LVN programs Bay Area CA

[coffeebabe51]

hello,

i did a search previously on CSI Career College as well as Western Career College & read some negative feedback. However, the threads were a little old, so maybe there will be some new responses now. :)

has anyone attended these schools, or are currently attending? i have visited the WCC campus in Pleasant Hill (the LVN program is at the antioch campus) and the staff there seemed a little pushy. but i could be wrong.

i have also visit CSI in Vacaville, and the staff there are not pushy whatsoever. again, just my experience.

just am wondering if anyone could give me some tips on pro's/cons for each school. :):)

thank you :heartbeat

[SeaStarLove]

CSI definitely has its ups and downs. I am currently a student there and they tell you that it is going to be hard but that does not prepare you for all of the EXTRA hours you have to put in. This includes studying and clinical hours that they don't have scheduled but you have to attend or else. Some of these things can't be helped which is understandable but proper planning goes a long way.

We've been really lucky with the instructors that we've had for theory and clinicals. They seem to genuinely care about the students and the students' individual learning experiences. The instructors try to stay neutral but they will go to bat for you if you are deserving of it. Most of them take the time to focus on problem areas and try to teach/re-teach until a common understanding has been reached.

The nursing administration at that school has some... flaws. They are disorganized, inconsistent with scheduling, condescending at times, feedback is "welcome" but certainly not appreciated. Sometimes, the people in charge of the nursing program are helpful and respectable and other times they aren't very supportive or understanding of the students' lives outside of their nursing program.

You have to be ready to work very hard to make it through the program, as you would in any medical program. It's tough and if you don't study you will not pass the tests.

I hadn't heard anything positive about WCC and didn't know much about CSI at the time. Just know that your experience is whatever you make it. Pick and choose your battles, keep your head in the books, and stay focused.

[TuxedoDeuce]

Hi,

I am also a student that's in the LVN program at CSI. The person who posted above me is dead on.

Personally, I've learned a lot from the instructors especially in the clinical setting. The tests can be very hard but you just have to devote plenty of hours to studying and you should be okay. I also think that if we didn't have some of the instructors that we currently have I would have dropped out a long time ago.

"The nursing administration at that school has some... flaws. They are disorganized, inconsistent with scheduling, condescending at times, feedback is "welcome" but certainly not appreciated. Sometimes, the people in charge of the nursing program are helpful and respectable and other times they aren't very supportive or understanding of the students' lives outside of their nursing program. "

That is exactly how I feel about the people in charge of the program. Sometimes they can be really nice and other times, yikes! They don't seem to be fond of the people who speak out. I think that we should be able to question some of their decisions without feeling like we may get kicked out of the program. Sometimes they are very accomodating. They also have no problem going back on what they've said or have written down so that's been an uphill battle.

Also, the students in my class are very supportive and we lean on each other during the hard times. Bottom line, nursing school is going to be hard but choose wisely. The instructors and people who run your program will either make you or try to break you. Good luck!