HELP

[eglover]

Hello everyone Im new to this page and I need help, Im a military spouse and my husband has transferred his GI bill to me:} Ive always wanted to become a nurse since a child but due to moving and finances never had the chance , we are moving to Jacksonville Fl and Im looking for a nursing program, one that I can start soon and not be put on a waitlist. Ive researched a few that pop up in the search engine but I have no idea what to look for in these schools and which ones are better then others, I truly do not want to waste the Bill and opportunity on a school that isn't going to land me a job after graduation...can anyone lend advice...thanks in advance.

[loveSBK]

Hi eglover,

I would suggest that you look at the time it takes to complete, the price, and reviews about the school. The only thing that can tell you if the school is good or not is the NCLEX pass rate for that school. If it's high, then you know that teachers are great and students are learning what they need to learn in order to pass the NCLEX first try.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

check with the FL Board of Nursing for status on pass rates for the schools of interest. The State has defined what it takes to get a license so there will not be significant differences between schools. Call Educators in local hospitals and ask them for information. They probably have students doing clinical and they know which schools turn out the best students. Good luck!

[eglover]

Thank you so much for this information and taking the time out to respond...I just wanna make sure I make the right choice and make the most out of this blessing my husband has gave to me.

[eglover]

Awesome idea.....never thought of doing neither of those suggestions thank you sooooo much classicdame.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

You can also look at the yellow band at the top of this page, click on US and then on Florida, and ask people who are there about their experiences with various schools.

You can get info on NCLEX pass rates for all the schools in a state on the website for the state Board of Nursing (sometimes called Board of Registration in Nursing or Division of Nursing Licensure or some such).

Last, do not, do NOT go to a for-profit school, even if it looks like a good deal They prey on GI Bill people and make tremendous amounts of money off people like you. Go to a real, established, reputable school, like a real college or university, with bricks and mortar and an accredited degree program.

Good luck!

[TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN]

Hello there! As a former Army wife myself (hubby is medically retired) and I also used his GI bill I wanted to say HI! Are you looking for LPN, RN or BSN RN programs? If you just want to get started right away and get done with school ASAP so you can work, LPN may be the option. I was an LPN then Associates degree RN, then BSN RN, and now just got accepted to MSN/FNP school. I'm not familiar with all the schools here, however, I have a friend who is looking to start LPN school at Jersey College in Jacksonville, and then continue on for her LPN to RN bridge program....there is Chamberlain College, which will take you roughly 3yrs and you will have a BSN, RN making you more competitive to find employment at the local hospitals here as most want BSN RN's =) If you have the 100% pay rate for the GI bill for the 36mo, I'd personally go with Chamberlain as it's quicker, and no waiting list, not a bunch of pre-reqs needed (like the local community and state college) and can be done quicker. Just my two cents =) If you are needing to work ASAP do the LPN option and you can find plenty of schools for LPN to RN bridge later... =)

[TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN]

Jersey College has a pass rate of 87% for 2012 and national average was 84%, for their LPN program

Jersey college LPN to RN pass rate for NCLEX was 95% while national average was 89% for RN program

Chamberlain RN, BSN program pass rate was 80% while national average was 84% for RN/BSN program