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Ep155: Dear Other Guys, Stop Scamming Nursing Students . . . It’s Not Cool

Ep155: Dear Other Guys, Stop Scamming Nursing Students . . . It’s Not Cool
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Yes . . . I'm a Nurse Lic #: 844860 . . . check it out . . . Jon Haws RN CCRN!

Yes . . . I’m a Nurse Lic #: 844860 . . . check it out . . . Jon Haws RN CCRN!

To those that have listened to the show for a while . . . you already know I have a tendency to get a little upset at times.

Today on Facebook I saw an ad for a company claiming to provide NCLEX® prep for nursing students . . . I thought, “Awesome, someone we can reach out to.”

I go to the site and something quickly seems off to me . . . as an educator and blogger I probably look at things a bit closer than most . . . the courses seemed pretty empty.  Mostly text, generic, and more importantly there was no instructor listed.

I thought hmmm . . . I don’t want to take a course if I don’t know the instructors credentials.  The only preview available was a short powerpoint video with no talking . . . hmmm.

So I go to the companies website.  On their site they claim they are the #1 NCLEX program . . . hmmm.

I look all over the site and can’t find a place to contact the company.  Finally, I find an “about us” page.  They list several RNs as course creators, many with advanced degrees (MSN, PHd).

At this point I’ve had so many red flags pop up that I just HAVE to investigate more closely.

I copy the names of the “educators” and paste them in Google . . . no results for these people.  Okay, so I try doing the same thing in Twitter . . . nothing.  Strange, all the companies and NCLEX® educators I know have a presence on social media or published work SOMEWHERE!

Okay, now I am really curious.

I do a reverse Google Image search on the instructors to see if I can find anything on these people or their credentials . . . . BOOM!!

Here are a couple places the images on their about page came from:

  • Getty Images (just a stock model photo)
  • A Miss America photo from years ago (it wasn’t who they said it was on their site and not a nurse)
  • Some strange Russian website (again NOT who they said it was, again NOT a nurse)
  • Flickr (a picture of someones cousin . . . and  . . . again NOT a nurse or who they said it was)

Why Are They Doing This?

This is SO offensive to me for several reasons.

  • What are they trying to hide?
  • I put well over 40 hours a week into NRSNG.com to create GOOD content.
  • Where does this leave you, the nursing student, when you can’t trust what you find online.

I want you guys to be successful . . . .there are so many amazing nurses out there providing killer content to help you on your journey . . . it just really ticks me off that internet marketers are copying nursing text books and slapping the content in courses and then charging you an arm and a leg for it . . .

Where Can You Find Honest Nurses?

My goal is to give my all to you guys so that we can create a strong future for nursing. When I talk with other nurses out there . . . I put them through a serious vetting process in my mind . . . if they aren’t on the same page as me . . . I’m not going to recommend them to you.  If they don’t fire me up and get me excited to be a nurse . . . BYE FELICIA.

nclex review scam nrsng

Amazing Online Nurses!

Here are some of the nurses that I have found to be incredible resources for you in your studies:

A Few Tips to Spot a Scammer

  • Do they use RN credentials after their name?
  • What happens when you look up their name with the Board of Nursing for their state?
  • If you ask them straight up if they are a nurse or can provide references, what do they say?
  • Can they answer straight questions about nursing?
  • Are the images on their site/etc stock images?
  • Lastly, ask for an RN license # . . . can they provide you with one? . . . if not RUN!
  • BONUS TIP: if they say they aren’t interested in answering those questions, don’t provide contact information, or ignore the questions . . RUN!

We are all in this together . . . and my goal is your success!

p.s. you can contact me any time . . . also just google search “Jon Haws” or NRSNG and you will know EXACTLY who I am . . .

Friday Freebies Free Cheat SheetsWant free NCLEX® Cheat Sheets?
Click here to grab my top NCLEX® cheat sheets

Date Published - Dec 4, 2015
Date Modified - Mar 28, 2017

Jon Haws RN

Written by Jon Haws RN

Jon Haws RN began his nursing career at a Level I Trauma ICU in DFW working as a code team nurse, charge nurse, and preceptor. Frustrated with the nursing education process, Jon started NRSNG in 2014 with a desire to provide tools and confidence to nursing students around the globe. When he's not busting out content for NRSNG, Jon enjoys spending time with his two kids and wife.

17 Comments

  1. Jeffery Jack

    Hi Jon,

    Thanks for all the great work you’re doing. It’s great. I ran across your site and was browsing when I found this article.

    I’m a ICU nurse and have been online with my website for about eight years. I have had to deal with quite a number of “scam” websites.

    There are a ton of “ACLS certification” scam websites out there that claim to offer a “certification.” None of them are American Heart Association and they all have ripped people off.

    Back in 2014, I had one of those websites steal a ton of content, and I had to hire a lawyer and file DMCA notices. It’s so frustrating when you work hard to develop the excellent content and then shady scammers come along and steal it.

    Let’s continue to create educational content that makes a difference.

    You’re doing a great work here and I get excited to see nurses with an entrepreneurial spirit and motivation.

    Kind regards,
    Jeff Jack

    Reply

  2. Csgo Aimbot

    I believe that is one of the so much important info
    for me. And i am satisfied studying your article. But wanna commentary on some basic issues, The site style is wonderful, the articles is in reality
    nice : D. Just right job, cheers

    Reply

  3. niellan58

    Hello Jon,
    My name is Niellan and i’m a student Nurse here in London England, the system here is very different. Here nursing is divided into four major areas where you have to study a BSc in Nursing individually. BSc in Adult known as RGN, Paediatrics, Mental Health, Learning Disability and also Midwifery. Most UK nurses find it difficult to pass the NCLEX-RN upon completion of the program. I’m so glad I came across your engaging compact modules that will prepare me for the exam. Not only just prepare me for the exam, but make me a better and more competent nurse during training and completion. I read the reviews and I also celebrate with those who found your program modules fulfilling and engaging. I hope that training here in the UK whilst gaining knowledge from your compact program would help enhance my knowledge and my abilities to master any task and exams. Jon, I personally want to say what a tremendous job you are doing and i’m looking forward to start school in Feb to share your program with my colleagues.

    Kind Regards
    Niellan

    Reply

  4. myanmar tour packages

    First of all I would like to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.

    I was interested to find out how you center yourself
    and clear your mind prior to writing. I have had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there.
    I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally
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    Cheers!

    Reply

  5. Magessa Magoma Massawa

    Thank you for your commitment on provision of health care services to the one in need and also for your encouragement. It is my hope that every one who get an access to your thoughts will be impressed.

    Reply

  6. Jullienne

    Thank you for posting this! I will be entering the RN program in the fall (still finishing up my last pre-requisites) I use the website now but am looking forward to using it fully for my studies!

    Reply

  7. Alfred Greene

    Thank you for being here.

    Reply

  8. Artisttia

    I am a RN that will be starting back to school to get my BSN after being out on disability for ten years. The school I will be going to uses the HESI exams throughout their courses. I believe in studying early in order to refresh my knowledge base. Is “Your Best Grade” a legitimate site to prep for HESI exams?

    Reply

  9. maria simpson

    I am in block 3 of BSN program and suffering from ALL of the problems you described regarding Professors just reading off powerpoints, etc.
    Your youtube videos have been THE only reason I can grasp anything. I work FT, attend school FT and am an Auditory learner and it sounds funny but the RATE at which you speak is actually one of the winning points for me. (also you don’t put unnecessary info in videos-nice and concise).

    Thank you for all of your time and information. You are invaluable.

    Reply

  10. Erica-Bianca

    I was wondering if you heard of the simplenursing site and if it was legit? I’ve heard good and bad things about it

    Reply
    • Jon Haws

      Jon Haws

      I have never spoken personally with SimpleNursing nor used the programs so I can’t really speak to it. I would obviously recommend our material as I feel that we address the content in a more unique manner especially given that instructors for NRSNG courses are all nationally certified in their field (CCRN, TNCC, WCN) beyond RN . . . which requires several years of work experience as well as taking and passing additional testing. . . etc.

      Reply

  11. Britney

    Thank you SO MUCH for all of the hard work and care you put into helping us out!

    Reply