CMK Healthcare LPN Program

BryanL · Oct 25, 2010

loveblossom,

"Notorious for changing their schedules at the last minute..." Don't mean to offend you but I think this is a sweeping general statement about a school. How do you know this with certain clarity? I'm sure this may have happened at what point in time. But it's not going to be always true for many more years to come...

If you're referring to the upcoming two pre-requisite courses like the Math and English, I agree with you. They changed their schedules two weeks ago. I asked them about that because I was upset. What I found out is that they lost instructors for those courses. How? I don't know (not my business). But instead of cancelling the two classes, they found ways to offer them. Not the schedule that I'd like. But I got an explanation. That's what I wanted. I'm sure losing faculty happens to every school big and small. And Americare Institute is no exception. I got to give them some slack.

However, their LPN lecture classes and clinicals have set schedules both morning and evening. If you attend the information session, you can ask for a sample copy. The session is free. Have you attended one? Just check it out for yourself.

Judging from my friends who completed their LPN program at Americare Institute while working, there schedules are pretty darn flexible. I saw their web registration. You could even choose the time and place for your lecture and clinical schedules. This is rare. I don't know of any LPN or RN schools that have a system like that?

Regarding teachers being late... I heard that rumor as well, so I asked my friends who graduated there three in December 2009 and two July 2010. I was told they have a strong policy of being on time. You can get penalized for being tardy (imagine that). I've heard, just recently, they let go of nursing faculty who were not following this policy. It sounds like the policy is applied across the board. It's fair. I'm good with that.. The school has a strong grievance policy. It's in their student handbook. In fact, you would endanger loosing your FINANCIAL AID if you don't meet the clock hours requirement. One thing I like about it is if someone has a complaint there is a documented written policy and resolutions.

"I also did a lil research online about this school and it did not look good"

This may sound like a cliche but don't believe everything you read online. People have different agendas. We all have different views. That's the reason I am going to great lengths to make sure that I get all my facts straight, so when someone talks to me, I know when that person is exaggerating... And I am NOT easily persuaded.

Magelan · Oct 26, 2010

Bryan, you sound like advisor from Americare :)

I haven't heard much good things about Americare either... Even when I was there, I didn't have such a good impression... And the total price is higher than in CMK - at that moment when I was making inquiry it was more than 18k...

loveblossom · Oct 26, 2010

bryan, you sound like advisor from americare :)
i haven't heard much good things about americare either... even when i was there, i didn't have such a good impression... and the total price is higher than in cmk - at that moment when i was making inquiry it was more than 18k...

the same thing that i was thinking,but even if he is..that's cool too-i just wish that people who work at these schools could identify themselves as employees so then we could ask them questions while they are sharing in threads.

bryan,once again i got my information from students at the school.my opinions are not only based on things i have read online but a combination of online,research,going to the school in person,and personal accounts from people that would not lie to me.when read closely,your response just agreed with everything i stated you were just careful with your words.but, its up to everyone to find the right school for themselves and their circumstances.your school may be perfect for someone out there...i was just sharing my opinions.

BryanL · Oct 26, 2010

Bryan, you sound like advisor from Americare :)
I haven't heard much good things about Americare either... Even when I was there, I didn't have such a good impression... And the total price is higher than in CMK - at that moment when I was making inquiry it was more than 18k...

Magellan,

Nice try...

In this forum, so far, you've endorsed CMK a total of five times on Sept 15, 17, 20, 21. You've used the following sentences in describing them. From the sound of it, I thought you were related to the owner or the owner.

" I would recommend this school",
"[CMK] in Westmont is very nice,
"Everything connected with Community Colleges is wasting of time". (Seriously?)

Never have I used such strong endorsement like that when referring to Americare Institute.

So tell me...

How many private LPN schools have you visited before making your decision?

Really, why did you choose CMK over these private schools listed below? The school has no NCLEX pass rate history. No PELL grant. No federal student loans. No accreditation. Has no graduates. Requires $2,000 deposit. And has a monthly payment of $1,300 payable in 10 months (I know I went there to inquire about their program.)

Really, why choose them?

Show your critical thinking skills when presenting your arguments. You need to think logically to pass NCLEX. Avoid subjective words like "nice" and "impression". Be concrete and show evidence. Convince me. Because I'm all ears.

CMK
PCCTI
Northwestern Institute
Americare Technical School
J'Renne
Omega
Americare Technical School
International Career Institute

I'm waiting Magellan...

Magelan · Oct 27, 2010

You could find the answer on all your questions if you read my posts.

So I’ll start. Again:

I’ve finished CNA in that school and I was very hapy with their program.
Why should I commute to Glendale Heights or Westmont from SouthSide of Chicago if they are not so good? PCCTI is almost in front of my nose, and Northwestern is 30 minutes driving from my apartment (yes, I’ve visited both of these schools, and Americare in Schaumburg as well)
The school IS accreditated for you information and since they have started with LPN this march there are no NCLEX pass rates because first group will exit the test next year
For all these financial aids and loans I’m ineligible
I was looking for program that has less number of prerequisites and clock hours from others. I have medical background, I have dental doctor degree from Europe (the other story is that I need at least 4 years for endorsement) so I needed the shortest program in order to start to do something decent here in USA. So I don’t need hours and hours of studying in order to become a LPN.
After 20 years in schools, I really don’t need another 3 or 4 in Community College to waist (Would you do that if you were in my shoes Bryan?!)
Sincerely, only in CMK I had been well treated. Advisors in other schools were either arrogant or unfriendly so I didn’t want to have anything with them. The last thing I need is that someone bothers me every second day over the phone (like people from Northwestern and PCCTI) and I don’t want to someone brings me out of class physically because I didn’t pay the same day they wanted.

Was it enough Bryan? I really don’t like your accusations and your tone… :mad:

My opinion is only mine, so stop to bother me and other people who you dissagree with these stupidities

sgthanzo · Oct 27, 2010

At the end of the day, I think what matters most is how you (the student) feel you're being treated at your preferred school; and of course, the result of your NCLEX at the end of your program.

I'm sure CMK, just like the rest of the private schools, are doing their best to offer the average student the most affordable, yet the most result-oriented LPN program they could offer.

I also don't think one student championing the cause of one school, be it CMK or another school is a bad thing at all -- as I'm sure students from the other schools who are happy with their choice can/should do all that they can to spread "their" own "success stories and good news."

We all just need to be careful in the way that we post our own 'version of the truth' about the school(s) that we didn't choose -- especially when we don't have "first-hand" information at said schools. Doing so creates an atmosphere of unhealthy competition that doesn't serve the general student population. More so, misinformation only confuses the prospective candidates even more; thereby delaying their entry to their 'preferred' school and delaying the much needed production of licensed nurses.

In the end... as most PN feasibility study shows, the number of our aging population and those in need of health care will continue to increase at a rapid pace in the next coming years. All nursing schools today (private and public) must step up to the plate to meet the growing demands of the population.

If CMK (and the rest of the schools out there) is able to deliver quality, skilled and licensed Nurses to help meet the health care demands of the future... then we all need to celebrate their successes as they are able to help lessen the number of sick people out there -- which is what Nursing is all about.

Peace.

BryanL · Oct 27, 2010

you could find the answer on all your questions if you read my posts.
so i'll start. again:
i've finished cna in that school and i was very hapy with their program.
why should i commute to glendale heights or westmont from southside of chicago if they are not so good? pccti is almost in front of my nose, and northwestern is 30 minutes driving from my apartment (yes, i've visited both of these schools, and americare in schaumburg as well)
the school is accreditated for you information and since they have started with lpn this march there are no nclex pass rates because first group will exit the test next year
for all these financial aids and loans i'm ineligible
i was looking for program that has less number of prerequisites and clock hours from others. i have medical background, i have dental doctor degree from europe (the other story is that i need at least 4 years for endorsement) so i needed the shortest program in order to start to do something decent here in usa. so i don't need hours and hours of studying in order to become a lpn.
after 20 years in schools, i really don't need another 3 or 4 in community college to waist (would you do that if you were in my shoes bryan?!)
sincerely, only in cmk i had been well treated. advisors in other schools were either arrogant or unfriendly so i didn't want to have anything with them. the last thing i need is that someone bothers me every second day over the phone (like people from northwestern and pccti) and i don't want to someone brings me out of class physically because i didn't pay the same day they wanted.
was it enough bryan? i really don't like your accusations and your tone...
my opinion is only mine, so stop to bother me and other people who you dissagree with these stupidities

***********************************************************************************

here you go again magellan, using words like "stupid"... that's very descriptive and deeply encouraging; certainly, no one will take no offense to that. and certainly, someone with a doctorate degree in dentistry like you could come up with better words.

you made assumptions about me and posted something negative about the school i believe in (like you believe in cmk, 5x endorsements). and yet, you're telling me i'm accusing you... seriously?

"bryan, you sound like advisor from americare, i haven't heard much good things about americare either... even when i was there, i didn't have such a good impression... (magellan, oct 25)"

tell me... which of my comments you so keenly described as stupid? can you be more specific?

you can dish it out, but you can't take it.

you could find the answer on all your questions if you read my posts (magellan, oct 27)

i've read your post...

you're a dentist from europe who thinks working as a c.n.a as a waist of time. (magellan, sept 20). is it really a waist of time, doc? is that truly what you believe because that's what you wrote. don't you know that most lpns work in nursing homes.

yes, i've read your post...

you're a dentist from europe who thinks taking pharmacology, medical terminology, and anatomy in less than 3 months is a good idea (magellan, sept 15). is it really, doc? has it ever occurred to you that most pre-nursing students haven't had background in science? that recommending to take all 3 courses in less than 3 months is equivalent to an academic kamikaze.

"the new thing is that now they have another more prerequirement - pharmacology course...it costs $700, and the class will be in october for 5 saturdays. terminology is also $700, and anatomy $1000. they accept transcripts from other schools but for people who don't have time to waste in community colleges, it's better to finish these 3 subjects in cmk 'cause you can finish all that in less than 3 months. (magellan, sept 15)"

so, let's go back to my original question, why did you choose cmk?

i think the real reason is because you do not qualify for financial aid (pell grant and federal student loans, a.ka. title iv) as you stated in your post "for all these financial aids and loans i'm ineligible (magellan, oct 27).

you know, the u.s department of education will not give any financial aid to those who already possess doctorate degrees especially in dentistry such as yourself.

unfortunately, because of the state of the u.s economy, there are many americans who need pell grant and federal students loans. they need financial support. many of them don't have $2,000 to shell out for a deposit. and, many of them don't have $1,300 for a monthly payment.

to recommend a school that offers no title iv is an ill-advised (my opinion, i am entitled to it just as you are...).

i will not argue about cmk's customer service, nor will i question it.

i feel sorry that you had a bad customer service experience with other schools.

i applaud your bravery for going back to school.

and, i thank you kindly for sharing your views...

just next time, i request that you use verifiable facts when stating your views.

btw, cmk is not accredited. check this site for accredited schools. this you can verify.

http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/search

cmk is approved to operate by isbe, and its lpn is approved by idfpr.

Magelan · Oct 28, 2010

@Bryan: I really don't want to argue with you in this way.

Doc can only tell you that he had to go back to school because there were no options. I was not lucky like you to be born in the US. Otherwise, I wouldn't write here.

Yes, for me in this moment is very frustrating working as a CNA because the job is extremly hard and underpayed. Since I need who knows how many years of studying in order to get dental license in the US and at least 150k for that I had to start with anything that can "pay bills" in the meantime. I visited all CC in Chgo and 4 private schools in last 6 months and had a very hard time to find something that can be ok for me. I'm 28 years old, and I was looking for the shortest thing. My option can help all these people who are searching something like "fast-track".

Don't take advantage of my way of writing here. English is my second language, so don't try to "catch" me in every sentence. You and me are not equal so it very innapropriate you to judge my writing style. I really don't want to argue here with you.

BryanL · Oct 28, 2010

@Bryan: I really don't want to argue with you in this way.
Doc can only tell you that he had to go back to school because there were no options. I was not lucky like you to be born in the US. Otherwise, I wouldn't write here.
Yes, for me in this moment is very frustrating working as a CNA because the job is extremly hard and underpayed. Since I need who knows how many years of studying in order to get dental license in the US and at least 150k for that I had to start with anything that can "pay bills" in the meantime. I visited all CC in Chgo and 4 private schools in last 6 months and had a very hard time to find something that can be ok for me. I'm 28 years old, and I was looking for the shortest thing. My option can help all these people who are searching something like "fast-track".
Don't take advantage of my way of writing here. English is my second language, so don't try to "catch" me in every sentence. You and me are not equal so it very innapropriate you to judge my writing style. I really don't want to argue here with you.

Magelan,

Let me repeat what I said.

I admire your courage for going back to school and appreciate for sharing your views.

ARGUMENTS

My comments are not intended to attack anyone. And certainly, ain't no personal attack on you. I have nothing against you; I don't know you.

The way I see it is that we have engaged in a healthy discourse - exchanging of different world views, as we see the world through different eyes.

You are expressing yours ideas, as I am expressing mine.

This great country is built on different ideas with opposing views.

BEING EQUAL

Yes, we are equal. We both have the capacity to think. So next time, think before you write.

And, don't use "English As A Second Language" excuse. I don't buy it.

You have an advanced degree (a doctorate nonetheless) that many non-native speakers of English do not.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

And by the way, English is also my second language; I wasn't born here either.

I was born poor and raised poor in a third world country. Unlike you, however, I did not have the privilege to obtain an advanced degree because my parents did not have the means to send me to school.

When I came into this great country, I had to learn English from scratch at various community colleges while working full-time. I had to enroll in ESL classes for a span of four years to gain proficiency of the English language, so I could express my ideas decently.

I have a collection of grammar books. They are one of my precious possessions. I read them daily. I still memorize my punctuation usage. I continue to learn about independent and dependent clauses. I am still learning about nouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives. I am constantly trying to improve my understanding of idioms, prepositional phrases and two-word verbs.

However, I don't use "English As A Second Language" excuse because I don't perceive my situation as a disadvantage.

The way I see it, I speak and write two distinct languages. And, I am darn proud of it.

****************************************

Let me say it again. I wish you success in your nursing career.

2ndshot · Oct 28, 2010

Can you guys call each other on the phone or exchange emails? I would like to keep on the subject. :yeah:

2ndshot · Oct 28, 2010

:hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl::hdvwl:

Magelan · Oct 29, 2010

Can you guys call each other on the phone or exchange emails? I would like to keep on the subject.

:yeah:

I realy should meet this guy :-) He isn't like others, not at all :)