Valparaiso Accelerated BSN/Indiana University NW

JilWay · Sep 23, 2013

(How could I forget to say this? CONGRATS on your acceptance!!!)

I'm currently in my first (official) semester in the BSN program at IU-NW. I chose IU Northwest because they have phenomenal NCLEX pass rates, and I know a lot of nurses who work in local hospitals. I asked for their opinions on the overall competency of nursing students and graduates from each school. I know that isn't completely reliable, but when I chose IUN, I felt pretty confident that based on NCLEX pass rates and the info garnered from nurses in the field -- I'd made the right choice.

I'm not able to give much information about Valpo U, unfortunately. I have a few friends who have graduated from their program, and others who left for various reasons (didn't "fit in" to the economic cliques common to VU, didn't like the curriculum, etc). Overall they haven't seemed satisfied (though a few friends loved it!), but honestly, it comes down to the individual. PNC tends to run a research-based, paper-heavy program. People who love research and paper-writing love their program, etc etc.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck. You have no idea how excited I was to see a local school (and my school!) in the topic of this thread.

sarahliz51 · Sep 25, 2013

Oh heyyyy @JilWay nice to meet you!

Thank you girl!!

Yeah I've seen/heard just about only negative reviews about Valpo on every website I have looked at! It seems that there is a serious social imbalanace there...and their clinical hours suck? lol. Hopefully I get into these other schools so I won't have to worry.

I just sent my unofficial transcripts to ******* so she could do an unofficial evaluation. Hopefully that helps

Okay, now to bombard you with questions! You really don't have to go in dept, I don't want to strain you, I know you have things to do! Lol Yes/No will be fine :)

The application doesn't open until October 1, so there isn't much information up!

How hard was it to get in?

Do you mind sharing your GPA? No pressure, really!

Do you study with a group? Are the people easy to work with? Do the teachers pretty much give the information, or should I seek NCLEX books to study from

Do you suggest working while in the program?

How helpful are the teachers?

Thanks for replying to my post!

lmonts13 · Sep 27, 2013

Congratulations sarahliz51!!

I finally got my decision packet in the mail today (The first one got lost in the mail lol) and I was accepted to the ABSN program at Valpo also! Thanks for starting this thread too. I'm interested to hear what people have to say about the second degree program at IUN, since that is another program I'm applying to. Have you been to the information session yet for IUN? I went to one in the beginning of August and have some notes written down at home about the average GPA they normally take. I'll have to add to this post with that information when I get home from classes.

Congratulations again! :)

sarahliz51 · Sep 28, 2013

:singing: Congratulations!

Hey lmonts13! No I haven't been to an informational session at IUN, I actually live in Charleston, SC. I'm waiting to hear more information from the advisors before I make any big moves. Any information you post would be a great help!

Thanks!

lmonts13 · Sep 29, 2013

Hey sarahliz51! Oh wow, I didn't know you were that far away lol. I actually live in the area so I was able to go up to the school and set up a meeting over the summer. I don't know if it was because I was trying to get a hold of the advisor for the 2nd degree program over the summer, but I could never get an email or phone call back from her. Hopefully you're having better luck!

Anyways, at the meeting we were given a list of the pre-requisites needed to begin the program, which make up our pre-nursing GPA. That's what they base part of your admission decision off of. The minimum pre-nursing GPA is a 3.0, but she recommended having a 3.3 or higher. She said that you can apply while finishing any of the pre-requisites needed, but they would have to be finished by the time you start the program in May. As far as transferring though, I was told by the admissions department that I would have to apply and see what my previous classes would transfer as there. For example, I took general chemistry 1 and 2 at another school, but she doesn't know if that would transfer for what I need. I also took a statistics class at my previous school, but she didn't know if that would count for the statistics they want. It's kind of weird.

As far as the program itself, she had mentioned it currently costs $255 per credit hour while in the nursing program. Also, while in the nursing program we are required to get at least a C in classes. Anything below a C and you have to repeat. If you do repeat, you have only one opportunity. Then she mentioned if you have four failing grades, you out of them program.

I believe the list of pre-requisites she gave us is also on the website. If not, I can always send them to you. I hope this information helped! Good luck and let me know how it goes! :)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2013

Valpo is a secular school and has different expectations if their students. I am from the area as well and I will tell you that Valpo is an excellent University in a safe area that is very beautiful in NW Indiana. Valparaiso University is a selective, independent Lutheran institution in Valparaiso, Indiana, an hour’s drive from Chicago. It is slightly rural.

IUN however is in Downtown Gary Indiana...while the campus is relatively safe....Gary is not. I worked downtown Gary for years. While most of the city has been decimated it remains a rough/high crime neighbor-hood.

I am a Purdue grad....Lafyette, Calumet

Rachelj1222 · Dec 13, 2013

Please save yourself the frustration and DO NOT choose valpo. It's an awful nursing program. Professors are rude, and the dean is so mean. The program is very disorganized. I mean they don't even have a pathophysio class!

Once again DO NOT GO TO VALPO!

Kidrn911 · Dec 19, 2013

Valpo is a secular school and has different expectations if their students. I am from the area as well and I will tell you that Valpo is an excellent University in a safe area that is very beautiful in NW Indiana. Valparaiso University is a selective independent Lutheran institution in Valparaiso, Indiana, an hour’s drive from Chicago. It is slightly rural. IUN however is in Downtown Gary Indiana...while the campus is relatively safe....Gary is not. I worked downtown Gary for years. While most of the city has been decimated it remains a rough/high crime neighbor-hood. I am a Purdue grad....Lafyette, Calumet[/quote']
I think we maybe be neighbors. I am in Town of Porter.
Valpo is an awesome school, but very pricey. I personally would go with IUN or purdue.
I attempted the Purdue Calumet online BSN did not like structure so I am looking at A few other options.

satin10 · Mar 31, 2014

Congrats, [COLOR=#003366]sarahliz51 on being accepted into the prog @ Valpo. This post was back in Sept '13. Did you actually attend the nursing prog @ Valpo or did you decide to go elsewhere? If your still in the prog can you share how are the instructors, clinicals, overall experience and was it tough to get into the prog? ANY info that you can share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and enjoy your day!

emeeds · Jul 12, 2018

Hello! I am looking at Valparaiso's accelerated BSN option, and have read some negative things about it. Can anyone who has been through Valparaiso's accelerated BSN program give me any additional feedback? I am looking at starting the program in May of 2019, and have taken all but one of the required prerequesites. Anything is appreciated.

Gerome · Nov 2, 2018

I was also accepted to Valpo's ABSN program. I'd also like to hear more from current/previous students.

Did/Do you enjoy the program?