I was reading an old forum on people's opinions on Keiser, but I didn't find any that spoke of Keiser now in 2010. Some things have changed, apparently. I know that they are now accredited, first of all, and that the entrance test is the TEAS. I just wanted to know of anyone's opinion of how the school is now (especially Ft.Lauderdale)? Has anyone recently graduated from there, or is going there now? I'm looking into it and plan to take the TEAS in July to apply for next year.
Basically, I am 43 and need to change to nursing as a career (I'm burnt out after 20 years and the economy for education especially is so very bad - I was laid off along with 300 other teachers). I'm a teacher (so I have a BA), and have always loved health care, but kids and family made it tough to change careers midstream. I have the prereqs that I need for Keiser, but I would need another 2 semesters to finish the ones for general community colleges and such. I constantly hear how hard it is to get into nursing programs - there's not enough space so there's waiting lists. My grades are A's so far in sciences, so the GPA isn't what worries me as much as having to wait. Obviously, I'm not at the beginning of my career "life" and need to be earning more soon because my childrens' childsupport ends in 2012, and they will still need just as much help and care then as I give them now, so money will become a HUGE issue soon. I also know that once I have my RN, even from Keiser, I can apply to most BSN and MS programs out there (it's only if I leave during my program at Keiser and try to transfer credits then that the other colleges would not accept them, correct)? Please correct me if I'm wrong or you have any additional insights!
So, even with the big financial commitment for what is just an Associate's degree, will it be worth it do you think? What have you heard about the school recently? I can't wait too long. I figure once I have the RN I can go about applying to a public university for the BSN to save money then. It's getting that first degree that counts, right?
Please, please share your opinions and advice. I don't wish to provoke a debate on private schools versus public education, etc, etc. That previous debate took a bad turn from what I read from a previous thread from 2009. I just need to hear other's points of view. Thank you!
I have taken all but one pre req at MDC i am taking aml next month with mdc (cheaper). I have a 3.59 gpa I do have to retake the teas test but I have been studing this time w/the Mcgraw hill book and plan on purchasing a practice exam I am just worried about the teas, interview, and getting accepted. They said may 2011 if i get in and I am wondering the cost w/finacial aid how much would that be all together.
i have taken all but one pre req at mdc i am taking aml next month with mdc (cheaper). i have a 3.59 gpa i do have to retake the teas test but i have been studing this time w/the mcgraw hill book and plan on purchasing a practice exam i am just worried about the teas, interview, and getting accepted. they said may 2011 if i get in and i am wondering the cost w/finacial aid how much would that be all together.
i wasn't required to take the teas, instead they required the net. the net was not hard but i studied a lot for it. if i wouldn't have studied i would not have done well since i've been out of school for over 20 years. yeah i suggest studying for the teas.
the interview is also new; however i had a long discussion with the dean and found out that the nursing department wants people that are totally committed, don't have tons of distractions in the life, will do well in the program, and will pass the state boards. i have seen so many people start the program and for many different reasons are not fully committed and end up either getting kicked out or they fail out. keiser is a full time program and they move at a very quick pace so is it very hard to work a full-time job and go through their program. they are very strict on attendance and being on time also and will remove people from the program if you violate the policy. basically they want a mature person that can handle the program.
as far as the cost, i personally paid cash because i did not qualify for financial aid. figure that each semester is about $8,500 and there are 5 semesters. you will have to talk to the financial department to figure out what you qualify for....
Thank you I do have 2 young daughters 1 & 2 1/2 but they will be in daycare. The advisor said the program is 16 months 4 semesters 2months for each class I assume we take a class every two months. I am determined I have family help and I am not working so I think I am covered. I should qualify for finacial aid its $6680 per semester w/o books uniform and other cost i will have to get a loan but it should not be too high. How did you enjoy Keiser and was it hard for you to get a job after you completed Keiser? where are you located at sorry for all the questions again thank you.:)
I'm currently in the RN program at Keiser in Sarasota and am very happy with the school, program, pace, etc. :) Feel free to ask anything - I'll answer if I know
how is the pace and do you have any children and about the cost did you get f-aid? when do you finish. you can anwser any questions I aked the other poster thank you.
Thank you I do have 2 young daughters 1 & 2 1/2 but they will be in daycare. The advisor said the program is 16 months 4 semesters 2months for each class I assume we take a class every two months. I am determined I have family help and I am not working so I think I am covered. I should qualify for finacial aid its $6680 per semester w/o books uniform and other cost i will have to get a loan but it should not be too high. How did you enjoy Keiser and was it hard for you to get a job after you completed Keiser? where are you located at sorry for all the questions again thank you.:)
I'm actually still attending Keiser in Lakeland for my bachelors and will plan to pursue a higher degree when I am done this year. Keiser semesters are 4 months long, so I'm not sure why the advisor told you the program was only 4 semesters but 16 months is actually five semesters. Just check on that to verify what you were told so you know your actual costs. I personally have enjoyed the school but again you can't plan that it will be easy. I know the nursing program can be done having small children, hopefully you will have babysitters when they are sick. Again Good luck!
how is the pace and do you have any children and about the cost did you get f-aid? when do you finish. you can anwser any questions I aked the other poster thank you.
The pace is swift, but not unreasonable for a 16 month program. We have a test about every week over around 10 chapters. I have a 4 year old daughter (and am a single mom), so I did get the max financial aid and am still taking out student loans on top of it. It is a pricy program, but I looked around to all of the local RN programs and the waitlists were insane. By the time I would be starting a program at a different school, I will be done at Keiser and already paying off those loans. Not waiting around for years to get started in the career I want is worth paying for it, to me. I finish in Dec 2011.
Thank you both so much hopefully I will be a Keiser RN student as well..:) plr nursing i will check on that as well. mintmocha did u take the pre req with Keiser?
To answer your earlier question, yes - I took 5 classes of pre-req's at keiser (online) prior to starting my core. When I'm all done I'll have close to 30k in loans - costs are roughly 7500 per semester. Be prepared to pay a lot of cash out just before/at the beginning of your first semester, too. Have to buy uniforms, stethoscope, get immunizations/titers of immunity, dr. visit, CPR cert, etc. etc. etc. I'd guess close to $600 I spent just getting those taken care of prior to starting classes.
WOW..Well I took my pre req and am taking the last one at a MDC. So hopefully It wont be that much also how much did financial aid end up paying each semester? Here it is $6688 per semester. I better start saving up thank you again sorry for all the questions.
It's been a long time since I applied to Kesier but I'm sure not much has changed. Unlike state schools, Keiser is there to make money and they are very helpful with everything. As for the nursing program, you will have to take the TEAS test and pass with a certain score. If you do that then you will be put on a waiting list and be required to complete all your prereqs before starting the program. Getting accepted to the school is not the issue, it is passing the TEAS and completing all the prereqs I think with no less than a 3.0 in each course. Many people struggle with AP I & II and maybe Microbiology and people get weeded out of the program that way. I do not think they will transfer in science prereqs that were taken somewhere between 2 to 5 years ago(don't know exact # of years). In my opinion it is a good school not matter what the cost is. Good luck!
Wrong!!
A prospective student is required to take the TEAS entrance test and interview with the program director. Your test scores do not dictate when you take your pre-reqs. If you meet the criteria, then you are accepted into the 2-year program. (There is no waiting list). If you have pre-reqs from another institution, then you do not need to re-take them. A student needs to maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 prior to the start of the 16-month, four semester nursing program.
thank you again sorry for all the questions.
Ms.Scorpio, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN
49 Posts
I have taken all but one pre req at MDC i am taking aml next month with mdc (cheaper). I have a 3.59 gpa I do have to retake the teas test but I have been studing this time w/the Mcgraw hill book and plan on purchasing a practice exam I am just worried about the teas, interview, and getting accepted. They said may 2011 if i get in and I am wondering the cost w/finacial aid how much would that be all together.