Nursing Program @Grand Canyon University

Nursing Students School Programs

Published

Anyone know if the GCU nursing program is ok? Good teachers? Accredited?

I know it's expensive and they were financially strapped as of Jan '04, but supposedly that's behind them.

The only thing that would worry me about GCU (and you'd have to check this info out) is that when I was doing my clinicals at T-Bird one semester we had GCU students who were graduating in 6 weeks. They told us that this was their first contact with actual patients...

I don't buy it...

I taught clinicals in their accel. program...

Only way this makes sense is if they were RN to BSN students...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hmm, I would have guessed NAU first...

Who knew?

I have never met an NAU grad...

why do you say so?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

I've met NAU nurses. I've also done clinicals with them as well. It seems to me that they are a more respected school. I never would have thought of GCU as the 'best' in the state! I've never even met someone who went to school at GCU.

People have gone back and forth on the whole religion thing, but you can't deny that they school is based with a religious tone. And for me, that's a quick, "no thanks". I think most people also think of GCU as the same of Uof Phoenix.

For my RN-BSN, I want it to be a school with no doubts, and where people know what it's about. Fir instance, some people at my work are considering the ADN-BSN route with GCU. Some of them think of it as an 'online nursing program'.

Everyone knows where NAU, UofA, and ASU are located. Everyone knows about them.

Honestly, where is GCU? Is it in Phx? I don't know anything about this school other than the religious implications. Seriously, that's all I know...

And that's how the majority of people that I've spoken with feel about it as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

And that's how the majority of people that I've spoken with feel about it as well.

I guess (their) ignorance is bliss

anyway, it's near I 17, on 33rd ave and Camelback...

I would agree it's become a "diploma mill" like U of P (as far as the online stuff)...As far as going to GCU as a non nurse (on campus), I still feel it's the best thing going...

And the whole religious thing is waaaay overstated (read my old posts on this subject), but people will believe what they want to believe...

I teach in a CC now, and my thought, is that it's waaay too skill focused...

Personally, I don't think any given program makes one a better nurse (private vs public, adn vs BSN, etc)...It's the person that makes all the difference...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.
I guess (their) ignorance is bliss

I would agree it's become a "diploma mill" like U of P (as far as the online stuff)...As far as going to GCU as a non nurse (on campus), I still feel it's the best thing going...

...

Well, that's my point. I don't want to get a BSN from GCU and have future employers think I got my degree through a "diploma mill". Ignorance or not, I don't need to have to explain constantly over and over again, "no it's not a religious school, no it really exists, no it's not a diploma mill...etc, etc"

No thanks. I'll get my BSN through a respected and recognized university, where it won't be questioned or doubted.

And if that's "Ignorance as bliss" as you stated, then so be it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i guess (their) ignorance is bliss

anyway, it's near i 17, on 33rd ave and camelback...

i would agree it's become a "diploma mill" like u of p (as far as the online stuff)...as far as going to gcu as a non nurse (on campus), i still feel it's the best thing going...

and the whole religious thing is waaaay overstated (read my old posts on this subject), but people will believe what they want to believe...

i teach in a cc now, and my thought, is that it's waaay too skill focused...

personally, i don't think any given program makes one a better nurse (private vs public, adn vs bsn, etc)...it's the person that makes all the difference...

could you clarify which school you consider a diploma mill and why? also which school is too skill focused?

i appreciate your candor and experience.

another thing grand canyon has a requirement of 6 hours on christian perspectives towards their bsn. 6 hours may be too much for some, different strokes for different folks. i included the link.

http://my.gcu.edu/programs/pos/campus/nursing/bsn.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

another thing grand canyon has a requirement of 6 hours on christian perspectives towards their bsn. 6 hours may be too much for some, different strokes for different folks.

yes, 6 hours is about 5hrs and 59 minutes too much for me. i don't need to, nor want to be forced into a religion as a part of my educational process.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
yes, 6 hours is about 5hrs and 59 minutes too much for me. i don't need to, nor want to be forced into a religion as a part of my educational process.

i am merely saying that from some of the heated posts i have seen concerning the amount of religion that was being taught, i assumed it was an amount that was equal to a minor degree. i just wanted to check it out and decide for myself. as we all know in our quest for our rn we know what we are willing to do, whether it involves length of wait, cost of education, duration of program, program location etc. i appreciate everyone's opinion and willingness to share experiences.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
could you clarify which school you consider a diploma mill and why? also which school is too skill focused?

i appreciate your candor and experience.

another thing grand canyon has a requirement of 6 hours on christian perspectives towards their bsn. 6 hours may be too much for some, different strokes for different folks. i included the link.

http://my.gcu.edu/programs/pos/campus/nursing/bsn.pdf

university of phoenix

grand canyon (online education)

the community college where i teach clinicals is in northern arizona...

and the "christian perspective" classes are theory of the old testament, and theory of the new testament...interesting classes

the only times i've set foot in a church since gcu were my wedding day, and my students' graduation (non religious theme)...i'm as non religious as they come...

truthfully, never in any nursing class was religion or god spoken of...it was never a factor...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well, that's my point. I don't want to get a BSN from GCU and have future employers think I got my degree through a "diploma mill". Ignorance or not, I don't need to have to explain constantly over and over again, "no it's not a religious school, no it really exists, no it's not a diploma mill...etc, etc"

No thanks. I'll get my BSN through a respected and recognized university, where it won't be questioned or doubted.

And if that's "Ignorance as bliss" as you stated, then so be it.

The RN to BSN online at GCU is what I consider a diploma mill...

Employers don't care where or how you attained your BSN...It just doesn't matter...Your experience as an RN is what matters...Your character is what matters...

I think you are the one placing too much emphasis on it...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Employers don't care where or how you attained your BSN...It just doesn't matter...Your experience as an RN is what matters...Your character is what matters....

Actually, I care about where I get my degree. That's why I do so well in College, because I care.

I won't spend money on 6 credit hours of religion. That's not placing too much emphasis on it, that's just a fact. I read that, and I moved on.

I just responded to your post saying that its' the best BSN program in the state. It made me laugh. It's just not the case, that's all.

And I would be taking and RN-BSN program (if I even choose nursing for my BS). I want to get a complete education and a good, well respected school.

And that 'aint GCU.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
University of Phoenix

Grand Canyon (online education)

The community college where I teach clinicals is in northern Arizona...

And the "Christian perspective" classes are Theory of the Old Testament, and Theory of the New Testament...Interesting classes

The only times I've set foot in a church since GCU were my wedding day, and my students' graduation (non religious theme)...I'm as non religious as they come...

Truthfully, never in ANY nursing class was religion or God spoken of...It was never a factor...

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that's the way it was at one time years ago. But this has been rehashed over and over and your stories don't match with today's reality. Just read the GCU.com "who are we" section where it states it's a Christian University. Pretty hard to spin that any other way.

I was there in 2005 and they had mandatory religious prep rallies. They also prayed before and after classes and in group settings. And instructors led the prayer so there may be a few good reason you're no longer there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment