Northern Arizona University

Spatialized · Aug 1, 2005

First, Flagstaff is a pretty decent little town as a student (as a working stiff, it's not so great, but that's anouther story). Yes, it gets cold, but not unreasonably compared to the Midwest. And yes, it does snow, again, it's not that bad, you just have to smart about it.

Second, the NAU nursing program is in a bit of turmoil and until they get it sorted may not be the best route to go. Plus if you're out of state, be prepared to pay, heavily.

Personally, I think they suck. Here's why: moved to Flagstaff, thinking I would go there as an older student enroll in the accelerated program and be done. It took forever to find someone to talk to about this plan in the Nursing department, and it felt like they were coming off their high horse to talk to me (not a big fan of being talked down to). That and the financial aid sucked, so it would have been economically unwise to go there (see above about paying...). I never felt the "fit" that I had a place and really wanted to go. I ended up at the community college here, doing a 2 year program, loving every minute of it so far and never regretting not going to NAU. And after talking to several people who went to/graduated from there I am so glad that I didn't go there.

But that's just my 2 bits.

Cheers,

Tom

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

Sorry guys - I messed up. I'm not from Arizona and am getting the schools mixed up. I think it is the University of Arizona that has the two year commitment, not Arizona State. And, I agree, I also don't like to "have" to do anything. I like my flexibility. Thanks again for your help. By the way, are people happy with their experiences at ASU? :)

The UofA has an accelerated program that is 16 months straight and that is tuition free and requires a committment with one of 3 major hospitals in town-UMC, St Joe's or St Mary's for two years. None of those hospitals is a bad place to work. But, that is not their only nursing program. You can enroll in the BSN program that is 4 years just like any other student and pay for it as well. It is a regular college. Be prepared, Tucson has a long waiting list.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2006

First, Flagstaff is a pretty decent little town as a student (as a working stiff, it's not so great, but that's anouther story). Yes, it gets cold, but not unreasonably compared to the Midwest. And yes, it does snow, again, it's not that bad, you just have to smart about it.
Second, the NAU nursing program is in a bit of turmoil and until they get it sorted may not be the best route to go. Plus if you're out of state, be prepared to pay, heavily.
Personally, I think they suck. Here's why: moved to Flagstaff, thinking I would go there as an older student enroll in the accelerated program and be done. It took forever to find someone to talk to about this plan in the Nursing department, and it felt like they were coming off their high horse to talk to me (not a big fan of being talked down to). That and the financial aid sucked, so it would have been economically unwise to go there (see above about paying...). I never felt the "fit" that I had a place and really wanted to go. I ended up at the community college here, doing a 2 year program, loving every minute of it so far and never regretting not going to NAU. And after talking to several people who went to/graduated from there I am so glad that I didn't go there.
But that's just my 2 bits.
Cheers,
Tom

Turmoil how? I'm considering NAU. I'd appreciate any thoughts you have.

Spatialized · Nov 1, 2006

Turmoil...is maybe too rough of a word. A better way of putting it would be in the process of overhauling. Which in and of itself, turmoil. They do have some really great instructors on staff (esp. clinical instructors) and are working hard to maintain their rep. From what I had heard previously, there was some issues related to NCLEX pass rates, but I'm not sure how it has panned out.

Looking at my previous post, I was a little too harsh, distance breeds acceptance.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Tom

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2006

Wow! Quick reply. Thank you. I know the pass rate for 2000 and 2001 was absurd. Scary. About 65%. The pass rate returned to about 85% after 2001 and has been fine ever since. I'd LUV to know what happened to tank the pass rate those years.

Any other thoughts about their nursing program?

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2006

Pass rates by year:

http://www.azbn.gov/documents/education/Statewide%20NCLEX%20Results%201996-2004.pdf

Spatialized · Nov 1, 2006

Wow! Quick reply. Thank you. I know the pass rate for 2000 and 2001 was absurd. Scary. About 65%. The pass rate returned to about 85% after 2001 and has been fine ever since. I'd LUV to know what happened to tank the pass rate those years.
Any other thoughts about their nursing program?

Yeah, I have no life...

Anyways, I think the drop in pass rate is in part due to faculty issues. This was heard through the grapevine (which by the way, runs rampant in Flagstaff). As for other thoughts...I won't share any that are derogatory in a public forum (PM me if you want more detail, don't want to bash them too hard here). I think that while it may be a part of the whole 4 year BSN programs in general, the student nurses coming in were very, very green. It seemed like the basics were missing, or not up to snuff. Things that should be able to be completed by even a novice student nurse, VS, bed changes et. al. were not in evidence when they were on the floors. This is at least from my observation...

Remember, I've been out of the hospital and town now for quite some time, and when I left they were making large strides to change their program so things may be getting better.

Cheers,

Tom