CNI College - Santa Ana, California

Doge from the Future

The owner went out of her way to provide special financial assistance for me and make sure I could get through school. She was there for me, and I'll always appreciate her for that. It really impacted my life. She's a really good woman.

CNI College is a school with an RN program, and a couple other programs. I transferred in for Term 6 of the RN Program, and I just graduated. So glad to be finished! Lol No school is perfect. A lot of us students are really tired and stressed with school, work and family requirements. I think that's why there are some negative reviews here. Sometimes we can be over dramatic, but that's us. Overall, this school was professional, accommodating, reasonable and reliable.

I would recommend CNI, and I would remind those thinking of going elsewhere that CNI is about as good as it gets! Other private RN schools were less appealing to me and more expensive. Community colleges like Santa Monica College and El Camino College take 42 months, instead of 20 months when you factor in all the requirements. So, this is a good school, and I appreciated going here! 🙂

Was it run exactly the way I thought it should be run, No. So what. They did all the major things right, and I appreciate all the work they did to help me get my RN license! It's a lot of work, but you can do it! 🙂

Pro's:
- Excellent Facility and Staff
- The Elective Classes are Online
- They have Good Clinical Sites
- You can get hired right out of school at the hospitals where you do your clinicals.

Cons:
- It's a little expensive

I graduated with $26,000 in debt, but I didn't pay rent, and I Uber'ed the whole way through. Try not to spend any extra money on anything you don't need, and you will probably be happy when it's all over with. Good luck out there to everyone thinking of becoming a nurse. If you go into the program, work hard and represent the school well at the clinical sites. We all get out of the program what we put into it! 🙂

- Will

Update 12/21/19:

PASSED the NCLEX in 100 questions!
95% of the prep was ATI, and CNI Instructor handouts, and Virtual ATI. They really prepared us well. All my friends passed first time around too!

HIRED a week after passing NCLEX at a hospital we did our clinicals at. I feel like a big part of why I got hired is because of CNI and their great clinical instructors.
The instructors have deep relationships with the hospitals and students, and they really do care about the students. I know in my case my clinical instructor Larry Frasier was always available for all the students as a reference for BRN application and to help with navigating the hiring process. Couldn't have done it without his help, and the help of a lot of other instructors here. ?

Update 11/24/20:

Shortly after getting my first RN job last January in the ICU at one of our clinical spots, I was offered a travel nursing position in New York.

I have been working as a travel nurse ever since in NY and CA, and it's completely changed my life.

I'm writing this update, to say thank you again to everyone at CNI College. Thanks you guys so much. I mean it!

And everyone considering CNI, just know it was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life. I'm a real person. I'm telling you exactly how I really feel. I'm not getting anything for this review. I just think it's important to remember people that made a difference in your life and thank them.

Since January:

1. I actually earned my BSN online shortly after CNI through Capella University. It was through their "flex path" program, and I did it while I worked. It was super affordable. 3k to 9k depending on how fast you complete it.

2. I was able to put my CRNA application in within a year of graduation. (I just put it in 2 weeks ago. This is such a big deal to me. I have had this goal for years.)

3. Travel nursing offers so much experience, fun, learning opportunities, and most importantly to those with student loans: great pay.

Bottom Line:
CNI changed my life, and it was worth it. I only wish I did it earlier.

Kelly Chaides Huff

I signed up for the Pharmacy Technician program in October and right from the beginning, there were a lot of issues. I was referred by a graduate from the school and spoke to a rep Patty at CNI who is definitely an asset to CNI College - without her, I would have probably went somewhere else due to the continue frustration from the Financial Dept.

When I went to the school to take the initial tests and passed, the financial rep introduced herself but didn't even have any eye contact with and was clearly focused on some other matter. Then I received a quote which was difficult to read since the Financial rep used a bolded font that was too large to make out clearly then when I did, her calculations were incorrect. Patty referred me to the Director of Finance who took my concerns through one ear and out the other. Attempting to justify the $14k difference between the costs of CNI & Santa Ana College, they made it very difficult to make the decision but when I signed up I did meet several incredible classmates which I have stayed in contact with.

The director of the program would continuously use bad judgment when voicing her opinion about other students, staff and the other schools the owners provide by basically throwing the under the bus each time. The Director of Education of the school had 3 different people in 9 months and the last being the worse in my opinion. Both directors would ask for suggestions of improvement and when you provided them, they would take it personal and didn't mention that they would consider the matter to be valid when clearly it was.

For example, in my case, according to the state's requirements, I completed the number of hours to submit my license's application in February but the school didn't submit it until April. To date, I have graduated and I still don't have my license which has made it extremely difficult to seek employment. My fellow classmates are in the same predicament and the students we've had to compete with at other schools have their licenses.

Both directors act as if they have done a favor by sending in the applications prior to completion as stated in the paperwork in the beginning and have not indicated ever that they would correct their procedure that clearly sabotage their students rather than help them so I would definitely think twice before signing up for CNI since there were additional issues with the school that I can go more detailed with so feel free to inquire if you so desire.

In all fairness, there were some helpful people and some good resources but overall, I would never recommend anyone to attend CNI - in fact, I would definitely strongly advise against it entirely!!!

Luckily, I was able to find employment on my own since the career center was extremely ineffective especially since they were provided the info that I had a job then followed up with me months later to "help" me and since they have a high turnover at the school and there's definitely a lack of communication, I was contacted like I need their help - NOT!!!

monique andrewin

To all fellow prospective students, as a current student I advise you not to attend this school. I have been attending CNI since September 18, 2018 for the surgical tech program. This school like many others is full of empty promises and they will breach the contract you sign on multiple occasions. Not only myself but the other students have witnessed an unbelievable amount of unprofessionalism on a daily basis. We have followed the proper chain of command to address our concerns including speaking to the owner which was an unfriendly encounter. The only person I give 5 stars to is Susan Dunn which this school does not deserve her services. We have been greeted with excuses and the run around. We were promised state of the art equipment that was a lie. We have a mannequin that is stuffed with FedEx paper. Our instructor had to make organs for us, so we could practice mock surgery. We asked for latex free gloves we were brought size 8-9 from the nursing program. We were asked to check off our skills list for neurosurgery And thoracic surgery when we did not have the proper equipment to learn such surgeries. We were told that they had over 200 clinical sites but no students to fill the slots. (Another lie) we have been pushed back from going to our extern ship because they had to figure out where we were going to be placed. We were told If you are not the best of the best Saint Joseph’s hospital is out of the question. Today we watched the only instructor that cared walk out and quit due to bullying and calls being made to her job by someone who named dropped the director of our program because she was bringing supplies we didn’t have so she could teach us from her job. This has been an unfortunate experience for all of us who are and aren’t military veterans. For anyone considering this private (PROFIT) school scam if you value your time and money save yourself the hassle and go somewheres else. They will sell you on a hope and dream and deliver on none of the above. If you choose to take the risk you will be taught to remember answers to your tests and if you do not complete your work book more than likely your instructor will be asked from the higher ups to do it for you. If you want to be taught by YouTube then this is the place for you. From a student about to enter clinicals I have prepared myself as much as I could and I have taught myself more than any other student should have to.

Kasondra Duff

I have not been completely enrolled, but I am in the process. I was having problems getting my transcripts from my high school and CNI has been very helpful in getting them and letting me still do financial aid. They are working with me the best that they can, and I'm not even enrolled yet. I think that says a lot about them.

Karla Delgado

I was enrolled in the MA program, and Ms.A was the best instructor i’ve ever had, she really cares about her students and teaches with such passion, she took her time and helped me when I was struggling to learn a new procedure. I’m so glad I was in her class because I learned so much and what it takes to be the best MA.
Randy&Nick are the best also! They helped me out when I was enrolling& making sure this is what I truly wanted to do& have kept in contact with me checking to see how i’ve been and helping me with interview questions
I would recommend CNI because they have such caring staff and want to see you succeed.

Jeff Haaland

I was a Brightwood College (BWC) student in an RN program in San Diego. Due to illness, I had to take some time off from study, but I had a “re-entry date” in writing with BWC. I only had 3 classes left to complete when BWC ceased operations. Since I wasn’t in a class, I could not participate in a “teach out” to complete my degree. The great people at CNI College went to bat for me. They worked with me for months, until I was allowed to complete my RN degree with CNI — instead of me giving up on my RN program. Kudos to Patricia in Admissions; Chris, Asst. Dir. & Ian, Clinical Coordinator. CNI has a caring staff and they do exceptional work. I am forever thankful to CNI and I would HIGHLY recommend CNI for any of your educational needs, wants, or dreams!

Malinda Flood

I went to CNI in 2015/2016 very unprofessional, I enrolled in the LVN program 1st term we had 4 different teachers the test was not based on what we was lecture on. In term 2 in clinical instructor would always call of we only went a few times. I was not able to finish the program due to getting pregnant, please don't waste your time at this school

Olivia Molina

It is such a great school! I joined there MA Program and the professor Ms. A is an amazing person, who really takes the time to help you on anything you may have questions on! If you are considering this school go for it! You learn so much and everyone is so helpful. They really guide you to become the best you can be 🙂