please help me

nekhismom · Mar 1, 2004

make sure that VCU will accept any credits you want to transfer from Bon Secours. If VCU does not accept those credits, you will have wasted your time.

Sorry, don't know much about the program. I will say that at a student nursing convention last year I met students from Bon Secours and they were very happy with their program from what they told me.

sleepymom · Mar 2, 2004

Hi there. I'm kind of going throught the same thing. I've already sent my application and have all my transcripts at J. Sargeant Reynolds but I still need to take the NLN to even get on the waiting list. There are definitely pros and cons to both schools. I'm not sure if J.Sarg is flexible on the time they give you to graduate. For example, do you HAVE to finish in 2 years or are you allowed more time? At Bon Secours you have 6 years to finish their program and they offer morning and evening classes to accomodate those who work full time or stay at home with their kids. The con to bon secours is that they want 3 referral letters which can be hard if you haven't worked for a long time and have little or no contacts, and they want an essay and also have an interviewing process. However, I don't think you have to take the NLN before getting accepted. J. Sarg doesn't do the essay, interviewing process, or want referral letters.

Of course, I've been trying to get a one on one with a nursing advisor from J. Sarg and can't get a darn person to return my calls. That's annoying, and I wonder if it would be a glimpse of things to come if I would get accepted into their program. It just seems like you need an act of congress to find someone that can answer one simple question.

Personally, I think I'm going to apply to Bon Secours as well because it would suit my lifestyle better since I'm a stay at home mom. I could take the classes at my own pace instead of pulling my hair out trying to do everything at once.

AS you can see I haven't really helped you much. I hope someone else with more first hand knowledge can post some insight.

Good luck with your decision.

frann · Mar 13, 2004

I did a year at J. Seargent reynolds back in 91. It was fine. As I remember I had to take the NLN prior, don't remember a reference letter. Just had careplans and clinical and of course the multiple choice tests. Had 100% pass rate on NCLEx. Instructors were really nice, not so unreasonable. Only bad part is the parking. Seems to be in bad part of town, not sure how it is now. I don't think it would be safe to go to car at knight.

I have a feeling that the instructors are getting old. and there is no one to take there place. a few years ago maybe 5-I saw a couple of my instructors visiting my hosp. They were still instructing. One Mrs. Mosly-bless her heart- had a trach and was in a motorized wheelchair. Can't keep her down. Talk about dedicated! Mrs. Mosly was/is the greatest teacher. She taught me to hussle. Her associate Mrs. Courtney laid the ground work.

My friend is in Germania's lpn program and I would not recommend them. I can't believe all the BS she has to do.

bjpeace · Apr 3, 2004

I spent a year in J. Sarg's program in the early 90's as well. I had problems with my advisor keeping appointments. I finished my RN at John Tyler. I agree with Nekhismom, make sure Bon Secours will transfer into your BSN program.

Rn2b204 · Jul 22, 2004

Hello, the last post has been a while but wanted to put my 2 cents in. I will be going to Bon Secours this Fall 2004. The whole application process was not bad at all. I made sure I had all the minimum requirements and everything before I applied. I got my transcripes from J.Sargeant Reynolds and my high School had them sent over to them. finished my application, got 3 letters of recommendation from my job from 3 of the RN's I work with. The essay was the biggest thing to me just putting into words what they wanted to know and they clearly state what they want to know and there is no need to go into great detail just stick to the point. I think they wanted to know what made me choose nursing, what made me choose their program, and what are my future goals as far as nursing. After that it was waiting to get an interview. Which took about 2 months to get an interview. But the lady that handles all of your information and makes sure you got everything in is really nice. She made it very clear that I could call her anytime I wanted to check on the status of my application and if she was not available to talk I could leave a message and expect a call back by the close of business that day.

She told me when the academic committe met to decide on who would get in or not. She told me the day that they would be meeting and adviced that I call her back that evening to know what the decision was. I called back on Jan. 9 @ 4pm and she told me that I was accepted. She was really great during the whole process, answered all my questions.

I also have a friend that graduated from there in May 2003 who told me so many good things about the school. The instructors are willing to help those that are having trouble and make sure they do all they can to help with passing. None of that if you don't get it them tough. They take pride in what they do and in the reputation of their school. They have a flexible program and you get to take your prereqs with your nursing class. Although this may sound a bit rough but it is recommended that you take the sciences with the nursing courses to help with them. The traditional program takes 3 years but if you have all your sciences taken then you can do the accelerated program and finish in 2 years.

The program is not a rush and they really prepare you for your bachelors at any other university that offer RN-BSN. when you complete the program you have only 2-3 prereqs to take and that is in humanities and arts. You will have the foundation to perform excellent as a RN. I have had some nurses say they can tell a nurse that has graduated from Bon Secours because they are so knowledgeable and confident for being right out of nursing school.

And yes all of Bon Secours credits transfers to other Universities. They make sure of that because they prepare their students for a BSN and they have and excellent 1st time NCLEX pass rate. It's been 100% since 2000.

I think I have said enough for right now hope this helps.

RN2b204 @ Bon Secours Memorial School of Nursing.

And by the way they don't have a waiting list nor a test to take to get on a waiting list either. Submitted my application in Sept.03 got my interview in Nov. 03 got my official acceptance in Jan. 04 for the Fall of 2004. WOW :) :rotfl: :) :rotfl: :) :rotfl:

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jul 23, 2004

RN2B204.

You are starting on a journey that will be demanding, stressful, and difficult at times, but the rewards are great. I wish you the best of luck on completing nursing school. :balloons:

Stewie · Jul 28, 2004

i am in my 2nd semester at a local richmond community college and now i kind of wish that i had gone to bon secours. i am sure that all schools have their share of problems, but everyone that i know that has been through the bon secours program loves it. i wish i could say the same for mine! whatever you decide good luck and keep your chin up! it's hard, but it's worth it.

"stewie"

sleepymom · Jul 29, 2004

"And by the way they don't have a waiting list nor a test to take to get on a waiting list either. "

That's actually no true anymore. They require you to take the TEAS pre-enterance exam in order to be accepted into the school. From what I understand it's a fairly new process so you just made it through without having to take it. I go in on Aug 4th to take it. I've already passed the NLN for another school so I'm sure I'll be fine, but it's just annoying to have to stress all over again. Part of the process though. :)

Good luck in school!

Rn2b204 · Jul 30, 2004

"And by the way they don't have a waiting list nor a test to take to get on a waiting list either. "
That's actually no true anymore. They require you to take the TEAS pre-enterance exam in order to be accepted into the school. From what I understand it's a fairly new process so you just made it through without having to take it. I go in on Aug 4th to take it. I've already passed the NLN for another school so I'm sure I'll be fine, but it's just annoying to have to stress all over again. Part of the process though. :)
Good luck in school!

The TEAS Test doesn't determine your acceptance into the program it is just used to see where you are as far as your understanding of basic things english, reading, math, and comprehension. The test is fairly easy nothing to worry about or study for. I took it the earlier part of this month and I was accept to Bon Secours back in Jan. of this year. I think they are going to use it to help with academic counseling you know when you are having trouble with a class they can use that to assist with finding the right teaching aids to assist you to passing. So not a pre-entrance exam.

But, yes it is a wonderful school and they do have their bad days like every program does. I think they may just be a little bit more organized and well planned. They are also getting ready to have a BSN program as well. I was told by a co-working that was trying to transfer from one of the area community colleges that they wasn't going to transfer her nursing classes because they are about to redo the whole curriculum. So she is going to go to another communtiy college in the area.

Rn2b204, BSMSON/ Fall 2004 :) :balloons: :) :balloons:

sleepymom · Jul 30, 2004

The TEAS Test doesn't determine your acceptance into the program it is just used to see where you are as far as your understanding of basic things english, reading, math, and comprehension. The test is fairly easy nothing to worry about or study for. I took it the earlier part of this month and I was accept to Bon Secours back in Jan. of this year. I think they are going to use it to help with academic counseling you know when you are having trouble with a class they can use that to assist with finding the right teaching aids to assist you to passing. So not a pre-entrance exam.
But, yes it is a wonderful school and they do have their bad days like every program does. I think they may just be a little bit more organized and well planned. They are also getting ready to have a BSN program as well. I was told by a co-working that was trying to transfer from one of the area community colleges that they wasn't going to transfer her nursing classes because they are about to redo the whole curriculum. So she is going to go to another communtiy college in the area.
Rn2b204, BSMSON/ Fall 2004 :) :balloons: :) :balloons:

Wow really!! See, I got a letter a couple of months back saying that I meet the basic requirements for the program, etc and that I needed to take the pre-enterance exam (their words not mine :)) and then after that I would have to go in for the interview. So did you have your interview before you took the TEAS test? I'd love to know that I'm accepted into their program. :)

Bon Secours is actually my first choice school, and then I began looking into the practical nursing program at J sarg because I didn't want to wait a year to begin the RN program, but J sarg nursing program is so darn disorganized and I'm lucky to be able to get anyone on the phone that knows anything, and of course my emails and phone calls are never returned. It's been very annoying, so I'm back to square one and I'll gladly wait to start Bon Secours program if They'll have me. :) I've loved everyone I've talked to so far and (GASP) they are very prompt with getting back with me if I've got a question.

Can't beat that.

Thanks for your post. I feel better knowing that my acceptance doesn't hinge on this test. I feel confident that I'll do fine, but I tend to stress anyway.

Rn2b204 · Jul 30, 2004

Wow really!! See, I got a letter a couple of months back saying that I meet the basic requirements for the program, etc and that I needed to take the pre-enterance exam (their words not mine :)) and then after that I would have to go in for the interview. So did you have your interview before you took the TEAS test? I'd love to know that I'm accepted into their program. :)
Bon Secours is actually my first choice school, and then I began looking into the practical nursing program at J sarg because I didn't want to wait a year to begin the RN program, but J sarg nursing program is so darn disorganized and I'm lucky to be able to get anyone on the phone that knows anything, and of course my emails and phone calls are never returned. It's been very annoying, so I'm back to square one and I'll gladly wait to start Bon Secours program if They'll have me. :) I've loved everyone I've talked to so far and (GASP) they are very prompt with getting back with me if I've got a question.
Can't beat that.
Thanks for your post. I feel better knowing that my acceptance doesn't hinge on this test. I feel confident that I'll do fine, but I tend to stress anyway.

Yes, I had my interview in Nov. 03 and then got my acceptance letter in Jan. 04. So yes I had my interview first. Like I said I didn't take the TEAS test until THIS July I think on 5th. I know it was the first week in July. And they specifically said to me that this has nothing to do with being accepted. I guess we all had that look on our face. :uhoh21: You will do fine. I haven't received my results back as of yet either and really haven't thought about it until I saw your post.

I am really excited to be going to Bon Secours. I had a friend to graduate May 03 and she had nothing but wonderful things to say about the program. They keep you really involved there with all the activities they have amongst the students. They have their hands in everthing. It is a really great diploma program. Yes there staff is very professional and they always return your call promptly. No waiting weeks or months for an answer to any question you may have. They don't mind you calling check on your status or anything. They are really nice and undestanding. And the financial aide lady OH MY GOD!!! they need more like her gets real one-on-one with you and makes sure you have all the things you need no running around or mis-information she was on point.

You know I could go on and on about that school so I am going to go before I can't stop. But if you want more information on anything I don't mind answering your questions (if I can). :)

Good luck with your acceptance process I know you will do fine and soon will be a Bon Secours nursing student.

Rn2b204 :) :balloons: :) :balloons: