Rasmussen or not?

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Hello there, I am currently looking into nursing programs here in Minnesota. I went to the Rasmussen College information session and the LPN program seemed fairly straight forward and they said their job placement was 92%. I have worked in a research for the past 10 years and was recently let go from my job. I am looking to change my career path, but I already have a Bachelor's of Science and a Master's in Public Health in Epidemiology. The reason I chose nursing is because I have always cared for people and have worked in group homes taking care of people with developmental and physical disabilities. Yes, it is not all glamorous and hard work, but I feel very satisfied doing that work. Any suggestion and review on Rasmussen, or should I try a community college. All of my generals will transfer so the program won't take as long. Thanks. :)

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

In here in the Twin Cities, Im an LPN going on almost 2yrs. I work in a Specialty Clinic and Chemical Health (full-time and part-time) trying to find a mobility (LPN-RN) program to get into. I was placed on a waitlist for Inverhills and North Hennepin this year. Long story short about 6 years ago I started my persuit on the career path of nursing. I applied to Inver Hills Comm College. And I was wait listed at # 231, they said they had about 500 applicants that year and they only accept like 50 or something like that. Any how I got sick of waiting I applied the next year same thing. So I went for my LPN at Dakota County Tech got in after one semster of pre-reqs finished that in about 21 months (partime) I think its like 18 months fulltime. So my point is you really must be dedicated and sure that this is the right path for you because it is very competative to get in LPN or RN. It is good that you have a Degree already also, some schools really value that. Just make sure you did well in all your sciences, and keep in mind that some programs have a limit on classes like it has to have been taken in the past 5yrs for classes like A&P, Micro, and such.

Now to answer your question. I do not know much about Rasmussen but you want to make sure it is definitely accredited. And you can go to the Minnesota Board of Nursing to find a list of accredited LPN and RN schools. It is my understanding that if you attend a LPN that is not accredited or board approved and you want to bridge to RN your credits will not transfer. I would definitely look at all the schools, and find out all their pre-reqs and the chances of getting in. And apply to multiple schools. I hope this helps.

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Just say no to Rasmussen.

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Hi there , I will be starting the ADN program at Rasmussen College in Green Bay in less than a week! Rasmussen is just as good a choice as any! The only reason why they aren't (accredited) as far as the nursing goes is I believe it's because they are a relatively new add on to the school at least here in Green Bay. Don't be tricked by that however! They are recognized by the National Nursing Association at this point, and when you complete the program you can sit for the NCLEX-RN just like all other ADN graduates. Same goes for LPN as well. It's almost inevitable that the Rasmussen School of Professional Nursing will eventually become (accredited). Like I said they are relatively new; but remember Rasmussen is accredited in all other areas of their education and have established themselves as an institution of higher learning. They have been around since 1900. I guess you could say they are pioneers in the learning field! Now days there is a big focus on getting good nursing programs out there and established. In case you haven't read or heard about it, there are and will be in the coming future big big demands for well trained dedicated nurses :nurse:! One of the problems are the "Baby Boomers" retiring.

I would like to say that Rasmussen has a wonderful Nursing Program and experienced teachers :up:! Their Nursing Program is right up there with all the others! They do however use the Teas-v entrance test which is the newest one, and is suppose to be more difficult than some of the older tests used. You have to score at least "proficient" to be considered for the program. When you sign up to take the Teas-v (not sure if you have to take this for the LPN program?), there is a study guide that is sent to you so you can make sure you are prepared. They don't just focus solely on your score however, the Dean of Nursing interviews all applicants and hand picks the ones he/she believes will be a great asset in the medical field. Twelve students are picked for each cohort, and I believe there's like 5 or 6 cohorts each year?

That's a plus if you can transfer credits to the LPN program! I did not have any credits to transfer to the ADN program and will have a jam packed schedule!

Hope this helps with your question about whether or not to consider Rasmussen. I would like to say that the difference between Rasmussen and a community college is the smaller classes! I went to a community college for a CNA program at the classes were pretty big. I always felt kinda lost in the crowd :chair:. At Rasmussen they keep their classes small to make sure the teachers aren't spread out too thinly amongst the students. Especially in the nursing classes you get more a feeling of "family" :hpygrp:.

Can you tell I love all the animations!

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Specializes in Med/Surg Trauma, LTC/STR.

In Twin Cities I do not think, no offense to their students, that Rasmussen has a good rep with the area hospitals & their HR depts. That is just what I have heard by the wayside, so I would just do some investigating and call around to HR at the hospitals and ask them yourself what they are preferring and if that school has a good rep with them.

Personally, I would not go to any school that is not accredited just because I wouldn't want to hinder where I can practice.

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Yeah, in the Minneapolis area the reputation is not that good for Rasmussen. They really "sell" their school hard and the the price is crazy. Just letting you know. ;)

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If it's true that the Rasmussen school of nursing in Minnesota isn't doing so well I hope they can get things straightened out!

In defense of the Rasmussen college here in Green Bay and else where, I believe that their nursing programs can compete with the best! The Dean of nursing at my college meets with other well established nursing colleges at Rasmussen periodically to discuss where the schools will be carrying out clinicals. I think this shows that Rasmussen school of nursing at least here in Green Bay has seriously established themselves as a worthy competitor, considering that the Green Bay college opened in 2007!

I would like to point out that a college's accreditation is not always a fool proof way of ranking how good their nursing program is! Accreditation is especially important for online colleges because of the possibility of scams, but may work slightly different in the case of an actual campus.

For example: Someone might attend a certain nursing school because it is accredited, but is the nursing school accredited by one of the national nursing associations? If not, regional accreditation means nothing, since you still won't be able to get your license.

Also, the accreditation process takes time, so a relatively new nursing program might have a great education program, but have a pending accreditation.

I don't know what the deal is with the college in Minnesota, but in my area I have been hearing all positive. Hopefully what everyone has been hearing are just small isolated incidences!:uhoh3:

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Specializes in FNP.

Why not look at an accelerated BSN?

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I am currently in the LPN program at Rasmussen College and I am able to give you information from actual experience. Like others, when I hear "Ramussen" I think of a college that anybody can get into and for people that f'd up in HS and were unable to go to a University. However, I can tell you that their LPN program is the real deal. They ARE accredited for their LPN program but are NOT for the RN program, they are in the works of getting the RN program accredited right now. The school is a small school with usually about 20 students starting in a cohort together, so as you would imagine there are ALOT of politics. It is important to maintain your reputation at the school and to be on your teachers good side. Another thing to be aware of is that usually less than half of the 20 people that start the program will pass the first quarter so that leaves a lot of people retaking the classes. You must pass all the classes each quarter in order to move on- and passing is 78% which can be challenging for some. The classes seem to be a bit unorganized as they are always changing things around. Classes are Mon through Fri so if you have kids or a life... plan on not having them for the year you are in the program.... espeically since their LPN program is accelerated. You will need to wear a white uniform every day to class (yes, even lectures,) hair in a pony, no gum chewing, no smoking, no road-rage while in your uniform, ect. I think they are definitely trying to maintain a reputation-which is good for current and alumni student. One last thing on the school.... it is VERY expensive, whether you have credits that will transfer or not- you will be looking to pay $450 per credit and the nursing classes are usually 6 credits each.

It looks like you have a very good education and personally I am not sure if Rasmussen would be your best option-especially the LPN route. I think you should do some more research on the Universities and CC in your area to see what they would offer you for transfer credits to get your RN. All in all, this college is a good school with many misconceptions with it's name "Rasmussen." Good luck with your ventures and I hope this was helpful!!:nurse:

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I loved Rasmussen's LPN program. I feel like I got an great education there, especially now that I am out in the nursing world and working with other LPNs. I went to the Brooklyn Park campus and thought it was fantastic. I had a job with the U of M in a clinic (which was one of our clinical sites) before graduation. It's a little on the expensive side, but they really take care of you throughout the program. Everything is laid out from day one, they mail necessary books and equipment to your house, and they have awesome resources available. It was a tough program and really pushed me, but I feel like it paid off. I had a great experience there!

There is always negativity about any program that you're looking at, but it is what you make it, and you get back what you put in.

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Specializes in nursing home/geriactrics.

Although I didn't want to attend R for the cost I have now entered their enrollment process to start in July. I didn't get into the school of my choice so now I feel like I have no other choices I could either spend another year or two or five trying to boost my GPA up or get straight into the Rasmussen program. I have a past that wasn't so great in my early college career because of having to balance two full time jobs kids, health issues, car accidents and my grades took a beating in harder classes. I ended up with a couple of Ds some Ws and a F and its so embarassing but it happens. I have currently enrolled back into school turned myself around at SPC and now my current GPA is a 4.0! My culmative is a 3.0 however and when I am up against people with higher GPAs and no bad college history I don't stand a chance, atleast I didn't at SPC, so basically I was looking around and ran into Rasmussen, no waiting list, and as long as you have all of the qualifications transcipts, passed TEAS, up to date immunization, current mantoux and results, taken the college's STEP test and passed, and have an up to date CPR certification you are good to go! Luckily for me I was able to get everything done in a week because I am that dedicated! I already had te TEAS test done since this April so that was easy, but I already have an interview with the dean and I have only been through this process 6 business days and they told me nobody has ever been prepared as quickly as I was in one week lol I told them I want to do nursing just that bad, its my passion and just because one school didnt believe in me or want to give me a chance I was not going to give up and stop there. You have to be proactive about what you want in life. But for the girl with the degree in public health and epidemiology I would reccommend a place like St. Catherine's University you can probably get into any school you want with that degree under your belt and as long as you have a pretty good GPA. I am excited to start Rasmussen next month and it may not have been my first choice, cheaper, or 8 minutes from my house like SPC you just have to take what you can get I will be done at Rasmussen in a year because I completed all of my generals and from what it looks like most of them will transfer so I dont have to take courses I have already taken. Not to mention Rasmussen has a 90% pass rate on the N-Clex and well qualified teachers.

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DONT DO IT! The prev comments are from someone who works for rasmussen. As someone who went there, it sucks. They are very unprofessional and its all about weather they like you or not. Its easy to get in because they take anybody. If they like you you will be floated thru the whole program. But what good does that do when you get in the real world and have no idea what you are doing? Choose wisley. Remember nothing fast and easy is never really worth having.

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