Anyone going to Willow Street this year? - Page 4

why arent you attending?

I was an hour away....and today we r moving an hour north....so 2 hours are too far away.
I shall apply up there ....wish me luck

Good Luck! Do you know how they accept people applying? Like do I have to pass any tests to get in?

PROS:
* You can become an LPN in one year if you pass the NCLEX after graduating and maybe make enough to be able to support yourself if you're willing to work outside of Lancaster County

* You don't get stuck waiting for clinical availability

* You can get government funding and scholarships to help with tuition

* Some of the instructors are great

* They let anyone in who doesn't have a criminal record

* You don't have to be a CNA but it helps a lot if you are before starting

CONS:.
* Huge classes of 60+ do not allow individual instruction for skills. They show everyone one time all at once and then you are tested on it. ie: IVs, medication administration, etc.

* Classrooms are extremely crowded and LOUD with no place to put books, etc. without obstructing path to walk past. Can't see demonstrations from many seats. Hard to hear instructor. Not allowed to use recorders.

* Every teacher has a different way of teaching you the same thing. If you call in for tutoring (after school on certain days) you will be shown yet another different way.

* Once tested on a skill, you are required to be competant to perform that skill on real patients and have to do it the same way that particular instructor does it and do it FAST. Mistakes made at clinical sites are punished with point system. Too many and you're out of the program or paying thousands more and repeating. Doesn't matter if you're straight A in class or passed all clinical tests prior.

* If you get sick and miss 3+ clinical days, you must pay thousands more and repeat the clinical plus classes you may have already completed with an A or B. This puts you in the class behind you.

* If you flunk one test, you have to go to tutoring. If you miss taking a test due to be out, you get 10 points taken off then another 10 points for every day you go without taking it, even if you get 100% on it.

* More than one teacher will teach the same class. You never know who's teaching that day until they walk in.

* Communication issues between teachers.

* Classes are at a facility where HS students attend. Always a long line in female restrooms. Don't have paper toilet seat covers. Many locks on stall doors don't work, toilets out of service, etc.

* Facility's technology doesn't work a large part of the time. ie: overhead projectors, computers, etc.

* Students allowed to be on FaceBook, etc. on computers. Students needing them for schoolwork have to wait for long periods of time until one opens up. Computer room almost always LOUD.

* There is no where you can go to study or complete work that is quiet during time given to do so or breaktime.

* Lunchroom is a classroom where they put the chairs (feet down) on the tables overnight.

* Clinical sites can be extremely hot and crowded and are located all across Lancaster County. Students do CNA work on top of doing LPN skills.

* A lot of driving around to be at clinical site, then school on same day, etc.

* Dress code. ie: white uniform, no piercings or visible tats, no engagement rings, hair above collar, etc.

* Females to buy a white dress with the hat for the graduation ceremony.

* Have to carry a lot of books that are extremely heavy from vehicle to class or clinical site. Not uncommon for instructors to tell you to bring them then not use them in class that day.

* New books that teachers haven't used so you can't always follow along in the book during lecture to highlight.

* If you still want to attend LCCTC LPN program, expect to be insulted, belittled, cry a LOT, lose lots of sleep, be afraid to perform a skill because of points and be constantly stressed out.

JaneDoe1-

Did you attend LCCTC? And if so, when, if you dont mind me asking. I'm currently enrolled to start in September (evening classes) and all the cons you listed are making me a bit nervous now...

Yes. I attended recently and know someone who is attending now. Still the same. I just thought this info should be out so people can make an informed decision about what school to attend and be mentally prepared.

The main fact is that becoming an LPN is worth it if you're not in it for the money but are in it to truly help.

Not sure how nights are but JaneDoe1 hit it right on!!
The school administration is so busy with their heads up their ass pushing people through to ensure they get grant money and graduate enough men that they let the good students who are more than capable in their clinical skills drop off because they have a personality issue with them.
The also expect you to leave your personal feelings, morals, beliefs and entire way of life up you have been raised with and lived by up until class begins at the door when you come in.
They hold crap against you whether it be true or not and if an instructor doesn't like it you might as well pack it up and kiss your graduation goodbye. TEACHERS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT AND THE STUDENTS ARE LIARS.
Too bad their are not more options because of the board of nursing knew exactly what was going on and how the PN school was being run it would be have it's approval riped our from underneath it.
Yes I graduated and passed the NCLEX the first time but that is due to my own determination not due to the quality of school I went to.

Well this is making me a bit more nervous now. I was going to HACC, but found out I wouldn't have been able to start the clinical portion until 2013. I have a 3 month old and really can't afford to take off work that long and since they don't have an evening program at HACC. I heard from some people that CTC had a good program..

Do either of you have any type of advice as far as going through with this program and succeeding in it or what I really need to be prepared for?
I need to do this for myself and for my family and I plan on doing whatever I can to get through this program successfully and doing well in it.
Thanks so much.

Is it really that bad? You have me a little nervous since I'm starting at LCCTC at the end of this month.

How did you manage to focus on your studying with all of that complaining? Yes, it is difficult and yes, you will be tested; but anything worth doing is difficult. The program prepares you for the way a nurse SHOULD be. Complications seem to arise after people have yet to realize that they are in fact adults and will not/should not be coddled. The instructors expect a high level of professionalism from students at all times. If you wear your heart on your sleeve expect to have a hard time.

Currently, I'm about half way through. Personally, I have not found the material to be overwhelming however we have lost about 6 students so far (out of 31) Those that are not moving on either had real life issues, couldn't pass the classes, or couldn't pass clinical check offs.

I wouldn't let the above JaneDoe's discourage you from going. Is the school perfect? No, however a 98% NCLEX completion rate indicates that they have to be doing something right.

Good luck!