iluvmysailor

When I filled out paperwork to start, my tuition was only $30,000 not $40,000. I'm still looking at TCC. I'm taking sociology online and applying for next year. I was trying for MCI in Jan. I was told I was in and then they called and said my chemistry didn't transfer after all. I haven't made up my mind on what to do yet. I want to go to MCI because it's fast and the wait isn't as long. But I feel a little screwed over by them. Maybe it was a blessing and I'm supposed to go to TCC any way.

I wanted to update here for anyone that was curious about information that the DON at the VB told me about the NLN accredidation. I was concerned because NLN says only the NN ADN program and the BSN at VB program were in candidancy status. The DON at the VB campus said that VB and NN applied as a package program for the accredidation so while the website says NN, both campuses are in candidancy status. She also said that the BSN program will be getting the full accredidation soon and then they focus the efforts on the ADN programs.

I agree - don't transfer in the middle. If you want the RN, take the prereqs and follow that plan. Getting your LPN to get your RN right after will take longer to your goal and cost more money. If you want your LPN and get your RN years later, then it may not be that bad. I vote for going for the RN now.

After my test he walked my letters of recommendation, my test scores, and my unofficial transcripts (I brought them with me) to the DON and came back in the office and threw the interview questionnaire into the trash and said, "She said a second interview is not needed." I have no problem going to the interview if I get the call, but I'm just saying what happened and what he said. The reps want us to get into the program and graduate - they don't get their bonus unless we graduate. I'm applying for the day program at VB. By the way, I know tone is so hard to interpret in messages like these so I hope that my tone is not being misinterpreted as being confrontational or defensive. I'm just saying what my experience has been and what I hope to achieve.

Good luck ladies! My rep said that the TEAS scores have the greatest weight, then your grades in the pre-reqs (especially chemistry) if you took the prereqs there then will ask your teachers about you. After that they look at your letters and your interview. :) I'm in the computer prereq now and transferred the others in. I'm so anxious to hear for sure!

I was told that I had the highest TEAS scores coming in, too. After my test my admissions rep took my scores to the director and came back and said there was no second interview needed. I had a perfect math and reading score (100%). I had a 90% on science and a 95% on the english. So, my bubble isn't bursted. That's great that you did well, too! There's going to be 30 of us, so it's not like we're competing for only spot! Good luck!

Thanks- I'm in it. My last post said I was enrolled. I know my rep can't guarantee anything. However, I also know that I have to have one of the highest TEAS scores and a 4.0 GPA. My letters of recommendation were awesome and I see no reason why I would not be top of the list to get accepted. Thanks!

That's awesome! Are you taking day or night computer class? I'm in the night one b/c I still have classes at ODU during the day. But I want the day nursing!

Darn! I just typed out a response and then my page refreshed! I still have one prereq - the computer class and I start it Dec 1st. Because of my high TEAS and letters of recommendation, I was told that I'm in as long as I finish the computer class. Are you trying for the day or night class? I want the day class and he told me that it's easier to get into the day class because so many people want the night class. He also said that their goal is to have the "final" list by Christmas, but he doesn't see that happening at all because so many people will still be in the prereqs. Good luck! Hopefully we'll both be in it!

Thanks for you reply. It is expensive and it is a business. They are sales people and I directly asked my sales rep/admissions counselor about "his cut" and he said that he does get a bonus when I graduate - not when I enroll, but when I graduate. There is a contract and in it there is a refund policy expressing the exact amount of money you get refunded per percentage program complete. If you have federal financial aid and you withdrawal, then you owe them (the federal government that sponsored you to go to school) back too. Richmond's campus is NLN accredited and Newport News is in the process (per NLN's website). VB campus is still too new to apply. I spoke to an HR hiring manager at the hospital where I volunteer and she said that she has no problem hiring MCI grads. The retention rate is low and many people don't make it - that's because there aren't as many prereqs (like a&p b/c it's built into the cirriculum) to weed out those that can't handle nursing school. Of those that do make it to the end of the program, there's a 96% NCLEX pass rate and 95% job placement three months before graduation. It is a lot of money, however I'll be finished in less than a year and half versus the three years for the traditional route (b/c I wouldn't be able to start until August if I'm not put on the waiting list). That's a more than years worth of working salary that I wouldn't have had if I had gone the traditional route. I have an awesome GPA and was in the 98th national percentile on my TEAS. I was able to secure scholarships for my first seven months. In August, I can renew my scholarships or my husband will be able to transfer his GI Bill to me (new GI Bill takes effect next August). After talking to five current students (in nursing programs and other cirriculums), three recent nursing grads, and the hiring manager, I've made my decision. It is a propriertary school and they sell their education - it's up to the individual to actually do the work to deserve it.

TEAS is done and it was awesome. I'm going to take the computer class starting Dec 1st and he said if my chem transcript comes in on time then I should be in the January class! *doing a little dance*

I totally agree with Six! Everyone has to start somewhere and it's never too late! My mom just graduated with her bachelor's two years ago at the age of fifty. If you're still interested in being in the military, there are a lot of resources for joining the nurse corps. I know ODU has a special ROTC for nurses - free education, you're a nurse, and you're a commissioned officer. Good luck!

I don't know where in VA you're going, but I'm in Hampton Roads and I know about some of the programs around here! Adults can apply to them and they're usually about 18 months and they all start in August (application deadline is May for most of them). About half way through the program you're eligible to take the CNA test or you can most on for the last nine months and then be eligible for the PN test. Most of the ones around here are NLN accredited and should bridge to an RN program - but it really depends on the RN school you're interested in. TCC (the community college here) has a LPN bridge program and gives preference to those that got their LPN from the regional vocational schools here. They're all great options - for me, the downsides are that they're 18 months long and they only start in August. If you want to be an LPN, then that's great. If you want to get your RN, I'd rather devote that time to getting prereqs for applying the RN program. Good luck! I hope that helped!

Thanks! I'm committing to the RN program here. I was only considering the LPN program because of time but I would want to go back to get my RN later. By pursuing my RN now, I won't have to go back to school and spend so much money again (especially if it's a proprietary school!). Thank you so much for the advice!

I've heard that that they have a great career assistance team and most students have jobs lined up three months before graduation. Are you starting in Jan?