Rio Salado Community College

Yellowlablover- I completely agree with you. I have a BS already and I too found the classes at Rio to be very time consuming. I really felt like I learned a lot though, because I was forced to YKWIM? I applied for Rio's NS but I'm glad I was placed in a classroom NS. I love the interaction with the other students and it's nice to have the instructor 'right there' if I don't understand something.

Gilbertdaddy- I was told by CHW that they pick you up after blk I. Not sure what the extern pay is. I did, however, get a job yesterday through a healthcare staffing company. The pay is not too bad (for a CNA and for being allowed to 'pick' when/where I want to work). I can PM you if you want more info. I think I start on Sunday, so hopefully it will be all that they promised. What's nice is I can pick up work around Gilbert at hospitals, not just LTC facilities.

Keli

Yellowlablover- I completely agree with you. I have a BS already and I too found the classes at Rio to be very time consuming. I really felt like I learned a lot though, because I was forced to YKWIM? I applied for Rio's NS but I'm glad I was placed in a classroom NS. I love the interaction with the other students and it's nice to have the instructor 'right there' if I don't understand something.

Gilbertdaddy- I was told by CHW that they pick you up after blk I. Not sure what the extern pay is. I did, however, get a job yesterday through a healthcare staffing company. The pay is not too bad (for a CNA and for being allowed to 'pick' when/where I want to work). I can PM you if you want more info. I think I start on Sunday, so hopefully it will be all that they promised. What's nice is I can pick up work around Gilbert at hospitals, not just LTC facilities.

Keli

Yeah - I can tell you thru a bad experience I had, I wish I had been able to take more classes at a 'regular' school but at the time, it just wasn't an option. I use to think Rio was a great solution and still do, especially if you need to work full time but man, they really put the screws to you and anyone that thinks just because it is an internet school/classes and it will be easy will be shocked to find out it just ain't so! The volume of work is truly unbelievable, especially as it relates to the exact same class at any one of the other MCCD schools. I sort of blew off a class syllabus, yeah I read it, thoroughly I thought, but failed to discuss some of my concerns with an instructor about how she was grading, why she marked a lab the way she did, etc. BIG mistake, not taking issue with EVERY single piece of feedback she provided me with. I was so pissed when I received my very first 'D' in 17 years of school :angryfire but at the end of the day, it was my fault for not realizing she WASN'T kidding when she said every point counts on your work. Missed my 'C' by 1.5 points and possible entry into the nursing program in January.

Sooo.....all this is to say, but sure you know what you are doing if you bite off the Rio nursing gig. :redlight: Great for using your time your way....great for working full time, great for not having to deal with classroom stuff. Tough on the actual curriculum.

DC

Keli - Yes please!

I'm dying to get some experience because I'll work 12 hour shifts any day as opposed to spreading it out over 5 days would allow me to better focus on school. Not to mention I'd LOVE to be in a classroom environment but simply can't afford to do so because of work.

Thanks again for the help :)

I just got an email reply to my questions from a Rio Salado advisor. She said that Rio's nursing program has about the same wait-list time as the other Maricopa CC nursing programs. So much for no wait-list like another student told me. Looks like I'll be moving to Phoenix. Ok, that'll be alright.

So I have a new an improved question .

Of the Maricopa CCs with nursing programs, are there some that have better reputations than others? Are any unique in any particular way? I'm looking for the scoop and really appreciate any info.

Thank you to all who have PM'd me with info and opinions on their schools. Keep them coming!

Hi, just wanted to add my info/opinion. I am currently in the Mesa Boswell program. I didn't necessarily care which school I got into, just wanted to get started. In terms of the pass rates, MCC-Bos has the highest pass rate. It is ONLY a nursing program and is not (physically) attached to a college so it really is a small environment. I think that is where the success comes from, you know the instructors and they know you (sometimes a good thing, sometimes a bad thing). The problem I have is the hoops you have to jump through. You will learn (if you are not in a program already) that there is "school" learning and "real" learning. I feel like I am doing a lot of self teaching and am just "getting through" class so that I can go home and study or work on assignments. The busy work annoys me, I just want to get to the point. I am looking to transfer into Rio (you can transfer into other Maricopa Community Colleges as long as you are in good standing and there is space) so that I can work and be able to spend time learning on my own. I have never been a group studier so hopefully this will be a good option for me. I am testing for my LPN in May and will have 2 more blocks to go for my RN.

bumping

Very interesting thread! Thanks everyone for the insight. :)

Rio is the same as all the others we are waiting for only RIO only takes 10 people (17 last semester) and they only have programs starting about once a year. My friend is in the Rio program now. Although she likes it- Rio has a policy unlike the other Community Colleges- You have to get a 76 or better on each final or you FAIL; The other programs Average all your grades for the class together so if you blow something you can make it up later..She finds this to be really stressful each final time.. Also she told me, if you fail out, you have to wait two years to get back in ( I am not sure where she heard this from or if its just Rio).. She does miss the interaction with teachers; On line classes are for people who like to learn on their own..She does seem to do more work then or other friend in (Glendale) because you are "on your own"... Good luck to you

Did all my pre-reqs online at Rio. I did NOT apply to their program. Online learning at Rio is very thorough. Almost too thorough. I found the work load to be very intense if you are the kind of person who wants an A. There are no teachers offering helpful hints about what is important and what is not. I cringe at the thought of actually having to read each chapter in my nursing books with the same level of detail I gave to Bio 201, 202, 205. No way. I love my in-person program at GWCC since it is much, much easier in terms of time committment than the Rio classes. Just my 2 cents...

I was accepted at Yavapai (I live up north) but I needed a math class I took it at Rio and I was very pleased with them. I was able to enroll right away and finished the class within 2 weeks. I took my midterm after the first week and final the following. The instructor didn't respond as quickly as I was used to but they have a phenomenal support system and there are ways to get what you need. If I still lived in the valley I would attend their program without a doubt.

Stopnik is right! I am taking my final pre-req at RIO. Although the school is well organized, the instructors (non-nursing) are not always big helpers.

I wouldn't doubt it. Signing up for my pre-reqs, I was able to get in a week before the class started! If that's any indication, it seems that the extra work that needs to be taken, as opposed to just strolling into a local college and applying, helps filter out some of those that just aren't willing to put in the effort.

Also, I think being online scares some folks. I've been in class with many people who don't even have a computer!!! These sorts of people will likely end up fizzling out after their first C or three in normal colleges, and will also likely never even get into an online course.

If you've been to college recently, how many others did you see cheating off their friends? One of the nicer things about being online is that come test time, you know it or you don't, and doing so is all on you. Again, I think that helps filter out a lot of the lesser ambitious folks.

I'm curious as well though. I've been looking at Rio as I've been there before, but I keep hearing about Excelsior, so I'm sort of confused. I'm enrolled for my pre-reqs through Rio right now though, I'll keep the boards updated with my progress - hopefully that'll help future students :)

Are you kidding, the "lesser ambitious folks" If only it were that simple, Running around getting immunizations, CPR certified, transcripts and fingerprint clearance. Go ahead, take your foot out of your mouth !