National American University

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Does anyone have an opinion about NAU in Bloomington? I have a friend starting there and she's impressed but i didn't even know they had a program. Does anyone have feedback about this school?

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I've never even heard of it. But I just looked up their NCLEX pass rates and they are the worst in the state. Like, pretty bad actually, only 52 percent passed the NCLEX on the first try in 2015 (87% is the state and national average). Which tells me they aren't preparing their students well for the exam. Doesn't mean she won't succeed by any means, but maybe if she is aware of it she'll be able to put in extra efforts on her own to make sure she's well prepared after graduation.

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Specializes in GENERAL.
I've never even heard of it. But I just looked up their NCLEX pass rates and they are the worst in the state. Like, pretty bad actually, only 52 percent passed the NCLEX on the first try in 2015 (87% is the state and national average). Which tells me they aren't preparing their students well for the exam. Doesn't mean she won't succeed by any means, but maybe if she is aware of it she'll be able to put in extra efforts on her own to make sure she's well prepared after graduation.

Go to (collegescorecard.ed.gov) to see if listed. Know that NYCLEX pass rates are important but you have to know the graduation and retention rates of any given year's starting cohort to make sense of the real meaning of the NYCLEX pass rate in context. In this case, on the surfice if it, the school looks bad. But in general, don't take anyone's word for the quality of a school. Do the research, ie. internet search and critical analysis yourself and with help of independent veterans of nursing education if you can find them. And don't spend $100, 000, on a nursing degree. Check out the community and public colleges in your area. A nursing degree is not worth a lifetime of life ruining debt. It just will never pay, if you pay way too much.

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I couldn't find public info on retention rates for their nursing school. However they did award 25 degrees and 25 sat for the NCLEX.

Additionally I looked up their accreditation on the MN BON site and it looks like the accreditation is currently conditional because they have been below the minimum standard for 3 consecutive years, which is a bit unnerving. I would definitely talk to NAU about what this means if I was interested in attending. They could provide insight as to why this occurred and what actions they have taken to improve.

But I agree it's something a student needs to dive into and research themselves. Also should be considering costs, how comfortable they feel at the school, staff reputation, and how driven they are and confident in there abilities like you said. Although the school has a responsibility to teach and prepare, it's ultimately the students responsibility to make sure they are successful and prepared for the NCLEX.

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Specializes in GENERAL.
I couldn't find public info on retention rates for their nursing school. However they did award 25 degrees and 25 sat for the NCLEX.

Additionally I looked up their accreditation on the MN BON site and it looks like the accreditation is currently conditional because they have been below the minimum standard for 3 consecutive years, which is a bit unnerving. I would definitely talk to NAU about what this means if I was interested in attending. They could provide insight as to why this occurred and what actions they have taken to improve.

Kjricr

But I agree it's something a student needs to dive into and research themselves. Also should be considering costs, how comfortable they feel at the school, staff reputation, and how driven they are and confident in there abilities like you said. Although the school has a responsibility to teach and prepare, it's ultimately the students responsibility to make sure they are successful and prepared for the NCLEX.

Kjrice89: yes, so you need to find out all the basic numbers: grad and retention rates. But it seems like they prefer to operate "dark." This is a technique in which they control the vital information about the school rendering you dependent on them telling you the truth. You're probably not going to get it from them.

Kj, I would run, not walk, away from these people.

Explore other options and know you may have dodged the first bullet. At the price of school these days, everything should be laid out and transparent.

Much luck and keep a careful eye on the prize. I just can't believe how higer education has degenerated into a ripoff the student, dip into the loan money flim-flam scheme today.

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Kj, I would run, not walk, away from these people.

Oh, I am not the OP lol I just got super curious about this place since I had never heard of it and I go to school nearby. Just felt like playing detective and digging around for info.

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Actually I was the OP. I visited many schools and was curious about this one because I couldn't find a lot of information. I asked also why they only had a conditional accreditation and I was given a run-around answer. I have worked for years in for profit colleges and understand the accreditation process so I was annoyed that they didn't just come out and say that they had a low NCLEX rates. When i went in, I was told that there most recent pass rate was 99% but they couldn't tell me how many first timers took the test. I have decided against this school and I'm looking at a public community college instead. Thank you for all of your comments!

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