My experience at ITT Breckinridge school of nursing (Ft. Lauderdale)

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I did a 3 hour school visit at Breckenridge school of nursing in Ft. Lauderdale so I will try my best to tell you about my experience and the many questions I asked.

1. The school is NOT accredited by ACEN. There do have accreditation by ACICS but that is a national accreditation. What that means is if you are looking to advance your degree BSN OR MSN you may have a really hard time finding a school that will accept the credits from ITT. However if you have taken you pre-reqs at another institution or have a BS degree in a different field it will be a little easier to transition into SOME BSN programs that don't require you to have a nursing degree from a an regionally accredited governing body such as ACEN.

2. I met with the nursing chair and asked if they were looking into ACEN accreditation and she replied 'We are trying to get accreditation from ACEN an actually we just applied this week but it could take a couple years for it to get approved' pretty much was her answer.

3. I asked the nursing chair "Do employers show prejudice to people with nursing degrees from ITT" Her reply was 'Honestly it's up to the individual. It depends on how much effort YOU put into your clinical rotations and how well you shine. You have to give the nursing managers a reason to hire you. You have to network and put yourself out there because at the end of the day everyone sits and takes the same NCLEX exam and when the nurse manager have all the resumes on their desk it comes down to what makes this person stand out over everyone else.

4. I asked about clinical sites (this apply to Ft. Lauderdale only) Acute care and Med/Surg is done at Northwest medical center. Psych rotation is done at some inpatient mental health ward (I forgot the name) Not sure where OB is done as I didn't get any information on that.

5. Tuition is quite expensive for a 2 year degree, although with the new scholarship program ITT has makes it somewhat affordable but still expensive compared to community colleges.

6. I think I would like to down play the myth that "anyone" can get into ITT School of nursing and it's a "easy" program. Well from what I was told the requirements are you MUST maintain a 3.0 to stay in the program. If you fall below a 3.0 you are required to meet with the Nurse chairperson to discuss your academic progress. If you continue to have below a 3.0 for the next quarter they kick you out of the program.

7. To get into the program you need to achieve a 75% or higher on the HESI. If you fail to reach this 75 the first time you have one more chance to get a passing score. If you fail a second time you are not admitted in the program.

8. There are NO application fees nor do you have to pay to take the HESI. Also I was told that books were included in the tuition price. The only thing the nursing student would have to pay for are uniforms which are about $15 and nursing kit which is $500.

My overall experience was positive. I felt as though all my questions were answered (and I had quite a few). I was given a tour of the school and the nursing lab which was clean and well kept. The nursing students I encountered "appeared" to be content but I had very little interaction with them. I didn't feel pressured or rushed to commit to anything. I take my HESI next week and am now contemplating between two different schools.

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My best advice to you is that you don't do it. Hospitals are barely looking at nurses with their Associate's. You NEED your BSN and if it's gonna be a hassle because of the accreditation, then I would not do it. It's competitive as hell out there and you definitely need to shine. You need to check with the Florida Board of Nursing because they have a list of colleges, universities, and programs that they will let sit for boards and stuff. Please do this research because this program doesn't seem like it will benefit you in the end.

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Thanks for your advice but I have done plenty of research and have looked into many different programs here. I think this decision is the best option for my situation. I contacted five different schools here in south florida pertaining to their RN TO BSN program. Two schools told me I needed to have a degree from a ACEN accredited college in order to enroll in their program. One told me if I have a degree from a non-regionally accredited college then I would need a bachelors degree in a non nursing related field. Two other schools told me accreditation didn't matter as long as I had an current unrestricted florida license and the required GPA for pre reqs I would have no problem enrolling.

This is ideal for me because my short term goal is to just get licensed. ITT is approved by FBON to sit for the nclex. After I get licensed I then would like to transition into a BSN program. Three schools (two state and one private) already told me as long as I have the required GPA and RN license I would be able to transition into their RN TO BSN programs. I already have a bachelors degree in a science related field (Clinical exercise physiology) so I'm not worrying about my pre reqs not transferring. Again it depends on the individuals situation and future goals. If someone was coming into this program with no college background at all or no pre reqs done then I would think twice because some schools may not take the credits if they are looking to advance their education. Again everyone situation is unique and different.

Also there are PLENTY of other places that need RN's besides a hospital. I think new grads get so caught up in the hospital/acute care setting that they disregard all the other great opportunities that are available to them to help them gain EXPERIENCE until they can get into a hospital setting.

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I am trying to ascertain the purpose of this thread? Are you trying to convince others to enroll at this unaccredited institution? What is your reason for starting this topic. You seem to be sold on attending this school and as such, wasn't soliciting any advice or direction. May I ask what is the reason why you decided to attend this expensive school, given the vast array of Community Colleges available to you a faction of the cost of the ITT Breckinridge School? Given your extensive research, what is their retention rate, pass rate on the NCLEX and the placement rate of their graduates after passing the boards? Also, do you mind sharing with us your Stats (GPA, pre-requisites completed and where they were done)? What do you project your total tuition will be to complete the program?

Good luck in your pursuit of your nursing degree.

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I made the thread because there were a few threads about this school where individuals wanted information so I decided to make this thread to give my experience with the site visit so others can make an informed decision from the information I provided. This thread is by no means to convince or solicit any students to pursue their education at Breckenridge. Now that I got that out of the way.

I’m fully aware of the other community colleges in my area that offers the ADN program as I visited those schools also. The other schools that I visited were Miami Dade College and Broward College. I’m unable to matriculate In Miami Dade program because I had a really hard time passing chemistry (The science I do not like the most) there requirements state if you withdrawal or fail a required science class twice you automatically don’t meet the minimum requirements. I withdrew once and didn’t pass it once so there is that. I applied to Browards program twice and didn’t get in so I started looking for other options. I also visited Keiser and applied for their program but they can’t give me a solid answer on when I would actually start the program and it would be way more expensive for me than any of the other options I looked at. Again as I stated before this is the best option for me.

All my pre-reqs were done at Miami Dade college and I transferred to Barry University to complete my BS degree my cumulative gpa is an 3.2 but my science gpa is not that strong because of challenges with chemistry and A&P II. I have my BS degree in clinical exercise physiology therefore all my pre reqs are completed.

Also because I already have an advanced degree I do not qualify for federal funding and I maxed out my student loans getting my BS degree therefore this will be paid solely out of pocket. With the in-house scholarship that ITT provides at most I will be paying between 8-10k so again this is the best option for ME.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

A fool and her money are soon parted...................

Ok, obviously you are not at all foolish. You have really done your research extensively and seem quite intelligent.

However, going to a non-accredited school will bite you in the butt. It is the wrong decision to make period. I am sorry to be blunt. I don't care what anybody tells you. They want your money. By the time you graduate you will be last in line for the open jobs and who knows if any reputable (acceptable to employers) RN to BSN program will accept you.

I do not mean to be harsh, but I am fearful this will lead only to debt and a degree that will do you no good.

I do wish you all the best no matter what decision you make and I hope it works out for you.

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I wanted to let you know that I graduated from Breckinridge at ITT in Merrillville, Indiana. I graduated December 2013 and sat for my boards February 3rd for the first time and passed with 75 questions. I got a job at a nursing home as an RN and applied to the local hospitals in the meantime. I got hired on the med surg floor and darted March 10.

I was in the same boat as you. I knew that I was smart, but all these community colleges needed 4.0 and high entrance exam scores and I was a B student. I wanted to be a nurse so bad and put it off for so many years that I went for it at Breckinridge. I had a positive experience because I was driven. I did what needed to be done and I studied my ass off. It can be done

Good luck!!

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Hi CrunchRN,

Yes I researched a lot pertaining to what would be the best choice for me. I also contacted 6 different RN TO BSN programs here in south florida to see if I would be able to apply to their programs with a degree from Breckenridge. Three schools told me that because the degree is not from a regionally accredited university I wouldn't be able to (Nova, Miami-Dade, Barry University). This is the response I got from FIU:

Thank you for your interest in the RN-BSN program at FIU. I have attached a brochure on the program.

Yes, the Nursing degree from Breckenridge will be acknowledged for a BSN at FIU with a FL RN license and BS from Barry.

We provide Information Sessions online. The Information Session provides an in depth look at the program. The Information Session is required for admittance in to the RN-BSN program. If you have not yet attended the session, please refer to the following link,RN to BSN Program. This link will provide you with information about the session and a link to sign up online.

Please go to the website and sign up for the online Information Session and more than likely any questions you have will be addressed. If not, once you complete the Information Session, you will meet one on one with me to review your transcripts and address any questions you may have.

Have a great day.

Thank you,

Natalie Conklin

RN-BSN Coordinator

FIU-Undergraduate Nursing

So I already have one regionally accredited BSN program in my pocket and I'm waiting to hear back from two more schools.

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@MeganB1983

Thank you for your response and encouragement. After being told no by so many programs and being discouraged. I'm excited to begin my journey and nursing career.

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Update: Just heard back from Broward College. I would also be eligible to enroll into their RN to BSN program. Three schools No and Two schools Yes. Waiting to hear back from one more.

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AlphanurseRN:

I'm a little bit confused. The ITT Tech Course outline shown below, does not show a Chemistry or Statistics Course among the course requirement for their ADN program:

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]Course

Number[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Course[/TD]

[TD=class: body, width: 50]Credit

Hours[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[TD=class: body]General Education Courses[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE117[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Composition I+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE127[/TD]

[TD=class: body]College Mathematics I+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE150[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Survey of the Sciences[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE217[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Composition II+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE257[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Micr[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]obiology+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE258[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Human Anatomy and PhysiologyI+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE259[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Human Anatomy and PhysiologyII+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE273[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Microeconomics+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE291[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Sociology+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]GE375[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Psychology+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[TD=class: body]Subtotal[/TD]

[TD=class: body]40[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[TD=class: body]Core Courses[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]HS347[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Health Group Dynamics+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU100[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Nursing Roles I[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU110[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Clinical Nursing Concepts and Techniques I[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU120[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Clinical Nursing Concepts and Techniques II[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU121[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Dosage Calculations[/TD]

[TD=class: body]1[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU130[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Adult Nursing I*[/TD]

[TD=class: body]8[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU205[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Pharmacology[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU230[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Adult Nursing II*[/TD]

[TD=class: body]8[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU240[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Gerontologic Nursing*[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU250[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Mental Health Nursing*[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU260[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Maternal Child Nursing*[/TD]

[TD=class: body]8[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU270[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Critical Care Nursing*[/TD]

[TD=class: body]8[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]NU280[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Nursing Roles II*[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[TD=class: body]Subtotal[/TD]

[TD=class: body]65[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[TD=class: body]Technical Basic Courses[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body]TB133[/TD]

[TD=class: body]Strategies for the Technical Professional+[/TD]

[TD=class: body]4[/TD]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: body][/TD]

[TD=class: body]Program Total[/TD]

[TD=class: body, width: 50]109

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

ITT Tech - Explore Your Possibilities

Yet FIU Pre-requisite list for acceptance into their RN-BSN program requires Both Chemistry and Statistics. Do you care to explain how you will meet FIU requirement, having failed Chemistry? Isn't Chemistry a prerequisite for Microbiology? Did you do Microbiology in the past or or you planning on doing it at ITT Tech? I might be wrong about the chemistry, since it's listed as a prerequisite for the Generic Program. I cannot understand why it would be a requirement for their Generic Program, yet not a requirement for their RN-BSN Program. Is this a loophole that you can just pass through? Did you pass Statistics at Barry or Miami-Dade?

FIU requirement:

http://rn2bsn.fiu.edu/html/RN_to_BSN_brochure.pdf

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I have taken both Stats and Chemistry at Barry. I passed Stats the first attempt. Chemistry the first time I dropped it, second time I didn't pass it, third and final try with a lot of praying I passed it

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