dreamer81

So it's almost been a year since this my post on this thread.....I decided not to go with GCU. I applied at Arizona Western College in Yuma in September 2009 and got my acceptance letter in October. I start their program in January 2010. Super excited! Plus, I have some family that lives here which makes it even better.

i got my letter of acceptance for january 2010 at arizona western college!!

Haha! Yes, I must say of all the years I have lived in Yuma (almost my entire life) it has got to be the hottest place on earth! well, at least the U.S. Anyways, I never had to cover my door handles or anything but it is very hot during the summer! June, July and August are the hottest. I have kids and anytime we want to go anywhere in the summer I make sure to start my car first, put the a.c. on high, and bring frozen bottled waters. We shop at night and only go other places during the evening. The hottest part only lasts a few months, then its not so bad. But you'll be in a nicely frozen hospital all day, or night and sleeping during the day, so it won't really matter. I am currently in Mesa and a couple months ago went to open my front door but pushing it with my arm and was burned by my door! ouch! I think people exaggerate when they talk about Yuma. If Yuma was the size of Phoenix, I doubt you would hear so many complaints. I mean obviously if you have a piece of metal in the sun, you're not gonna touch. But that's anywhere, not just Yuma. But Yes, Yuma does have dry heat and very much of it. (can you tell how much i love my hometown.) I'm not trying to sound defensive, just letting you know what it's like so you or someone else doesn't miss out on a great opportunity to start your career. Well good luck to all! :typing

I'm actually from Yuma and will be returning in August to get ready to start the RN program in January. (Good thing they don't have a 2 year wait like MCCD) One of the worst places for a patient to be in the winter is at YRMC because of their shortage of nurses, snowbirds, and legal and illegal immigrants. They have been hiring for quite some time now and their problem is not hiring nurses, it's keeping them. Most will start at YRMC and then leave to Phoenix or elsewhere. It's not because of the hospital, they just can't take the heat. On the Phoenix news it only appears a couple degrees difference hotter in Yuma, but in reality it feels like 10 degrees hotter in the summer. I love Yuma and miss it alot, but some just don't like how small it is compared to Phoenix area. But you don't have all the smog or the traffic or hour long drives to work....So that is a big plus. It's about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs to San Diego and to Phoenix, 20 minute drive to Mexico, and about a 5-6 hr drive to Vegas. It's growing quite a bit these past few years. The staff at the hospital are great! I have been there several times for days, sometimes weeks, at a time with my dad. But if you don't like small towns or extreme heat, don't move there.....save that RN position for me when I graduate in 2 years! lol! see ya there! P.S. the pay starts at $27/hr for new hire and from what I heard from a current employee...it goes up to $31 after 6 months and even more for the night shift diff.

NursingStudent14....this is from a previous post on a different thread: Try: 520-358-3739. for help/info. I hope that helps you! if not, let me know i can give you the contact for phoenix and maybe they can redirect you.

UPDATE! I went to talk with an enrollment employee at GCU today! I didn't realize it was an actual "University", I thought it was something like UofP ....just another building with a name on it. I got alot of info out of it and I applied for admissions today. I won't get to apply for the fastrack nursing program until next year, but no worries. I still have some pre-reqs to knock out of the way fall semester and next spring. The program start dates are only in summer and fall anyways, so it works out perfect! Also, since I am a tribal student I automatically qualify for a scholarship of $2000 towards tuition! Every little bit helps! Now the only thing left to do is get the approval from my tribes since they are the ones who are fully funding me. I'm so excited to start!!!

Well, I think I just my contact the school tomorrow and meet with an advisor sometime soon. It's starting to sound like the best route for me, especially if I can get into the accelerated program! Thanks for all the info!

Thanks. So, for the accelerated program I would pretty much have to be finished with every single class on the list, except of course the nursing courses? On their website it has a list of "Nursing Pre-req's", and then a list of "Remaining Graduation Requirements"

Is it just as hard or competitive to get into GCU as it is ASU?? Or if I'm done with all my pre-reqs would i pretty much be guaranteed a spot?

I just called an 800 number for GCU and the rep said he believes there is a wait list for the RN program. I sure hope there isn't because I really want to apply there next semester. Or are you saying there is not a wait list for the accelerated program? I need to finish a few more pre-reqs according to their list, but I can finish in 2 semesters and then apply to the accelerated....at least that's what i think. But I don't want to waste my time if there is a wait list. Is it really competitive to get in??? Also, where exactly is GCU located? Phoenix area?

Ha! I just tried calling them and their number is disconnected. I tried the live chat and ......nothing. They don't sound like a reliable school.

My tribal scholarship will only pay for a BSN, not associate level. And you know...I have not thought about GCU. That's Grand Canyon University, right? How do you know for sure there is no wait list??

That's what I would like to do, get a BSN. I can't really make up my mind on what i should do. I have two options: 1. Start the Associate program in Yuma in January 2010 and then get my bachelors thru NAU-Yuma while working as an RN at YRMC. I would have to pay for the Associate degree. And Yuma doesn't have many jobs for my husband to work at so it may take a while for him to find any job. OR 2. Start my BSN pre-reqs while sitting on the wait list at MCCCD. (My gpa isn't strong enough to apply to ASU). But I can get a tribal scholarship to pay for a ASU, so whenever I get into MCCCD and finish a degree I will be a little bit closer to getting my BSN. And my husband has a decent paying job here in the Phoenix area. I'm so frustrated because I can't make up my mind. I don't want to make the wrong decision and I sure don't want to waste time.

It sure is depressing....that's why i decided not to wait. I'm going to apply to Arizona Western College in Yuma. They don't have a wait list and they rank you by the number of pre-reqs you have completed and your pre-req gpa. After this semester I will be completely finished with ALL pre-reqs, not just the application requirements. So, I am pretty sure I will get in on the first application. I can't wait to get started!!

awesome info! i need to get my prints done soon.