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.
One last question: Since you have completed your BS Degree at Barry and have all the Nursing Prerequisite under your belt, is it out of the question to apply to FIU (or FAU or UM) Accelerated BSN Program or you believe you won't get in given your Chemistry and AP II grades? The FIU Accelerated Program is quite new and the competition might not be as fierce as FAU/UM, not to mention the fact that it is a lower cost option and quicker completion period.
BTW, I think you have an awesome positive outlook. Not once did you get defensive, given some of the push back on this school.
You are on the money with your research. I can attest to what you are saying because I followed the same steps you did. In acceptation to finding what schools I could transfer into. Well... I sort of did that but the schools were high end as well. I saved less 32,000 in tuition costs so far. I was originally told $52,000 but after I talked with Financial Aid, from then on I was rewarded grants, scholarships etc. I only I have to 19,000 balance. Way less than Brown Mackie the school I was intending on applying to. The only thing now is for me to actually accept the seat. I have until Wednesday to make up my mind.
My journey to finding the right nursing has been a challenge. I truly hope that I will be happy here. At the Fort. Lauderdale campus.
You are on the money with your research. I can attest to what you are saying because I followed the same steps you did. In acceptation to finding what schools I could transfer into. Well... I sort of did that but the schools were high end as well. I saved less 32,000 in tuition costs so far. I was originally told $52,000 but after I talked with Financial Aid, from then on I was rewarded grants, scholarships etc. I only I have to 19,000 balance. Way less than Brown Mackie the school I was intending on applying to. The only thing now is for me to actually accept the seat. I have until Wednesday to make up my mind.
My journey to finding the right nursing has been a challenge. I truly hope that I will be happy here. At the Fort. Lauderdale campus.
Good Luck
Hi Fearless_Leader,
I'm sure you will make the right decision for yourself as I think I have made the right decision for myself. My goal is to be able to sit for the NCLEX and pass the test and receive my RN license so I can map out the rest of my career and education plan. All this talk on these boards about what is the "best" school and this and that is irrelevant to me but that's just my mindset. I know it matters to many of other students and that's ok.
If you decide to take the seat I will see you at orientation. If you decide against it good luck in your endeavors I'm sure you will find the correct path to obtain your RN license.
I'm sure you will make the right decision for yourself as I think I have made the right decision for myself. My goal is to be able to sit for the NCLEX and pass the test and receive my RN license so I can map out the rest of my career and education plan. All this talk on these boards about what is the "best" school and this and that is irrelevant to me but that's just my mindset. I know it matters to many of other students and that's ok.
If you decide to take the seat I will see you at orientation. If you decide against it good luck in your endeavors I'm sure you will find the correct path to obtain your RN license.
Yes it's funny how some members react to other posts. I know everyone means well (side eye). To each there own. I have the same goals as you. I spoke with FBON about my concerns. To quote the representative she said, "It was okay to go to an approved school, and I will be able to sit for the NCLEX" goal 1 (Check). Goal 2 finding a school I can go to for my BSN (check). I have reviewed the NCLEX passing rate and all (check). I'm comfortable with my decision as of now. My tuition is more than half of what the school total tuition is and I am happy about that. Another question I asked was what if I moved to another state would that effect me getting Ex. GA license? She said I would have to sit for said state NCLEX and pass because of my school being approved. Which I am ok with that. I also don't plan on moving to another state. If I decided to I would give myself enough time to study and pass before making that jump. I was told this information back in JULY. Anywho..... like you said you have turned every stone you can think of. That let's me know you value your education very much and you take the time to see what is best. That a great trait. Enjoy your day. As for me I need to study for my final. I have been procrastinating.
I accepted my seat into the nursing program. I am super excited. :roflmao::yes::nurse:. Everyone was helpful, and I'm glad. I have orientation on Fri 12/5/14.
Almost one year later and I am still happy about my decision to join this program. I have become great friends with the poster Ready2BaRN. We are both doing well. I didn't realize I commented on this post as well a year ago. To those reading this do your research and if you find this school (campus) to be the right fit go ahead take a leap of faith. I have 9 months left. I can finally see the light.
but after I talked with Financial Aid, from then on I was rewarded grants, scholarships etc. I only I have to 19,000 balance. Way less than Brown Mackie the school I was intending on applying to. The only thing now is for me to actually accept the seat. I have until Wednesday to make up my mind. 
:roflmao:
:yes:
:nurse:. Everyone was helpful, and I'm glad. I have orientation on Fri 12/5/14.
Psata
61 Posts
One last question: Since you have completed your BS Degree at Barry and have all the Nursing Prerequisite under your belt, is it out of the question to apply to FIU (or FAU or UM) Accelerated BSN Program or you believe you won't get in given your Chemistry and AP II grades? The FIU Accelerated Program is quite new and the competition might not be as fierce as FAU/UM, not to mention the fact that it is a lower cost option and quicker completion period.
BTW, I think you have an awesome positive outlook. Not once did you get defensive, given some of the push back on this school.
http://archive.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/327299/483/Nursing-student-wants-change-after-failing-exam