Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences — Local services in Draper

People don't realize what a nurse is actually responsible for. The doctor puts in orders that are a mile wide for our patient, and then I am responsible to keep their blood pressure within a certain range by titrating pressors, or their heart rate, or even their intracranial pressure. I controlled the blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, rate of breathing, depth of breathing, all within my scope of practice. That was an extreme surprise for someone with only a background in sales and business.

I went from caring about money and numbers, to caring about people. With that change alone I went from being pretty miserable, to finding purpose in this life. That character development may never have happened for me had Joyce University not given me a chance. Getting into local nursing programs consistently requires 2 years minimum (I bet the average is 3 or 4+) before you can even apply and I know more people that never became nurses than did with those standard programs because there just aren't enough seats each year.

Joyce University gave me a chance to go directly into a nursing program, and it pushed me in a way that brought out my best self. I was a terrible student until I came to Joyce University, and here I am typing this email from within the walls of a medical school as a student. It started with Joyce. Joyce University changed my life and that has an overwhelmingly positive trickle down effect for my wife, my son.

If you are considering Joyce university, please know the commitment is real. The majority of the negative reviews I've read stand on the inflexible nature of the school. I would argue the inflexible nature of being a student of nursing is the real problem, not the school. This program can take you from zero experience, to having a patient's life in your hands. That is an extremely large responsibility, that requires excellent training and commitment. That includes time commitment. You must be able to commit your full time to school to succeed and not succeeding is a very expensive endeavor. So many want to become a nurse, but you have to ask yourself if you're willing to put in the work.

In regards to the price, time is money. You pay a large amount up front over 20 months, but you also jump into your profession making good money. In Utah realistically you can expect to make around $35 an hour starting, with night shift differentials being as high as $7.25 on weekends (totaling 42.25 starting). Outside of Utah, I had a friend start in Oregon with zero experience at $55 an hour. If you compare this to spending 2-4 years taking prerequisites with no guarantee you ever are given a chance at nursing school, the money makes a lot more sense.

One more time- I was a terrible student. I'm talking 60 credits of 1.011 GPA. My back was against the wall when I started at Joyce, and it was not easy. It was extremely difficult and time consuming but it prepared me to work at a trauma 1 hospital right out of school at the U. I felt extremely prepared and I fell in love with nursing. It also exposed me to the field of medicine, and I am now about to finish my first year of medical school. If you cannot commit the time it takes to become a well trained nurse, then maybe the timing for you isn't right. But if you can find a way to commit the time necessary, there isn't a better option than Joyce University.

Lets talk NCLEX pass rates: By the time you are in a rigorous program like nursing school, your education and what you get out of it, depends on you. If you cheat, and you barely pass classes, good luck passing the NCLEX or knowing how to take care of patients in life or death situations. You need to take initiative. I literally took the NCLEX 10 days after graduation and passed first try because I put in the work for 20 months every day. The school can only do so much before the studying falls on the student because there is just too much material to cover and lectures that go from 8AM-5PM is passive learning. You need active learning strategies to really digest and learn...

This isn’t written lightly. This is long, but deliberate. Anyone considering attending Joyce University deserves the full, unvarnished truth. I waited until I had my diploma in hand, and even then, I paused a few days more. That’s how deeply embedded the fear of retaliation is. I even created a new account just to write this, because at Joyce, voicing criticism isn’t just frowned upon—it’s treason. Joyce University does not accept feedback—it silences it. The administration is so obsessed with controlling their public image that they will pursue disciplinary action against students for expressing dissatisfaction. This institution is so brittle, so insecure in its own integrity, that a single critical voice can send them into oblivion. Their response to honest critique is not reflection or reform, but intimidation. It's about a culture of fear, manipulation, and damage control. Joyce doesn't cultivate professionalism; it polices compliance. And if you dare point out the cracks in the foundation? You become the threat. So read this knowing it comes from someone who endured it, finished it, and walked away with the degree. If you value your mental health, or an environment of growth instead of stifling dissent, I urge you to think twice. Because at Joyce University, silence isn’t golden—it’s mandatory. Let me be very clear: Joyce University will give you what you need to pass the NCLEX. If your only goal is to memorize enough content to check the right boxes on a licensing exam, then yes—this curriculum will get you there. But if you're looking for meaningful, applied education that prepares you to be a nurse, not just legally call yourself one, look elsewhere. What Joyce teaches isn’t critical thinking. It’s rote memorization, stripped of context, real-world application, or depth. You're not taught why something matters—you’re just trained to regurgitate answers. It’s not learning; it’s rehearsed compliance. Now, don’t confuse what I’m saying: it is hard to go to school at Joyce. But not because the academics are rigorous—in fact, the educational standards are alarmingly low. I earned a bachelor's degree at a respected, accredited university before attending Joyce, and the contrast is staggering. Joyce’s curriculum was chaotic and shallow. The difficulty came from surviving the school’s incompetence. This is a place defined by relentless disorganization. Policies change without notice. Assignments have altered deadlines. Instructors come and go mid-term. Clinical placements are botched. Communication is poor at best and nonexistent at worst. It’s not a school—it’s a never-ending game of damage control, and the students are the collateral. Joyce doesn’t challenge you academically. It drains you emotionally and logistically. Every term feels like surviving a storm of last-minute changes, panicked fixes, and institutional gaslighting. Finishing the program isn’t a triumph of knowledge—it’s a testament to endurance. Joyce University proudly proclaims its motto: “The first name in nursing.” But let’s not pretend that’s a claim of quality. It’s a claim of saturation, not substance. Joyce wants to be the fast food of nursing: fast, ubiquitous, and profitable. It’s nursing on a conveyor belt. Image over integrity. This isn’t education. It’s a machine, and students are the raw material. Beneath the polished marketing lies something far darker: predatory recruitment. Joyce doesn’t seek out the best. It targets the vulnerable—single mothers, immigrants, individuals with limited literacy, or students rejected by reputable institutions. Joyce offers hope, wraps it in promises, and then fails. The school’s business model thrives on extraction. Students rack up debt—often over $50,000—only to be dismissed for failing a course. No second chances. No redemption. Joyce already got what it came for: your money and your future. Everyone who attends Joyce hides it. They don’t list it on résumés. They downplay it in interviews. They speak of it quietly, with...

I am devastated by my recent experience with Joyce University. I returned to this school for my BSN after having a positive experience earning my ADN. I wish I could say this time around was just as great, but it was absolutely horrendous.

From Week 1, I received a graded assignment with a vague note saying I had “reference inconsistencies” and would receive a ZERO if it happened again — with no further explanation. As a non-traditional student returning to school after several years, I knew I needed to brush back up on APA formatting, but this response felt extreme and unhelpful. I wasn’t offered support or clarification — just a threat. I already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and have never experienced anything like this.

As the weeks went on, communication remained poor and confusing — even after a one-on-one Zoom meeting. The more I tried to advocate for myself, the worse things seemed to get. I expected some adjustment on my part as I returned to school, but I also expected support. Instead, I was treated like someone trying to “get away with something,” rather than a student giving it her all.

Eventually, I was accused of violating the AI policy — all over a simple citation mistake. The irony is that I followed the school’s own AI policy, which allows AI use for brainstorming, grammar, and formatting help. I tried to make corrections with what little support I had. I was even told I could revise and resubmit my work for a grade, only to later be given a zero and reported to the Student Conduct Committee without warning. The communication throughout this entire process was inconsistent, contradictory, and left me feeling completely unsupported.

I’ve since withdrawn from the program, which was not an easy decision. I’m hopeful I’ll find a program that’s truly supportive — like my ADN program was. After everything happened, I finally looked at recent reviews and realized I’m not the only one who’s had issues since the school transitioned from Ameritech to Joyce.

If you’re looking for a school that listens, communicates clearly, and supports adult learners, this may not be the place. I’m sharing this because I don’t want another student to go through what I did. It was a brutal 6 weeks - for reasons it shouldn't have been- that I am grateful to have behind me. I am entering my third semester at Ameritech and am happy about the education I am receiving. I am returning to school after receiving a Bachelor's degree in a different field 8 years ago. The school has provided me the support I need as a non-traditional student, and the teachers are flexible and willing to take extra time to ensure I am understanding the material.

The teachers take the time to with me one-on-one and review exams. If teachers have not had an available time posted that worked with my schedule they have been more than willing to schedule a time to meet that worked for me.

The anatomy and physiology teachers are amazing and Katie offers weekly reviews and tutoring sessions. The school in currently in the process of updating their labs and getting a brand new cadaver lab.

Yes, the school is expensive and they do run it like a business (as they should). However, in the process of running a successful business they are providing me with a great education and I have 100% confidence I will be ready for the NCLEX upon graduation and will pass it on my first try. If you are looking to become an RN in less than two years then this is a great program to consider! FYI the "expensive" tuition covers books, supplies, scrubs, nursing tools (stethoscope, etc.), and tuition - they lay it all out for you up front.

I hope this review can benefit someone. As I was reading through reviews I noticed in the reply from the school there was no record of said person attending the school. I would recommend this school again and again to friends and family, and it was recommended to me from a family member who attended...