newstudent2007

Does anyone know the rationale for them NOT considering GPA in admission decisions? How about not just accepting someone who's passed the NET with a minimum score, but giving placement to students with the highest GPA and NET Scores? If the universities do so, I'd assume that the MCCCD schools could as well. It would be an added incentive for students to excel in their pre-reqs, and the schools would benefit by perhaps having a brighter class of qualified students, which might also translate into higher program completion rates, and ultimately, a higher pass rate on the nursing boards. Perhaps I'm just playing the devil's advocate, but it seems to be a question worthy of discussion.

Yes, they are quite interesting! I think that it's a good indicator of how forward thinking that nursing education programs in other areas of the country are, and how far behind that Arizona is lagging. One of the best aspects of MEPN programs is that because they require a BA for entry, they attract a wide range of students, with diverse educational and experiential backgrounds, into the program. A class might have students with undergrad degrees in Science, Education, Business, Law, Psychology, Liberal Arts or Social Public Programs. It brings to the table numerous opportunities to learn and collaborate, making the pedagogical process quite enriching!

Note that I said "necessary" pre-reqs. Some of the courses that you've alluded to aren't considered pre-reqs, but are built into the program, so in essence they aren't required to be taken beforehand. If someone has an interest, consult the individual program's websites for further info. The curricular plan of study is outlined there.

For someone who already has a BA degree, I'm beginning to think that MEPN programs might be the way to go. AN MEPN program, (Master's Entry Professional Nurse) allows a student with a BA degree to earn RN licensure while earning an MSN. They typically work like this: The first year is a "bridge" year, where RN eligibility is earned. The Student then takes the NCLEX-RN, and provisionally licensed in that State only. (after graduation it becomes full licensure). The next year to year and one-half is spent earning the MSN, in either Advanced Practice or a NP specialty. Advantages- you're not having to earn an ADN or BSN, and that saves considerable time. Disadvantages- None currently exist in AZ, but for students willing to relocate for school, it is a fantastic option. Students are admitted based on GRE scores, undergrad gpa, references and an essay. Some programs even offer the neccessary pre-reqs, for students with non-science BA degrees, in an intensive Summer Session, prior to Fall admittance. The good news? No wait lists, as students who aren't accepted must re-apply next year. There are excellent programs in Vermont, at the University of Vermont, and at Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions (MGHIHP) in Boston. The Mass General program is especially noteworthy because of Mass General Hospital's reputation as a teaching institution for Harvard Med. School. A top shelf program!

Yes, it can be done, actually. Anyone who has passed the LPN-NCLEX can apply to the MCCCD RN accelerated programs, providing they've completed the community college pre-reqs. A word about accreditation to clear up some common misconceptions. Pima is approved by the State Board of Nursing for their students to sit for the PN and RN exams. Pima is not currently accredited by the NLN, but that isn't an indication that their program is of poor quality. In fact, Pima's program is quite good, and is in high demand, as evidenced by the over 400 applicants for the 30 seats in January 07. Pima is not currently accredited by the NLN because NLN requirements stipulate that a program must have a class graduate, and then sit for the exams, before an accreditation review takes place. Once that happens, then Pima will have the same NLN accrediation that MCCCD, ASU, UofA and other schools within the state possess.

I am considering the Chamberlain on-campus BSN. Does anyone know of any hospitals that pay for a student's tuition/fees to Chamberlain in exchange for a contract/promissory note to work for the hospital? I currently live in Arizona, but I'm certainly willing to relocate and contract for 3 years or however long the hospital would require. Thanks in advance for your help!

I am a 2nd degree seeking nursing student. I have a BA degree, but also $38,000 in undergrad student loans. I was accepted for Jan 07 to a very expensive private ($36,000) ADN program in Phoenix where I live, but with the aggregate cap on undergrad loans at $46,000, I wouldn't have enough student loan money to take the program. I've also looked at Chamberlain's accelerated on campus BSN. It is also unlikely, due to "less than perfect" credit, that I'd qualify for private loans. My question is: Does anyone know of hospital sponsorship programs, either in Phoenix or St. Louis, that would pay for my nursing program? I'm certainly willing to contract with the hospital for how ever many years they require. Thanks in advance for your help!

I understand your choice, SassyB, of EBSN. I've considered Pima because it is an accelerated program. Yes, it is expensive, and yes the 96 week accelerated program will be intense, but I'm a single, older re-careering student, and I don't have the time to take to finish my pre-reqs, (about 2 semesters), and then wait the 1 1/2 years on Maricopa CC's wait list. I have a healthcare background anyway, and a BA in Liberal Arts, so the Pima advisor told me that more than likely my program wouldn't be the full 96 weeks. Also, Pima and EBSN have an LPN option, so there is the opportunity to take the NYCLEX-LPN and work while we're still finishing the RN courses. Anything worth having is worth working hard toward!

Thank you for the info. Did your friend have to relocate to Flagstaff to take the aBSN, or can it be done at one of NAU's satellite campuses here in the Valley? Was there a wait list?

I'm trying to decide the best option for nursing programs. I have a BA degree in Liberal Arts, but I am lacking some of the science prereqs. I am a single male, older, re-careering student. Does anyone have any information on the Grand Canyon or NAU Accelerated BSN programs? THe GCU website wasn't much help. Thanks in advance for the info!

You might want to consider the Banner Nurse Fellows program. Info on them can be located on Banner Health's main website. I have a friend who recently started the program, and she had many positive things to say about it. They use the MCCCD curriculum and the prereqs must be completed before applying, but the advantage to the Banner Fellows program is that they take GPA into consideration, they apparently start two cohort groups per year, the tuition and books are paid for by Banner, and I think that they even pay a stipend while you're in the program. You do have to contract to work for Banner for two years, but Banner has a number of excellent hospitals to work in anyway.

True. While Pima's cost might be unreasonably high, the time saved by not having to complete the pre-reqs and then sit on MCCCD's wait list for 2 years, is time that can be used to earn an income to pay back the student loans!

Pima is beginning a new class in January, 2007, and my impression is that there were more students who applied than who were accepted. I don't have the exact numbers, but my estimation was that there were over 150 applicants for the 34 seats. Pima evaluates applicants on prior healthcare experience, GPA, entrance exam scores and an interview. The prerequisites are built into the program, which saves time, but the disadvantage is that the prerequisites are not North Central accredited and will not transfer into most campus based BSN programs. So, the discussion essentially centers around the issues of wait lists with the MCCCD programs, the costs of the proprietary programs like Pima or Ethel Bauer, or the risks of taking 4 semesters worth of Gen Ed courses through the university system and not being admitted into the nursing core. Every program is not ideal for every student, but all of them have a vital and necessary place in nursing education.