Platt college?

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askingnurse

9 Posts

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Even the blogs on this site seem to lean toward troubling comments. No one says everyone is getting through the program or most of us are happy. There are statements like the program is not for everyone. I would hope for 60,000+ and 3+ years of school that there would be more resources, perseverance or support with everyone associated with Platt College. I would like to know some answers since enrollment is coming up soon.

Specializes in SCI/TBI, Hospice, Legal Nurse Consulting.

Update: I just found out I passed the NCLEX!!!! So far everyone in my class has passed. I used Kaplan, some others did as well, some did not. I liked it but I think you should definitely do the Question Trainer quizzes AND the Qbank to get everything out of it. Also, the book that comes with the online course is awesome.

We have had 7? (I think I am actually forgetting a few) take it and all have passed. I think we have 4 left to take it. My numbers could be wrong. Out of our entire class, we have 5 people who already have jobs; many of those before even taking the NCLEX. The class before us had 8 out of 9 pass it on the first try so I think we are running in the 90s now in terms of percentage passing on the first try. Which is just as good, if not better, than anywhere else.

I start at Craig Hospital, 1 of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the country AND a Magnet facility, at the end of February in their new grad program. Some hospitals ONLY hire new grads at certain times of the year; others are constantly hiring them. The response from hiring facilities has been very positive regarding Platt new grads. I have been getting emails from former Clinical Scholars and Coordinators stating they have been very happy with Platt students and encouraging us to apply at their facility. These letters are coming from people who are NOT usually effusive in their praise.

My program was 2 years and 8 months (32 months). They changed the schedule after my class to 35 months, which would mean 2 years and 11 months. So basically a 4 year Bachelors Degree in less than 3 years.

In terms of money, it depends on each person and how many transfer classes they already have. I had none, as mentioned before, because my first degree was a BA and had no science or math, other than Geology (rocks for jocks at my school) so I had to take and pay for everything, including what most schools consider pre-reqs. Yes, it was expensive. More than CU, less than Regis, and less than Denver School of Nursing...FOR ME. However, I federally financed (Stafford Loans) a good chunk of it, and plan on having it all paid off in 5 years. Shouldn't be too difficult.

If you have questions about Platt College that are not being answered here, please call the school 303-369-5151, go to an information session (I think they are every Friday or every Monday) and if you feel that your questions still aren't answered, ask to speak to Barb (she pretty much runs the info sessions and is AWESOME!) or Margie in Financial Aid. Both of them will be completely straight with you and try to answer every question they possibly can.

Knowing what I know now, would I go to Platt College if I could go back and change things? Definitely! For many reasons which I think I have pointed out in prior posts. It does help having the Director on my speed dial and her serving as 1 of my referrals. I'm pretty sure that helped me get my job...:>)

OK, so as much as I love talking about Platt and nursing school, I am DONE and on vacation (and going to Belize in a few weeks) until the end of February. Feel free to address additional questions to me but know that it will probably take me a long time to respond.

Good Luck everyone!

askingnurse

9 Posts

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raicho,

i do not know if you were trying to answer my questions or not since there are not many answers here as well a few misconceptions. let me clarify what i know to be the truth.

the college board search differs with your take. please link up below.

http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/collegedetail.jsp?collegeid=3601&profileid=2

i was wrong the, actual price of platt college is 68,000.00 not 60,000.00 including clinicals, books, extra fees, etc. i will always strive to seek the truth.

in terms of money, it depends on each person and how many transfer classes they already have. i had none, as mentioned before, because my first degree was a ba and had no science or math, other than geology (rocks for jocks at my school) so i had to take and pay for everything, including what most schools consider pre-reqs. yes, it was expensive. more than cu, less than regis, and less than denver school of nursing...for me. however, i federally financed (stafford loans) a good chunk of it, and plan on having it all paid off in 5 years. shouldn't be too difficult.

first of all the denver school of nursing adn program is less than 30,000.00, fact. around 29,700.00 i believe. not even close to 68,000.00. state or regionally accredited schools are slightly more than 30,000.00. regis is a prestigious large university whose graduates would beat out, in the job market, any upstart private school with little more than two graduating classes. depending on the exact program regis does charge in excess of 80,000.00. now as for bsn, masters, or practitioner status. unless you are a nurse practitioner, experience is the real separator in nursing pay and opportunities.

a nurse starting at $25 per hour ending at $35 per hour on a 40 hour scale averaging $30 per hour through your life. $30 * 40hours * 52weeks = 62,400.00. you will lose 25 to 28% by taxes. you get roughly 45,000.00 per year. with interest considered and no life you could pay it off in 2 years. had you gone to another school you would be enjoying your money in half a year instead. remember, even at 5% interest, you will pay about 3500 dollars a year on 68,000.00.

we have had 7? (i think i am actually forgetting a few) take it and all have passed. i think we have 4 left to take it. my numbers could be wrong. out of our entire class, we have 5 people who already have jobs; many of those before even taking the nclex. the class before us had 8 out of 9 pass it on the first try so i think we are running in the 90s now in terms of percentage passing on the first try. which is just as good, if not better, than anywhere else.

now your next comment concerns me. you seem proud of 8 or 9 people making it from class 1, and 7 making out of class 2. how many original students were there. this is a really disturbing number. many other schools have classes of 30 or at the very least 20 plus. now i am trying to be cordial here. i hope you all the best, but please give those on the site real facts. do a little research, and help out fellow students. i guarantee your example of denver school of nursing is wrong. future students are placing a lot of risk on a startup school.

askingnurse

9 Posts

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What happened to the Dean of the School that I heard so many troubling stories from other students. The Platt College website says that you welcomed a new Dean Guiterrez on January 15, 2009. I know you replaced the head of the nursing department with an interim faculty member. Please let me know what is occurring with the change in staff. I understand that Platt College wants only masters level nurses or possibly doctorate level, and would like to know why their valued members were displaced. Was the reason career, education, or termination. The staff of a school directly reflects whether it will be accepted as a nursing school.

Please feel free to also help me understand how other schools work as well. I can be found on the Regis blog and Concorde. I will work to find answers to the others.

Thank you again to everyone who has given me so much useful information.:twocents:

askingnurse

9 Posts

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35 Months - Schedule Varies To Clinical Placement Site Availability

http://www.plattcolorado.edu/nursing/nursing.html

This is the Platt College statement from their website. Many students have told me of problems getting clinicals, which every nursing school deals with. My worry is that many student on this blog site seem to feel very strongly that the time frame is greater than 3 years. Already, 35 months, lets call it three years, is way too long. I want to start working, party, raise a family and enjoy life much sooner than this. 1 1/2 years is the norm of many nursing schools.

Additionally, what has happened with clinical placement at Platt College. Has any clinical site denied Platt College. What are some of the names of clinical sites you have been at.

Thanks again for your help.

study2Bnurse

38 Posts

askingnurse:

i think you're asking very important questions in your posts. i attended platt for a short time and found that there were many issues. issues that i just could not overlook.

i am especially worried about the number of students that complete the course in relation to how many start. it is disturbing to think that the recent classes graduated less than 10 students, from what i am reading in prior posts.

keep asking questions and find out as much as you can about any program that you might be considering.

all the best to you and i look forward to replies from more of the platt students.

:heartbeat:d:heartbeat:d:heartbeat

askingnurse

9 Posts

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Study2bnurse,

Can you please explain some of the problems with the school. Any place I can contact to verify the problems. I also had another question that seems odd about Platt in Aurora Colorado. Why does it only have a BSN program. I understand that many schools like Denver School of Nursing have a LPN, ADN and BSN program and about to be accredited for a masters program. Even Concorde has LPN and ADN and apparently does not think that a BSN is cost effective. One of their representatives told me that they choose which programs are the most vital and necessary for the medical community, and they do everything from dentistry to surgery techs. Apparently, Concorde had the option though. I am understanding that Platt College was only given the chance to work as a BSN program. This worries me because it seems like almost a trial constraint by nursing boards. Example: If you cannot handle a BSN program, you will not be allowed to try any other level of nursing. It could be for money matters as well, but Platt gets more weird by the minute. I also looked at the staff on their web site, and their members are few and far between. How can Platt College function without enough Masters Degree Professionals they claim to only allow.

Again, please let me know anything you can. Hopefully allnurses will not block any of your descriptions. I really need to know the truth. I have already decided not to attend from my research, and hope to go to National American University. I have a few friends who live in Aurora though, and I would like more information to place their minds at ease.

Thanks

:banghead:

Mr BSN

26 Posts

Dear askingnurse:

Are you interested in obtaining a BSN or an ADN? Either will permit you to take the national licensing exam and enter the nursing profession, but one is a baccalaurate degree preparing you for graduate study if you wish, the other is a technical degree that would require further education in order to enter graduate school. There is a difference in cost and length of program associated with this choice, which I'll discuss briefly in a moment.

Platt is working toward NLNAC accreditation for their nursing program. One of the requirements for accreditation is having a PhD prepared nurse directing the program. Dr G is an eminently qualified nurse, author and researcher and Platt is lucky to have her in charge. When you take your pathophysiology or pharmacology classes you may be using books she has written on those subjects.

In the early days of the program there was discussion about offering LPN and/or ADN "exit options" meaning that if a student decided not to continue to the BSN they might opt to finish one of those options. The decision was made to focus on the BSN rather than to divide the focus of the program.

The length of the program is 35 months. This has increased as a result of a change in academic calendar, which permits a longer academic quarter and a week between quarters. Platt students attend classes year-round which permits the awarding of a Bachelor's degree in just under three years; the addition of a week between quarters was a very welcome change for me.

Platt exceeds the required clinical hours by nearly 1/2, in order to provide a more in-depth experience in each area. Platt clinicals and capstone experiences take place at (among others) Lutheran, Denver Health, Porter, Swedish, Aurora South, Triumph, Sky Ridge, Presbyterian St Luke's, St Joseph's.

In comparing cost, you'll have to decide what factors are most important to you. My decision to attend Platt hinged on completing a BSN in the shortest possible time. If your goal is an Associates degree or LPN training, Platt is obviously not for you.

All of Platt's classroom nursing faculty have a Master's degree in progress, a Master's degree, an MD, a PhD in progress, or a PhD. Clinical Scholars (who often work for more than one institution at a time) have a Master's degree in progress or a Master's degree.

Platt students leave the program at a rate similar to other local nursing programs, most of them for personal reasons. Some decide that nursing is not for them, some don't do well in an accellerated program, some have changes in their family circumstances. A few have been kicked out of the program for academic dishonesty or misconduct. In my class, most of the attrition took place during our freshman and sophomore years, in basic and advanced principles, and medical-surgical nursing.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

askingnurse

9 Posts

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platt is working toward nlnac accreditation for their nursing program. one of the requirements for accreditation is having a phd prepared nurse directing the program. dr g is an eminently qualified nurse, author and researcher and platt is lucky to have her in charge. when you take your pathophysiology or pharmacology classes you may be using books she has written on those subjects.

i contacted nlnac and my understanding from their own representatives was that platt college was dropped from their accreditation. now whether you can apply again repairing previous problems, i do not know.

platt exceeds the required clinical hours by nearly 1/2, in order to provide a more in-depth experience in each area. platt clinicals and capstone experiences take place at (among others) lutheran, denver health, porter, swedish, aurora south, triumph, sky ridge, presbyterian st luke's, st joseph's.

why would i want to do twice the clinical hours of another program. it is more money, and more difficult for your school to get placement. meaning that your graduation date will most likely be postponed. i spoke with other students and i am getting an additional two week addition per term at your school. whether this has changed in the last year i do not know.

the list you have is awfully short of places for your students. here is a list from your competitor at denver school of nursing. they are getting placed everywhere for less than 30,000 dollars, not 68,000 like platt college. other lists for other nursing schools can also be found accordingly.

http://www.denverschoolofnursing.org/graduates.html

platt students leave the program at a rate similar to other local nursing programs, most of them for personal reasons. some decide that nursing is not for them, some don't do well in an accellerated program, some have changes in their family circumstances. a few have been kicked out of the program for academic dishonesty or misconduct. in my class, most of the attrition took place during our freshman and sophomore years, in basic and advanced principles, and medical-surgical nursing

here is where i have some problems with the supporters of platt college. they all sound the same and your statement supports my worries. a few have been kicked out of the program, and our students leave at similar to other local nursing programs. i do not hear this from many other programs. there are not significant drop out rates, and there are not really any disciplinary issues i hear about from other schools. i would like to know what happed within platt college.

additionally, i read some of the previous blogs, and there is some question about ati exams. at 68,000.00 i may need to repeat a course if i do not pass an nclex style exam. for more than double the price of other schools, you would think you would be more helpful and resourceful to your students. i am not hearing anyone denying what standards you place on students at your school. i would like all of the critical questions answered in detail. as i stated before, i am not looking at how people just feel about a place. we all have friends and decisions we all make, but many disturbing issues are arising about platt college. i would like some answers, please.

i need assurance on a 68,000.00 investment plus double the time and double the clinical time. with less chance of acceptance at hospitals due to the national accreditation and private college status, platt sounds troubling. please give me a truthful scoop.

Mr BSN

26 Posts

Askingnurse, you seem to have received a great deal of bad information and you're obviously trying to find answers. Good for you.

I am, however, a fulltime nursing student and have spent more time than I care to on this message board. Please feel free to contact Platt at (303) 369-5151 or via their webpage http://plattcolorado.edu/nursing/nursing.html to get the answers you're after. The administrators of the program are far better informed than anyone you'll find out here (including me), and can help you decide if Platt is the right choice for you.

Best of luck to you in your pursuit of nursing.

Mister SN

I just visited the program, and am really interested in doing it. I can appreciate all comments that I've read, both good and bad. I am wondering, especially for the few of you I see that go there/attended, if you think that as an inclusive program, it is a good choice? I am not really interested in furthering onto an MSN, and if I do, it will be 20-25 years down the line when my babies are grown and on their own. I would like to work at a larger hospital, and congrats to the nurse on getting into craig!, but it is not a necessity. I'd actually love to an OB office, so the magnet hospital issue isn't all that important to my situation either. My preference for the program is because of its part time status. I have a bachelor's, as we as a master's already, and will only have to take literally 3 of the gen ed courses, so I'm looking at 2-3 days a week only, which is great because I'm a new mommy, but one who needs to keep working towards being a nurse!

With that said, if the 2 main issues being MSN education and magnet hospitals, are not relatable to my needs, would you recommend the program? I liked the school, LOVE the small class size, and feel confident that it would put me (competitively) in the same range as a Concorde, or other vo-tech school graduate as an RN, and having a BSN as an appreciated, but unnecessary qualification.

Alice88

34 Posts

I know this is an old thread, but no point in starting a new one. Does anyone know how much transfer credit they'll give? I already have a bachelor's plus a ton of pre-nursing coursework so I don't want to have to repeat a ton of classes, or take 3 years.

I did see that they do have NLN candidate status now, so if that goes through, it will make Platt an option for those who want to go on to a master's. http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/candidacy.asp

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