Maric College or Wait!

craziechiq, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2008

I am also in the same exact boat as you. or was... i chose the wait list route. i could not justify paying $55,000 for an associates degree. I've been on the wait list for city and grossmont for about a year and a half. hoping to go to city next fall. they only accept students during that time. grossmont may call in spring but I don't really want to go there since they lost their national accreditation. I don't know it all depends. For you, i would say try southwestern. Since you are already a CNA you can apply for their program. My co-worker is going there and only waited 8 months.

As for the companies you want to work for, I'm in that boat too. I work at scripps right now but in the medical records department. I know kaiser can be hard to get into since its union and everyone who works there tends to stay for a very long time. I hear they have amazing benefits. But thats when the time comes.

So its your decision, do you want to shell out the money and graduate fast or just wait it out for two years?

hopefulnurse5 · Jul 31, 2008

thanks craziechiq for the info and your decision.

I am at southwestern right now and afraid if I go on the waitlist list it would take me two years until I get in. I heard some people who got in within months at southwestern but how is that possible. I am still on the fence on whether to choose Maric or Wait. Its soo frustrating. I know Maric is expensive but you can work and earn that back. But everybody has their own thing going on. Anyways I am leaning towards Waiting but when I think about it I will spend 2 years to wait then 2 years for the program. When I will be finish with everything it would take me 6 years for completing my Associates Degree for RN. I don't know what to decide.

I was also thinking about Concorde for the LVN then go to National University and do their LVN-BSN(RN) program. So Many options.

When I hear the saying "Life is to short" I think of Maric so I can start life. But when I hear "College is where Life Experience Happen" I think of just Waiting. But talking with people and hearing their opinions really helps on my decision. Even though in the end the ultimate decision is mine.

craziechiq, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2008

have you thought about sdsu? if you have all your gen eds done and everything i would apply there for their BSN program. And since you're a cna i think that gives you 10 extra points. anyway, its funny you say the 6 year for an associates. I've told myself the exact same thing. Instead i like to think 6 years for RN. Its different. honestly the decision is all relative. it totally depends on your living situation and what you can handle. well hang in there. i'm trying my best. i'm dying just to start already.

hopefulnurse5 · Aug 1, 2008

yes. I thought of SDSU. If I plan to go that route I will need 1.5 more years of classes to apply and then apply and have a CHANCE to get in. I was looking @ their point system and if everything goes as plan I would have a score of 72 out of 77. But I am afraid I won't be able to get in then I would waste even more time. Do you know anything about National University for their ASN or BSN program?? Maric is still on my mine.

But I was wondering how did you friend get in the program at Southwestern and only waited 8 months thats Amazing.

And today while I was bored I estimated my time if I wait @ a community college and finish there I would be 24 years old. Now that freaks me out.

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!!!!!

craziechiq, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2008

haha thats funny. I will just have turned 24 as well. i kind of just learned to deal with that fact. again you will be a 24 year old registered nurse!!! Um my old classmate goes to NU but she's in the accelerated BSN program. I don't have too much info about that school. i think its cheaper than maric. but i'm not sure. Maric bothers me because their units are non transferable. I want to be able to go wherever if I want to continue my education.

I had the same dilemma with sdsu. it would take me another year to finish all the gen ed stuff and finally apply and i only received B's in my science pre-reqs. At the time i didn't really care what grade i received as long as i passed. I would say get your name on those lists, finish up your gen ed stuff, and try for sdsu. if it doesn't work then you always have the backup CC.

dallet6 · Aug 3, 2008

Your still young (very!) compared with over half of the nursing students in the US. I'd go the waitlist route and continue taken classes so that you can apply for the bsn program if you decide to. It will keep your mind busy while you are on the waitlist. Being 24 or such when you graduate is still young, don't stress too much. :up:

roseshadow · Aug 3, 2008

Wow, 19! That's great you know what you want to do. I just turned 24 and I'm still kicking the rocks around. It is really tough deciding how to go through with this. I would suggest either going through CC, SDSU, CSU San Marcos, or National (if you want to stay in San Diego).

Maric is not accredited, its harder to get in if you already have your gen ed done already because they start each class from scratch. Yes, you would save a lot of that tuition they charge because you have your pre-reqs done, but it doesn't guarantee you a spot on the next start date.

Put yourself on those CC waiting lists asap after you complete your pre-reqs because no matter where you go, you'll have to wait. I went to National a couple of weeks ago, the rep told me to do my gen ed at a CC, then apply to NU. She said what she has seen there, is about a 1 year wait from the time you apply to their BSN program, and in the mean time, while you're waiting, you can complete the upper division needed for the BSN. So, by the time you start the program, you really only have to complete the nursing courses. The cost for their nursing is $40,000. I don't remember if it included upper division classes or not. But, it does give you a Bachelors and from what I hear, the board is pushing for RNs to have a bachelors as a minimal requirement.

I hope this helps. I know a lot of people are in the same boat, myself included. Its a hard decision to make. I keep worrying if I can bring my general grades up enough to make it in (haven't started my pre-reqs yet, this coming spring I will), but I know no matter what decision you make, it'll be the right one for you. Good luck with everything!

hopefulnurse5 · Aug 3, 2008

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE AND COMMENTS.

I been thinking and thinking and then some more thinking and realized to start my career correctly and properly. My goal is SDSU I will finish my classes for the CC waitlist and start waiting like the other hundreds of students. LOL. And take classes for the SDSU program while waiting. I understand know I shouldn't rush. I will be so HAPPY if I get accepted into SDSU. I plan to work OR when I become a nurse. I'm so excitied now. SDSU here I come.

Thank you again!!!:D

hopefulnurse5 · Aug 3, 2008

FYI for anybody searching info about MARIC COLLEGE in San Diego for the RN program.

Even though this school won't be right for me. I just wanted to let people know what information i got from the admission rep.

This info is really recent. Like July 2008.

Maric College Rn Program.

Price Quoted without transferring In any credit: $49,000 (total)

Total Lenght of Program: 20 Months

Start Date: September 2008 then Jan. 2009

Credits will transfer to Univ. of Phoniex.

You need 6 months Full Time Medical Experience (CNA, MA, EMT)

2 tests before entry

More experience, Higher test scores and you are most likely to get in.

Hope this helps anybody interested in Maric College San Diego.

creepycat · Aug 28, 2008

i'm not sure what anyone means here by accreditation but i searched the Ca Board of Registered Nursing site and found Kaplan (now merged with Maric) in San Diego to be on their list of approved nursing schools.

I just happened upon this thread while doing research for an article I'm writing for a nursing magazine that has to do with accreditation.

please be aware that you must be sure the school you choose is accredited and approved by the BRN of CA or you will not be eligible for NCLEX exams. I'd check monthly on your schools progress just to be sure. many schools fall off the list for failing to meet ALL of the criteria (and its not easy to meet) ALL of the time.

when the article is published i will let you all know where to read it. for now you can email me at creepycast (at) gmail dot com (you know how it really goes right? just avoiding spambots). i also have a new student live chat on sunday eves so if you'd like for info on that shoot me a note also. its free and will help students and exp nurses by letting everyone pose problems and solutions.

cat

CuriousMe · Aug 28, 2008

i'm not sure what anyone means here by accreditation but i searched the Ca Board of Registered Nursing site and found Kaplan (now merged with Maric) in San Diego to be on their list of approved nursing schools.
I just happened upon this thread while doing research for an article I'm writing for a nursing magazine that has to do with accreditation.
please be aware that you must be sure the school you choose is accredited and approved by the BRN of CA or you will not be eligible for NCLEX exams. I'd check monthly on your schools progress just to be sure. many schools fall off the list for failing to meet ALL of the criteria (and its not easy to meet) ALL of the time.
when the article is published i will let you all know where to read it. for now you can email me at creepycast (at) gmail dot com (you know how it really goes right? just avoiding spambots). i also have a new student live chat on sunday eves so if you'd like for info on that shoot me a note also. its free and will help students and exp nurses by letting everyone pose problems and solutions.
cat

I think they mean academically accredited, so that their credits will transfer to another university when they continue on toward their BS.