LPN Program MGTC

Melly.Ann · Nov 2, 2011

I graduated from Middle GA Tech in 2003. I'll answer whatever questions you have as well as I can :)

hallpaula · Nov 3, 2011

Thank you! I'm asking about this because my son (hs sr) is interested. He really isn't ready for the academics of the RN program, so I've steered him to this - the diploma academics will be fine for him. My concern is that it's no longer a reasonably short program - it's 4 semesters after pre-reqs (tech system converted from quarters to semesters this summer). Since he'll be investing that amount of time, I guess I'm wanting to know if it (and by "it", I mean the nursing classes) are good. Is there genuine instruction? Not just "read this, complete this homework, and take online test". Is it a reasonable level of difficulty? Not to the extent of an RN program (otherwise, he may as well pursue that). Are the faculty accessible? Or are they "just trying to weed out as many as possible" as some RN schools are. Are the faculty clearly in charge, or do the classes become a "hen-session" of "my aunt had this blah blah blah" with the teacher letting it run on. Is it typically full of drama-queens and hens, or is it a good mix?

And of course, anything else you can think of!!

Thanks so much!

Melly.Ann · Nov 3, 2011

I'm not sure if the format of the program has changed any since I graduated, but I know some of the same instructors are there. I can honestly say it was genuine instruction. They are committed to producing quality nurses who are ready to work. They were very approachable and truly interested in their students' success.

As far as weeding out, I think there is a certain degree of that in any nursing program, whether it be LPN or RN. It's part of the standardized test culture (IMO). The schools need a high NCLEX pass rate in order to maintain their accreditation so students who have a low chance of passing the NCLEX will be encouraged to either study/work harder or consider other options. I will honestly say, though, that the instructors didn't have an attitude of wanting to "get rid of" or weed out as many as possible. Many students realized during the fundamentals course, nursing home clinical days, and early in the first hospital clinical days that nursing just really isn't right for them and they left on their own accord. My particular class started with something like 24 students and 6 of us graduated. The material is reasonably challenging and students need to be prepared to take the course work seriously. They get out of it what they put in.

The instructors were definitely in charge. They were serious about teaching, but not in a militaristic way. There was a bit of group discussion in my class and I think every class has at least one or two know it all's who have a personal story to tell about EVERY thing and feel that they know more than the instructors, even (ours didn't make it past 3rd quarter). My instructors always kept the class on topic and on course.

This was 8 years ago, mind you, but we all passed NCLEX-LPN on the first try and had absolutely no trouble getting hired. In fact, during clinicals, many of us were being recruited because they knew we would be work-ready upon licensure.

I hope this helps and please feel free to ask anything else that comes up.

hallpaula · Nov 4, 2011

Thank you SO much for the reply - this is the kind of info I wanted. I am relieved to hear about the teachers instructing and maintaining control. The 24 down to 6 part does alarm me a bit, but I do know there are many who start a program like this only to find it isn't what they thought it was. A couple of more questions if you don't mind. First, were you all hired at nursing homes, or were there other options? Second, do you wish you had just gone straight to RN? Last, if you had to do it again, and it would take you just 1 semester add'l, would you do the LPN or go straight to RN? Thank you very much.

Melly.Ann · Nov 4, 2011

You're so welcome! Two of us went to work for the nursing home where we did our first clinical. It was actually my first choice. The other four went to work at various hospitals. On my first day at work at the nursing home, the hospital called me in for an interview, but I declined having just started at my first choice.

I have gained some very valuable experience as an LPN, so it's hard for me to say that I hands down wish I'd gone straight to RN. I have, though, advised several people interested in nursing to skip the LPN and go straight to RN if they know they want to be an RN eventually anyway. If they're unsure, LPN may be a good way to start out, but that really depends on where they want to work after school. When I returned to school, the only credit that transferred was my CIS class, so I had to start back at square one. That's something to keep in mind, too.

If I had it to do again...lol...that's a tough one for me and please don't let me sway you or your son, but if I had a crystal ball, I wouldn't have gone into nursing at all, honestly. I'm in the first semester of an ADN program now but I'm switching majors next semester as I've realized that I need to make a change in order to preserve some of my sanity. (I have an anxiety disorder and the high stress is exacerbating the issue.)

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Nov 8, 2011

Hi hallpaula!

GASummer gave you some wonderful advice and from what I've seen and have inquired about, much of the information she's given you still rings true.

I'm currently in my last semester of pre-requisites before the selection process takes place next semester. I've acquired a lot of information over the quarters/semesters from the current LPN adviser. She's been a great help. While I do feel they have a tendency to try to sort through the students who aren't serious about the program, they definitely do not pick out ones to weed out of the program. Everything I've heard from previous program attendees were nothing, but good things. It was always stressed of the amount of studying and time you have to put in the courses/studies to succeed, but that's a given!

While I'm in the waiting pool to see if I will make January-entry, I have been able to see that MGTC is a great place to obtain your LPN. I've met nothing, but nice people throughout my journey so far and have been told to not give up over how lousy one instructor may teach, because most of them are great at what they do and go out of their way to make it interesting and in-depth for their students -- and while there are a few drama queens...it's particularly easy to ignore them after a bit. I sit as far away as I can, TBH.

During some of the pre-reqs your son may experience a burn out! (towards the end, most likely!) But this also depends on his instructors. Some instructors will literally sit in a chair the entire lecture, read off of a powerpoint, then give you a test in this same routine the entire semester...definitely a snooze-fest towards the end-time of the semester, but if I can get through it, I know your son can!

Overall, I feel you have nothing to worry about when it comes to MGTC. They're an awesome community college and I would really be nitpicking if I listed any complaints for you to skim through.

I've been outside of classes that are program courses while waiting for my pre-req classes to start and they've always sounded so enthralling and more in-depth than these classes I've currently been taking. I believe the instructors get a lot more serious and more involved once you're accepted into the program, as opposed to the instructors you have beforehand.

Best of luck to your son! :)

If there's anything else you'd like to know from me, I'm sure I can get the answer for you!

hallpaula · Nov 8, 2011

Ms. Orchid, I appreciate your confirming GASummer's take on the program. My son will actually complete his prereqs in the summer with the Anatomy class. He is dual-enrolled this year (for his sr yr), and in fact we're heading there around 9 this morning to register for Spring semester. If you're near the A Building then, stop by to see Ms. Gunn (high school initiatives coordinator) and see us! She'll know who you're talking about cause you can tell my name from my id on here! I'd love your take on the tutoring center - I believe he could really use it this next semester. Also, if you have any hints on overcoming MAJOR test anxiety (I do mean MAJOR - he can hardly remember his name at that point). Online classes are great, but clearly that's not what he'll be needing. Thanks so much, and hope we can say hello!