Rasmussen College

Is it accredited by NLNAC or AACN? If not, that is a big point against it. Anyways, scanning around here in the past, read that their clinical sites are mostly nursing homes. Well respected programs include mainly acute care settings at major hospitals in the twin cities - HCMC, Unity, Abbott, Fariview, VA, etc to give you a vast depth of knowledge. If your goal is to work in a nursing home, then maybe that doesn't matter. Employers can be picky these days with the economy...so any nursing school doesn't cut it anymore.

I would explore the ADN programs. (EG Normandale etc.)

Some of the schools have 2 phase programs where you pick up your LPN after Phase I. Phase II bridges you on to RN.)

Consider applying to:

Ridgewater CC (Hutchinson/Willmar). They have a 2 phase model. (Full disclosure my mother is a retired nurse educator from this school.)

South Central College (Mankato)

If the school is a product of the mergers between the AVTI (LPN programs)/CCs (ADN programs) they generally follow a 2 phase model.

Esunada is giving you a good perspective. I have never seen a Rasmussen student at the VA. I have seen numerous students from the state college/university systems as well as the private liberal arts colleges. When I interviewed at the VA I had a foot in the door with one NM because she was also a Mankato graduate.

I think that in MN reputation of the school REALLY matters during the selection process for hiring. Because of the historical relationships between the schools and the area hospitals I think that your chances of placement in a really good first job are enhanced by choosing the more traditional route of a Normandale, Ridgewater etc. (Plus you will have much less debt to repay at the end.)

PM me or Moogie if you want some ideas about how to successfully apply to the BSN/ADN programs.

Thanks alot! them CC are to far from me im located in blaine so :) but just othr options. I did FASFA and see what kind of help i can get since im a single mom so we will see

Since you are in Blaine, you may want to check out Anoka-Ramsey Community College and/or North Hennepin Community College.

I would personally stay away from any for-profit schools.

From what I understand, and I may be wrong but it's what I hear tell is that Rassmusen and Globe are NOT accredited. That may have changed since April, but that's what I was told. I agree that if you're in Blaine, you should take a peek at North Hennepin or Anoka Ramsey, or even Century- which is where I went for my ADN. Blaine and White Bear aren't terribly far apart.

Also, I've been told that the instructors at those colleges seem kind of on the burned out side. (As in "I'm sick of being a nurse/instructor".) As someone who is shooting to be a nursing instructor, that's a big red flag...to me. But that's what I know about it.

Im looking into this school.... i like the idea of being done in 1 year and a half ect....

and they seem nice. And i know it is kind of pricy but i know i can get help with that..

so has anyone been here? or heard any stories...?

Let me know thanks!:)

I am thinking about going there also, I work with a few LPN's right now that graduated from there and they gave me positive feedback on the school. I think it's awesome that you would finish in a year in a half and you don't have to worry about taking any pre reqs.