I'm currently a nursing student at National University and I'd like to share my thoughts regarding the nursing program.
The environment in this program is currently at the negative end. There is a big disconnect between the students and the nursing staff and questions regarding the ethics of the recent changes that were implemented has been raised. We have had to resort to sending a letter signed by the majority of the nursing students to the president of the university because all other attempts with people running the program have been ignored.
Our dissatisfaction with the program is due to the following changes and affects all current and incoming nursing students:
-The passing grade of C was raised from 73% to 76% for each class.
-Aside from passing each class, a test from an outside company, ATI, must also be passed with a level II or greater. Basically, this means that you can pass your class with 100%, but if you fail the ATI test for that particular class, you fail the class. ATI does not teach in the classrooms or clinical sites. A third party company deciding whether or not students pass their courses does not seem ethical.
-Retaking a class over again will result in falling months behind graduation schedule in order to find room in a new cohort. NU nursing programs start every three months, so you will have to wait a few months in order to join the cohort behind you (if they have room).
-Retaking the class is not covered by financial aid, which means: $3500 out of pocket.
-Anytime your grade falls behind 80%, you are required to attend remediation on campus for 8 hours a week.
-If you pass the class and the ATI exam but receive less than 80%, you are required to attend remediation for your next class.
-Before you can sit for the NCLEX, you must pass a comprehensive ATI predictor test with a Level II or greater. You will not be able to sit for the NCLEX unless this is passed.
Why did the University implement all these changes? To increase the NCLEX pass rates of their students taking the test for the first time. The higher the score, the better their advertisements will look.
What's disheartening about this situation is that while the school has made it so much more difficult for students to continue on with the program, there is no investment on their part to help their students. Also, changes were made without considering how far current students are already in the program. This is not what we signed up for when we applied; these were not the requirements that that were explained to us that we needed to fulfill during our orientation.
Other cons are:
-The school does not provide its students with nu.edu email address. In fact, you will be instructed to use Gmail.
-One year ago we brought up the issue of how our online skills check is not functioning. It's still not functioning.
-Total program cost will be around $45,000. Very, very expensive when compared to other programs.
-No externship programs. In fact, your professors will tell you to see if a community college will let you join their externship program.
-Just for fun: You will pay $1500 for orientation and they will serve you sandwich and chips.
Anywho, I hope this helps during your application process.
Hello AspiringNurse829, have you started yet? I would like to ask if you are willing to share a little more about your experience with the application process and all.
the application process was fairly easy. The application was like two pages long and didn't ask for much. After you apply, the nursing department emails all the applicants to invite them to take the proctored essay on campus a
Thanks for replying :) have you started classes yet? I have been in touch with a nursing advisor but I am very curious to find out how the schedule is for a cohort as oppose to what they tell us to expect; like when lectures and clinical are and how long? I'm so excited that I found this thread.
My cohort will probably be July 2016 so I'll be about a year behind you hopefully (fingers crossed).
Hello!!! I Love NU and their fast pace :) I took most of them at different colleges over the past 8 years since I was active duty for 4 of those years but in taking micro at NU now and took their biomed stats too.
That is good to hear. I guess my fear is taking all my GE classes here and not getting in that 80% mark on my TEAS exam. I am really scared I am trying to think if I should take my GE classes at a CC for a lower cost.
ms.higgins93 if I wasn't using my post 9/11GI Bill I would be going the financial smart way and that would be community colleges for sure. The NU BSN program alone is around 40K if I'm not mistaken so be smart if you are paying out of pocket
How did it go? I went back in July but I'm wondering if any new info was added since the advisor who hosted my session resigned in October. Grants for sure, pell and all that you can apply!grant=free money [emoji383][emoji383][emoji383]
hi! I did my homework and found that NU is a much better school than the other ones similar out there. I was wondering if there are any current students out there who can give me an example of what the nursing schedule looks like? I finally landes my dream job working at the local childrens hospital and was bummed to hear I'd have to quit or at least work less than 15 hours a week to attend the nursing program. is the class schedule set every month or do the days and hours fluctuate every week? advice please!
JVC83 I believe I will qualify for grants. I will find out soon I am going to go to the nursing information session this Saturday November 7, 2015.
How was the nursing session back in November? I went in July so I'm wondering if anything new was shared. I know the nursing department was going through a lot of changes.
I am very sad to hear that you are going through such a negative experience at National University. I know a couple of people looking to get into the nursing program there, and reading this doesn't bode well for them, to me. It's a very expensive program so it's last-LAST on my list for where to apply. I will be watching this thread to see what others have to say.
JVC83
85 Posts
Hello AspiringNurse829, have you started yet? I would like to ask if you are willing to share a little more about your experience with the application process and all.
Look forward to hearing from you.
If you prefer email: [email protected]