Should I switch Nursing Schools after finishing my 1st semester?

[JCast87]

So, I have been in tears for 2 days now with this internal conflict that I am having about leaving my current nursing school for another.

I started one of those small, expensive, private nursing schools after completing all of my prerequisites with a 3.76 GPA from my local community college. This school is a 1 year ADN program that is approved by the state of Florida but not accredited. Their NCLEX passing rate is about 40% but I decided to go in order to finish nursing school quickly and start working. I figured even if the passing rate is low, I will still do well because I know the type of student I am.

Needless to say, I don't feel like I am learning much. I just finished Pharmacology in 4 weeks. It's impossible to learn what we need to learn in such a small amount of time. Although I have A's in this school, I doubt myself everyday for making the decision to come here. once we were told by someone in administration that "we should be lucky to be here because we obviously couldn't get in anywhere else". I felt like saying "thats not why I came here". Granted, most of the students or teachers do NOT speak English at this school (Miami, Fl.)

I recently spoke to an admissions rep at another school that is well known in Miami and has a reputation for developing grade A quality nurses, however the program is 27 months (BNS). She said I would have no problem getting in. This school is $40,000 as apposed to the $20,000 school that I am at now.

One RN I know, told me to stay at the school that I am in now because what matters is me passing my NCLEX and everything else I will learn on the floor. She says she also felt that she didn't know anything when she graduated from her school and she managed to pass her boards.

I am in tears as I write this because I don't know what to do. I have finals at my school this week and I need to end on a good note should I decide to transfer (but at the new school I will have t start from scratch). I just want to be a great nurse. I don't want to settle for good. I love this field and have a deep passion for nursing. Any advise is appreciated!!

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

Just to clarify who are they not accredited by? The state? NLN? CCNE or regionally accredited?

[EmmaZ06]

I am going to be honest, I didn't read all the replies, so forgive me if I am repeating what someone has already said...

I would switch ASAP, it is a tough job market and if you scroll through job listings many of them say that graduation from an accredited school is a must even to apply. Even if your school is faster/cheaper and you still pass the NCLEX all the money and time you "save" will be wasted if you can't find a job when you finish. It seems like you have a good head on your shoulders, so it would be a shame to waste that potential by staying in the wrong program.

[Seas]

I would defınitely quit and start over with a different school that IS accredited. Too many red flags. 40% pass rate?! wow!! Sorry, this so called "nursing school" sounds garbage.

How many times does it take for this schools grads to pass NCLEX? How much money is wasted this way?

Who hires them from an unaccredited, shortened school?

Which school accepts them to do RN to BSN program?

Who accepts their credits to switch to a different school?

A lot of questions like this you should consider. Do yourself a favor, get out fast and find yourself a good school.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Oops!! Wrong thread.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I would defınitely quit and start over with a different school that IS accredited. Too many red flags. 40% pass rate?! wow!! Sorry, this so called "nursing school" sounds garbage.

I was shocked when I browsed the FL BON site and found that there seem to be dozens of programs that are not accredited and have pass rates below 50% (some even in the 20% range).

I would get out of that program ASAP.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

I was shocked when I browsed the FL BON site and found that there seem to be dozens of programs that are not accredited and have pass rates below 50% (some even in the 20% range).

I would get out of that program ASAP.

Florida seems to be dropping the ball. My state's BON doesn't have any schools listed that are below 80% NCLEX pass rate.

[Jennie.K]

I would definitely switch and go to an accredited school. What if you move or decide you want a higher degree? You may have no plans of ever wanting that now, but you could change your mind. Besides, you want to be able to get a job when all is said and done. If I were a hiring manager, I would choose the new grad with a BSN from an accredited school

[JCast87]

Thank you all soooooo sooo so much! I have read every reply with my husband because this is a big decision for me. He is beyond supportive of the decision I am making!! My answer is VERY clear now. I was so confused prior to posting this thread because I received so many mixed answers from friends and family but I thought to myself "who better to ask than Nurses and Nursing Students".

On August 8, I have to go to the new school to take my AA transcripts from the public community college I attended. I checked online and I meet all their requirements. I also checked their allnurses thread and it turns out people have been accepted with 3.5's so I feel confident that my GPA is a 3.7. I loved all the amazing things I read about their school through the allnurses thread they have!

The new school is one of the 5 accredited in Miami Dade County and has an NCLEX passing rate in the 90's. They are well respected by the hospitals as well. My current courses ( Fundamentals, Health Assesment, Pharmacology and Community) are NOT transferable but I am 100% ok with that. I dont mind taking them over because this is my future at stake. My plans include obtaining my masters degree eventually, so you guys have no idea how grateful I am that you took your time to give me advice! :')

The most ironic thing of this entire situation is that Friday, they called me from the financial aid office at the current school advising me that for some reason my loan hasn't been processed yet because I am missing a document so I will be unable to start the next semester if I don't turn the document in. I took this as some type of celestial confirmation hahaha. What are the odds lol.

I would be starting (if all goes well) with the January batch at the new school. So in this time off, I guess I will just review what I know and incorporate some med surg since I already have the books.

Lesson learned from this experience and through all your advice: The fast route isn't always the best route and sometimes we have to take a step back in order to put the right foot forward.

Once again, I appreciate every response. You just saved someone's career. I promise to keep you guys updated on what happens!!

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Thank you all soooooo sooo so much! I have read every reply with my husband because this is a big decision for me. He is beyond supportive of the decision I am making!! My answer is VERY clear now. I was so confused prior to posting this thread because I received so many mixed answers from friends and family but I thought to myself "who better to ask than Nurses and Nursing Students".

On August 8, I have to go to the new school to take my AA transcripts from the public community college I attended. I checked online and I meet all their requirements. I also checked their allnurses thread and it turns out people have been accepted with 3.5's so I feel confident that my GPA is a 3.7. I loved all the amazing things I read about their school through the allnurses thread they have!

The new school is one of the 5 accredited in Miami Dade County and has an NCLEX passing rate in the 90's. They are well respected by the hospitals as well. My current courses ( Fundamentals, Health Assesment, Pharmacology and Community) are NOT transferable but I am 100% ok with that. I dont mind taking them over because this is my future at stake. My plans include obtaining my masters degree eventually, so you guys have no idea how grateful I am that you took your time to give me advice! :')

The most ironic thing of this entire situation is that Friday, they called me from the financial aid office at the current school advising me that for some reason my loan hasn't been processed yet because I am missing a document so I will be unable to start the next semester if I don't turn the document in. I took this as some type of celestial confirmation hahaha. What are the odds lol.

I would be starting (if all goes well) with the January batch at the new school. So in this time off, I guess I will just review what I know and incorporate some med surg since I already have the books.

Lesson learned from this experience and through all your advice: The fast route isn't always the best route and sometimes we have to take a step back in order to put the right foot forward.

Once again, I appreciate every response. You just saved someone's career. I promise to keep you guys updated on what happens!!

Cheers. Best of luck.

[RNintraining72]

I'm so glad that you decided to switch!!! You made a very wise decision!! I wish you all the best of luck and can't wait to hear how happy you are and how well you are doing in your new school!!!

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Hey!

Maybe the new school has non-classes required to graduate that you haven't taken yet. You could get a jump on those this Fall.

[EMMUNOZ]

What school is it you are goint to? I had been interested in Dade Medical but I am still waiting on MDC's answer. What school would you be interested in transfering to?