UIU CEP

Poolparty · Dec 11, 2015

Hi everyone,
I found out that I'm eligible to apply for the UIU CEP program :) I'm really excited, but also a little worried since it's such new school in Arizona. I've read some posts on here about people being accepted and was wondering what your experience has been so far. Everything I've read and researched so far seems good, just hoping for some "inside" info and reassurance. Thanks in advance for your time!

I'd say as long as you aren't planning on specializing in women's care like labor and delivery then you should be fine. My wife is in the UIU program right now and recently spoke with a friend that is the hiring manager for dignity health and they won't hire a new grad unless they have their bsn from ASU (preferably). They don't think the UIU program properly prepares them. At this exact moment, my wife is trying to see about transferring out at the end of this semester. She was told she would more than likely need to be out of the cep for a semester but can continue the rn program at MCC. Still awaiting the final decision from the "powers that be". Had she waited 1 semester she could have had the cep through ASU as she originally wanted. But her advisor told her it didn't matter where she got the bsn. I'm working 3 classes away from being able to apply for the ASU cep. Shouldn't they give a married couple discount! Eh, wishful thinking.

azgal81 · Dec 11, 2015

Dignity only hires a BSN from ASU? That sounds highly unlikely sorry. I also know a person who is a higher up at dignity health who has said the opposite. A BSN is definitely preferred but they hire people from all over the country with BSNs and even ADNs still. The most important thing is that the program you graduate from is accredited. People should be most wary of for-profit programs. Like with any job, employers are looking for many things not just where you earned your degree. I am in the NAU CEP btw í ½í¸‰

Poolparty · Dec 11, 2015

No, and I should have asked her for clarification before I spouted off. There are other issues she was not aware of with the program. Yes, dignity will hire from any accredited college. But from what she was recently told, the maternity department is a separate world. Like I said, if ya aren't specializing in that then I'm guessing it's a decent program. That's just her experience. Nau is another good one as are all the other major universities.

sailornurse · Dec 11, 2015

Are you an LPN or RN applying for a bridge program (LPN to RN) or RN to BSN?

AZLady44 · Dec 12, 2015

I truly appreciate the information. I know UIU has the same accreditation as ASU & NAU. L&D is where I would like to focus, but I am also open to what other options may come my way. I wish we knew what other issues there were regarding UIU and what is lacking that their graduates aren't prepared. At the same time, I bet all schools have some issue or another. I just want to make the right decision :)

Good luck to you and your wife, PoolParty & to you azgal81!

AZLady44 · Dec 12, 2015

No, I am not. I am waiting to get into the nursing program. Just a nursing hopeful right now.

Poolparty · Dec 12, 2015

They have the lowest requirements (that and uofp) and are one of the more expensive. I'd say if you're just skimming by with your gpa and in a serious rush, then do it. Do you qualify for any other programs? If not, just ask yourself why this school's requirements are the least.

rachaelofcourse · Dec 12, 2015

They have the lowest requirements (that and uofp) and are one of the more expensive. I'd say if you're just skimming by with your gpa and in a serious rush, then do it. Do you qualify for any other programs? If not, just ask yourself why this school's requirements are the least.

They have the least requirements because you take more classes with them than the other universities. Also, most hospitals won't hire new grads to L&D anyway. At least Banner won't. UIU is also cheaper than ASU.

I am starting the UIU CEP in January and so far it's been great! The advisor is great at responding nicely and will work with you to get any upper level classes transferred. They are very focused on you succeeding! Also, they care about you as a person. When I missed a meeting with the advisor due to my daughter having a seizure, I called her and let her know what was going on. She was more concerned with me taking care of my daughter than our meeting - in a good way. I like that UIU has more electives. I want to focus more on being a cultural nurse (I'd like to return to Kenya and nurse there after going on a Missions Tripe there) than a nurse leader or some other random thing. They have a course designed for that. The hybrid program is great for students who need classroom instruction and aren't good at teaching themselves. Overall, I think UIU would be a great choice for CEP!

AZBlueBell · Dec 12, 2015

Ditto what Rachael said. UIU doesn't require some of those classes as pre-reqs because you take them within the UIU program itself. Also, they are about $10k less than ASU. They have the same accreditation as any other major college (like ASU and NAU). I've had a great experience with UIU advisor so far and am looking forward to getting my BSN :) there are very few spots for any new grad in positions like L&D, typically they need experience.

AZLady44 · Jan 13, 2016

Hi everyone! I'm the OP and wanted to thank you all for your feedback. I decided to apply for UIU CEP after all. This is after speaking with a NAU advisor (I am 2 credits short for the AGEC which would make 9 credits in progress needed to apply for Fall). I took some time to research, talked to more people/ friends currently in the medical field, an MCC advisor and the feedback is very positive. My communication with the UIU advisor started weeks ago and she has been absolutely wonderful. She called last week just to say an "unofficial" congrats because everything looks great and my GPA is 3.3. Those of us applying to UIU CEP for Fall 2016 will get officially accepted next month. The first UIU classes starts 05/02- that's just a few months away!! Feeling excited and grateful for the feedback on here. Good luck everyone :)

Poolparty · Jan 13, 2016

Best of luck. My wife was given permission to transfer out. Did anyone notice there is now an Ottawa cep option? They even have higher expectations and requirements to get in than uiu. Always an option.