Gateway LPN Fast Track

TinkRN8 · Jun 23, 2010

i think you should get your heb b started now just in case. you could have them almost done by the application date (which i believe was either late october or early november last year). i'm not sure the one shot you received in 2002 will still be acceptable. i had the first two shots done when i turned in my application and they were fine with that.
another thing i would suggest is to finish your co-reqs while waiting to get into the program. this way you will be ready to go straight into block 3 when you finish the lpn program. plus, i do think having microbiology and a&p 2 will be helpful when you start learning pathophysiology. there is an absolutely awesome micro teacher at gateway and if you want his name email me and i will give it to you. he made it very easy to understand and the labs were really fun.

i agree with marlene39, i would start your hep b now, as 2002 was 7 yrs ago. not sure they will accept that. they will want something more recent.

definately take a&p before you start the lpn program. trust me, without it you will be way behind the game. this program is no joke and they expect you to know your stuff. yes, i know there are no pre-req's, but trust me you are still expected to know a&p (especially), microbio, and chem (fluid/electrolytes, acid-base balance, hypo-,hyper-, isotonic solutions, etc). those in my class who had not taken a&p really had a hard time in class. in fact, we lost 10 out of 30 students 1st block. you have to know a&p or you will really struggle. i really can't emphasize that enough. the more pre-req's you have out of the way the better, but a&p = #1. you start day 1 hard and fast. when i say it is no joke...yeah, no joke. i am a good student and did very well in the program, but i can tell you after the first class i got in my car and cried all the way home. it was pretty brutal. there is no easing you into the material at all. you jump right in.

also, pick up the saunder's nclex-pn review and start reading and answering questions now. this will help you so much and put you ahead of the game as well.

anyway, these are things i would have liked to know before i started. it is a difficult program, but you will love every minute of it. i did. it really is a good program, and the teachers are awesome!!!! :yeah:

oh, and did i mention? take a&p .

inspiredRN10 · Jun 24, 2010

Well good! It seems like I am on the right track then. I am taking bio 202 and bio 205 right now. They end in September. I will definitely go ahead and get that book to start reviewing questions. I am really excited! I wish I could start now! :)

So, you both think that if I apply in October/November whenever the fall date is, I should get into Fall 2011 without any trouble? That would be a one semester wait. It seems like most people have only waited one semester. I am just trying to get organized. When I called, I spoke to someone who somewhat put a damper on my excitement by saying there is a year wait. What do you guys think? I am also starting RSAA program in July. It is finally coming together!

Marlene39 · Jun 24, 2010

So, you both think that if I apply in October/November whenever the fall date is, I should get into Fall 2011 without any trouble? That would be a one semester wait. It seems like most people have only waited one semester. I am just trying to get organized. When I called, I spoke to someone who somewhat put a damper on my excitement by saying there is a year wait. What do you guys think? I am also starting RSAA program in July. It is finally coming together!

If there is something I've noticed in my pursuit of a nursing license is that nothing is set in stone (especially wait times). I waited one semester, but who knows what the wait will be the next time around. With the closure of Rio Salado and Banner Fellowship program, there will be less spots and more waiting. Even the private universities have a waiting list now. Plus, Arizona is producing more new grads than they can possibly place so you have to wonder if at some point they will restrict the number of cohorts offered. Although I can imagine colleges are happy to have the money pouring in even if their students can't get jobs when they graduate. Talk to any seasoned nurse and they will tell you there is an ebb and flow to nursing jobs, but in the long run it's worth the effort.

TinkRN8 · Jun 24, 2010

Well good! It seems like I am on the right track then. I am taking bio 202 and bio 205 right now. They end in September. I will definitely go ahead and get that book to start reviewing questions. I am really excited! I wish I could start now! :)
So, you both think that if I apply in October/November whenever the fall date is, I should get into Fall 2011 without any trouble? That would be a one semester wait. It seems like most people have only waited one semester. I am just trying to get organized. When I called, I spoke to someone who somewhat put a damper on my excitement by saying there is a year wait. What do you guys think? I am also starting RSAA program in July. It is finally coming together!

Hard to say on wait time. I know that Gateway is receiving an unprecedented amount of applications for the LPN program as more and more people are trying to bypass the RN wait list. Right now there are only 4 instructors for the lab/lectures for the LPN program. They can only be spread so far. My semester was an experiment with running 3 classes at one time. As far as I know they are not doing that again in the near future. And, as more and more people apply, that increases the wait time. Just depends on how many students they can accomodate. I have 2 friends that applied for Spring 2010, and are starting now in the Fall, so they waited one semester. Again, it really all depends. A lot can happen between now and then. Heck, you may get in for Spring, 2011, you may have to wait for Fall 2011, or it may be Spring 2012. Just have all of your ducks in a row to start at any time. I KNOW it is frustrating and overwhelming. I have been there.

Also, just a side note in regards to advanced placement into block 3 of the RN program, an increase in LPN students means an increase in demand for block 3 spots. It is VERY competative even right now. Normally, there has been no wait to get into block 3 and Gateway has even created block 3 cohorts just for their LPN graduates. However, we were told that spots for Fall were EXTREMELY limited due to the number of applicants applying for placement. Also, they were not able to create a FAll cohort due to the number of Banner cohorts currently running. As a result, placement was going to be based on HESI scores and most people were going to have to wait until Spring 2011. Thankfully, I got a high score on my HESI, but Gateway has yet to place anyone for Fall. I took it upon myself to email other colleges for openings. The general consesus I was getting was that there were more requests for placement than there were spots. I did end up getting offers from both PC and CGCC and decided on CGCC. However, that was after endless emails and keeping my name out there. Once you graduate the LPN program, you are not automatically guaranteed an immediate spot for block 3. You may have to wait a semester or 2 there as well. This is something to keep in mind.

Don't get discouraged though! If this is something that you really want, then do whatever you can to make your dream happen. TBe proactive. That is what I did. I was surfing the web everyday, contacting schools, etc. There wasn't one option I didn't look at. I want to be a nurse more than anything, as it is my passion. I truly love it. I better, as I will actually get paid less as a new grad RN than what I currently make working in the insurance industry...LOL! It took me 2 years to complete all my pre-req's, I waited a year and half on the RN waitlist before applying to the LPN program, got in to the LPN and now starting block 3 of the RN program. It has been a roller coaster, but worth it. Where there is a will there is a way. Just don't give up, because if you want it, it WILL happen.

Good luck!

xxblessthemartyrxx · Jul 21, 2010

I have a couple of questions for people who have graduated. About the uniforms and books and what not. Im not sure if there can be private messaging on here though!!

TinkRN8 · Jul 22, 2010

I have a couple of questions for people who have graduated. About the uniforms and books and what not. Im not sure if there can be private messaging on here though!!

I graduated in May and would be happy to answer any questions you might have. You email or private message me.

toobizzee · Aug 2, 2010

Is anyone on here enrolled in Gateway's fall LPN program? I'm in the evening classes. I went through the CNA program at PV last fall.

Marlene39 · Aug 2, 2010

Is anyone on here enrolled in Gateway's fall LPN program? I'm in the evening classes. I went through the CNA program at PV last fall.

I am in the evening program too! Are you getting excited/nervous?? I am!

toobizzee · Aug 2, 2010

Yes...both excited and nervous. I guess I will see you next week. :)

inspiredRN10 · Aug 2, 2010

When did you both apply to get in for the fall? I am planning on applying in October...

toobizzee · Aug 2, 2010

I applied in December 2009 for the Spring 2010 classes. Didn't get the Spring classes, but got into Fall. :)

inspiredRN10 · Aug 2, 2010

Perfect. So only a one semester wait. Gosh I hope that happens for me! :) How exciting!