Penn Valley RN Program...What is like?

4jen · Dec 24, 2008

I just graduated on Sat from PV's evening/weekend RN class. I have two small children, one who had health issues for some of the program. It is tough. I have seen stuff on allnurses that makes me grateful I went there and some that makes me think it was kind of awful.

I saw people get divorced, have sick apouse on and on. If you want it you will do it and you will put up with it.

It is unorganized and you need to be able to roll with it or you will be frustrated. But from what I hear most programs are like that.

Ev/Wk Some semsters we went 2 nights a week and did 4-5 clinical weekends, other semsters especially summer it seemed like we were there 3-4 nights a week and did clinicals ea weekend. Junior semster about killed me and senior semster was difficult.

But if I can do it, you can do it.

Also I have no clue how the day program works.

If you can make an appointment to see someone up there that may help.

Good Luck!

HealingRainne · Dec 24, 2008

Thanks 4jen!! Congrats on graduating!! I have read alot on here and I pretty much figured it wasn't going to be a walk in the park. If it were...I'm sure everyone would do it! Thanks for sharing your experience :) I am married but no kids yet (we're waiting til after RN school). I guess my biggest concern is finding a balance of enough time for school and working enough to help my husband keep us afloat. Its a catch 22.... don't work and devote all my time to school but be broke or work and risk my education. LOTS TO THINK ABOUT!! *sigh*

Thanks again!

marquan11 · Dec 27, 2008

I'm applying in the fall 09, how hard was it to get in and do you have any studying tips for the "Teas".

4jen · Dec 27, 2008

I got in before the TEAS was being used so sorry I have no clue. Also I applied before the point system so again no clue. Sorry.

If you haven't already I would post the TEAS question on the general student thread or do a search I am sure there is tons of info.

Good luck and take care.

marquan11 · Dec 28, 2008

Hey thanks and good luck on your nursing journey, my goal is to get in the spring 2010 program:yeah:

nsinbsmo · Jan 22, 2009

I am actually in my freshman year in the PV ADN(RN) program and it is going quite well....for me at least. It is hard for others because of their work schedules and family life as a whole, but I am a stay at home mom with 2 kids. It was easy for me to apply, study for the teas, pass, and then get all the papers filled out and turned in to actually get fully accepted. As for the Teas test, it was pretty easy, almost like the compass test, but a little more math and problem solving. I used the teas study manual and another NLN accredited pre-nursing exam study guide. I don't know if you were wanting to get into the night/weekend class, but they stated that they don't know when or even if they were going to start that again. I am in the day classes which are on mon 2-4pm and tues 8am to 12pm, and skills lecture/lab is wed and thurs 8am to 10 or 11am--the first three weeks and then after that it's on your own time to learn/check off. All clinicals are 6:45am to 2:45pm and they kinda depend on what group you get in, mine are on fridays and 2 times a month, except april I have three days and two are thursdays. Others have wednesdays and thursdays, but never monday or tuesday. The books are expensive and heavy and there are tons of other things you have to buy(scrubs, patch, lab coat, stethoscope, pen light, scissors, etc) but it is so worth it. Also, if you do get in, the orientation is OVERwhelming. Good luck!:)

marquan11 · Jan 23, 2009

I am actually in my freshman year in the PV ADN(RN) program and it is going quite well....for me at least. It is hard for others because of their work schedules and family life as a whole, but I am a stay at home mom with 2 kids. It was easy for me to apply, study for the teas, pass, and then get all the papers filled out and turned in to actually get fully accepted. As for the Teas test, it was pretty easy, almost like the compass test, but a little more math and problem solving. I used the teas study manual and another NLN accredited pre-nursing exam study guide. I don't know if you were wanting to get into the night/weekend class, but they stated that they don't know when or even if they were going to start that again. I am in the day classes which are on mon 2-4pm and tues 8am to 12pm, and skills lecture/lab is wed and thurs 8am to 10 or 11am--the first three weeks and then after that it's on your own time to learn/check off. All clinicals are 6:45am to 2:45pm and they kinda depend on what group you get in, mine are on fridays and 2 times a month, except april I have three days and two are thursdays. Others have wednesdays and thursdays, but never monday or tuesday. The books are expensive and heavy and there are tons of other things you have to buy(scrubs, patch, lab coat, stethoscope, pen light, scissors, etc) but it is so worth it. Also, if you do get in, the orientation is OVERwhelming. Good luck!:)

Thanks for responding that help's alot I'm applying in the fall but have to retake compass it's been 2yrs so I'm preparing myself for the teas I have been so nervous about it because I really want to do good and pass. I have heard so many mix messages about the program that I started second guessing myself so it feels good to hear from someone who is going through it verses someone who isn't. I hope we can keep in touch.

nsinbsmo · Jan 25, 2009

Oh, I almost forgot, in spring 2010 the adn program will be moving down to a new state of the art building on brodway. I know that would be your first year in the program so I thought that might be some useful info. I'll try to keep in touch if any other info becomes available!

kjfhome · Feb 25, 2009

I'm a senior nursing student - graduating May, 2009 from Penn Valley. The program is hard, but it is doable. I actually work about 20-30 hours a week, married and have kids. Sometimes it is quite frustrating and seems they just string you a long and mess with your head, but my specific complaints about this I have heard from other programs also. I just take that part of it as part of nursing school anywhere. You may be able to continue working part-time if you have a very flexible schedule. Days/times of classes and clinicals vary each semester and sometimes changes are made after the start and schedules have already been given even. You just have to go with the flow and keep studying. Probably the #1 thing I wish they had is a Capstone at the end - where you basically work for credit in a certain area of nursing that you may be interested in. Kind of a way to really figure out if you want a certain area or don't. PV doesn't offer this and my other complaint would be we really do not get any clinical experience in critical care. Some senior clinicals have higher acuity patients, but not all and we just really do not get to spend any time in critical care. My other really, really big complaint is the stress put on us for finals. Grading scales are higher than normal with 75% to pass even, which is common at most nursing schools but to pass the class you have to achieve a 75% on the finals. Even if you have an A in the class if you get 74% on the final you fail the class. No retakes, no second chance - you fail and have to retake the entire class, labs and clinicals. I heard this may be changing in the future though - hopefully. It just isn't really fair to students who do well and then for some reason don't pass the final wtih 75% athough they still would have a good grade in the class. Otherwise I think it is just as good as anywhere else and pass rates for NCLEX are good, which is what really matters I guess. If you get all your non-nursing classes done before you start it will be much easier and a better schedule. Most of the downfalls are just part of nrusing school anywhere.

I was told that the nights and weekends progarm will not begin until January 2010. I think day program is continuing as usual. Good luck with whatever you decide.

marquan11 · Feb 26, 2009

Do you think taking the Lpn route is better I have all of my non-nursing courses completed even my general requirements, but I have to take the compass over it's been 2yrs. and I have decided to retake pys140 again.

kjfhome · Mar 2, 2009

If at all possible I would go straight to the RN program. I know some people need to get to work sooner, but you can get a tech job after your first semester of nursing school and they don't make much less than an LPN. The LPN program is full time year round (no summer break, etc). You can do the RN program in 2 years and you get the breaks between semesters and summer. I personally really needed these breaks to give me time to re-energize and keep going for the next semester. If you do LPN then you can bridge to RN, but that takes summer semseter for a bridge course and then 2 more semesters with the traditional RN students. So in my opinion, you really are better off just going for the RN if that is your goal anyway. Hope that helps.