Thoughts on Maric College?

[casualjim]

Hi

I threw my story out on another thread. I'm just finishing up 20 years in the Navy most of it was in Naval Special Warfare where I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to cross-train as a medic. As I was looking for a 2nd career I kept saying things like "I can do this, or I can do that." I finally came to realize that what I "wanted" to do was be an RN. It's a good way to take some of the lessons that I really didnt want to learn working for "Uncle Sucker" and put them to good use helping someone else.

but I digress

I'm starting my classwork as best I can prior to my actual retirement date but I'm getting a little frustrated when the people at the college I'm going to keep telling me how it'll be at least 2 years from the time I finish my pre-req stuff (A&P, chem & microbiology) before I can get into the "core" ADN program. In some things I can show quite a bit of patience, in things like this, not so much.

I'm posting because Maric College is boasting that they have no waiting list, and a better than 85% pass rate on NCLEX-RN. I just keep getting a intermittant alarm going off when I talk to anyone there. It has that slight scent of diploma mill. Not that I have anything against a diploma mill but will the diploma that I get from there do anything for me in the future if I decide to trade up to a BSN? Most importantly is the training that you get from there up to speed?

Just curious if anyone has any experiance with Maric?

Thanks in advance

Jim

[Precordial Thump]

The rn program is about $48 k and the lvn program is about $27k and includes everything, books, scrubs, equipment,ins, lic, cert's...ect.

The $48,000 would have to include Anatomy, Physiology & Microbiology than. I am currently in 5th quarter, with less than 8 weeks to go. If you do not need anything except the core RN classes it is in the $30K - 35 range - once again for me it was $32,000 Total.

[snowboardgirl]

Hello,

Sorry new to this site, not sure when you asked your question. I do so feel your frustration....I my self had all the pre-req course work done but hit the wall once I moved, because the waiting lists are crazy then if you go to schools with no waiting lists, the politics behind getting in is so absured! So I decided to check everything out from State Board Accredited Schools, because like you I want to climb the hill once I get my RN lics. Persue a masters....but then I looked into the Universities and they didn't accept Maric College, but I did some more investigating and then once you have your RN lisc, kept a 2.5 (which is required to stay in a nursing program anyhow) and worked for a year, (even if its CNA hours and Clinical hours) or you work as an RN for a year there is hope!!! :) In todays world all employers are looking for is experience, and of course a higher level of education from any accredited school, Public (state universities) or Private like....Phoenix University for example..... or any other private accredited college where you can take your RN and work exp. and Do the RN to BSN program and be done with that in about 1 yr. if you don't take breaks...and I talked personally with the counselors and its so much more interesting then the normal 4 year colleges...Then if you want to obtain a masters they will work in some of your masters courses so you can finish in 2 years if you don't take breaks....Yes the private schools cost a little more, but your done faster and no political bull crap from the state schools, plus I feel that you will learn more of actual job skills then just book smarts!!! A nurse has to be a well rounded person, not just book smarts. That is what I am going to aim for - Plus Maric told me that since I have most of my pre-reqs done they will most likely transfer those credits in and I can finish the RN program faster then there normal time lay out. :)

[snowboardgirl]

How long is the RN program if your general pre-reqs are transferred in I am getting ready to get the CNA lic. cuz my RN pre-reqs are done, just not the actual med. hours. I like maric but they seem to give you the rush in and out with no paper details of what you can plan for? Its really crazy can you fill me in I don't feel like waiting for a direct answer. How long is the the RN program when you completed the gen pre reqs, eng, math, soc, psyc, A&P, micro? Thanks

[tbmcnsd]

15 mos

[snowboardgirl]

They are not accredited by the NLN or WASC. I know that Cal State San Marcos' new BSN program will not accept credits from Maric College.

CSUSM's website states:

11. Do you accept units from Maric College?

The CSU Campuses (Cal State San Marcos included) only accept units from institutions which are regionally accredited through WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges), or other associated regional accrediting agencies such as Middle States, North Central, etc. This same criteria applies to any post-secondary institution. We, therefore, cannot recognize any academic units earned through Maric College for the pursuit of any Nursing Licensure, to be applied towards a BSN degree here at Cal State San Marcos, until such time as the institution achieves WASC accreditation. Furthermore, if Maric College obtains WASC accreditation in the future, only those units completed by a student after the date of accreditation was given could be considered for transfer here.

Also, I did my clinical rotations among many Maric College students. My instructors were also around many Maric College students. My impression and the general buzz at least IN THIS AREA is that Maric is not that great. I saw students show up for clinicals (non patient care times) wearing flipflops and miniskirts and show up for clinicals with wild hair, inappropriate makeup and pantylines showing. My impression was that if you can pay for the degree, you can graduate from Maric. An 85% first time pass rate IMO is not impressive and the BON's website puts it as 65%! I attended a local community college that has a respected accredited ADN program since the 1950's and our pass rate has never dipped below 95% that I know of, usually it's near 100%.

And the tuition! Ridiculous! If you are going to spend that kind of money to be an RN, get your BSN. Even the california state system only charges about $1500 per semester for tuition. You could go to a private 4 yr university for the fees Maric charges. As for the LVN or MA programs at Maric, I wonder if people know about the Regional Occupational Programs for LVN and MA (also phlebotomy, surgical tech, x-ray tec, pharmacy tech) All these programs are FREE!!!!! (At least in California, don't know about other areas) San Diego County residents check it out!

http://www.quikreg.com/catalog/listprogramcourses.do?providerKey=&programKey=O4T7000X8GJ0G33&view=catalog

So I guess my answer is: think hard about going to Maric, it seems there are probably better options out there!

Melissa

Wow, Thanks for listing this web site....

[snowboardgirl]

Hello,

I've been doing some homework with maric and all others schools for nurisng degrees. I ve been reading your thoughts on Maric, if your still in touch with this web site, please let me know your experience? And what are they looking for to weed people out?- You mentioned this in one of your writings? I know aobut he testing score and an essay, but what if I all ready have some pre-reqs accomplised? I totally do not wish to do any crapy waiting lists and boring professors, I want in and I want the experience of getting our community healthy :)

Let me know and how work is going?

Cheers, AZ to Cali (wow what a difference school systems are out here for nurses)

[snowboardgirl]

Hello JIM,

I've been doing some homework with maric and all others schools for nurisng degrees. I ve been reading your thoughts on Maric, if your still in touch with this web site, please let me know your experience? And what are they looking for to weed people out?- You mentioned this in one of your writings? I know about the testing/score and an essay. What if I all ready have some pre-reqs accomplisedthe CNA hours behine me write a good essay and score above he 185 will I get in fast or will I have to wait?. What is the waiting thing all about ? I thought there was no waiting List? I totally do not wish to do any crapy waiting lists and boring professors, I want in and I want the experience of getting our community healthy :)Sorry so many questions, but Jim your a trooper sounds like with the great true wisdom not hear say- Please keep this Thread going and up to par with the facts for us future Nurses in Cali not liking this whole waiting game P-L-E-A-S-E

Let me know and how work is going?

Cheers, AZ to Cali (wow what a difference school systems are out here for nurses)

[blinkingneon]

do you guys know if the RN program is 47K a year or 47K for two years?

- this includes books, fees, test fees, lab fees

[snowboardgirl]

For the whole RN program at Maric its a total of 27 month = 2 years & 3 months for a grand total of 47k. :) Hope that helps. I was told this includes books, uniforms, and etc....

[smilealot]

Yes the 47k covers the books and everything else like scrubs, lab coat, vacinations etc. Good luck on looking at schools. So far I really enjoy it here.

[blinkingneon]

Yes the 47k covers the books and everything else like scrubs, lab coat, vacinations etc. Good luck on looking at schools. So far I really enjoy it here.

oh whew...some cc student told me today it was 47K A YEAR !!! i was like 0_0

ok so what prereqs of yours did they take? i took developmental psych and they are saying they might or might not take it. also, i am wondering if they will take a microbiology with lab class i am taking now at a cal state.

anyway, can you state why you enjoy your classes? any gripes as well?

thanks for your thoughts

[smilealot]

Well the right now I am still in my GE's I was able to transfer most of my non-science classes. I like it here because its very structured, you know exactly when you are gong into clinicals when you start the program (I'm going in Jan 08), staff and teachers are extremely helpful, and the best part is that there are no wait lists. Its also nice because you can build a support group of students because they are usually in the same classes as you. It's nice because I feel like I have the school supporting me they take care of just about everything which allows me to focus on my classes. There is also a strong community feel because it is a smaller school and generally everyone is going into health care. When I applied they do require that you have some health care experience before you can get in. Well, I hope this helps let me know if you have any other questions.