Rio's nursing school

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I know this question has been posted before, but I'm hoping there will be more information now, maybe a new poster who knows about Rio's nursing school.

I was just wondering if anyone knows how good it is. I've been told two different things about clinicals, one was they are only on weekends and the other is that they're in 'clusters' of three to five days. I know it's an accelerated program, and I was also wondering how do you learn skills if you're taking an online class? I called Rio and they told me skills would be taught during clinicals, but does that mean your clinicals suffer, b/c you're spending time learning rather than doing? I just found out yesterday that my first choice of Chandler Gilbert is not available for spring, they're not accepting any students, so I'm trying to reconfigure my choices for my application. Also, does anyone know if it's a little easier to get into Rio b/c most people want the traditional learning environment of a classroom?

TIA, Keli

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I don't know how the nursing program is but I am starting the NA program and just got my information packet and it says we meet to learn skills for 2 hours at the site we are doing clinicals at and then finish the day with clinicals.

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You can get a schedule of clinicals for Rio at this website:

http://web1.dist.maricopa.edu/CFIDE/docs/hcies/clinical/expBySchool.cfm

Just query by school and it will tell you when the clinicals are scheduled.

I don't know how the nursing program is but I am starting the NA program and just got my information packet and it says we meet to learn skills for 2 hours at the site we are doing clinicals at and then finish the day with clinicals.

The link didn't work for me, but thanks for responding. Do you actually get to pick your clinical days? I've heard you can pick clinicals near your house, I'm assuming from a list they have. I'm going to talk to an advisor tomorrow (hopefully) so I hope they actually give me good information.

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Specializes in NICU.

Hi there Keli. I don't have much info about Rio's nursing program because I went to school in TX, but I did take some prereqs at Rio and I loved it, the instructors were great for each class I took.

As far as your skills being taught during clinicals .... that's pretty much how it was at my nursing school. We did do some skills labs, but they weren't weekly things like some people on here mention. We just had 1 or 2 days of skills labs at the start of each semester and we were checked off on things during those labs so we could then practice during clinicals. So most of our skills learning came from clinicals. You asked if your clinicals will suffer because you're spending time learning rather than doing, but remember that doing IS learning. You just do things over and over during clinicals and that's how you learn. I learned more by doing the skills during clinical because it's not always a practical scenario in the lab, whereas in the clinical it's the real deal.

I hope that made sense and I hope someone here has more first-hand information about Rio's nursing program that they can share with you.

Good luck to you during school :)

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Teri,

try this link to pull up the clinical locations:

http://web1.dist.maricopa.edu/CFIDE/docs/hcies/clinical/clinic1.cfm

most clinicals are on saturday and sunday and some are on mondays and fridays.....

Maryi

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Hi,

I am currently a student in the online program at Rio Salado Community College. I have just completed block one and will begin block two on September 6th. I LOVE the program. The instructors are extremely supportive and want you to succeed. I had previously been in the Scottsdale cohort through Scottsdale Healthcare and switched due to work. I am a flight attendant and did not want to quite my current job. The Rio program has enabled me to continue working while progressing through the RN program. It has been a godsend. Clinicals are every other Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 7pm. They usually end a little early. I do think that there is quite a bit more work involved than in the traditional program, but that is for obvious reasons. I feel that one of the most important qualities to be successful in this type of program is self discipline. I felt that I was pretty good at time management before I started this program. Let's just say that I have had to step it up quite a bit!! All in all, this program has enabled me to continue working full time at a job I love while allowing me to pursue a second career. I would highly recomend this program to anyone who is self disciplined and focused on becoming an RN.

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Martiniyoung,

Thanks for replying, you gave me a lot of information that is very helpful. So clinicals are every OTHER Sat and Sun, do they ever fall during the week? Also, do you know if they're starting a new class in the Spring semester, I know they have it on the ap, but I'd read before it only started in the fall. TIA for any help

Keli

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Martiniyoung,

Thanks for replying, you gave me a lot of information that is very helpful. So clinicals are every OTHER Sat and Sun, do they ever fall during the week? Also, do you know if they're starting a new class in the Spring semester, I know they have it on the ap, but I'd read before it only started in the fall. TIA for any help

Keli

Hi Keli,

Clinicals don't ever fall during the week for blocks one or two. It may change with three and four, but I don't know...haven't gotten that far yet!! I really don't know when the next class is starting, but the person to contact at Rio is Barb Miholich. I don't know her exact e-mail address, but am sure you could find it through the Rio site. Let me know if you have any other questions. I don't mind helping if I am able to!

Carrie

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Thanks so much. I had really considered putting Rio as one of my choices, but am a little intimidated about going to NS online, YKWIM? I've taken 201 and am taking 202 (final is this week, hence the reason I'm online right now :uhoh3: ) but sometimes I miss the interaction of a classroom. I did work from home for 4.5 years, so scheduling my time (I also have 6 kids) is something I'm used to doing. I think I'll give Rio a call tomorrow and ask a couple more ?'s. If you can think of anything else, please let me know. Congrats on the great grades!!!

Keli

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Specializes in Case Management, Advanced Illness, Hospi.

I just finished my nursing with Rio Salado. I will take my State Boards in December. Clinical weekends are sat thru Mon or Fri thru Sun depending on the semester. 12 hour shifts. I liked this because getting done was easier with it condensed and learning was more optimol. Online is harder than in class learning. I have done both. I highly suggest that you form a study group early into the program. I did this. With only 4 people in our studu group, we all tended to excel. Great program! Good support.

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