Now I'm scared the my school is a joke

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I thought I did enough research about my LPN school, but my sister told me through her friend (who just graduated top of her LPN class) that at clinical sites my school is seen as sort of a joke :( Now there are only 4 LPN programs in my city: the first, the one my sis's friend went thru is seen as the best, the second is one that was too far away for me to attend and I basically know nothing about, the third is a private program that is unaccredited and cost 20k, and then my program.

My school's program is used by the very best ADN program's 1+1 school, so I figure it can't be too bad, right? I didn't bother applying to the first school because it was far away and their application process was about equal to the ADN programs here locally and at this point, I just want to get in and get started. I wasn't sure I'd have a garunteed spot. In hindsight, I'd probably have gotten in because a friend who'd doing the same program as me, got picked for their night track, and I had higher preference points than she did.

Everything is falling into place with my school: free child care, less than 10min from home, close to my parents for any days I may have a sick kiddo who needs to be picked up, etc...

Does it make a big difference when I go to my clinicals to be from a school others see as a joke? this girl told my sister I should just try to find a good nurse to attach myself to and work hard. What's your take?

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.

first, i wouldn't worry too much about hearing these kinds of things -- it is rumor/gossip.

if you are concerned, then you can do some research now -- what is your school's nclex pass rate? that will tell you a lot right there.

your goal, after all, is to take and pass the nclex. any school that will enable you to achieve that goal shouldn't be considered "a joke."

if their pass rate isn't all that great, then i might worry.

however, often, you get out of an educational experience what you put into it. meaning, if you feel you aren't being taught well or enough, seek out other opportunities to learn. read up on stuff -- nursing journals and articles. learn that way. and yes, learning from the nurses at your clinical site is a good way to supplement what you learn at school.

good luck.

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

Nursing schools resemble high school football in that there is alot of rivalry. We had ongoing inside jokes about 1 other lvn program at our school, most of these jokes and comments were made my our teachers esp our A&P instructor ( a Dr. at that). I would take it with a grain of salt at this point if you know that your program is accredited you should be ok. I would go to clinicals with your head held high and perform my nursing duties like a pro and maker thier heads spin.

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I haven't started school yet butin my opinion I would imagine that ultimately your nursing school experience would be what you make of it. As long as you try to get the most out of your clinicals, ask alot of questions and, (like your friend suggested) try to attach yourself to a good nurse, then who cares what the GENERAL consensus concerning your schoolis...ESPECIALLY if it's coming from your peers (nursing students...just like you) because in the end, neither they nor your school of choice will be the determining factor in the kind of nurse you will be and/or whether or not you will be hired at a particular job. That will on you.

Good Luck

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It sounds like a case of one school's class building themselves up by putting another school's class down. I would ignore it. In the end you will set for your NCLEX just like your friends sister.

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac Cath.

Nursing school is what YOU make of it. If you act silly, dont take your clinical experiences seriously, and dont study, then the nurses you work with may not take you seriously. However, if you work hard, pay attention, and give it your best, Im sure that everyone around you will recognize your efforts, skills, and knowledge. Dont worry about the gossip!

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Specializes in Sub-Acute.

Agreed! Ignore those types of comments. In the end, all that matters is you get your lisence. And I also agree with the fact that your learning experience is what you make of it.

So keep studying hard, and as one of my favorite instrutors has always taught me, "Think out of the box" that goes with how you learn also. Always be one step ahead of everyone else.

Good Luck!

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I think it is very important for you to understand what you are getting for your education. In my research for a LPN school about a year ago, I was shocked that tuition could be $15K plus, yet courses taken wouldn't be recognized by other schools. Only the LPN certificate would be recognized, but you'd have to retake all the courses you already took if you wanted to transfer credits. Also, not only is the NCLEX pass rate important, but what percentage of students starting school actually pass and finish? Sometimes the NCLEX scores can be fine, but only because only the cream of the crop got through, and the rest have a high tuition debt and that's all.

This is the kind of the stuff I'd be absolutely sure of-the facts. Don't worry about opinions, just take it as information for you to look into. Reputation isn't earned for nothing, good or bad, so I would definitely get the facts, then do what's right for you.

Additionally, if you have a difficult time gathering the facts from the school, this should be a red flag. I'd run.

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I know for sure that the two bridging programs I plan to apply to accept all the coursework done at my LPN school (and the other programs I don't plan on applying to do as well) Like I said, the top ADN program in town uses my school for their 1+1 program, accepting all the classes and certificate, so it can't be so bad.

I think it is just a rivalry thing and I'm not going to let it get to me. The thing is, I know I'm smart (I have a degree in psychology) and can work hard, so I'll just have to give it my all and keep my eyes on my goals. Thanks for all the great advice :up:

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I was a manager who interviewed and hired nurses. I have no idea where you live or what school you are going to. It doesn't matter either. Your sister gave you good advice. If I were interviewing you for a job all I would be interested in would be your work history and your personality characteristics. If you moved to another state I wouldn't even know anything about your school. When we hired new grads from our local area we knew that none of them had enough clinical experience no matter which school they were coming from. We were mostly interested in the recommendations we were getting from their instructors because they were the only people who had see the students performing in the clinical area and that's all we were interested in. Well, we also asked about their attendance record too. When you start going for interviews for your first job it's your chance to show your personality because that is pretty much all they have to base a decision on to hire you.

The main characteristics employers look for in professionals are:

  • Initiative – Autonomy
  • Dynamism – Energy
  • Positive outlook
  • Responsibility
  • Orientation to the client and co-workers (ability to provide customer service)
  • Learning capacity
  • Productivity
  • High adaptability – Flexibility
  • Leadership
  • Team work
  • Tolerance to pressure
  • Analytic ability
  • Professional development

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Just had to update: I found out this week that my LPN school outperformed the "best" school the past 3yrs in a row, AND we've had over 90% NCLEX pass rates for the past 5yrs. So, I guess it truly doesn't matter what the perception must be, if you go by pass rate, my school is 2nd place over the other programs (there are actually 5 in town) and I'm really enjoying it! I can't wait to get out and do my clinicals and regardless of how other's see me, I'm going to hold my head hight :up:

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

glad you heard that about your school. gossip is never a good resource of information. i wanted to add that a state board wouldn't keep a nursing school open if it was cranking out poor nurses. the state boards do keep an eye on those things.

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