Hospital programs..what do you think?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Apr 30, 2006

There is nothing that will increase your chances of getting accepted into Pima CC down here in Tucson. Once you apply, you get placed into the program at a certain date (say, Fall 2009). They don't care if you have a 4.0, volunteer, or hosptial experience.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 30, 2006

LA County offers a program to employees that have been on staff for at least one year, and are a member of the union.

It is not uncommon, you just do not hear about it, unless you are already an employee. Most facilities also have tuition reimbursement in place for their employees. It still does not make it easier to get into the program, there are only so many slots that open.

Even the Fresno area has a program, that is sponsored by several of the hospitals in the area, again, you need to be an employee to even be eligible for it.

The hospital programs do not necessarily get you in quicker; but again, you need to be an employee there before you can even apply for it.

plchavard · May 2, 2006

Actually TMC here in Tucson will sponser you to go to PCC and you get in very quickly. The sponsorship thing is at TMC and Carondelet. TMC has their own BSN & ADN spots. The BSN is through NAU distance learning, I think. ADNs are through Rio Salado and PCC. I recently heard you must work at TMC for 3 months to apply - I think it was previously 6 months. After you graduate, you owe them your life! I'm not sure exactly how long the contract is for, but it is for a while. Carondelet has the same three schools I believe, I know PCC and Rio are the ADN schools. There is an "on-site" RN-BSN through NAU.

As a military spouse - I could never even consider these options. I'm not sure I would if I did have several years in Tucson. breaking a contract means paying back an inflated tuition. For example UofA has an accelerated program that requires a 3 year contract. Breaking the contract costs $28,000!! (for one year of school) I've heard estimates of 18,000 for pima (but pima only costs around $55/credit). For those on the waitlists its a quick way in- but at a price.

plchavard · May 3, 2006

Here is a link to info on TMC's programs - looks like a three year contract for the ADN.

http://www.tmcaz.com/Working/nursing_education.html

sdmommie · May 3, 2006

Thanks so much for the info. You all are just amazing.

I guess I just need to get my foot in the door at a hospital. I'm getting on waitlists, but I need to have other options 'cause I'm not getting any younger!

Calzonan RN · May 4, 2006

There are several programs in the Phoenix area that will sponser your way through school. A majority of them require that you're an employee of the hospital. ALL of them require that you've met the pre-req's for the community college programs and are on the wait list. Banner has an accelerated nursing school through Gateway CC where you interview and get placed through Banner. They pay for school, books, uniforms, pretty much everything, but you owe them 3 years after you finish. Not too big a deal as Banner has LOTS of hospitals in the Phoenix area. Most of the CC's here hold slots for hospital employees, you just need to find out which hospital has the most slots at which school and get hired on there to qualify. I'm not sure what the wait list is now, but once I was done with my pre-req's I only waited one semester before being placed. My friend applied for NS in California, moved here, completed ALL of her pre-req's, waited a semester, got placed in a program....California has STILL not placed her in their program!! That's how long she would've waited.

Good luck, it's wonderful once you're in, it's the waiting that's :lol_hitti

Keli

rcidro · May 5, 2006

Has anyone heard of Ethel Bauer School of Nursing in Phoenix? Their program cost about 26K but no waitlist. Also, I hread Apollo College started their nursing program this year.