MCI VB accredidation/RN to BSN programs

[thinkexistlive]

Hey,

I am in the process of applying for the RN program at MCI in VB. Basically, my goal is to obtain my BSN as quickly as possible. MCI's RN program is extremely fast and my goal was to get accepted to an RN to BSN program somewhere else(VCU for example) and complete my BSN.

My concern is with the programs accreditation. MCI is not NLNAC accredited and so I'm not sure if VCU, ODU etc etc would accept my credits. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm also worried about potential jobs because if the program is not certified then I am worried it will not be taken seriously, and thus not lead to a nursing job.

Any help anyone could offer would be great! I'd as the advisor but I want to get the real scoop, not a script.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

I'd encourage you to call the various schools directly. Here at UVA, we only will enroll those who graduated from NLN-accredited schools. There are several for-profit as well as Virginia Community colleges that are not accredited, therefore be accepted to our BSN program.

I also know of several hospitals that are not hiring new grads from non-accredited programs. A few are no longer hiring graduates from diploma programs either as new grads.

[NachoMomma]

MCI VB is in candidancy status for NLNAC. If you look on the website, it lists the RN program in NN as a candidate. I called NLNAC (the 800 number on website if you want to call!) and they confirmed that VB was also in candidancy status. They just had the review last week for the BSN accredidation and hopefully will have the final review for the ADN program by the end of the year. If you graduate while it is still candidancy status, and later gets full accreditidation you are "grandfathered in" as a NLNAC accredited graduate. It was no big deal at all when I called NLNAC. I had to be transferred a few times, but everyone was really nice and answered all my questions about it.

96% of MCI VBs RN grads have a job at graduation. MCI is an associates degree, not a diploma. Sentara has an RN diploma program.

With all that said, the transfer of credits will be up to the school. MCI is SACS accredited (the regional accreditation), so classes like English, Psych, Math, etc will more than likely transfer. Nursing schools don't like to transfer nursing credits from any institution - but some do and will. For instance, if I started taking nursing classes at TCC and then transfered to ODU and then didn't pass my NCLEX - then it effects ODUs pass rates. Or if I can't pass another class because I took the prereq at TCC, then it effects ODUs attrition rates. They want to know when you graduate and pass your NCLEX, that they prepared at the maximum level of compentency. It's hard to regulate that control when you start taking nursing transfer credits.

And - I know two RN grads from MCI that are now at ODU doing the bridge program. I don't know what classes they took or transferred.

Hope that helps!

[taliselt]

I too am looking at MCI's RN program. It is the answer to my dreams having an accelerated program; HOWEVER, the accredidation is a big problem for me. I did call and talk to the point of contact listed NLNAC and they did have their initial review in October. The "board" will be meeting in Atlanta in February in which they will decide whether or not the Va Beach campus will be accredited. Let's pray that they do!!! My husband is active duty and I'm reading military job announcements that specifically state that you have to be certified through an accredited source. So this is very important for me... as well as for many other people as well. However, I am wondering. Who is hiring people that are graduating from MCI and what are they making? Are they being hired for less coming out of MCI?

[adamva]

According to the Nursing director at MCI NN, the school will have final word by April about NLNAC accreditation. But a friend of mine who is a charge nurse at sentara careplex told me yesterday he heard MCI was accredited now or that they passed the january review, he wasn't quite sure so who knows.

As far as transferring credits to ODU from MCI. Once you have completed the MCI RN program you can go to ODU for your BSN and all the classes you take at MCI will count at ODU except for chemistry. However A&P 1 and 2, microbiology, eng, sociology, psychology etc all transfer. But to start the ODU RN to BSN you will have to take CHM 101 & 102, statistics, a fine arts class, a literature class, and a history class. You will also need a foreign language unless you took 3 years of it in high school. This is all what they told me at ODU when they reviewed my transcripts.

As far as nursing jobs in the area go, noone I know has had a problem finding a job. I've known grads that worked for sentara, riverside, bon secours, naval hospital portsmouth etc. MCI grads seem to get the same starting wages as other grads. Also the naval hospital and the air force hospital both don't care about nlnac, however the VA hospital won't hire unless u are a nlnac grad.