This might make you think twice about which nursing school to go to

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jan 24, 2009

Sometimes it is not just about getting in, it's also about what school is going to prepare you the best for that test and to be a nurse. :heartbeat .

Exactly.

Just a quick glance at this list proves what I have been saying about schools like Ethel Bauer and Apollo College.

BTW, what's up with UofP?? I didn't know that they had a pre-licensure program? It, apparently, sucks!

If students did the research first on their programs then maybe we'd have fewer, "I can't pass the HESI" or "I can't pass the NCLEX" or "I hate my school because it's out to get me and I had no idea that they had awful pass rates" threads.

Cursed Irishman · Jan 24, 2009

UofP has the LPN to BSN program; you earn your RN at the end. Quite an abysmal NCLEX rate...

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2009

UofP has the LPN to BSN program; you earn your RN at the end. Quite an abysmal NCLEX rate...

And probably the most expensive tuition in the state.

shannahan · Jan 24, 2009

The below link is for more up-to-date NCLEX pass rates. Apollo is doing quite well these days with pass rates of 88.77 and 92 in 2008.

http://www.azbn.gov/NCLEX.aspx

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 24, 2009

If students did the research first on their programs then maybe we'd have fewer, "I can't pass the HESI" or "I can't pass the NCLEX" or "I hate my school because it's out to get me and I had no idea that they had awful pass rates" threads.

Exactly. I live in an area (not Arizona) where there is a wide variation in the qualitly of schools. We have some excellent schools and some abysmal ones -- and the nurse managers and recruiters all know it. Unless you present yourself exceptionally well or have something else going in your favor, the best jobs go to the new grads from the better schools.

All these "We all pass the same NCLEX. So, it doesn't matter what school you go to." are nonsense. I feel sorry for those students who pay good money to attend those lousy schools.

Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2009

Here is the one for 2008. I just found it. UofP is very different now. I like the stats for my school (Pima CC)

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jan 25, 2009

Here is the one for 2008. I just found it. UofP is very different now. I like the stats for my school (Pima CC)

Uofp only had 3 test takers in 2008!

However, Ethel Bauer's rate stilll blows...(anyone who still chooses to go there deserves the education that they get....)

Lovely_RN, MSN · Jan 25, 2009

If you focus solely on NCLEX pass rate you might be in for a nasty surprise. My school had a 97% pass rate because they kicked out almost half of our class before they ever got a chance to fail the NCLEX. A lot of schools will weed out students who they feel have even the slightest chance of failing NCLEX and bringing down their pass rates.

They did this in the PN program I attended and it's happening again in the last semester of the RN program. Also don't be surprised if they spring a new last semester requirement that will affect whether you graduate or not.

What you need to find out is how many started the class, how many graduated, and then worry about how many passed the NCLEX.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 25, 2009

What you need to find out is how many started the class, how many graduated, and then worry about how many passed the NCLEX.

You're right. Pass rates alone are not enough. They are only 1 piece of information. Knowing how many students started the program and how many graduated -- on schedule without having to repeat classes -- as well as how many passed the NCLEX on the first attempt is also important.

Prospective students should also be asking for details about the program. For example, they should find out not only where the school does clinicals ... but also whether ALL the students get to go to the better hospitals and how many hours they spend there ... and do they get to do total patient care there or are a lot of those experiences "observational." We have some schools who have really weak clinical faculty and the students spend most of their clinical time standing around just watching because their faculty is not able to supervise them to actually do things. Unless the staff nurse can take the time to help them, the students don't get to do much. We have another school who only gives its student 2 or 3 days of peds clinical -- but I am sure they tell prospective students that they have peds clinical at the best children's hospital. I doubt they mention that it is only 3 days' worth. etc. etc. etc. That could make a big difference to a student interested in a peds career.

AZGirl27 · Jan 25, 2009

How did they just kick them out? Were they failing their classes? My mom just started nursing school and they decided to make all of the new nursing students pass these conversions test with a 97% or they will not be able to administer medicine! You do have 3 chances to take the test and it seems pretty easy but I think they should have told her about it before she quit her job and bought all of her school stuff. What is she can't pass it, then that would have been a waste of her time. Maybe they should have made it a pre-req to the program. So yeah it seems as though they try to wean out the ones who might struggle a little just to keep the schools pass rate up. This school actually flaunts their pass rate.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Jan 25, 2009

At least they told her at the beginning of her program and at the beginning of the semester. How about when they decide that you must pass your calculations exam with a 90% during the final semester with two tries after it's too late in the semester for a tuition refund?

How about they tell you that you have to have a certain score on a final winner take all loser walks away with nada HESI or ATI during the last few weeks of nursing?

How can they fail you?

One example....clinical rotations are pass and fail and it's all subjective.

Your clinical instructor can claim that you are not proficient in certain areas and if that's how they feel about it you can kiss your butt goodbye. You can be an A student who is too mouthy and have this happen to you. Since it's the instructors expert opinion the student really doesn't have any recourse.