How long did it take you to get into nursing school?

GlendaleStudent · Jun 13, 2005

There are a few relatively quick entry options such as Grand Canyon University and, I imagine, the Pima Medical Institute. Usually the downside is cost, but remember some hospitals pay off student loans for a few years of work commitment.

Sorry to change the subject, but do you know which hospitals in the Phoenix area, offer to pay off student loans?

GaylordFocker · Jun 13, 2005

Once your pre-req's were done that is. I just applied today and I know that fall is full and they haven't even posted for spring. Did anyone apply in summer? If so, how long did you have to wait to begin nursing school? Does anyone know which schools may accept more students, I know MCC is usually pretty busy. Now the long wait begins......
TIA

I applied in november of 2004 and they told me I could start in March of 05. I decided to wait because of financial reasons and now I've reinstated my application (June 05) and they said I could start in September 05.

I usually go by "Procrastination is a the assassin of opportunity" but in this case procrastinating is going to help me with financial aid.

klone, MSN, RN · Jun 14, 2005

Sorry to change the subject, but do you know which hospitals in the Phoenix area, offer to pay off student loans?

Look on their website - tuition reimbursement is usually listed in their benefits.

Kabin · Jun 14, 2005

I had a list and either tossed it or misplaced it. I recall it included most of the big hospitals like John C Lincoln. I'll keep looking.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

A good friend of mine is struggling with what healthcare career to choose and is considering nursing.

He is thinking of moving to AZ because his family is there. His brother told him that some nursing schools in AZ are lowering their entry standards because they need so many nurses. Can any nurses or students give their opinion on this or if his brother is mistaken? I've heard of schools lowering standards but I hope it isn't true as it's a slap in the face to us nurses who have worked so hard to get where we are.

Plus, it seems most schools have waiting lists and not enough professors/seats for students so I'm not sure how lowering standards helps. I guess it just gives the program a more well-rounded student body...?

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

I am a nursing student in arizona and what you heard is not true. What AZ is doing...the cc's here.......is taking the Nurse Assisting classes out of the pre reqs and building them right into the program. So before you had to take those classes before to even get in, now not so. But you are still getting that information. Many schools are like this now, not just Az, so it is not "lowering the standards". Az cc's have a lottery system that is not GPA driven, but you still need to have passed your classes and you will still wait about a year to get in. Hope that helps!

Also..............LOTS of opportunity in Az for new nurses. Also, I just got a federal stafford thru my school with Southwest Student Services as the Lender and they offer a special deal for nursing students. Once you graduate and go into repayment, you show them proof you are working in a healthcare facility full time and they will lower your interest rate three points. Anyway, I haven't showed them anything yet (I just started NS) but on my fin award it says my interest rate on the Fed Unsub Staff is 2.77%. Can't get much better than that!!!:) The link to that deal is here: (It is also good for Florida NS)

http://www.sssc.com/website/english/account/sections/general/pages/nursing.html

:)

A good friend of mine is struggling with what healthcare career to choose and is considering nursing.
He is thinking of moving to AZ because his family is there. His brother told him that some nursing schools in AZ are lowering their entry standards because they need so many nurses. Can any nurses or students give their opinion on this or if his brother is mistaken? I've heard of schools lowering standards but I hope it isn't true as it's a slap in the face to us nurses who have worked so hard to get where we are.
Plus, it seems most schools have waiting lists and not enough professors/seats for students so I'm not sure how lowering standards helps. I guess it just gives the program a more well-rounded student body...?

Kabin · Jul 17, 2005

ASU recently added another entrance requirement and I doubt entrance cutoffs are decreasing. Like most states, AZ schools are adding more seats whenever possible but it's in micro steps.

The AZ legislature recently passed an aggressive nursing education bill to double the number of graduates in the next so many years. Of course more clinical sites, or hospital growth, needs to come on line as well. As this eventually happens, it would make sense that schools will be able to lower entrance requirements.

Kabin · Jul 17, 2005

That's great news, I didn't think folks getting unsubsidized federal loans ever got a break!

suzy253, RN · Jul 17, 2005

Applied in 1/03; accepted in 4/03 and began in 8/03.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

I am a nursing student in arizona and what you heard is not true. What AZ is doing...the cc's here.......is taking the Nurse Assisting classes out of the pre reqs and building them right into the program. :)

Thrashej,

Thanks so much for info! Glad to hear that the colleges are not lowering the entry requirements although I know nurses are sorely needed in AZ. The problem with insufficient faculty is huge. I hope it gets better. I'd love to teach nursing but the pay leaves so much to be desired.

That's a great interest rate you got on your loans! Very happy for you and hope school is going OK for you now.

Grayeagle · Jul 19, 2005

I applied in April, started class the next February. (almost a year wait) ..

..only because that was the first opening they had in a block going all the way thru from Health Care Core-CNA-Nurse Core-LPN.

No pre-req's required .. had to take Tabe test, get immunizations up to date, arrange finances.. the year went by fairly quickly since I worked full-time thru it.

If I could have .. I would have liked to go directly into RN blocks .. Estrella did not offer RN program and I have heard most places want pre-req's for the 4-year degree .. still researching that .. in my 'spare' time .. LOL.

-Grayeagle

CrazyPremed, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 3, 2005

I applied in April, started class the next February. (almost a year wait) ..
..only because that was the first opening they had in a block going all the way thru from Health Care Core-CNA-Nurse Core-LPN.
No pre-req's required .. had to take Tabe test, get immunizations up to date, arrange finances.. the year went by fairly quickly since I worked full-time thru it.
-Grayeagle

This sounds like Maricopa Skills LPN program, which I start (hopefully) in December. Can you give me a little info on your program? What were clincals like? How intense was it? How did you work full time wile going? Thanks in advance.

CrazyPremed