Orlando area schools, opinions please!

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2008

i am going to school at Keiser, you might want to check them also! it is a speedy 24 month including pre reqs!

am lovin' it!

Meemers · Nov 7, 2008

Thanks, I wasn't aware of their program. I am trying to find the best fit and so far it seems like the more information I can find about each program makes it more complicated.

Preeps · Nov 7, 2008

I want to get my RN and/or BSN, and I'm looking at my options. I'd appreciate any opinions and experiences. The programs I am looking at are: SCC, VCC, UCF, and Florida hospital.
Thanks!

They are all good school. Personally I would not go to Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences (which I did) because they are very expensive and although it is a private school there is little difference between them and the public ones.

Our clinicals were large and we didn't get that much hands-on time. The classes were large too-that is until everyone started flunking out. But of course by then it was too late.

There are also some real clinkers for instructors at Fl. Hospital, as well as some very good ones later on in the program. I guess my point being that IF you have loads of cash to throw away and want a smaller private school then it's OK (although again not worth the $ difference in my opinion), but I would opt for one of your other choices.

motyandproudofit · Nov 7, 2008

I am in the VCC ASN program. This program is about 18 months. You go straight through every semester (5 semesters total), no summers off! They offer a day program only. It is offered primarily at the West Campus on Kirkman Rd, the first 2 semesters can be taken at either the Osceola Campus or West, the remaining can only be taken at the West Campus. The teachers over all are caring, encouraging, oraganized and thorough. There are a few whose personalities conflict with some students:argue:, but I think you'd find that any school you go to. I am glad to be in the Nursing Program at Valencia!! :yeah:

labrador4122, RN · Nov 8, 2008

I am in the VCC ASN program. This program is about 18 months. You go straight through every semester (5 semesters total), no summers off! They offer a day program only. It is offered primarily at the West Campus on Kirkman Rd, the first 2 semesters can be taken at either the Osceola Campus or West, the remaining can only be taken at the West Campus. The teachers over all are caring, encouraging, oraganized and thorough. There are a few whose personalities conflict with some students:argue:, but I think you'd find that any school you go to. I am glad to be in the Nursing Program at Valencia!!

i would of moved to orlando just to go to valencia, but i did not meet the requirements and ended up on bcc's waiting list *back in the day* I love orlando bc disney is right there, and that is my favorite place on earth:redpinkhe

Meemers · Nov 9, 2008

They are all good school. Personally I would not go to Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences (which I did) because they are very expensive and although it is a private school there is little difference between them and the public ones.
Our clinicals were large and we didn't get that much hands-on time. The classes were large too-that is until everyone started flunking out. But of course by then it was too late.
There are also some real clinkers for instructors at Fl. Hospital, as well as some very good ones later on in the program. I guess my point being that IF you have loads of cash to throw away and want a smaller private school then it's OK (although again not worth the $ difference in my opinion), but I would opt for one of your other choices.

Thanks for your honesty about it! The tuition scares me, I would only go if I could get the tuition reimbursement but so far human resources has no option to get the information. Do you know anything about it? The other thing I didn't like about FL was that I'd have to take all my pre-requisites over since it's been more than 5 years since I took my science courses. :banghead: With all the other programs I only have to take 3. I do like the fact that it's the closest campus to me.

I've heard great things about SCC and VCC. I went to UCF for my first bachelors and enjoyed it overall.

Now, I have another question... I read in another thread that for UCF that the students they accept for the accelerated bachelors program need to have a 3.7-3.8 gpa. Mine for my first bachelors with the pre-req's is just above a 3.0. After I went there I got my masters in another field and my gpa is closer to 4.0. Will that be taken into consideration?

Preeps · Nov 9, 2008

Thanks for your honesty about it! The tuition scares me, I would only go if I could get the tuition reimbursement but so far human resources has no option to get the information. Do you know anything about it? The other thing I didn't like about FL was that I'd have to take all my pre-requisites over since it's been more than 5 years since I took my science courses. With all the other programs I only have to take 3. I do like the fact that it's the closest campus to me.
I've heard great things about SCC and VCC. I went to UCF for my first bachelors and enjoyed it overall.
Now, I have another question... I read in another thread that for UCF that the students they accept for the accelerated bachelors program need to have a 3.7-3.8 gpa. Mine for my first bachelors with the pre-req's is just above a 3.0. After I went there I got my masters in another field and my gpa is closer to 4.0. Will that be taken into consideration?

Wow, if you already have a masters from UCF with a high GPA I would think they would definately like that and take that into consideration. I've met several students from the accelerated program at UCF and they all seem really focused and mature. If there is any way you could get into that program I would highly suggest it. Good luck.

OrlandoFLNurse2b · Nov 11, 2008

I'm in UCF's accelerated BSN program right now and definitely, I think you should apply. As of right now, I've really enjoyed the program. For the most part, the GPAs I've heard other people toss around are pretty high i.e., > 3.5, but not all of the time. We do have a few people with their master's degree and a few that I know were declined too. Regardless, the class I'm in is very diverse so I think the admissions comm. takes that into consideration and the whole being well-rounded approach didn't hurt me. Anyway, good luck. I posted some other info. about the program e.g., clinical and class sizes so if you're curious then just do a search for UCF.

Stephanie_RN · Nov 11, 2008

I am a recent graduate of VCC. It was a great school. It had it's ups and downs, but VCC is known for their nurses. Clinicals were great. I felt you really had a good variety to choose from. There isn't a summer break, and the summer semester can be pretty rough, but by the second week, you pretty much get the hang of it. VCC is also Nationally Accredited, which is why I chose it.

When I applied, there was a wait-list. I had to wait a year, which made the program seem even longer. That wait list was based on first come - first served. I don't know if that is still in effect or not.

They only offer a full-time, day program. The beginning 2 semesters were divided into 2 campuses (Osceola and West). After nursing II, everyone is combined. Nursing V and VI are combined into 1 semester. Nursing V is done online, which I did not care for. And Nursing VI is Practicum, HESI and I believe 2 knowledge exams.

There are the *few* professors that you have to watch out for, but overall, the staff was great.

Good Luck with your decision!

StillThinking · Dec 2, 2008

I would encourage you to do the accelerated BSN at UCF since you already have a bachelor's degree. I currently am attending Valencia CC (last semester) and have found their nursing program to be a little disorganized in the structure and flow of the coursework. There is a cohesiveness that seems missing. What I have found is that some of VCC's masters prepared faculty need to improve their teaching skills. They use outdated outlines and present the same material each semester in a way that makes it obvious to us students that they are not prepared to lecture or did not read the material in the textbooks themselves. It is an intense five semesters, so if you do decide on VCC, be prepared to dig into the books and learn as much as you can by reading on your own. Discipline is the key.