University of South Alabama Accelerated MSN WARNING!

[luvthahustle]

Just wanted to warn those of you just beginning or planning to enroll in USA's Accel MSN program for people with a non-nursing BA/BS: it is being marketed as a 2-year program, but those of us who just graduated with our BSN after completing the first year have just been informed that it will take 2 more years to complete the MSN specialty component.

It's a 3-year program now. We were informed this past week, after it was too late to apply for another school's online program.

We were also promised during the entire first year that during our second "MSN" year of the program all of our tuition and fees would be covered by a Federal Nursing Traineeship grant.

Wrong again.

They informed us that many wouldn't get any grant money on July 29th, when it was too late to apply for other MSN grants/scholarships.

I'm obviously very disappointed to find that after finishing this gruelling year of work my school has let me down like this, and I just wanted to vent.

[hardtosay]

USA's CON admin are infamous for misleading their students. I was in the accel bsn program and they failed to inform us that we could apply for rn licensure 1 month prior to grad and many of us graduated and had to wait an additional 1 month to sit for the NCLEX. Join the crowd.

[doc2bmo]

Hey Scojo, fill me in! I graduate from the Acc. program on Dec. 5th and I definitely don't want to wait 'til January to take the NCLEX! Is there a special procedure? Thanks for the advice in advance!

[Snickett]

Buyer Beware. ALWAYS read for yourself. If you look at the program and course catalogs and the schedule of classes, you can figure out how long it will take you to complete a program. As for the grants.......never assume you are getting financial aid until the money is in the bank. And as far as the NCLEX, on the Alabama Board of Nursing website, it clearly states that you must be a GRADUATE from a program BEFORE you apply to take the NCLEX.

I am not a student or spokesperson for USA, but remember that ALL faculty at ALL colleges are "Salespersons" and you need to research facts and statements for youirself. As I said before, Buyer Beware.

[doc2bmo]

You have a point snickett... I also contacted the ABN after my last post because that just didn't seem right (applying earlier for licensure), and sure enough, I was told that I could apply for my temp license and the ability to sit for the NCLEX on the day AFTER graduation and no earlier. As far as the accelerated program goes, I'm in it, I'm almost done, and I'd reccomend it to others. Have I disagreed with the way some aspects of the program have been run? Sure...but overall it's been a great experience and I'm scoring in the top percentile on the HESI and on the NCLEX practice tests so I can't complain.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

usa's con admin are infamous for misleading their students. i was in the accel bsn program and they failed to inform us that we could apply for rn licensure 1 month prior to grad and many of us graduated and had to wait an additional 1 month to sit for the nclex. join the crowd.

someone gave you incorrect info. graduation from nursing program is a requirement for submitting application for licensure.

application for licensure by examination - use this application if you have never been licensed in any state and have graduated from nursing school.

http://www.abn.state.al.us/main/downloads/applications/applications.html

[Grow_a_Soul]

I got back from Italy after graduation and had a message from USA CON that I didnt pay some fee so I would not be able to get a diploma until the following semester. Luckily it was straightened out but I mean, who does that???? I was set to start my job in a week. Those people are crazy!