[l2ebeccaLynn]

Hello--

I'm looking for information on the quality of schools in Pensacola for nursing like the nursing program at Pensacola Junior College and University of West Florida... Can anybody help? I'm not sure if thats a wise move... I currently don't even live in FL, but I used to and would move back to the pan handle even though with all the hurricanes that probably isnt wise... Any help would be appreciated!

Thank you!
Rebecca

[slinky]

Avoid PJC at all costs. Their RN program is not NLN accredited. But if you ask them are they accredited they will tell you they are. They are state accredited.....but of course you have to be state accredited to even run a RN school. The NLN accreditation is the one that really counts. UWF program is very new but so far has shown to be very promising. Jefferson Davis Community College and Pensacola Christian College seems to put out the best and most prepared nurses that I have ever seen. Those are my only recommendations.

I have coordinated many clinical programs in hosp. and nursing homes with several of the schools around and have actually taught in the LPN program at PJC for a semester...shudder

I may not be a complete expert on the subject but I have had some close relationships with all the schools in the area and hope this helps some.

As for me, I am running from the storms and headed back home. You are welcome to buy my home as I head out

[Meerkat]

I graduated from PJC. HORRIBLE. I cannot even begin to tell you how bad it is. People crying in clinical b/c profs insult or degrade ('Youre too fat to be a nurse; no one will hire you; you'll kill a patient someday'). Admin tells you one thing, and then you end up doing something totally different. It's truly awful...don't go to PJC.

[EMTPTORN]

Reference Some Previous Comments About Pjc....i Went There And Here Is My 2 Cents:
1. Nobody At That School Ever Told Me They Were Nln Acredited, They Did Say However They Wished To Be Again Someday.

2. My Class There Was Less Than 50% Of Those Who Started Who Actually Graduated, Many Failed Due To The Written Tests And Some Failed Due To The Labs. AND OF THOSE WHO DID FINISH ONLY 2 THAT I KNOW OF DID NOT PASS NCLEX.

3. Some Of The Instructors Are Very Hard On Those Who They Feel Are "weak", But For The Greater Part They Are Fare.

The Best Asn Degree Program As Far As Repuation In Area Is Jefferson Daivis In Alabama; Pcc And Uwf Are Bsn's, If You Go To Niceville They Have Asn Now.

The Bottom Line Is , You Get In It What You Put Out.

[~FloridaCCRN~]

Originally Posted by EMTPTORN

Reference Some Previous Comments About Pjc....i Went There And Here Is My 2 Cents:
1. Nobody At That School Ever Told Me They Were Nln Acredited, They Did Say However They Wished To Be Again Someday.

2. My Class There Was Less Than 50% Of Those Who Started Who Actually Graduated, Many Failed Due To The Written Tests And Some Failed Due To The Labs. AND OF THOSE WHO DID FINISH ONLY 2 THAT I KNOW OF DID NOT PASS NCLEX.

3. Some Of The Instructors Are Very Hard On Those Who They Feel Are "weak", But For The Greater Part They Are Fare.

The Best Asn Degree Program As Far As Repuation In Area Is Jefferson Daivis In Alabama; Pcc And Uwf Are Bsn's, If You Go To Niceville They Have Asn Now.

The Bottom Line Is , You Get In It What You Put Out.

I graduated from PJC also. I agree with the above post.
Just get in, keep your mouth closed, study hard, graduate, then get your BSN from an NLN accredited university.

[michelle95]

I graduated from PJC's LPN program in 98 and just finished the ADN program this year. Back in 98, at least in the LPN program, PJC had their act together. But, this past year...it didn't seem so. If you can go to Jeff-Davis...I probably would. However, PJC's nursing program IS passable.

The NLN thing. Here is how it works. If you go to PJC and want to sit for NCLEX for a state other than Florida, you might not be able to. But, you can take your test for Florida, then endorse to another state (I endorsed to Alabama and Georgia with no problem)...depending on that state. The other thing is, if you take your ADN at PJC and want to finish your BSN in another state...the school may not accept PJC credit. However, I think any university in Florida will accept credits from PJC, as well as Univ. of South Alabama. It just depends.

So, basically, PJC not being accredited by the NLN will only really affect you if you plan on leaving Florida...and even then, it would depend on where you are moving. However, if you were to go on to say....Univ. of West Florida and get your BSN....you would be ok.

Am I clear as mud?

[LadyCharge]

I dont know about UWF, but avoid PJC at ALL COSTS!!!! Unless you want to teach yourself. At one time they were a good nursing school, but trust me they aint been so in years now. Also, I wouldnt work in any of these hospitals. They are low pay, and nurse/patient ratios are not acceptable. If you want to be a nurse, don't do it in this area. Keep doing your homework...this is a good start. And word of mouth really does count cause we have been there and done that and I wish someone would have warned me.

Good luck

[KaraBear1121]

I'm not a current nursing student, but I live in a small town called Niceville about 45 minutes away from Pensacola. My local college called Okaloosa Walton College (http://www.owc.edu) offers an ASN (which I'm working on pre-req's in order to get in) and they have a joint-program with UWF for a BSN... I don't have any first hand experience with any of the instructors or how things work, but I do have friends currently in the program that love the way it works and love the instructors.

The only problem I have come across with the ASN is they only start once a year (in the fall) and only accept 54 students each fall but they get over 300 applicants a year and there is no waiting list, you just keep applying. The plus side is that it's only about $55 a semester hour..

Hope that helps!

[mart18642]

I was enrrolled in the PJC program, when I got accepted in the Jefferson Davis program I left PJC for Jefferson davis I was an LPN then.PJC(academicly for long life learning, no good), Jefferson Davis CC have a real good program, very tough, some instructor are nice and other are big "B@#", but thier teaching is real good. After I graduated I took the Enclex and I did not have any problem passing it..........and the only thing that I did was go to school and practice thier computer tests. All in my class pass the enclex..that would tell you something. Just input mart RN Also UWF has a great 4 years degree for generic students, but very tough to get in.....have to be close to 4.0 and pass the entrance exam and they just take a few ........I will be graduating from it in May(im in the RN-BSN).

[PACENURSE]

I am currently a first year student-have taken all the pre-reqs. Hope to start my NUR classes in the NIGHTS and WEEKENDS in Jan 09. So far, school has been awesome. A bunch of the pre-req are offered on line. PJC just received their nomination for accreditation a couple of weeks ago. It looks like they will obtain it!!! I am pretty excited because the travel to Alabama for nursing school was not something I was looking forward to. PJC is a fine community college. Nursing students get out what they put into their education. I can't wait to finish--one of these days....