone who went to one-don't waste your time or money.

Something else to think about-credits from for profits usually do not transfer to a non profit university or community college. So if you plan to further your education at one it's a waste of time and money to attend a for profit.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Check for you school.........NLNAC Accredited Nursing Programs

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

To be honest...each for-profit school is different. Some are accredited; some are not. Some have great NCLEX pass rates; some do not. Some have great retention rates; some do not. Some have great reputations; some do not. And so on. Also, even within the same school these factors can vary: a school's branch in MA may get top marks, but the CA branch is rated slightly above pond-scum.

All of these are things that can be said about traditional schools as well.

For-profits have two big downsides. First, the tuition: it's usually more costly to attend a for-profit than it is to attend most traditional schools, excepting possibly NYU :) Financial aid programs are available but even so, you're looking at spending a pretty penny for an education that isn't much different than the one you'd get at your local CC for a third of the cost. And considering that the odds of any new grad getting a job in this market are pretty bleak, you shouldn't have to take on any debt that you don't have to.

Second, transferring credits: most traditional schools will not accept for-profit credits for transfer. Some of them do...and it helps if the for-profit school has some form of accreditation. But a lot of the time it appears to be very difficult to transfer credits. So if you are looking to advance your education, you may find yourself either having to stick with for-profits, or go to a traditional school and possibly lose a lot of credits in the transfer process.

Specializes in leadership, corrections.

You get what "you" put into it. I did University of Phoenix and Walden and gained not only essential real world know how in terms of workplace success but also colleagues from all around the world. I was hesitant at first and many discouraged me but I had nothing to lose since I was raising 3 sons.

I have no regrets from my for profit education- just a "few" student loans. Was it worth it? A resounding yes.

GO for it. You only live once and no one can walk in your shoes except you!

Cheers

Lexi

Chamberlain College of Nursing

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