Tucson Nursing Schools-HELP!/Experience with PMI?

U.S.A. Arizona

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Hi guys!

I'm hoping genuinely to get some advice on my options. I am NOT a traditional student. I'm 30 and definitely live the definition of paycheck to paycheck. My goal has always been to go back to school to become a nurse, however in the past it hasn't been do-able because I wouldn't be able to pay my bills while in school. Thankfully, my fiance and I just relocated to Tucson from New York so I could pursue this FINALLY.

So, I have some concerns and questions about what to do and how to get started!

First, like I said, I am 30 and need to work to live, so I'm looking for an associates program, or something that can be completed in a short time (4+ years is really just too long to be out of work and in school, for me at this age!). I am also NOT a resident of Arizona yet, I won't technically be one until September of 2014. I have no idea how that works or if I could get that waived to get in-state tuition, but it seems unlikely.

I would honestly LOVE to go straight for my bachelors, however I'm really thinking that because of my circumstances, my best option would be to get my associates and go from there.

I have been contemplating PMI, though the price tag seems COMPLETELY OUTRAGEOUS for a 2-yr program. 47k?! How do you even begin to pay for that? Does this seem normal? I know it's been about 10 years since I went to college, but back in the day I paid 5k a year at a state college. I am really considering this program, as it seems to be the one with no wait list (I don't have time for a wait list, unfortunately), less competitive of an admission process (I haven't been in school since 2003 - I don't have a degree and none of my previous credits would transfer as it's been over 10 years), and something that I can complete in 2 yrs and get out in the workforce! After looking at other schools, it seems like the huge price tag at PMI is basically paying for the convienences of being able to get it done quick and well, without all the hassles you'd have to go through as a traditional student at a CC or the time of a 4-year school.

That being said, I'd love to hear any thoughts or experiences with PMI. Has anyone gone to this program starting out with NO experience? Any graduates out there? What are the employment prospects? I do see that they offer lifelong job placement, which is attractive - any experience with this? WHAT about that PRICE TAG!

If there are any other options that I'm missing (PMI, 2+ year wait list at PCC, or 4-year Universities), please fill me in! ;)

Also, remember - I don't have a GPA. I got my GED in 2001 and dropped out of college after a year in 2003. I have a ton of work experience, am relatively intelligent, and very motivated and committed to this. Do I even stand a chance of getting into ANY school?

Thanks for any help you can give :)

Kayta

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I have no experience with PMI, only what ive heard, and I live in Phoenix area, so I dont know the schools near you, but thought I could give some of my opinion/advice.

For PMI, I have heard mixed reviews towards their program. The price tag of course is killer because they are a prvate for profit school. Since you are starting with no courses to transfer you would have to complete either their pre req semester (more money), or take the pre reqs to their program at a CC and transfer them in. So it would add a semester because from what I have read, their are 3 prereqs. Still not bad since no waitlist and no competitive entry. The reviews are not always the best though. I have heard that their graduation rates are high because they want the money and push students through, and NCLEX pass rates are in the 80s/ High graduation + low NCLEX pass rates usually = a less intense school. THis can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. One plus is they are accredited which not all private NS are.

In AZ, the nursing job market is over saturated. This makes finding a job very hard for new grads. It is not uncommon to see new grads unempolyed 18 mos later. Hospital, as well as other emplyers prefer BSN prepared RNs. SO yes, you may get a job with your ADN, but it will be harder to get. You are better off going with a BSN. This doesnt necessarily mean over 4 years. ANyone who wants to go to NS has to do at least a few pre reqs. Unis usually require a few more than ADN programs, but the actual core NS program is only 2 years in either program. I dont know what to tell you and its going to be up to you if you want to pay 3X as much for your degree to skip the waitlist and half the pre reqs, but risk taking longer to get a job, and the job you get may not be as high paying because it may not be in a tradditional nursing setting. Or you can take the couple year longer path, but save money, and have a higher chance of finding a job sooner, as well as in a better paying setting.

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I really appreciate your input and advice :) I am going on only research that I have done, and don't have any friends or family down here to discuss my options with, so I really value other people's opinions!

I really don't like the idea of graduating with an associates only and being 45k in debt, that is really the one reason I haven't gone in for one if PMI's information sessions.

However, that being said, I do not have all the time in the world to go to school - my fiance will be supporting us financially while I am in school, and he does NOT make alot of money - we're both making a few bucks above min. wage. So, that's my one reason that a 4 year program may not be suitable for me, especially knowing that I will have to wait until September of 2014 to even get resident status OR be accepted onto a wait list. Those are the reasons I am thinking that going into 45k of debt, and then getting a job that may not be high paying but may have tuition reimbursement or would pay for my bachelors, may be my only course of action here, reasonably. Which I do NOT like, but I know my circumstances aren't exactly ideal for schools or time requirements. A close friend of mine back home only owes 30k after getting her associates and THEN getting her bachelors, both at private uni's back in NY. And I'd be more in debt than her after JUST getting my associates? SIGH!

That brings me to another question: Would I even be accepted into a 4yr program? I know it's very competitive with students that have recent academic scores and 4.0's and high SAT scores, and I obviously don't have any of that. & are there wait lists for the unis?

Feeling frustrated and getting a bit hopeless. Just want to finally make this happen!

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

There are no waitlists that im aware of. Just competitive entry. But you would take roughly 2 years of pre reqs, then apply, and it would be based on that GPA. Then its 2 years of nursing school. Or if you get your ADN then license, entry would be based on your graduating GPA from PMI (if you ultimately decide to go there). I am getting my ADN first also, then I plan to bridge RN to BSN after. Ihave a similar hope as you of finding work with my ADN while I complete my BSN. its not impossible to find work, but its usually in the less desireable areas of nursing. Pay wont be junk, it just wouldn't be as high as at a hopital. You can get a job at a a few hospitals, but its hard.

sorry about formatting and spelling. feeding baby in one arm and typing with the other lol

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Working while doing your prereq's is definitely doable. Take them at a CC and transfer them to a university - much cheaper. You can't even apply to a nursing program until your prereq's are completed (so no sense applying to a university and taking them there, they're literally the same classes and most CC's and universities work together so the credits transfer). BSN is definitely the way to go. Working during the 4 semesters of nursing school depends on the school you go to. So it's still only 2 years of not working if you work while completing your prereq's.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Also, remember - I don't have a GPA. I got my GED in 2001 and dropped out of college after a year in 2003. I have a ton of work experience, am relatively intelligent, and very motivated and committed to this. Do I even stand a chance of getting into ANY school?

Thanks for any help you can give :)

I would try to avoid a school like PMI if you can. It's expensive, and the reputation isn't that great. These are two bad things in a bad job market.

I dropped out of college 3 times many, many years ago. I then returned to school and attended an AZ community college ADN program, and within 3 years of graduation, I'm in a highly-ranked DNP program. Don't let a sketchy history stop you!

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Why don't you try the Nurse Assisting-LPN-RN route? That way you can work as a nurse assistant part-time while going to school for your RN? I would not spend 45k for a two year degree. Don't stress about your age, you have some time in front of you, no need to rush into a decision!

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I dropped out of college 3 times many, many years ago. I then returned to school and attended an AZ community college ADN program, and within 3 years of graduation, I'm in a highly-ranked DNP program. Don't let a sketchy history stop you!

Thank you for posting this! It is very motivating!

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Thank you EVERYONE for your responses, it's so great to have some other options and to hear that I'm not out of luck, I am trying to stay positive! :)

I thought about the LPN route, though can't find a program in Tucson besides another for-profit which is $17k for an LPN! Insane! I think PCC has a a wait list even for LPN program! Which is crazy. I really just am trying not to smack myself over my past mistakes - like if I would have just gone into nursing when I was 18 rather than the path I did take! I would love to just have my bachelors to eventually pursue my DNP as well. Really, if I could find a place to get my LPN for a reasonable tuition I would definitely start there. But, again, it seems my only options would be to pay an outrageous amount of money for that, then have to pay more to get my LPN to RN at a Uni! Sigh!

It's great hearing your success stories, I know there are alot of non-traditional nurses out there and those who have overcome alot more obstacles than I have! It's great to know that I CAN DO IT!

:)

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Start at pima community college taking your prerequisites. I did that and got into GCU in Tucson and graduated with a BSN took NCLEX passed and got a job as a new grad in the ICU. I also worked full time at community college and part time at GCU. Avoid PMI if at all possible! Gcu does not have a wait list but is very competitive to get in. Good luck! Some local hosp have tuition reimbursement or a rn program for employees regardless of what position you hold.

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I am kind of in the same boat, but I have started prerequisites for pima while working (I am going to rio salado online because it's awesome), and if I am wait listed forever I am going to continue on with prereques for u of a or NAU because I am getting my BSN regardless of which route I take. There is a program you can do with pima and NAU where you will graduate with both your ADN and BSN. If it takes less time I'm going to go that route.. Either way, if I were you I'd start on the prerequisites online so you can work and bank some money before going to the nursing portion of school. We might be on a similar timeline (maybe we'll see each other in nursing school!) let me know what you decide to do :-)

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You can work and go to school. PCC has plenty of students who have kids and work full time. I worked weekend doubles the whole time.

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