Looking at nursing schools in Des Moines area

Published

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has gone to Mercy College, I am looking at going there b/c it sounds like its really hard to get into DMACC, I dont know if Grandview is as hard. And my mom has worked at Mercy (not as a nurse) for 15 yrs and they have a tuition discount for family program, I have also heard if you sign a contract to work for Mercy for so long you can get school paid for. Does anyone know anything about this? Is it a good idea? Any recommendations on what I should do? I appreciate any help you could give.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health Care.

Welcome to allnurses!

:wlcmggrp:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has gone to Mercy College, I am looking at going there b/c it sounds like its really hard to get into DMACC, I dont know if Grandview is as hard. And my mom has worked at Mercy (not as a nurse) for 15 yrs and they have a tuition discount for family program, I have also heard if you sign a contract to work for Mercy for so long you can get school paid for. Does anyone know anything about this? Is it a good idea? Any recommendations on what I should do? I appreciate any help you could give.

I'd jump on the tuition assistance thing for a place like Mercy Hospital. You can work about any specialty you want while getting a tuition break, and that's a good thing. See how long you'd have to work there before you decide too hard, though. Mercy College is pretty expensive, if what I heard was right, so tuition assistance is a good thing!

Why is it hard to get into DMACC? Is there a waiting list or something?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

DMACC has a one year waiting list and a lot of prereqs whereas Mercy doesnt have any, they incoprorate them into the program. I found out that I would have to work one year FT @ Mercy for every two semesters of school I get for free but I dont know if that includes summer terms or if they consider how many credits as opposed to just the semester.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.
DMACC has a one year waiting list and a lot of prereqs whereas Mercy doesnt have any, they incoprorate them into the program. I found out that I would have to work one year FT @ Mercy for every two semesters of school I get for free but I dont know if that includes summer terms or if they consider how many credits as opposed to just the semester.

I know how tempting it is to just jump right in, but if you don't want to do the Mercy contract, I'd go with DMACC for the cost. If you are happy with the Mercy contract, I'd go with the other. That's just my opinion--nursing school (any school, for that matter) gets awfully expensive when you're paying back loans.

Tell us what you decide!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi - I am in my 2nd semester at Mercy College of Health Sciences. Mercy offers an ASN & BSN program. The ASN program is designed to get you through in 5 semesters. There are three semesters per year at Mercy, Spring, Summer & Fall semesters. 1st semester NSG is offered every other semester (they rotate). Full time tuition is $6300 per semester. Good thing is there is no waiting list like there is at DMACC. Once you are accepted, you are in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Grand View College is the way to if you'd like to go to a school that skips the 2 year degree and goes straight to the BSN. While Mercy is a more focused program, Grand View is along the lines of the more common collegiate experience. Just depends on what you are looking for.

GVC is more expensive, but I've been able to get around that with scholarships and grants.

The three Des Moines area schools...DMACC, GVC, and Mercy will all have their pros and cons, but they will all make you a competent nurse. I would just avoid any of the programs that aren't ran by colleges or universities. (ie, the Kaplan, Excelcior type schools).

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.
I would just avoid any of the programs that aren't ran by colleges or universities. (ie, the Kaplan, Excelcior type schools).

Good luck.

Excelsior is NLNAC accredited and regionally accredited. The RN program does not qualify for federal Pell grants and loans, however, because it is an examination-based program. (All other programs are, like the BSN and MSN.) You need a decent dose of clinical experience to get into this school. It is most definitely a college. It's the largest nursing program in the US. Kaplan is also legit. I'm scratching my head on that one and perhaps a little incensed--they are both colleges. I don't know where this poster gets this information, but it is incorrect.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT GO TO MERCY!!!! That school is the biggest joke in Des Moines. Not to mention it is $6700 a semester, their passing board rates are horrible and their retention rate is less than 50 percent. This means that less than half of the students who begin the nursing program with them actually finish. I am speaking from experience because I went to that school while working at Mercy Hospital. I wish I would have chose a different route and if I can help anyone else not make the same mistake I did, I will. Take my advice and get on DMACC's waiting list. It is alot cheaper, a better education, and alot higher passing board rates.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

my wife and i (both lpn right now) are considering relocating to des moines within the near future. we just received out lvn license (or lpn) in texas, but intend to pursue rn asap, so our questions:

1. what is the job market for rn/lpn like? is it hard to find a job with a new rn license?

2. what opportunities are there for lpn to continue to rn (like an lpn-rn bridge program)?

3. are there waiting lists for entrance to these programs?

4. what is the typical starting salary for rns in des moines?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion