St. Kitts bound...did anyone go to IUON?

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Hello...I was wondering if anyone attended Robert Ross International University of nursing in St. Kitts. I am already accepted and am planning on attending the BSN program down there. I am just now getting ready to sign the papers for my loan and a few concerns are bugging me....I am really worried about paying back that much money. I have heard that many jobs help pay back tuition after you sign a contract..is this true?....is anyone currently paying back those expensive IUON loans and are you having a hard time?:nurse:

I just got accepted into a IUON for May '09 semester. Anyone else planning on going? Also about the job thing in Cali. I currently work in a hospital as a nurses assistant and let me tell you, we have nurses from all over the world. It doesn't matter where you got your license it just matters that you have it. And nursing jobs are EVERYWHERE. Don't let that worry you.

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Right now CA will not accept maternity and mental health classes because they were taken at IUON which is a non accredited US school. DO NOT attend IUON- I did - worst mistake in my life. I graduated but am not working as a nurse yet- I can't even get my transcripts from either the partner or IUON school. They are disorganized and it's chaos!!!! They are just out to get your money.

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To Coloradochicha

Are you still going for May 2009?Any new info I didn't see your post for long time?

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I attended IUON and am currently at a transfer school. My relative from California obtained degrees from both IUON and the partner school (US NLN state and/or nationally accredited) and is working at a large hospital in CA. This relative was hired before sitting for the NCLEX-RN, and the hospital did not ask to review transcripts, just the license number (provisionally assigned).

According to the CA board of nursing 2007 forecast, there is a shortage of between 10,294 and 59,027 full time RNs (http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/forms/forecasts2007.pdf). Speaking to directors of nursing programs and human resource managers, what has the most weight for employment is passing the NCLEX-RN. Approved courses at IUON at matriculated and displayed on partner school transcripts.

I chose IUON because although I received academic awards and have a very competitive GPA, I would have to wait at least 2 years before starting a nursing program. IUON costs as much as most private schools, and direct entry/transfer to a partner nursing school is available. I did receive a scholarship of about $1200 from IUON when taking courses on the island.

Before deciding to attend, I suggest as much research as possible. When help is needed from administration (either island or state-side), the client/student must be very persistent/proactive. Professors on the island were available for office hours.

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I haven't yet decided about going to St Kitts, but let me fill you in on what I know. I've spoken to the California office numerous times. Leon seems to know a lot of information. My biggest concern was where I would be able to finish my degree. I told him that if I couldn't go to CSU in pueblo Colorado then I would not go to IUON. He informed me that since this is my home state that I would be able to have that as my school for the BSN. Another positive is that they are getting more and more colleges to be affiliated with. If this is such a horrible school why are these state colleges becoming affiliated with IUON? I spoke to a lady in the CSU nursing program (the director, if I remember correctly) She actually went to St.Kitts to visit IUON. She was very impressed and based on the program there CSU became affiliated with IUON. I believe there are more colleges affiliated that aren't listed on the website. I was living in Denver and taking my prereqs through the community college that offered the ADN program. You couldn't get on the wait list until your prereqs were done. Once on the wait list it was a 4-5 year wait to start the actual nursing program. Keep in mind that your sciences (Bio 101 etc,) are only good for 5 years, so you may have to retake your earliest science classes over. Now, that's a money making ploy! Also with nursing if any requirements are changed in that time period you are usually NOT grandfathered in. You have to make the adjustments. I had the opportunity to move to southern Colorado (a less populated area where the wait list is not so long) however, the school I am applying to accepts 30 students/year and they receive approximately 100 applications. In 3 years if I'm lucky I will have my ADN. If go to St. Kitts in MAY 2009 because of my transfer credits I would be there 1 year then transfer to CSU for ! year and graduate with a BSN! Not rocket science here. I think the more education I have the better of I'll be. I am still in the whole process of money etc. so nothing has been decided other than pursuing St. Kitts. I also believe that living in a different county/island requires a lifestyle change. If you plan on going there and living like an American you will be very disappointed. You must adapt and learn to live like a local. Immerse yourself in customs, foods, lifestyle, etc. But, I have to say that sun and water for me are a huge plus! Sure beats cold snow and freezing my butt off here in Colorado. BTW I am married with 3 kids who would all stay in Colorado while I am in St. Kitts. I won't be looking at this as a vacation or a time to party like a rockstar. My priorities require me to get a nursing degree. Giving up my family for 12 weeks at a time is not something we have taken lightly. Let me know what you decide or have decided. Good Luck and I'll try to keep posting on my progress.

I am soinspired after reading your post. You are one of the few people that said anything positive about this program so far. I am applying for fall 2009 BSN. So, did you end up starting this past May? If so, I am anxious to find out about your experiences with the program, the school, and the community so far. What about cost, expenses and how you and your family members are coping?

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Hey guys I am planning on going to IUON for Fall2009 I was discouraged for a while because so many people were negative about it I feel better after finally hearing fro people who have actually been. It would b so nice to know others going out at the same time.

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Specializes in RN.

i got accepted to IUON but im still debating on wether i should go or not. What do you guys think, do you think it'll worth the money.

Thank you for helping guys.

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i got accepted to IUON but im still debating on wether i should go or not. What do you guys think, do you think it'll worth the money.

Thank you for helping guys.

To be honest, we're in the same boat...I have so many questions and concerns. Any advice out there is appreciated :loveya:

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Hey! I got accepted to IUON as well .........I have not even called them to get accommodated ... I have no clue what to do.. I feel so behind..... have you gotten a place to live on campus yet? I'm just so unsure if i should go.....and SO LITTLE TIME! Let me know! And I agree about the previous comments I was worried myself......but now desperate times comes for desperate needs..... This is my last and only choice..or else everyday just feels like im wasting away.. so I think im going to make my decision and go!

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Specializes in RN.

i also advise you to go. i know its going to be a lot of money and very hard but i don't want to waist anymore time. Im working on my visa and looking for a place. So good luck on everything and hope you make a decision. Here is my email in case you go and let me know if you going.

Good luck

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Specializes in RN.

[email protected]

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I attended IUON last fall (2009) and left after only one semester. I went through the study abroad program at Louisiana College so I did not have to get loans, but that option no longer exists. I did have friends that had to use the private student loan that IUON offers and they are in a large amount of debt now. In reguards to IUON, I would not recommend that you attend unless you have exhausted ALL of your other options... apply to just about every state school you can! This school lost two partner schools while I was there and with the rapid turnover in administration there was a lot of confusion and inconsistancy. They are very unorganized and very expensive!! That is not to say that the school does not have some very amazing teaching staff. I did learn a lot at IUON, had some great experiences, and met some GREAT people but I ended up getting burned by the school!!! If you do decided to go to IUON do as much research as you can. Request from the school the name of a current student to contact... and do it!! They can give you some great tips about where to live, what to bring, etc. Also finish ALL of your pre-reqs BEFORE you go to the island because that will save you some serious time and $$$. Also think about buying your textbooks when you get to the island not before. There is a bookstore and most of the students have books they will sell you. If not you can order books through the bookstore once you arrive. Do not listen to Marlene Hummel about buying brand new books before you arrive. I hope this helps anyone thinking of attending IUON!!!

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