Keiser opinions? Please help.

labrador4122, RN · Aug 13, 2010

Keiser University has come a long way.

The website has gotten very informative in regards to what classes are offered, and the pre-requisites for the nursing ASN program. Before you would just go to the site and look for info but had to put all your information so they (the school) contacted you by phone and home address and when they called you at home you had to make an appointment and go to the school to get the information.

Back when I was looking at schools in 2003-2004 Keiser was just starting out and they had not graduated a class..... so I never bothered to apply.

but these people who graduate from there seem to be getting jobs everywhere, because I have met a few keiser grads at my job-- which is a good thing for keiser students that you are able to actually get jobs--

Its expensive but for education that gets you an RN next to your name and an RN pay, you can always pay back the loans little by little.

A quote that I really enjoy now and I go by is "what works for some people does not work for others"

:up:

JFoy · Aug 5, 2011

HELP!!! I need some solid advice, Please!!

I'm considering Keiser in WPB to pursue my RN degree. I wanted to get into nursing while in undergrad but transferred schools and was unable to transfer into a program. But now I have the desire to get into it, not to mention I've been struggling to even get a job (like the rest of us).

Here is my background...I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Public Health. I had first considered a BSN accelerated program but I live in Palm Beach County so my only option is FAU. I keep reading how competitive it is...etc. I graduated with a 3.2 and people were crying about 3.9! They only start the program in May. I still have to complete a few pre-reqs such as A &P, Micro, Human Growth and maybe another misc. class.

I'm also not a FLA resident yet, been here about 7 months. I also considered PBCC as a more affordable option but I keep reading about the wait list, the point system to get in..

What do I do?? I can't determine which route to take. Keiser is a lot of $$, considering I've been paying off my first round of education of loans and will just add back onto that.

I keep thinking I could take the pre-reqs at PBCC but I'd hope to get in-state tuition rates by next semester (bringing proof of my company that is INC here, license..all the steps they require)

Is anyone in a similiar situation? I want to get a program started asap because this is my dream and I know this is the best time in my life to begin in. Any advice will help, thank you!

diva rn, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2011

HELP!!! I need some solid advice, Please!!
I'm considering Keiser in WPB to pursue my RN degree. I wanted to get into nursing while in undergrad but transferred schools and was unable to transfer into a program. But now I have the desire to get into it, not to mention I've been struggling to even get a job (like the rest of us).
Here is my background...I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Public Health. I had first considered a BSN accelerated program but I live in Palm Beach County so my only option is FAU. I keep reading how competitive it is...etc. I graduated with a 3.2 and people were crying about 3.9! They only start the program in May. I still have to complete a few pre-reqs such as A &P, Micro, Human Growth and maybe another misc. class.
I'm also not a FLA resident yet, been here about 7 months. I also considered PBCC as a more affordable option but I keep reading about the wait list, the point system to get in..
What do I do?? I can't determine which route to take. Keiser is a lot of $$, considering I've been paying off my first round of education of loans and will just add back onto that.
I keep thinking I could take the pre-reqs at PBCC but I'd hope to get in-state tuition rates by next semester (bringing proof of my company that is INC here, license..all the steps they require)
Is anyone in a similiar situation? I want to get a program started asap because this is my dream and I know this is the best time in my life to begin in. Any advice will help, thank you!

Keiser tuition wont matter if you are in state or not, I don't believe b/c it's private..very very expensive.

I will admit I am very biased....I went to PBCC...(20 years ago) and the program was very good..by the way..it's now called Palm Beach State College, no more Community College...have you really checked out it's wait list?

In the healthcare community, it has a much better reputation than Keiser has, believe me. There is also Palm Beach Atlantic, they have a BSN, I think, and of course FAU. How about Broward Community College. That's in Lauderdale. That's not too far to drive, or Indian River CC, that's in Ft Pierce. I would really fight for PBCC, if it were me...good school, very reasonable tuition. Two more private schools are South University and University of Phoenix both in WPB. Hopefully, the nursing market will have eased up by the time you finish wherever you go...it's pretty tight here in the area, especially for new grads.

Good Luck

JFoy · Aug 7, 2011

Thanks for your advice! I'm going to look into Palm Beach more. I'm going to try to take a course now and do a payment plan to afford the out of state cost. I want to get these pre=reqs going and in the mean time I will continue to get more information. I'm going in there tomorrow

I appreciate the opinion. I just can't imagine paying $35k for 2 years, that's the cost of some 4 year schools! Are you an RN currently? I hope the job market opens up as well for me! Thank you and have a great day!

diva rn, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2011

Thanks for your advice! I'm going to look into Palm Beach more. I'm going to try to take a course now and do a payment plan to afford the out of state cost. I want to get these pre=reqs going and in the mean time I will continue to get more information. I'm going in there tomorrow
I appreciate the opinion. I just can't imagine paying $35k for 2 years, that's the cost of some 4 year schools! Are you an RN currently? I hope the job market opens up as well for me! Thank you and have a great day!

Yes, I've been a RN for almost 20years. I was sort of like you. When I went to nursing school I already had my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Health Administration. I am also a Registered Dental Hygienist (also went to PBCC for that in 1975). When I went to nursing school, I had to retake A&P (lecture and lab), retake micro, human growth and developement as well as nursing concepts 101, and clinicals... :eek: ...that was 19 credit hours:eek: :eek: ..I also had a 7 year old little girl, and I had just gotten divorced so I had to work 3 part time days a week as a hygienist...it was grueling to say the least!! Actually it was sort of a BLUR..but you know, you do what you have to do..and it goes by so very fast.

Your Public Health degree should help you in the long run, for one thing you aren't green, you've already done the study thing, hopefully that will help you get in. I am very prejudiced toward PBSC...new name...:):) as that is where I went...I also taught there and they have a good program. I don't want to dis any place, but Keiser is not really well thought of, and it's absurd to pay that kind of money for an ADN...ridiculous...how about FAU? It would be cheaper to go there and at least you would be getting a BSN...I think you could probably go to Palm Beach Atlantic for that amount as well for the BSN..good school as well. I really would never ever pay that amount to Keiser...for the reputation for one thing, and the money is outlandish...look into South and Phoenix...$$$ but better reputations...I was the DON in several facilites and there is an undercurrent about that place (K)......people talk and with the way the RN job market is now, I would want to do as much as I could to get ahead when it's time to go out looking....the BS of Public Health will definitely help....a BSN would look great and I think open more doors..but it would depend on what you think you would like to do in the future...do you just want to practice in the hospital?? or do you want to eventually go into management and/or administration?..Public Health or the Public sector???

There will be lots of opportunities for you with the public health degree/background and a BSN...

my daughter is an Epidemiologist in Seattle..she is a MPH...but not a RN...however they have many many RN's on staff with her..very in demand...she is a liasion for Bioterrorism for the state of Washington...travels all of the time thru the state and it's a very cool job...you could do something like that with your BPH and an RN (not even a BSN)..as soon as you get it according to my daughter.... anyway..GOOD LUCK with the school hunt...feel free to PM me..I would be more than happy to email you with my address.

diva

JFoy · Aug 7, 2011

Thank you again for all of this input. I'm new to this site, so I'm not too sure of where to PM but I'd love to keep in touch. My email is [email protected]

That's remarkable all the multi-tasking you did while getting your degree! But it all worked out and you seem like you've had a wonderful career and continue to do so.

Right now I'm working in the seafood industry and part-owner of our company but it's just not for me. I don't have the personality for the sales and I'd rather be doing something I'm passionate about. (long back-ground story of how I got into this) But thankfully, in a few months I will have someone covering the majority of that work for me so I can focus on what I truly want.

Your daughter has an amazing job!! I've considered getting my MPH as well but nursing is just something I've had the desire to do for years. If all else fails I may end up in an MPH program. I loved every course I took in Public Health and everything it represents. Regarding where I'd want to be working in the field, I'm not 100% on that, I'd like the hospital or the public sector. At this point I'm not into administration but that may change down the road.

Regarding FAU, I have been on their site and reviewing their information. My concern is my GPA being only 3.2 but you never know until you try. I know all these programs are highly competitive. I figure I will do the pre-reqs (required for both FAU and PBSC) and see where I can end up. I'd love to do the BSN, definitely. Do you know anyone who had gone there for the BSN?

My plan as of now is to obtain Florida residency by December of this year and enroll full-time at PBSC (sorry I forgot the name) take A&P 1 and lab, A&P2 and lab, Human Growth, Micro and lab. Then go from there!! But please I'd love to keep in touch. I appreciate all of your help and input.