Hospital programs..what do you think?

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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.