The real story of Rio's online program

[boru]

I've read the theories about what happened to Rio on this board... now this is what really happened.

I was in Rio's program in block 3 when this decision was made (maybe 2/10?). It wasn't because of pass rates or anything like that. It's actually a little complex why this happened but to simplfy it, it all comes down to budget cuts. The NLN inspected Rio (like they do all programs) and suggested that they hire more full-time instructors to keep the NLN certification. Rio, like all MCC schools, is stretched pretty thin as it is... in the meantime, Rio's president took another job in CA (which really isn't that relevent, but did complicate matters with the NLN issue).

We were told that Rio and MCC were going to appeal the MCC decision intially and that there was a national precedent already set. We were told that Rio had a strong case to fight the NLN and keep the NLN certification regardless of their "recommendation" to hire more full-time instructors.

Unfortunately, MCC and Rio just decided that it was just easier and more importantly, made more 'fiscal-sense', to just move the online program to another school vs just taking on the NLN or hiring the instructors.

2 classes (blk 2 and blk 3) were effected because we were still there and the certification ran out June 31 (we graduate end of August 10). Since MCC, Rio and Gateway decided that Gateway would be the new home of the MCC online program (which they will call "hybrid"), Gateway decided to adopt the orphans (us and blk 2) and let us continue our online program at Gateway.

We will now graduate with a Gateway degree but we are still using Rio's ciriculum and online blackboard.

The bad news is that Rio's online RN program is gone, and most likely will not return. The good news is that Gateway will start their new "hybrid" program next fall (so we are told).

I work as a PCT full-time and may have not been able to go to RN school if not for Rio... I'm glad an online option will be available to those of you coming into the program in years to come.... now if we could only get jobs!

[HIGHWHEY]

wonder what this will will do for waitlist if they start a hybrid program (gateway)

[caliotter3]

Hope this does not adversely affect any students. Sad to hear about one less nursing school.

[boru]

wonder what this will will do for waitlist if they start a hybrid program (gateway)

These are all rough estimates:

MCC places 2 times per year (spring and fall), approx 500 students per placement, (approx 1000 students per year). Rio's max class size was 18 students (36 per year). So my guess is that the loss of Rio won't even put a dent in the placement numbers... and if Gateway does start the program next fall (all indications are that the will), they may even offer more class seats per year than Rio did. So in the long run, I think this is a win-win for everyone.

[boru]

Hope this does not adversely affect any students. Sad to hear about one less nursing school.

Caliotter3, I'm a fan of your postings.

At worst, it was an uncomfortable situation and we were nervous about the outcome. But the management down at MCC, Rio, and Gateway are all class act organizations. They could have left us flapping in the wind looking for homes to finish Blocks 3/4, but they did just the opposite and made sure that everyone enrolled at Rio would have a chance to finish w/o any bumps in the road.

To be honest, I'll take one less nursing school in exchange for one more new grad hiring program. There used to be a backup on the MCC waiting list... now there is a backup on the list AND after you graduate. But it will all be worth it in the long run.