5 replies to this topic

[LaztyLisa]

I have heard of some really good nursing programs. I found the top 10 list:
1. University of Washington
2. University of Viringia
3. University of Phoenix- online
4. University of Texas- Houston
5. Indiana State University
6. Jacksonville University
7. Keller Graduate School
8. Devry University
9. Florida State University
10. Berkley University

[NawlinsGirl]

THANKS FOR SHARING THOSE...

[Msrio]

What do you mean that you've "heard" these are good nursing schools? The schools you mentioned are scattered all over the country? How do you actually know how good they are? You are recommending them? Do you have statistics? Drop out rate, academic scoring, and/or expulsion rates?
I attended a technical nursing school with a so called "great academic" reputation and it was thee worst school. What made it bad were the teachers biased attitudes towards the students, the rediculous amount of work in a short period of time, and their biased grading system. Should I put this school on the list of "bad" schools from my experience? This school is getting a very bad reputation for their teaching policies as well as their expulsion rate. So, how do you rate schools? What is more valid? By what you hear from former students, by statistics, or just plain hear say?

[TequilaTwist]

I am not sure where my school ranks on that list but i do know that it has an extremely high pass rate. Unfortunately, that seems to be all they are concerned with...their ranking. We have a 2+2 program meaning we take all of our basic courses first and then the final two years of school are completely nursing classes. I like the way this works but I have found that on the whole our school lacks in offering hands on experience. We have so much bookwork and what I like to call busy work that there is little time left for learning real nursing. I am not saying that the bookwork is unimportant but I believe hands on eperience would make for much more competent and confident nurses. Many of my classmates have said that when they graduate they feel as though they know nothing and when they begin work they have realized just how little they do know. It seems sad to me. Also another huge complaint about my school is that after two years of nursing classes, graduating all comes down to one test. Not the NCLEX mind you ...but the HESI. This semester alone 3 of my classmates have failed to graduate because of the HESI. So much emphasis is put on this test that even if you have passed every other test of the semester, if you do not score at least an 850 on this test (in Peds) you have a good chance of failing the course (a score of less than 850 results in a 0 for the test grade). And in our Internship class you must pass the HESI in order to pass the class. Even if you made perfect scores on every other test (and there are about 13 of them) if you fail to make 850 on the HESI you cannot graduate. I feel that too much rides on that one test. Graduation should not be dependent upon one test (isnt that what the NCLEX is for?) If you complete your 4 years of classes and have passed all tests up to that point , is it really fair for them to deny you your college degree?? The NCLEX will decide if you have what it takes to nurse the public after all just having your degree doesnt get you the job...licensure gets you the job. What do you guys think?

[Msrio]

That is so rediculous. It's simply why alot of nursing students drop out. It is precisely why there is a nursing shortage. You spend years studying heart and soul to become a nurse and you're turned away because you didn't pass ONE test so that you can take another ONE test to get your license. At this point, I am choosing another profession. Nursing schools are a waste of time. They are becoming more and more demeaning and demanding all of the time.
What you said about studying and not getting enough patient time is true of most schools. Everyone says the same thing. They graduate and know nothing.
Question. Have you ever seen a happy nurse? I see alot of nurses drop out of nursing. The stress is too much. They say they are overworked, however I think they are well paid, which is the only reason that keeps them in this profession. When they have really had it, they choose teaching others to become nurses. They are now bitter, tired, bitches that take it out on you! I do believe this is true. I wish you much luck and anyone who chooses this field.

[COFFEE OR TEA]

So which new professions are you contemplating?