Herzing or Keiser? - Orlando

laurdra · Mar 5, 2010

Hi Littlemissgator,

I'm in the same boat as you, trying to find out more info about Herzing. Are you attending the March 18th information session by any chance?

I have done a lot of research on the school and I found out that the NCLEX pass rate is decent. In 2008 they had a 81.5% pass rate. Keiser is all over the place depending on the location. The Melbourne location had an 83.3% pass rate and Lakeland only had a 56% pass rate (yikes!). They are accredited by the FL BON and are a candidate for the NLNAC accreditation. I checked with NLNAC and the final decision will be in August or September 2010. I think with an above 80% pass rate on the NCLEX they will have a good chance of being accredited. But even if they are not, you can still sit for your boards with the regional accreditation.

I like the accelerated curriculum and there is no wait list! I don't mind paying $30K if it will get me to my goal faster. I am looking forward to the information session and hope that everything works out.

Best of luck to you on your quest to be a nurse. :)

littlemissgator · Mar 5, 2010

I'll be attending the information session on the 18th as well. I've applied to Keiser since they have SACS accreditation, and there was no real sense of secrecy when it came to getting information about the program like there was with Herzing. I know Herzing is accredited by FLBON... is that a regional accreditation agency?

Looking at the pass rates for 2009 it's actually kinda hard to say which school would be better. Yes, Herzing's is mostly 100 percent... but if you look at the number of candidates taking the test, there are only 5-7 who sat for it. The fewer the students taking it, the easier it is to get 100 percent. It drops to 72.73 percent when 11 students take it. Keiser's vary, but the same thing applies here, the campuses with the lower percentage are also the campuses with the higher number of students sitting for the test. I'm not so sure that the pass rates alone can attest the quality of the program... I guess we'll just have to compare the info when we go to the information session next week!

laurdra · Mar 6, 2010

That's a very good point about the number of students! Herzing is accredited by the NCACS because they are based in Milwaukee. Keiser is based in Ft. Lauderdale so they are accredited by SACS. I do intend to apply to both and make a decision from there.

It's a tough decision!

Hopefully I will see you on the 18th. I'm hoping that I like Herzing because it's a much shorter commute. :)

littlemissgator · Mar 6, 2010

I thought Herzing had no regional accreditation. Well it's great if they do, but now it makes my decision even harder! :confused: At this point, I don't have a preference. I just know that I can start on May 3 at Keiser. I met some students who were finishing up a lab while I was there. They all said they loved the school and the faculty. I wasn't sure about how I felt about the facility though. All the students that I spoke with said the program was difficult (which is what I want to hear), but (trying my best not to sound judgmental and condescending here) I kinda felt like those particular students' perception of "difficult" may not be the same as mine. Their opinions didn't necessarily assure me of the quality of the program there. I'm not trying to say that there was anything wrong with the students there, I'm just saying that maybe if I spoke with a faculty member myself I would feel better. I'm hoping that Herzing will have someone available at the info session. I'm thinking about calling them both and asking about the credentials of the faculty... if they'll even tell me. I can't wait to go so I can finally make a decision about what I'm going to do. This is so nerve-wrecking! :uhoh3: We should compare notes after the session :idea: .

BTW, I take my TEAS test on the 17th at Keiser. Do you know if I'll be able to share my scores with Herzing if they're req'd? Good luck on making the best decision. Be blessed.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2010

Keiser Orlando student here.

I really enjoy the school, they certainly make it challenging for us, which I personally think is a plus.

We have both acreditations in the program, and the instructors are really nice, always available to you. Our clinical intructors are prety strong as well, they will be there for you, and will help you with all you need.

I hate to say that I am confident to take the NCLEX, because there is alwats room for more learning, and more questions to be answered, but lets just say that I feel as the Orlando campus raised the bar, so they can prepare us well for the test!

littlemissgator · Mar 9, 2010

Helpingothersinlife,

Your posts always give me a sense of reassurance about Keiser. I really appreciate them. Are there other students from Keiser on this site? When do you plan to sit for the exam? I'm sure you'll do a great job! :up:

laurdra · Mar 18, 2010

Hi Littlemissgator,

Did you go to the info session? I really liked the director.

littlemissgator · Mar 20, 2010

I got lost on the way and couldn't find a parking spot, so I ended up being about 10 min late. You may have seen me leave through the courtyard as the tour group was on the second floor being informed about the library. They wouldn't allow me to join the group and tried to reschedule me for another session in April or May, but by then I'll already be starting my classes at Keiser. I wasn't impressed by their rigidity about us simply trying to get some information about the program... the program that they're trying to convince you to apply to. I already have everything I need to get started at Keiser. I've taken the TEAS and my interview is on Tuesday. Provided that the interview goes well, it seems I'll be attending Keiser.

Was there anything that was simply astonishing that I missed? When did they say would be the earliest you could start? Have you made your decision?

almostthereMHM · Mar 20, 2010

Hi littlemissgator,

Congrats on possibly starting Keiser! I was in between both of the schools also. I went to Keiser to speak with someone about the program and have to back to take the wonderlic. I went to Herzing and they scheduled me for the information session on March 24. Right now I'm currently taking pre-reqs at Valencia. Trying to decide what the best route to take. When you went to Keiser did you have a good feeling about the school? the people? admission advisors? I know it is more expensive but at least you will be able to get started right away. Do you have any pre-regs to transfer there, or are you going to start from the beginning? Sorry so many questions, I'm kinda in the same situation. I've heard positive and negatives with both schools so it's kind of hard. I can either take the private school direction or wait it out at the community college.

Thanks again

littlemissgator · Mar 20, 2010

Hi almostthereMHM,

I'm also at Valencia. I was premed in college and med schools don't require A&P 2 but now that I've decided to go into nursing I have to take it. As far as the people and admissions advisors at Keiser, everyone is great. I can honestly say they've been very helpful. They've been readily available and haven't tried to give me the run around about anything so far, which is more than I can say about Herzing. I'll be coming in with a bachelors so I only have to take the core classes. I initially planned to do the accelerated second degree program at Remington, but even if I get accepted I'm going to have to decline due to a change in my situation. I looked into the community colleges and UCF, but they all would've taken 2+ years to complete regardless of how many credits I had. My main goal for now is to finish ASAP because my goal in the long run is to get into anesthesia school. That's how the decision came between Keiser and Herzing. I'll be able to be done with Keiser's program in 16 mo, and I saw an ad online for Herzing saying 14 mo. If this was my first time in school I honestly would stick out the community college route. The cost of private school is significantly higher. It will cost me $28K just for an AS degree. Also, both of these programs are new so no one can really say how well they will prepare you. You don't really have to worry about that at Valencia. I came to this forum looking for answers and trying to get reassurance because I was a little worried about being ill-prepared by going to either of these newer programs, but so far it seems that the people at Keiser care about their students so I think I'll be just fine going there. Hope this helps. I'm sure you'll make the best decision. Be blessed.

BTW, what are some of the positives and negatives that you've heard about the programs? I just want to be sure I'm aware of them all.

almostthereMHM · Mar 22, 2010

Hi Littlemissgator,

Sorry, took a minute to get back had to work this weekend. Most of the negatives about either school that I hear about are mainly the price. If you do a search on this site on Herzing or Keiser you'll see mixed reviews. But, ultimately it is a personal descision. Everyones situation is different, I can definitely relate to yours being that you already have been school and have a bachelors already. Why waste any more time with two years of pre-reqs. I actually called Keiser today to speak with one of their reps and she was very nice and personable. She answered all my questions. She said they accept students in May and January and currently are accepting students for the January term. It's a hard decision to make. I could definitely try to get in the January class and until then continue at Valencia for my pre-reqs. I still need to take Micro,API,and APII. These should be done by fall. It's like should I try for a private college where I am able to get in right away or stick it out at the less expensive community college and after I apply have to wait a whole year to start. I know valencia is currently accepting applications for Summer 2011. That seems so far. By the time I finish my prereqs they will probally be accepting applications for Spring 2012. YIKES!! That's seems like along time from now. That's good you feel comfortable with Keiser. Good Luck with your interview tommorow! I know you'll do great...Keep me posted.:)