Tired of the wait... considering the private school route

kythe, LPN · Feb 27, 2008

Hello, and welcome to the board. :)

I got tired of the wait at Pima Community College in Tucson. I applied at other community colleges and went through a different program since I got in much sooner. I now have worked as an LPN for several months, but would still be on Pima's waiting list if I had gone that route. Next year I am going back to the same school for RN.

I don't know much about the private schools (sorry I can't help you there ), because the price turned me off. I was a Medical Assistant before I became a nurse, and my student loans for just a few months were more than an entire education for RN at a community college. I can't imagine how high it would be if you were to go for RN in that route.

I don't mean to sound like I'm motivated by money, but I also don't want to spend the rest of my career paying off loans. This is why I still chose a community college. I was willing to apply at various places until I found a school that accepted me in the time frame I wanted.

sassiebaz · Feb 27, 2008

I'd definately choose Everest over Apollo! You will know that for yourself too when you go check out both schools. Do you still work as a paramedic? If you have all of your pre-req's done, why not work in your other field while you are waiting? I mean if you aren't doing that already. I personally am not done with pre-req's amd that is why I was considering Everest. If I was done, I'd wait and work until the time came......I know easier said than done!

boru · Feb 27, 2008

thanks for both of your replies...

no, I spent ten years as a medic but I'm not currently licensed (if I was, I would do the medic-RN bridge program)...

also not interested in becoming an LPN... I talked with an advisor at EMCC and did check into it to see if it would be a faster way to RN school... but it wasn't...

went to Everest today and it was just ok... not that it's a bad school but it's going to take a lot for me to lay down that kind of money for an associate's degree... I'll probably just stick it out

Knit1Purl2 · Feb 28, 2008

thanks for both of your replies...
no, I spent ten years as a medic but I'm not currently licensed (if I was, I would do the medic-RN bridge program)...
also not interested in becoming an LPN... I talked with an advisor at EMCC and did check into it to see if it would be a faster way to RN school... but it wasn't...
went to Everest today and it was just ok... not that it's a bad school but it's going to take a lot for me to lay down that kind of money for an associate's degree... I'll probably just stick it out

After going to Everest did they tell you which of your prereqs would transfer over and how much off the tuition it would be? Just wondering if they are deducting by the credit hour ( $366? per credit hour) or by the semester? Also with your Bachelor's have you considered ASU?

Thanks for your answers.

I understand the frustration, I too am waiting and have looked at every possibility under the sun. The decision is also so individual with everyone's circumstances being different aside wanting to get in the best school possible, quickly and for the least amount of money. :idea:

caliotter3 · Feb 28, 2008

Not from your area but are there any private traditional schools? They are just as expensive, but at least you can transfer the credits to another school once you are done and they usually have better reputations. If you're going to spend that kind of money you should make certain you get the most bang for your buck.

boru · Feb 28, 2008

caliotter,

yes, I'm pretty sure I've checked into 99% of what's available in the area... my only priority is to sit for the NCLEX so the transfer issue is not a big deal to me... if I went any further (with RN education) it would be @ U of Phx for MSN/NP... so transferability is a non-issue for me.

I'm also not that worried about the quality of the education or reputation... with very few acceptions, I believe education is what you make of it.

knit1,

I really didn't get that far with Everest as far as evaluating transcripts... all of my pre-reqs were done at traditional colleges and if they didn't transfer in any of my classes, that would just give me one more reason not to attend (and I've already eliminated the possibility of going there).

also, they don't give you a discount per credit hour, they just allow you to take less credits... if I'm not mistaken, the number is 72 (if you have your pre-reqs) which comes out to $26352 (366x72).

for anyone else interested please let me clarify... I don't think this is a bad school for certain situations... especially if you have little to no pre-reqs completed...

but for me (and me only) the negatives are: cost and comute

I live in Avondale and this school is at 17 & Peoria...

to be there M-F @ 8AM-5PM could take me an hour each way (w/o traffic it takes about 25min)... for a month or two that would be fine but this is for two years.

as stated by many on the board, every situation is different and all the pros & cons must be weighed out...

Zphreaky1 · Feb 28, 2008

What about ASU West accelerated program? ASU has no wait, simply a ranking system. What about GCU, I do not believe there is a wait there either.

MassagetoRN · Feb 28, 2008

Boru,

First of all, I teach at one of these private "tech" schools, and they aren't predatory. They just aren't a non-profit like traditional colleges and universities. I would recommend Apollo. They are on 23rd ave and Bethany (I believe) and if you transfer in all your pre-reqs, you can break into their block 3. It will cost approx. $23k and they even have a deal with IASIS if you commit to them for 3 yrs, they will give 18k. So 5k in grants and loans ain't bad. Having said that, you have to test in and your test scores are what places you. and since you are breaking into a block, you will be filling s seat of a student who dropped/failed out, so space is limited. Apollo is in an order building but has updated equipment and highly educated staff in their nursing program. They don't do info on the phone because its such a hot program, they don't have the time or staff. Go to an info session and check it out. Yes, they are accredited, ACICS, so the credits transfer much easier then any other trade school in town, and they have a bridge with U of Phx. Or you can always apply for ASU's spring 2009 program but thats held downtown or far east valley. ASU west won't be admitting again until Fall 2009 (the deadline for Fall 2008 has passed). Or just wait out the community college list. It sounds like you should get placed Spring 09, or try for Banner. I think they are holding July 2008 cohort at Glendale or Estrella, which would be close to you. Good luck, and remember you are in the same boat that the rest of us are in!

Belinda-wales, RN · Feb 29, 2008

Hi some girls were talking last nightabout their education loans for nursing school - I am sure thaysaidthat if you get a government based loan and say in nursing forfive years after graduation your loan gets paidby the government- maybe this is just for certain courses.

boru · Feb 29, 2008

zphreaky (interesting name)

I am aware of all of the traditional colleges and their programs and even the ranking system vs the wait list... thank you for the reply

massage,

thanks for the info... I do believe Apollo is making a marketing error in not posting info on their website or giving out info on the phone.

In this day and age, a person's time is valuable. Not giving out info on the phone or on the internet and just saying "you have to come in on our time" - has kind of a "timeshare" feel to it - and it could very well be a waste of a nice afternoon.

You gave me more info on your post than any "sales or marketing" staff would give me the several times I spoke with them.

Ask your employers this :

We have 3 to 4 private schools that we compete with for students... if we are such a "hot" program, why not just put the info out there and let the program sell itself?

All that aside, I'm still in the "weighing the options" phase so I may still look into it... I haven't comletely ruled it out but I am leaning away from the idea... thank you for your time

MassagetoRN · Feb 29, 2008

Boru,

The fact is that Apollo doesn't need to spend time or energy on marketing the program. They have 90 qualified applicants for 30 seats 3x's a year. Probably twice or three times that many students look into the program for info. When you go to the info session, you will see its a packed house, plus there are so many details and intricacies to the program, that it would probably create more confusion than help anything.