Maricopa skills or Southwest skills center??

U.S.A. Arizona

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I have been accepted into both of these LPN programs. There isn't much difference other than drivng distance for me. One starts in Oct. and the other in Nov. One requires a $2K deposit. So, does anyone have any insight or experience at these particular schools? Thanks!!

Specializes in Med/Oncology, Emergency, Surgery.

Utilize the study guide. It was a huge help for everything but A&P, which is what I think most people will tell you.

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So here's the deal:

1. no matter what route you take you still need to take basic bio, A&P, Chemistry and Microbiology. You should start now no matter what route you decide to take. Getting through these classes will help you decide how long you want to spend in school.

I wouldn't worry about chemistry and algebra if you already got through a BA you know how to apply yourself to get through these classes. My first time through college (I also have a BA and masters degree) I flunked out of chemistry twice. This time around I got an A, while working two jobs and volunteering at a hospital.

2. One of the advantages of returning to school when your older is you tend to be more serious about school. When we were younger we spent way more time having fun than studying. You sound like you really want to make a change so you'll be more serious about school this go around.

3. As far as what type class to take in person vs. online is entirely a personal preference. Now that I am older I understand I learn much better sitting in lecture. Not to say I can't pass an online class I just know I learn much better in a lecture enviornment.

Finally, Good Luck to you! :D

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
Greetings!

Question 1:

What would be the logical road to take: Complete my cert as an LPN, hope I become established in a facility that will pay for school & continue to RN, or go all the way and hammer out my degree as an RN?

Currently there are waitlists for the CC LPN and RN programs. Do you have a CNA ? The LPN programs require it as do a few RN programs in the state. I started off as planning to just go the RN route, started with the pre-reqs and then as a back-up applied into the LPN program. I am taking the NCLEX-PN next week, and currently finishing up Micro and Chem in order to get into Block 3 as an advanced placement spot for the RN (option 1 ) or work the 6 months required and go for the LPN to BSN program at University of Phoenix. (option 2) Either way I want to work as an LPN in the meantime and like you if offered would love for some help paying for the RN portion.

Question 2:

Call me a wuss, but I'm so terrified of taking chemistry, bio, micro bio, etc.

Bio vs. Chem to begin my journey; Does it matter? I want to do this right...school a second time around is much different.

Bio was ok, chemistry is tough if you are not really good at math ( of course this math is weird ), and micro is alot of review of things learned in bio and chemistry but really not that hard overall once you grasp the concepts and have had a pharmacology course ( like you get in an LPN program :))

With classes depending on what you had in the past for sciences even those in highschool ie. Bio & Chem count so you may not have to retake them.

Online vs. Physical class:

Anyone have insight on online courses? Back in my college days, I felt as though being in class, hands on, etc. served my brain better...but am open to online, just unsure of how much I will retain..

Ok I have taken online classes for my pre-reqs including the sciences, chm and micro that I am taking now. I did well on the Bio156, 201 & 202... am doing ok now with Bio 205 and Chm 130... but if given the chance to take them in person I would. The online format is all so much more busy work and the self teaching some concepts is really hard to master.

Thank you!

~j

Best wishes on your journey to become a nurse!:nurse:

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.

my nursing instructor told our class that rio knew they wouldn't pass accreditation, so they closed rather than go through the process.

and just so you know, i haven't really observed 18-19 year olds in the program. i'm 29 and there are only about 3 students in my class who are younger than me.

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Don't know if this helps, but I know the Phoenix College Program is presented in a hybrid format:

" Note: PC delivers classes in a Hybrid format. This means that some of the scheduled hours are seated, in class hours, and the remaining hours are unseated, outside of class hours or online. Class days and times are variable."

I know it's not entirely online but it could be another option for you! Best of luck.

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I agree with stopnik 100%. I have heard Pathophysiology used to be a pre-req but not anymore, but it seems to be a very helpful class according to those already in the program. Make sure all of your affairs are in order, especially financially and in your personal life. Let you family and friends know that you are going to need their support and understanding while in school, as it will be a very rigorous and time consuming program. Make sure you are allocating enough time to study....Once you start school, try to get a study group together and just stay focused! Don't stress out too much before the program starts and enjoy the ride!

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I need some advise. I am in a financial delema. I need to work as most do. I would like to go to LPN school full time.. may need to take 2-3 pre reqs. that I unfortunately did not have in high school. It is a diploma. LPN is all I desire. I would like nothing more then to work in Home Care. I have some questions. I have a CNA Certificate.. "However" I never took the licensing for this.. because .. I heard horror storied. all my classmates failed the first time to boot. It costs 110.00. Its been a few years now.. I fogot what I learned... and would like some information on a study guide or CD.. for CNA.. if there is one. Secondly.. I am not a hospital fan by far.. yet that is where there jobs for CNA are.. I thought about HHA... but they pay lower.. and you have to travel to others home.. and on home health care pay.. that would make little sense. CNAs in hospitals get paid pretty well. Is the CNA hosptial job hard? Also .. I would get good exposure.. for when I work in home care.. working in a hospital which I can do on 3rds shift.. while in LPN School. Does anyone know the pay range hospitals hire for and do you think this is my best bet... provided... I can get my hands on a study guide? I suppose .. I am thinking ...I won't pass or the job itself may be too hard. One last question... are hospitals still helping nursing students out some/still with encouraging them to go for nursing and re imbursing? I know in NJ they still do this.. and when I called a hosptial in WI.. I was told if you work full time they will do so. However.. that would be next to impossible while going for LPN.

Will they train me or put me into a training program in the hospital?

Thanks... Leah

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Didn't read through the whole thread but a couple of thoughts...Hospitals are phasing out LPNs so career options will be limited. As far as chem and bio - you don't have to take those classes at Apollo. They said the BON doesn't require them so they don't make students take them. Other private schools may not either but worth checking into.

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Don't know if this helps, but I know the Phoenix College Program is presented in a hybrid format:

" Note: PC delivers classes in a Hybrid format. This means that some of the scheduled hours are seated, in class hours, and the remaining hours are unseated, outside of class hours or online. Class days and times are variable."

I know it's not entirely online but it could be another option for you! Best of luck.

Thanks.... It so happens that I did all of my pre-nursing classes at Phoenix College, plus some of those classes I actually did take online. What I've done is switched my first preference from Rio Salado online to PC 4 semester. If I end up being placed in a cohort at PC (I may know as soon as next Tuesday when they do the first placement run for Fall 2010) I will try to take as many online and hybrid courses as possible......

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The study guide was helpful for me, I mainly used it for the math but I skimmed through the rest of the guide and some of it was helpful for the other sections.

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Hi Bogeyboy,

I am also set to start in the Fall at Pima CC. And like you, I am very excited but anxious about NS. I've started going through my anatomy/physiology and microbiology notes. I am just waiting for the NS orientation. :)

Good luck,

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Specializes in Critical Care. CVICU. Adult and Peds PACU..

i don't mean to be disrespectful but you need to get over the fact that you "have not had good experiences sitting in classes with 18-19 year olds." - as a nurse you need to learn how to not be judgmental and you need to learn how to "handle" patients. if you can't "handle" classmates, how will you be able to handle patients? you can't care for them online... how about co-workers?

i am trying not to take offense but i am 22 years old and graduate nursing school in december - when/if you become a nurse, will you discriminate against me because i am younger? will you be stereotypical because you have had bad experiences before?

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