Dexterosa....
I don't even know where to begin with you. I get it, you had a bad experience in trying to get information during the application process. That's really a shame too. What I don't get is where you get off attempting to literally BASH a program you know nothing about (outside the experience you had during that same application process). You are not a current student, or even a former one, so quite honestly you have no first hand knowledge of what it's truly like to be a student there.
Credibility starts with the facts. You say that other students and other schools have "beat" Chamberlain NCLEX results. Truth of the matter is that according to the most current data supplied by the State of Illinois, Chamberlain's 2010 NCLEX pass rates are in the TOP 5 among over 30 accredited BSN programs in the state (and if you look further down the list to the ADN programs, they also quite literally beat the pants off all of those schools except for 2). If you want to see for yourself, here's the website: http://http://nursing.illinois.gov/PDF/IlApNursingEdProgPassRates01292010.PDF
It's true that Chamberlain is very new to the area and not easily recognized right now to lots of people. I'm not surprised that your coworkers haven't exactly heard of or remembered the name. However, they are indeed making a great name for themselves in the various professional circles out there in hospitals and other clinical sites they've been associated with. Other students have already talked about the accolades the school has received in the short 3 years the school has been in existence, so I have no need to bring that up again either.
Finally, the school is not for everyone. I agree that the cost is not for everybody, but quite honestly the cost is relatively in the same ballpark as many other BSN programs in the Chicagoland area. Chamberlain does have standards and do actually deny applicants every semester. I know of a few myself. They offer a really challenging but satisfying program, and by no means are those qualities of the "nursing degree mills" you refer to. I'd be more concerned with the LPN and ADN programs in our immediate area who charge astronomical tuition for a LPN degree/certification. As with any college/university, there are teachers I've clicked with and others I haven't but I've never felt cheated or disappointed in the quality of their teachings. The school also offers awesome opportunities for extra support (academically, professionally, and personally) if you need it at no additional cost to the student. In all honesty, I highly recommend Chamberlain to friends and acquaintances despite the price tag.
It's too bad that things didn't work out between you and Chamberlain. I don't blame you for getting upset. Had there been a better relationship from the beginning, I do think you'd be pleased with the school. But to keep going on about speculations and opinions you've formed about the program itself solely based on your experience in the application process without having experienced the school first-hand is irresponsible and unfair to those looking to this thread for information on what the environmental and educational experience is like. Or basing it on - that your hospital coworkers have never heard of Chamberlain, your assumption that its NCLEX pass rates are sub-par compared to others, or whatever merit-less attacks you have put down because it sounds good. Honestly, it just comes off as sour grapes on your part. For what it's worth, the front desk people are actually really nice!
Peace and Harmony!:)
