Marian or U of I? Need help fast!

ERNurse752, RN · Aug 6, 2006

I went to U of I...graduated in 2001 from the BSN program. I liked it ok. No major complaints, felt like I got a better education than some other schools provided...judging from other grads...but a lot of it depends on the individual.

A nurse I work with graduated from Marian about 3 years ago. He didn't like it at all. But, he was a paramedic, and felt like they completely discounted his paramedic education, and tried to essentially tear him down to rebuild him into something else, instead of building on his previous experience. And he isn't a jerk or an idiot or anything, he's actually a good medic/nurse.

Of course, I can see this happening pretty much anywhere, b/c most nsg profs are somewhat alike!

I never had any problems getting into classes or clinicals at U of I. No problems with office staff, although they could obviously be different by now.

U of I has MS degrees, which is something to think about if you think you might want to go on someday. It's definitely easier to get accepted to their MS programs if you are an alum. Less hoops to jump through.

The only other Marian grad I knew was one who decided she didn't really want to be a nurse and was going to go back for el ed...so I don't have any good information about them.

U of I seems to have an excellent reputation for turning out grads who have knowledge, I will say. For their grad nursing programs too.

Sorry, lots of 3 am rambling without much actual information, hehe. I think either school is good...go where you think you'll be happiest, bottom line.

Trauma Columnist · Aug 6, 2006

I did the Marian College LPN to ADN program from 1993-1994. I found it very good. I especially liked the director of the program who was very willing to work with me (I had come from out of state). They were very responsive and at that time there was no wait list.

I can also say that they have been very good at supplying transcripts throughout the years without any hassle.

bethin · Aug 7, 2006

I went to U of I...graduated in 2001 from the BSN program. I liked it ok. No major complaints, felt like I got a better education than some other schools provided...judging from other grads...but a lot of it depends on the individual.
A nurse I work with graduated from Marian about 3 years ago. He didn't like it at all. But, he was a paramedic, and felt like they completely discounted his paramedic education, and tried to essentially tear him down to rebuild him into something else, instead of building on his previous experience. And he isn't a jerk or an idiot or anything, he's actually a good medic/nurse.
Of course, I can see this happening pretty much anywhere, b/c most nsg profs are somewhat alike!
I never had any problems getting into classes or clinicals at U of I. No problems with office staff, although they could obviously be different by now.
U of I has MS degrees, which is something to think about if you think you might want to go on someday. It's definitely easier to get accepted to their MS programs if you are an alum. Less hoops to jump through.
The only other Marian grad I knew was one who decided she didn't really want to be a nurse and was going to go back for el ed...so I don't have any good information about them.
U of I seems to have an excellent reputation for turning out grads who have knowledge, I will say. For their grad nursing programs too.
Sorry, lots of 3 am rambling without much actual information, hehe. I think either school is good...go where you think you'll be happiest, bottom line.

Thanks for the reply. It made me feel like I am making the right decision. I'm going to try it and if I absolutely despise it, I know I can still get into Marian. I'm just worried that at 26, I won't get into clinicals in a reasonable time frame and I'll be 30 and still waiting to get in. But then that's my fear anywhere I go. My GPA is good, definitely not where I want it to be(3.0) so I'll be working extra hard to raise it and my chances of getting into clinicals.

ERNurse752, RN · Aug 7, 2006

Thanks for the reply. It made me feel like I am making the right decision. I'm going to try it and if I absolutely despise it, I know I can still get into Marian. I'm just worried that at 26, I won't get into clinicals in a reasonable time frame and I'll be 30 and still waiting to get in. But then that's my fear anywhere I go. My GPA is good, definitely not where I want it to be(3.0) so I'll be working extra hard to raise it and my chances of getting into clinicals.

No problemo!

Back when I was at U of I, there wasn't really any competition at all to get into the nursing program/clinicals. There were enough spots for everyone, so as long as your GPA met the minimum requirements to get accepted, you were in. The cost of tuition keeps the numbers low...so, while you'll be in more debt, you'll save yourself a lot of time and worry! :)

Go greyhounds!

bethin · Aug 9, 2006

Well, it's a no go at the U of I. I went to orientation on Mon and met with my advisor who was very helpful. She looked over my transcripts from Ivy Tech, commented on my very good GPA and then went "oh, you dropped advanced physio". I explained the reason why I had to drop it - I was hospitalized the second week of classes for a week and a half, professor said no more than 2 abscenses d/t lab work and getting behind. So I dropped it. She then told me that if I can prove that I was passing when I dropped it she would accept that. I did have an A in the class, but after missing 4 labs and 4 classes, I was bound to have a bunch of zeroes. I went to Ivy Tech to speak with the professor, who no longer works there. I spoke to the dept director who said unfortunately, the school doesn't have those records and the professor is in another state and he doubts he kept records from 2 years ago.

So now I'm off to Marian, which was my first choice anyway. I won't be starting until Jan because they start in 2 weeks and I don't have the deposit money and I have rec'd nothing from financial aide. There's no way I could buy books without that money. So for this semester I'm working 2 extra 12 hr shifts a week and hopefully by Jan I won't need aide to buy books.

bethin · Aug 9, 2006

I did the Marian College LPN to ADN program from 1993-1994. I found it very good. I especially liked the director of the program who was very willing to work with me (I had come from out of state). They were very responsive and at that time there was no wait list.
I can also say that they have been very good at supplying transcripts throughout the years without any hassle.

What about your clinical instructors? Did you think they were good? I'm sure alot has changed in 13 years, but hopefully the program as a whole has stayed steady. I'm anticipating competition and am going to work my butt off to get A's. I know I'm capable and yes it takes more work, but I want opportunities, like the Peace Corps, mission work, etc after graduation.

Considering a minor in Spanish - do you think that would be way too much to handle? I'm thinking it would be, but I must learn Spanish to go where I want to go. Plus, as an aide in a small county hospital we are encountering more and more Spanish speaking pts. I want to be able to hold down a conversation with them, more than asking them if they're in pain, need anything, etc.

ERNurse752, RN · Aug 9, 2006

Wow, that sucks, I'm sorry to hear that. Sounds like you have things figured out though. Good luck getting through the waiting this semester, and I hope you like Marian. :)

HARRN2b · Oct 1, 2006

If you think it would be too difficult to do your nursing program and minor in Spanish, you could always do the Spanish later. I think, eventually we will all need Spanish. I am very disturbed that it is not mandatory in the public school system in Hamilton Co. Should be required.