Loyola ABSN Spring 2010 Start - HELP!

Ayvah, RN · Sep 19, 2009

Why not call the school? That way you'll have it right from the source.

Besides, they change things around all the time, and a person who is currently in the program or has graduated may have had a different set of requirements than your friend.

wildorchid · Sep 21, 2009

Well i graduated from Loyola's ABSN in 2008, and we didn't have an interview prior to admission, BUT a lot has changed with the policies and administration so like the above post, it is best to call the Nursing School Office.

RNillini14 · Sep 22, 2009

I graduated from the ABSN prog in 2009 and there was no interview for us. I hadn't heard that the incoming students had one either. But with the politics of that place, who knows. Best of luck to your friend. He'll need it to survive that program. :cool:

weezbug123 · Nov 9, 2009

RNIllini, couldn't help notice that you seem a little unhappy with Loyola's ABSN program. It was one of the programs I was interested in, but after doing some research on this site...wow! It seems like there are an awful lot of unhappy Loyola graduates!

You mention the politics of the school, what do you mean exactly? Are the professors good? How is the atmosphere? Sorry for all the questions, just curius for some comments from a student that graduated recently.

Thanks!

RNillini14 · Nov 9, 2009

Hi weezbug123, all said and done, tho the program was not the most well run of nursing programs, I did feel I got good teaching and an excellent clinical experience. It was also wonderful to be done in 13 months. Not that that is helping since I can't seem to get a job, but that's another story. I think the majority of the professors were excellent and did a great job. But just like any school, there are going to be certain professors that you think don't teach in the way you like to be taught or are a little harebrained.

By politics, I was referring to administration. While there, they underwent a series of changes to different administrative roles. Deans and such. The transitions were not very smooth. I'm not sure if this was the reason but often there seemed to be a lag in relaying information to the students. Such as info on clinicals or simulations. It often seemed we were not told until last minute things we should have been given more a warning to or that everyone we asked had a different answer for things that should have been nailed out. It was frustrating. They received a lot of flack from students on it so I would assume by now things will run much smoother. Hopefully. They have also extended the program to 16 months which will most likely make a big difference.

By atmosphere, I'm not sure what you mean, but if you're talking about the students, and the general camaraderie of the school, I think that was by far the best part. Since all the students are previous bachelor degree holders and many have already worked in a career for some time, they are serious students really interested in nursing and learning. They came from all different backgrounds and you will really meet some of the most interesting people. They are team-players and you will grow to have this unique bond with the class because no one else can understand everything you are going through besides them. In that way, I believe they did do a very good job at selecting the students. Also, everyone is in the same boat and wanted their fellow classmates to succeed. It was really a supportive group of people. Interestingly, I was probably one of the younger classmates (24 at the time) as I had only been out of undergrad for 1 year prior. Average age is probably 26-29, most recently married women with no kids. I think we had 5 guys total out of 70-ish.

Hope I answered some of your questions. If you have more feel free to message me, sorry for the long post! Best of luck to all you future nursing students!

weezbug123 · Nov 9, 2009

Thanks so much for the response!! I keep going back and forth with whether I want to do the run-of-the-mill ADN program for 2 years and save money, or get the schooling quickly and start my real career. So, after reading some of the comments about Loyola's and West Suburban's ABSN, I was super dissapointed.

Your comments were very helpful. :) I'd love to eventually become an NP or PhD-RN, but I'm just not sure what fits with my finances, if I can stand to be far away from my fiance, and if having a BSN is really that much more respected than a regular ADN with a BA in a different field.

How was the loan situation at Loyola - Was the financial aid office willing to work with you?

How long have you been looking for a job? (if you don't mind me asking)

The economy and job outlook has to start improving, so keep your chin up. I'm sure something will land in your lap soon!

RNillini14 · Nov 9, 2009

Seriously, I would save money and do a ADN. I wish I had now, just because of my loan situation. I think I have close to $50,000 in loans. And I have to start repaying in March. I'm freaking out. Loyola gave great financial aid. Almost wished is wasn't so great now hahaha. I've been looking for a job since June about but more aggressively since end of August.

Hospitals pay the same to ADN as BSN's. There in no difference there. Most of the older nurses I've met that are still floor nurses have ADN's because that was more common during that time. It's the administrative nurses/nurse managers that have advanced degrees (and of course professors). I've noticed on some applications that they "prefer" BSN's but these are mostly for jobs in offices, not sure why. Harper College in Palatine has an excellent nursing program, but I know there is also a wait to get in it and they require you first to become a CNA. I'd check out COD (college of dupage) or ECC (elgin community college) too.

Another reason I think ADN is a great way besides that we get the same pay and it's CHEAPER, is that there are MILLIONS of those ADN-BSN or ADN-MSN programs, including online. I think UIC and Rush even have one. So while it may seem to be the longer route, really it isn't. Seriously give it a thought if money is an issue.

weezbug123 · Nov 9, 2009

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I think that is exactly the response I needed!

I cannot tell you how long I have been agonizing over taking the seemingly 'less sophisticated' way out with a community college. (bad way to put it, I know -but I can't think of a more eloquent way to put it) Money is an issue since we just bought our first house and are planning a wedding. I almost put aside College of DuPage completely, but I think I'll dust off their application that's been sitting on my desk for months! Hopefully I can actually get into their program!! Wouldn't that be ironic, if I didn't!

Thanks again and, really, best of luck to you in your new career!