University of Phoenix, Diploma Mill? Do you respect the school, and view it equal?

Nursing Students School Programs

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I'm considering University of Phoenix's ADN-BSN for it's convenience. I want to start school ASAP, as in not wait for "spring" or "fall" enrollment and I want a 100% online curriculum.

My husband works in HR, and is all into the prestige of schools, and how the name of a good university looks on your resume. He APPALLS University of Phoenix and doesn't respect it's graduates, in ANY aspect. I've told him they are fully accredited by all the national nursing associations, and it's a REAL degree, but he won't listen. I want to know what other nurses opinions are of University of Phoenix.

Personally, I work with half a dozen nurses who completed the ADN-BSN program, and two are currently in the MSN program. I don't think anything less of them for having a degrees from University of Phoenix! It's a degree! Regardless!

What do you think? What are you opinions on the cirriculum? Do you recommend another ADN-BSN that is 100% online?

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Specializes in CCRN.

I too know of several nurses who have advanced their degrees through UOP. They work in positions from bedside to management to education. They are respected for their skills in their given areas. Times have changed and online programs do not have the stigma they once carried, at least in the nursing profession. I cannot speak for the business sector. If you look around at colleges and universities locally I'm sure you will find most offer online classes. It is a way to reach a greater number of students in a cost effective manner. I think you need to look at your goals and where you see the degree taking you. I will complete my BSN in a couple of weeks, through a different school than UOP, and have thoroughly enjoyed the process. It is not easy, some of the course work is very challenging. Math is not my strongest subject and luckily I had all of the math requirements, including statistics, completed prior to my online courses. I feel I would have struggled with stats online. But I know many people who have taken it online. Not everyone is self motivated enough, or able to learn independently. For me, I could not find a program locally that would work with my work schedule. I quite enjoy being able to complete the course work at anytime of the day or night. There are many online options available and it takes research to find one that works for you.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Med/Surg, Pedi.

I am a UOP graduate. I think that ADN-BSN route online is a great way to further your education. I am not an advocate of LVN-RN online however. I was an LVN for 3 years and having that class room experience transitioning to a RN is a must. I am acutally admitted to the BSN-MSN track for UOP and plan to attend UOP for MSN as well. Ask me any question you may have.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.
I was an LVN for 3 years and having that class room experience transitioning to a RN is a must.

If this is not qualified by the words "for me" at the end of this quoted sentence, I believe you may find some really stellar RNs on this particular board a tad incensed.

To the OP--will your husband make it tough on you if you do indeed choose UOP? Will he pick on your choice of school constantly? That will make studying very tough--and a downer. Excelsior would be another choice for you for a quick start.

Getting that BSN will be one heck of an accomplishment no matter how you do it!

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

I like to think I transitioned into the LPN-RN role rather well, considering I completed my ASN with Excelsior's distance program. It's highly individual whether one needs the experience of the classroom or not, in order to make that transition. :twocents:

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I like to think I transitioned into the LPN-RN role rather well, considering I completed my ASN with Excelsior's distance program. It's highly individual whether one needs the experience of the classroom or not, in order to make that transition. :twocents:

As another Excelsior LPN to ASN grad, I second that remark.

But regarding Univ. of Phoenix for the ADN to BSN program, I have friends who have graduated from there and one was a business major, not anywhere near the nursing profession, and she has never encountered people scoffing at her degree in the business world.

The only thing I hear people complain about is that it is so expensive. Correct if I'm wrong as I've never attended the school, but I've heard around $500 per credit? For undergrad work?? Yikes!

For an ADN RN such as yourself, there are so many RN to BSN programs out there so I think that finding a local state university would give you more for your money. Same diploma on your wall, same letters after your name. Most have online classes these days and many are 100% online.

I'll bet if you looked around you would find at least one if not several 100% online RN to BSN programs in your state where you would get in-state tuition rates.

And believe it or not for the education snobs, many state schools are actually quite pretigious and impressive to have a degree from.

For example, TWU and any UT school of nursing in my home state are considered to be excellent nursing schools to have graduated from and they are public state universities for a lower price than Univ. of Phoenix.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Med/Surg, Pedi.

I must agree that any strictly online college/university degree will cost you. Not only UOP but any college strictly online due to the convience you are paying. I hear lots of local community colleges are online now. Not sure, I took all those in the classroom years ago.

I think that would be a great idea too. My MSN FNP with UOP will be all ground. Transititioning from a RN to FNP is a ground need for me. I'm excited about going to Phoenix next summer. Of course, I've applied to 40 other programs and waiting to hear back from others before making my last decision but if I have not found another of my liking by May 1, 2009. I will be going with ground UOP for my MSN FNP.

Thanks for the communication ladies.:no::no::no:

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Do you still plan to stick with U of P? I started my ADN to BSN program, and am thinking of going all the way thru to the MSN/NP program. Which NP programs do they offer? What is clinical like? I'm just now beginning to research this - it's quite a learning process! Thanks for your help.

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As far as I'm concerned at this point, a degree is a degree. I have read horror stories about the process (group stuff online) at UOP. That alone would cause me to stay away. I just don't see myself spending lots of time online trying to get group stuff done with all kinds of barriers in the way.

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I am a UoP MSN grad. Did you know where the majority of BSN and MSN grads could from UoP! Do you know where the largest online library is housed- UoP!

I found the classes challenging and I agree expensive but where can you start a class each week and take time off than works for you. I have the opportunity to interact with students internationally. I learned so much for my interactions that I would not have been exposed in a classroom setting.

UoP is accredited and has the largest chapter of the Nursing Honor Society.

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Do you still plan to stick with U of P? I started my ADN to BSN program, and am thinking of going all the way thru to the MSN/NP program. Which NP programs do they offer? What is clinical like? I'm just now beginning to research this - it's quite a learning process! Thanks for your help.

Since you have a license your clinical is set up by you. I did my MSN which you had to complete a large project. I don't know what the BSNs do.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Med/Surg, Pedi.
Since you have a license your clinical is set up by you. I did my MSN which you had to complete a large project. I don't know what the BSNs do.

I completed the BSN with UOP. I am accepted to the MSN/FNP program with UOP. It is a ground campus program only. 30 months in Phoenix. They accept 18 student each term. Class every other Friday. I am suppose to begin in May 2009.

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