ehan31

Congrats! I'll be really interested to see how you like the program. I still haven't made my decision and won't until after January, so your feedback will be great! -Emily

I don't think you have to work FT, but you have to be working. You use work experience as part of school, you use it for credits, projects, etc.

Thanks! Student loans.....ay. I've thought about doing a gov't repayment pgm but I am not sure yet! I've already got student loans from my first two degrees, what's a little more? Haha. I'm glad to hear there are positive experiences with UOP. Seems like it is the best, most reputable of online pgms with a lot of people that have had positive outcomes and job recognition.

Hey quick question... I'm looking for a bridge pgm RN-MSN, I'm willing to double up and get it done ASAP. However, do you need 3 years exp to do this pgm with UOP? Do you know if it is the same for the RN-BSN? Are any clinical hours involved at all? Thanks!

If you go to Ameritech the credits will NOT transfer to another school for a BS. I know several people who have taken this route. If you would like a 2 yr RN and that is the end of the road for you, it might be a good choice. However, since it is not accredited, you do not have the option of continuing your education in the future (BSN) since those schools will not recognize non-accredited school credits. (Most likely your RN licensure will be recognized but not your prereqs or nursing classes). I found this out by doing research prior to me going to school as well. Take a look at where you want to go with nursing before you make the jump to go to a school that isn't NLNAC accredited. Also take a look at your future employment options and where you want to work. Some places will hire only those who went to an accredited school, some don't care. It does cost in the ballpark of $35K for the nursing core, this does not include prereqs.

Thanks Krazy Coconuts! I'm a CNA w/exp, and I'll be taking my LPN boards really soon. I'm just trying to dig myself out of the financial hole I've dug for school (I'm getting my RN), and agencies tend to pay better...but I'm afraid of exactly what you said--getting thrown to the wolves! I don't know what I'll do yet, but I need to get a job...and fast! Any recommendations? I do all my clinicals at UVRMC so I'd rather not work there, but I am open to it. I know they do tuition reimb for 24+ hr/wk. (they also pay less...) Sigh. I wish school were free--then I could sit back and relax being unemployed :)

Thanks Krazy Coconuts. I'm a CNA w/exp, I'll have my LPN here in the next couple of months. I'm a bit afraid of exactly what you said--being thrown to the wolves, or just being treated like dirt in general. On one hand, I think it would be good to get exp in different places, but I don't know... I'm in school for my RN right now so of course I'm trying to make more money than I spend (impossible, really...but a nice thought). Since the agencies usually pay more I thought I'd see if anyone had any exp here. IHC doesn't pay PCTs well, but they do have tuition reimbursement, and I'm not sure about Timp. Sigh.......I don't know what to do....

Has anyone worked for a medical staffing agency in UT? (Any capacity-CNA/PCT, LPN, RN, tech...) They often have better rates of pay, but I don't know if this is something I should look into or not; I have never worked for an agency before. Thanks!

A little late, but... SLCC and Provo College are the only private colleges accredited as of now. Ameritech and UCC are NOT as of yet--if you want to advance to BSN later it is most likely your degree will not be accepted and you will have to take several courses over again. (It's happened to several I work with). You can get jobs after graduating from there, but if it's advancement you want later on, that will be harder. The hospital I work at has had a few problems with Ameritech students, but loved others. I don't know about UCC ones. Just depends on your future outlook. Some places will not hire RNs that went to a non-accredited school, so I'd advise checking around at different workplaces before you decide. Provo College does not have a waiting list, you apply each period. SLCC has a waiting list that is, from my understanding, not accepting most applicants until the 2009-2010 year.

I'll graduate in 09. I've liked the program pretty well so far. Small class ratio. My only challenge is that some of the students in the class haven't been in school for awhile, and struggle with rules/regulations/load so it has a tendency to bring things to a slower pace on occasion. I really like the instructors--a lot. They are really helpful and personable. The cost is ridiculous, but I think it's the only real viable option other than SLCC here in Utah for ADRN. It is the only one with regional accreditation. Last year they had a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX, and though they have a smaller sample size, they have a better pass rate. I'd recommend it if you can afford it--not that any of us can really afford it :) There is pretty good job placement after the preceptorship, and I like the immediate clinical focus we get in our first semester. You do need your CNA BEFORE you apply. Hope this helps, if you want to talk more about it let me know

I'm moving to FL next year, I just bought a house in Celebration. I'm thinking about applying to UCF's RN to MSN, or at least RN to BSN. I've read a little here and there about UCF, but has anyone been there or applied to either of these pgms? Also--any info about the area is helpful too (jobs, what to avoid, tips, etc). I'm really looking forward to heading out there and am looking for some good schooling options. I'm an RN in ED/CC:redpinkhe