Norfolk State University

fuerza757 · Jun 7, 2006

I found it, Paul D Camp. Maybe too much of a commute, an hour and a half.

No I haven't checked out HU. Will look into it, although for ecomonic sake an ADN program would be more suitable.

armyvet · Jun 8, 2006

Student08:

I had to go there twice make an appointment and then wait to be seen an hour after my scheduled appointment time before the advisor could get me taken care of. When you go to see her already know what you need for the most part, as far as classes are concerned, with the ones you want in a preliminary schedule, it will make it go a lot faster. I was advised and registered in only one day because I went in with a game plan and only needed to have it confirmed. I am taking A&P now, doing fine.

Considering the experiences that I have had with trying to get registered and accepted to the university in general, I would say save everything, and the classroom experience will be what you make it. If you are looking for someone to hold your hand* this is NOT the place for you. I forsee having to be aggressive, proactive and persistent in your education here, otherwise you will be left by the wayside.

*not to imply other schools in the area hold your hand, or that there is any question about the quality of education that you would get from these schools

JustAWannaBe · Jun 8, 2006

Also, you might want to ask them about NSU grading scale for nursing classes. It really lower your GPA!!

98-100 A

95-97 A-

92-94 B+

89-91 B

86-88 B-

82-85 C+

78-81 C

Below 78 C- and no credit for class

fuerza757 · Jun 8, 2006

I don't think anyone can be a success in a Nursing program without dedication and had work, I can also acknowledge that NSU may work for some more than others, and that is great for those that are pleased with their experience, however, when I am paying thousands of dollars to attend a school, I don't expect to wait hours at a time for a scheduled appointment with an advisor, or show up for the appt. and the advisor never show, or have a Professor that only lectured 30% of my whole semester. (just to mention a few of my experiences) I do however, expect to be lead in a direction needed so that I may be successful. There is huge difference between "hand holding" and leadership. I can go on about the negatives of the school, but honestly their record and reputation can speak for itself.

armyvet · Jun 9, 2006

*Not to imply that other schools hold your hand, or that there is any question about the quality of education that you obtain from local area schools.

Maybe the star was missed. What everyone needs to remember is that any University, college, or other institute does have a bottom line. Who can determine if that is the student or money...it depends on the experiences of the individual.

Fuerza:It does not seem fair to slam a whole program based off of an advisor or professor who can not manage time effectively. I am interested to know what your grades were? Did those experiences cause your grades to suffer? You say that History speaks for itself, but exactly how much history do you know? NSU's nursing program has been graduating Nurses in the tidewater area for 51 years. That is longer than ODU(1963) andTCC (1970). I am pretty sure that the only program on the Southside of Hampton Roads that is older than NSU is Sentara, which began training Nurses in the 1890's. When nurses had nowhere else to choose from NSU was there along with Sentara to provide that training and "path to success" that you were making reference to. There are people who have been nursing longer than we have been alive who were successful at NSU.

No program at any school is going to be perfect, there will always be something that can be improved upon.

Maybe Paul D. Camp, or TCC will be a better fit for you, at the end of the day that is what really matters, because it is your education and your money. Please do not allow your experience to ruin it for someone who has not began their nursing journey.

fuerza757 · Jun 9, 2006

My intention was not to trash the program, I am just expressing my experience; and honestly, I may be alittle bitter about it. Only because of the sacrifices I have made to go to school. When one is disappointed as I am, venting helps us move forward. As I said before, NSU maybe working great for some more than others; and that is a good thing.

Regarding the history I am aware of the long legacy of NSU's nursing program, when it started as a training school for nurses, where my Aunt graduated from, way before it was a University; she went on to have a very successful, long-term nursing career. No doubt NSU has made some great milestones. Back when their were no huge brick building as the one's we see today. NSU has helped many obtain there education throughout the years, I was referring to the passing rates prior to the implementation of the exit exam. The numbers were very low, which creates great concern.

It is just very hard to make the right decision and you should try to gather as much information as you can in determining which program is best for you. By this we generally network with other students, nurses and educators, this is what it is all about, no where here am I attempting to crush anyones dream. If that is the impression I bosed, just let me say that nursing has been the most fullfilling thing I have done with my life, and my goal now is to continue my education, and go as far as I possibly can. I have been through a formal nursing program before and it is only natural to compare one experience with another. what I have experienced at NSU just hasn't been too impressive. Now, if your dream is to attend and finish there then what I say should not offend you, because these are just perceptions of one person's experiences.

The bottom line is, anyone seeking a higher education would like to be assured that they are getting the best education available and there is nothing wrong with that. My grades didn't suffer because I wouldn't allow my poor instruction to discourage me from performing at my best. It just required a lot of independent study and seeking other resources. I wouldn't be a nurse today if allowed every bump in the road to knock me off my course, but there have been times when I needed to make a detour.

BlessedOne · Jun 21, 2006

i just took my hesi today (nsu's exit exam) and passed it. when i started the second degree program last may 2005, i realized that i would have to work at it. there is no possible way the the instructors can give you everything you need in 13 months. when some of my classmates were falling by the waistside, i could tell why. they admitted that they were going out on the weekends, at nights, half reading and studying. you have to make nursing something you really want to do and don't expect everything to be handed to you. yes, there are some improvements to be made and yes, some of the nurses in hospitals did not welcome us. but some did. if you find a nurse that is willing to help you, "pick her brain." i just tried to make the most of it and tried not to make excuses. nsu is making changes and the exit exam is good. it is better than to not pass the exit exam and get help from the instructors than to not pass the nclex and try to figure out on your own what mistakes you are making. i don't know. it is all in what you put in it and i know i had to do everything those instructors told me to do and more. i was a first grade teacher for six years with no medical background. i stuck to it. read and did questions and graduated with honors and passed the exit exam today. now i am giving myself a few days to just relax and starting next monday, i will study for the boards. again, with any school's curriculum, it is what you add. the instructors want you to pass, but they can't hold your hand every step of they way unfortunately.

BlessedOne · Jun 21, 2006

The HESI is any indicator to show if you are ready for the boards. Choice- would you want to fail the HESI and get help from instructors or not take an exit exam, fail boards and figure out on your own what went wrong. My goal is to take the HESI and pass it one time and the goal is the take the NCLEX and pass it the first time.

I have taken the HESI and have passed it. My instructors were good and I experienced the new Peds teacher and she is good too. I enjoyed myself. It was tough. I had to learn to read for three hours straight again. I had to learn how to do a lot of things again. Every student has to give a lot of themselves. I have read other messages by Fuerza757 and it is a shame that you are so negative about the program. As I stated in another post, if you are taking a second degree program or LPN to RN, it is fast paced and you have to keep up. There is always room for improve in every situation. There were some tough times, but you have to muster your way through it and don't give up. I just thank God for answering my prayers and giving me understanding. For most part I enjoyed and learned a lot from my instructors. I developed a professional relationship with them. I asked questions, I called their offices. If they gave out the cell or home number, I called them if I had any questions. I just developed a professional relationship with them. They knew I was serious in obtaining this degree. I treated them with respect and the treated me with respect. Respect goes a long way. I am previously first grade teacher with two kid ages nine and eleven. I am also married. So it was tough with no medical background. I stay professional and in turn I was treated as a professional. I am not putting NSU down one bit. Last year around May, I didn't know much about nursing and now I am one large step in being a registered nurse and the people at Norfolk State University assisted a great deal the getting me to this point. It took work on both ends. I see that you are upset with the program, but, Try to stay positive:lol2:

fuerza757 · Jun 21, 2006

BlessedOne,

That was very encouraging, that is what I am talking, people that are looking to motivate, network and advise. Congrads on the HESI, I am sure you have worked very hard to get here, and you are almost done. It must really feel good. I have actually been in prayer over this and each day I am trusting and learning some new insight. I may have judged to harshly, and I may even give it another chance. I know that with everything we perceive as bad, the lord has the ability to turn it around for good. I will stop being negative and just focus on what I have set out to do.

Best of Luck on the boards and please keep us posted.

BlessedOne · Jun 21, 2006

Just hang in there. Pray and you will do fine. There are going to be bumps in the road (That's life.) You have to make sure that you don't sustain flat tires when going over them. Go over them gently in order for you to keep going. I will pray for you for I know prayer changes things.

RN 4 U · Dec 5, 2006

This is funny that almost everyone who has went through NSU nursing program, including myself has the same thing to say. I also started off in another field years ago went back to persue nursing. I successfully finished the program. The program is very unorganized, there isn't a whole lot of faculty everybody seems to be leaving all at once. 2nd degree is very accellerated, half of the material i taught myself. If you do not want to deal with the headache I would not reccommend NSU. There is a nursing shortage even in the educational program. Be Ware of the HESI, if you do not pass it you will not graduate or sit for boards. There are people out there who have never passed it and have given up. I think this is important for you to consider when determining where you would like to go for your education.

Epona · Dec 5, 2006

A few folks have mentioned HU. I am to start there in Jan. I already have a BS so the BSN is the route I want to go.

So far, I have not been all that happy with the school. They have been very lax in getting back to me, helping me (with fin. aid), answering questions and scheduling classes. I have had to physically go down there on more than one occasion as I could not reach anyone on the phone or via email.

I know their pass rates are some of the worst in the state. I am hoping to transfer to ODU after the first semester. I know ODU has a good rep. and good pass rates.... they are just a lot further to get to, but I guess you get one thing and not the other. I guess I should I have applied to them off the bat, but I guess it's never too late. I have already called their admissions office and yup... they are competitive.

Anyone have any experience with HU good or bad??? Thanks.