Interamerican College now United States University

U.S.A. California

Published

Anyone applying to this program?

I am corresponding with them via email. I still need Chicano Studies and Ethics and Micro. Not sure if I can finish them before Jan. Good luck!

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ELMSN just means that the program is for individuals with a Non-nursing bachelor's degree. If you can maintain your grades and are interested in pursing the Master's Degree AFTER you pass the pre-licensure portion (get through the first 16-18 months, pass Boards, get your RN license), you would continue taking more classes towards a MASTER's DEGREE in NURSING.

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Hi guys,

I know this school is confusing. Believe me! I have been a student there since Jan 2009. I took my prerequisites here and continued on into the 2nd Class of their new nursing program...From what I have learned through clinicals and in talking with other students from different schools. It's all the same.....you must get your RN license FIRST. Getting an ADN, BSN, or MSN requires you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam first. The ADN at KAPLAN is in the upper $30K and getting into a BSN-Accelerated program is competitive and you will most likely be on a wait list.

USU is WASC accredited and Board of Nursing Certified. Yes they don't have the CCNE accreditation...YET. Just know that if you go to KAPLAN, your classes won't transfer anywhere else. National is a private and if you can get in, congratulations! SDSU is also a very competitive school to get into. And then you have USD (private), PointLoma (private), Southwestern & Grossmont (3-4 year waitlist for ADN). Make your choice after you have done ALL the research. Once you get in, its all the same. Oh by the way, clinical sites are extremely hard to come by. Being flexible is a must! And remember, its what you make of it that will ultimately determine the outcome of your education/career. "Be the change you want to see in the world"

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Im so glad there is a forum for this school. I just called about a week ago and they told me I can start in November for the MSN-FNP program. Im very nervous because they are not accredited (only by WASC). I just keep thinking that I will start attending and they will not have CCNE or NLN accreditation before I graduate. Then I wonder what will happen. Is there anyone attending this specific program? As far as the clinicals, I'm confused about how that will take place, how helpful are they will getting you placed with a physician or NP?

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ANValenzuelaRN, your last post articulated the intent of this program extremely well. (I too just completed the school's Chicano Studies course and have applied for the January cohort)

After reading through this thread, I get the impression that the program is not designed for those who seem to be most confused by it.

Hopefully this may clear up several misconceptions. Basically, the ELM program is designed for people who already have a bachelor's degree and want to pursue a career change into the field of nursing. The structure of this program enables an individual, who already holds a degree, to complete the CA BRN nurse education requirements needed to become eligible to take the licensing exam. The certificate that is awarded upon successful completion of this program is nothing more than a piece of paper that states the individual completed the required standardized curriculum in order to become a Registered Nurse in CA.

The "Entry Level Master's" description can be confusing and misleading when not interpreted appropriately; this 16-month program merely serves as an entrance or the entrance in which one can eventually continue their educational pursuit into advanced practice - a master's program. Bottom line is, another bachelor's degree has no purpose when all that is needed is a license to begin the clinical experience phase of the overall goal.

The ELM program is an ideal stepping-stone for someone with the desire to progress into the advanced practice field because it is the most cost-effective way to obtain an RN licensure so you can start working as a nurse to gain the recommended clinical experience preferred prior to completion of a master's program. The end result or "the big picture" - a NP with clinical experience.

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Hey I am planning to apply this friday for the BA in science and to continue to thier ELMSN. Are you still interested going to united state university? pleas can i get your idea and commont about them?

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Hey guys,

I'm glad I found this thread on USU. I do agree that I was thrown off when I read that "there would be no degree granted" (upon completion of the ELMSN classes) however I'm super glad that Quest and Valenzuela clarified the program. I take your word for it being that you both are in or enrolled in the program.

and I AGREE! In this field, ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU HAVE YOUR LICENSE. Associates, bachelor's, master's degrees in this case do not weigh as much as EXPERIENCE. Truth of the matter is that all of us who graduate are still going to have some difficulty getting hired because of our lack of experience. The upside? we're young & good for the budget. (but ill take it cause $$ is $$)

SO question, do you guys enrolled know if they offer day classes? or are all of them at night?

-carolyn

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Hope this covers all the questions here....

As far as I know, there are no classes during the day. Once in the program, your schedule would be as follows: one class in the evening and one clinical (12 hours). There are times when you may have two classes and the clinical.

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I'm looking into United States University as well but to do the RN-BSN program. I like the fact that they have classes every 8 weeks although I don't care for a nite program. I can still do it. I emailed them and they seem very receptive and said to send my transcripts and they will evaluate to see what classes I need and didn't ask me for any money. This is great because I wanted to see what I needed before sending in a check!

I wish they would get accredited by CCNE or NLN but at least they are WASC accredited. My LVN program was WASC accredited.

They seemed to have raised the price though. I hope it doesn't get any more expensive!

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Hi guys!

So I'm still enrolled and just waiting to finish the last of my required clinical hours (96) so that complete the requirements so the school can submit my transcripts to the CA BRN... I turned in my application to the CA BRN December 31, 2010, to give you an idea of what to do if you enroll in the nursing program here or anywhere else for that matter...Get your application turned in early to avoid last minute changes. There were long waits for me as a student.

I'm in Cohort 2 (the 2nd nursing group of students that enrolled at the school)...Cohorts 3-6 are only being offered the classes that will fulfill requirements to sit for NCLEX-RN upon completion of program. I've been advised that Cohort 7 and thereafter are going to be enrolled in a program that will fulfill requirements to earn a BSN when completed.

The school is still only WASC accredited since they don't have enough graduates to use as statistics to pursue the CCNE nursing accreditation. They are going to apply for the accreditation at a later date (TBD)

I have family members that work for SHARP or KAISER PERMANENTE in San Diego. I was told by one of them that SHARP is now trying to go "Magnet" which means they are raising standards when it comes to hiring nurses. Basically, the CCNE is highly sought.

I have looked into BSN programs with the CCNE accreditation and have found only a few that fits my schedule and lifestyle (I have two kids).

I hope this helps those looking into this program or this school. The school is growing and the opportunity is great if you can get into nursing. You must do your research!!! And you must be flexible!! Good luck to you!

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

Thanks ANValenzuelaRN! I am an ADN RN and want the BSN desperately. I work in National City so when I saw that there was a nursing school in National City I was surprised! I thought the magnet status was that they wanted BSN. I didn't know that they also wanted CCNE :( I just want to finish my education and online does't seem to fit with me so I thought class time would be better for me and this school offers that.

So what's it like to be a student there? How are the classes? How is the workload? I plan on continuing to work as a nurse 3 days a week (full time) on my 12 hour shifts while going to school. Hope it all works out.

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

Just to let everyone know. I found this on the website

Effective for cohorts beginning May 2011: Upon successful completion/passing of the NCLEX-RN Examination, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and will be able to continue for the Masters of Science of Nursing (MSN; Concentrations available include FNP, Administration, or Education).

So starting in May, everyone will receive a degree upon graduation. :)

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