Reputations of Various Programs

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Can anyone provide any insight on what employers think about the various Twin Cities nursing programs? I'm entering NHCC this fall, so I am particularly interested in that one, but I'd like to hear what you have to say about the entry level masters programs.

Thanks!

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Subbing. I'm mainly looking at Century, maybe Inver Hills.

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I know this is an older post, but thought I'd share my insight of my own opinions, many nursing friends, and coworkers.

I am currently in the Nursing Program at the U of M and work as an NA at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, and work with a lot of 2 year & 4 year RNs (a lot of whom graduated within the past couple years).

I know Mayo system hospitals, Fairview, & most the floors at HCMC will not hire 2 year RNs that are new grads. A friend of mine I work with graduated with her AD 2 years ago and went to take either her NCLEX or NCLEX study style class at Fairview (can't remember why she was there). They had a recruiter there that asked who was BSN and who was ADN and specifically said anyone with a ADN don't bother applying. She was Pi**ed to say the least. Can't say I blame her as that is ridiculously rude.

It seems that major hospitals in the Twin Cities are only hiring new grads that are BSNs, but I'm sure there is an exception to every rule. A friend that just graduated last year with her ADN from Inver Hills applied for 37 RN positions in area hospitals and only got 1 interview before getting a job at the VA (where she worked with me as an NA).

It seems like all the area hospitals are switching to wanting their RNs to have their BSN.

As far as program reps:

I did my AA at Normandale and have 2 friends that just finished up their 1st year there of Nursing and they seem to like it for the most part.

My friend (the one I worked with at the VA) went to Inver Hills and she said there were a few instructors there that were just rude & just overall jerks, but there are always that handful in any group.

U of M & Bethel have a great reputations & since I'm a U of M student I LOVE everything about the program. The classes, how they present the material, the NCLEX style exams; it really preps you to get ready and learn everything. I really enjoy it.

St. Olaf I've heard is really great, but super spendy $

St. Kate's is on academic probation right now (or at least they were in January). Their students do clinicals on my floor and all the girls are really upset over it and they're on probation because their NCLEX passing rate is pretty low.

MCTC students also do clinicals on my floor, and I've heard their clinical instructors are okay, but sometimes aren't helpful. But just like with anything else you only hear the bad & never the good. I'm sure each program has their caveats.

*just as a disclaimer these are just 2nd hand accounts of what I've been told by people going through the ordeal. I encourage everyone to do their own homework.*

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I know this is an older post, but thought I'd share my insight of my own opinions, many nursing friends, and coworkers.

I am currently in the Nursing Program at the U of M and work as an NA at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, and work with a lot of 2 year & 4 year RNs (a lot of whom graduated within the past couple years).

I know Mayo system hospitals, Fairview, & most the floors at HCMC will not hire 2 year RNs that are new grads. A friend of mine I work with graduated with her AD 2 years ago and went to take either her NCLEX or NCLEX study style class at Fairview (can't remember why she was there). They had a recruiter there that asked who was BSN and who was ADN and specifically said anyone with a ADN don't bother applying. She was Pi**ed to say the least. Can't say I blame her as that is ridiculously rude.

It seems that major hospitals in the Twin Cities are only hiring new grads that are BSNs, but I'm sure there is an exception to every rule. A friend that just graduated last year with her ADN from Inver Hills applied for 37 RN positions in area hospitals and only got 1 interview before getting a job at the VA (where she worked with me as an NA).

It seems like all the area hospitals are switching to wanting their RNs to have their BSN.

As far as program reps:

I did my AA at Normandale and have 2 friends that just finished up their 1st year there of Nursing and they seem to like it for the most part.

My friend (the one I worked with at the VA) went to Inver Hills and she said there were a few instructors there that were just rude & just overall jerks, but there are always that handful in any group.

U of M & Bethel have a great reputations & since I'm a U of M student I LOVE everything about the program. The classes, how they present the material, the NCLEX style exams; it really preps you to get ready and learn everything. I really enjoy it.

St. Olaf I've heard is really great, but super spendy $

St. Kate's is on academic probation right now (or at least they were in January). Their students do clinicals on my floor and all the girls are really upset over it and they're on probation because their NCLEX passing rate is pretty low.

MCTC students also do clinicals on my floor, and I've heard their clinical instructors are okay, but sometimes aren't helpful. But just like with anything else you only hear the bad & never the good. I'm sure each program has their caveats.

*just as a disclaimer these are just 2nd hand accounts of what I've been told by people going through the ordeal. I encourage everyone to do their own homework.*

PSA: St. Olaf and Gustavus run a joint program.

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Anyone have any comments about North Hennepin's program? I'm applying there as well as Inver Hills.

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Moving forward, I would think that all of the school's participating in the MANE program should be on pretty equal ground. I guess only time will tell if the NCLEX pass percentages are higher at some of the schools, but they all end with a BSN from Metro State, so I would say you are good to go with any of the MANE participants.

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