Help with advice on a nursing program, looking to finally fulfill my dream.

[oanickel]

I recently graduated from UW- La Crosse with a bachelors in Recreation Therapy. I have contacted so many programs and tried reading reviews and online webinars and I feel stuck.

Some programs I have been looking at are Rasmussen College and UW Oshkosh because I can do some of it online and it is accelerated. I live in Madison, WI right now and it really is not an option to relocate is the program for some personal reasons. I also have been considering getting an ASN first and hopefully finding a position where the affiliation will assit with tuition. I am aware this would be the longer route which is okay if its another year or two but all programs I am finding have a crazy waiting list. Herzing University is also another program I was considering.

Is anyone else in a similar situation or have any experience/advice with these programs? Some of my other concerns are I have some prerequisites I need to complete and I do not currently hold my CNA liscense.

I really am considering Herzing University and Rasmussen because it seems to fit best with my situation but have read terrible reviews about the programs and Herzing is just crazy expensive it seems like compared to other programs. Anyone have anything positive to say about either of these programs?

Please help! ....Needing some positive inspiration.

[Haley S.]

Hi!! Herzing University is a great choice. You can always call their Madison campus at [phone] and set up a tour. That way you can get a feel for the staff and learning environment. You can also post a question on their Facebook page and ask how current nursing students are liking the program. Herzing University - Madison (Official Page) | Facebook

[oanickel]

Thank you Haley. The only concern is it is way more expensive than every other option. Have you attended there?

[Haley S.]

I have not attended, but I do understand your concern. The previous suggestions might be a good way for you to figure out if Herzing is a good fit for you on the academic side (nursing programs and clinical) as well as the social side (learning environment). Also, the reviews on Facebook seem to be pretty good. Good luck to you!!

[meaghann3]

I am from the Milwaukee area and started at UW-Milwaukee. I didn't get accepted into clinical so ended up transferring to WCTC and got my associates degree. However, I think this is the best thing that could have happened to me because I saved a ton of money on tuition going the ADN route. I then finished my BSN at the UW online BSN degree program (you pick the school closest to where you live). All of it was online except our last capstone class met a few times through out the semester. I absolutely loved WCTC and their pass rate for boards has been 98-100% for the last 8 years. I'm not gonna lie, nursing school is the toughest thing I ever did but was SO worth it!! I would look into the Madison Area Tech College, I do not believe they require you to obtain your CNA and then you could finish your BSN online while working as an RN so that you do not need to take out loans (or at least not as much if you went a more expensive route). Do keep in mind that no matter where you choose to go, you will need to do nursing pre-reqs even though you already have a degree. My tuition for my ADN was $130 a credit. Then my BSN cost me 15K to finish. Hope this helps!

[HopefullNurse17]

I don't know if you will see this post at all but just so you know I see that you live in Madison and UW-Madison is starting an ABSN program. The first cohort will be next summer and the program is only 12 months. Downside is that it is UW-Madison so I'm sure it is really competitive and the programs costs 45,000.