medical careers institute

dara757 · Oct 7, 2005

OH GOSH I JUST REALIZED. I just signed up for LPN on Thursday, the orientation is next wednesday, and I have to have ALL of these tests done by then! I need to have a physical, a PPD, Titers, Hep B, Drug tests and tetorifice!!!! LADIES DO I NEED ALL OF THIS BY THE ORIENTATION???? I left my representatives office thinking I wouldnt need it by then. I looked over it vaguely and asked her "Do i need to have all of these tests done by orientation" and she said " no, they will explain it to you then" and now im sitting here reading over these papers and it says i need to bring results with me to orientation. How in the world am i gonna do that?!! Doesnt it take a few days to get results?! Help!

dettwiller5 · Oct 7, 2005

hello, i am an aspiring nursing student in virginia beach. Im 22 years old and TIRED of waiting to get into a nursing program. I have been waitlisted at TCC and from what I understand Sentara is also waitlisting a lot of their applicants from lack of staff to teach the program/other factors. Anyways, Im looking into other options and medical careers institute is one of them. It has always been my goal to be an RN, so is anyone in their RN program? If not, how about the LPN program. Are either of them any good? And can someone give me an honest answer about how much it actually costs for each? Im hearing around $20,000 . I also heard from a coworker that their RN program was discredited, but I cant find anything about it on the web. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP WITH ANY INFO, its greatly appreciated. I want the good, the bad and the ugly!
>Lise

Hi-

Have you checked into Riverside's program? I'm starting their RN program in January. They also have an LPN program. It has a great reputation and they have several start times throughout the year. I've never heard anything negative about Riverside's program. They have a great pass rate on the NCLEX. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

austeph · Oct 9, 2005

Okay I signed up for their LPN program. Atleast Im doin something right?! For those of you who are in their LPN program, Im in the evening program so it is 18 mos but youre allowed to switch to the day program (for a fee i think ) so does that mean if I switch to the day program I will be able to graduate in less than 18 mos? Just curious...Im feeling excited and then a little sad because I am enrolled in TCC right now(i go thursday nights) and that means I will have to drop that class Im taking because I was told MCI is Mon-Thurs nights 5-1030. That really sucks. But Im still excited just hoping to get done in less than 18 mos...
>Lise

Hello again! Congratulations on making your decision! I am doing the evening program-18 months. Yes, you can switch to the day program (for a fee), however it depends if they have the same class you're in going on at the same time. The day classes are 5wks long instead of the 7.5wks. And since they have new classes starting all the time you would simply have to wait for the class you need? Am I making sense??? I go Monday-thursday and every other Saturday. For the first couple of terms we went every Saturday, but once you start clinicals we started going every other Sat. Our clinicals are on Wed nights and then during the day when we have them on Sat.

When do you start?? Oh, if you don't mind me asking, why did you decide on LPN instead of the RN?? Again, congratulation on your choice and if you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer them for you!!!

dara757 · Oct 9, 2005

Hey austeph I decided on the LPN program rather than the RN program because my MCI representative informed me that although I scored high on the TEAS tests and Ive taken some of the classes already at TCC, I am not gauranteed a spot in their program. I would have to take their prereq Chem and computer course and then the board would look over my transcripts and see how I did in those courses and then I would have an interview with the board and then, depending on my rank amongst the other RN applicants, they would pick the top 25 and let them in:confused: . So I might have gotten into their program as soon as January or I may not have gotten in until this time next year or later. The required prerequisites are not always available at the same time so I may have to take one at a time until God knows when. It was just some more waiting and Im tired of waiting, I could wait at TCC for a whole lot cheaper :).So I just decided on the LPN program because I would start this week. I do have a few qs for you:

1)Do I need to have all of the health tests (shots and bloodwork and whatnot) done by orientation? My representative said I didnt but the paperwork she gave me says I do. I will not get all of the results back by wednesday even if I go tomorrow to get it done.

2)Also, did u have to take a prerequisite math class? Ive taken math throughout HS and college and I really dont want to take a general math course here. I know a few ppl going here and they have to take a math course before they start LPN classes, however they are either straight outta HS or dont have any college courses.

3) We have until 10 days after classes start to get a full refund, am I correct?

What do you think of MCI thus far? What classes are u taking now? Am i driving u crazy with questions? Haha Im just really curious!!!

austeph · Oct 9, 2005

Hey austeph I decided on the LPN program rather than the RN program because my MCI representative informed me that although I scored high on the TEAS tests and Ive taken some of the classes already at TCC, I am not gauranteed a spot in their program. I would have to take their prereq Chem and computer course and then the board would look over my transcripts and see how I did in those courses and then I would have an interview with the board and then, depending on my rank amongst the other RN applicants, they would pick the top 25 and let them in:confused: . So I might have gotten into their program as soon as January or I may not have gotten in until this time next year or later. The required prerequisites are not always available at the same time so I may have to take one at a time until God knows when. It was just some more waiting and Im tired of waiting, I could wait at TCC for a whole lot cheaper :).So I just decided on the LPN program because I would start this week. I do have a few qs for you:
1)Do I need to have all of the health tests (shots and bloodwork and whatnot) done by orientation? My representative said I didnt but the paperwork she gave me says I do. I will not get all of the results back by wednesday even if I go tomorrow to get it done.
2)Also, did u have to take a prerequisite math class? Ive taken math throughout HS and college and I really dont want to take a general math course here. I know a few ppl going here and they have to take a math course before they start LPN classes, however they are either straight outta HS or dont have any college courses.
3) We have until 10 days after classes start to get a full refund, am I correct?
What do you think of MCI thus far? What classes are u taking now? Am i driving u crazy with questions? Haha Im just really curious!!!

Nooo,you're not driving me crazy!! I know what it's like to be in your shoes. I understand your reasoning for the LPN choice. That's pretty much the same reason I chose this route too, besides it worked best for my family, too. I figured I could start working and then go into the LPN/RN bridge program somewhere when I was ready.

I personally didn't have to take a math pre req, but they should have told you if that's what you have to do.

The health stuff: If I'm not mistaken, you just had to have that done by your first clinical session. I think it was term 3, but I wouldn't wait if you don't have to. I'd be more likely to forget about it then. At least you could get your physical and then your shots if you needed them.

As far as a refund, I'm not sure. It sounds right, but don't quote me on that.

I know you're excited! My best advice, if you want it, is just do it for yourself. Don't worry about others opinions. You can only make the best decision for yourself. The reason I say this is, in my class, we had ALOT of complaining and it really started to bring everyone down, but I did what I felt was right and I think the ones who are left did the same thing. Only nine months left!!

I would be happy to help you throughout if you'd like, just let me know!!!

fuerza757 · Oct 11, 2005

Hi Ladies,

MCI is discredited, that is to say that the Rn program has not recieved thier accreditation yet. After the first graduating class, they will qualify to apply for accreditation. This will depend on their passing rates, and I believe they the state also looks at nclex passing rate as well. My understanding is that the LPN program already has thier accrediation.

Best of Luck.

austeph · Oct 11, 2005

Yes, you are right. The LPN program has their accreditation. They've had it for many years...The RN program is new and they just had their first class begin in Feb of this year..however, the LPN program has excellent pass rates for the NCLEX..:)

dara757 · Oct 11, 2005

Well that just cleared up that ugly rumor. I had heard they were discredited and that makes sense now. Theyre not really discredited, just uncredited...Im excited to see about tomorrow but Im nervous as to this whole physical/shots thing. The paperwork said to bring the documents with me however my representative told me not to worry about it and they will explain it then. I guess I will show up empty handed tomorrow, I hope I dont leave a bad impression....

austeph · Oct 11, 2005

You should be fine without the papers. As long as you're getting them filled out by your doctor, just turn them in when they are due. They should tell you all that info at your orientation. For me, orientation was very informative. Alot of your questions should be answered then, but if you still have questions afterwards, I'd be happy to try and help. Enjoy it! It's the beginning of a very exciting adventure!!!

dara757 · Oct 11, 2005

Im really excited now...do you get your scrubs at orientation? Thanks for everything austeph!

austeph · Oct 11, 2005

You're most definitely welcome! If I'm not mistaken, I think you do get your scrubs at orientation. I know they fit you for them. If not at orientation, then you will get them on your first night. Let me know how it goes!!!

fuerza757 · Oct 11, 2005

Hi Ladies,

I think you all will do fine. Don't worry about not going straight for RN, the LPN program is great a place to start your nursing career. You get to start practicing in a shorter amount of time, and if you find it's not really what you want to do long-term at least you can have a steady income while you prepare for something else. You don't want to find you don't like it after spending four years at school. And, If you find that it is what you want the transition to RN should be a smooth one, not easy but at least you will already be familiar with the field of nursing. I am doing a LPN-BSN bridge at NSU, and if I wheren't already a nurse....I think it would be even harder for me. I too wanted my RN when I first started school, but the LPN program was much more practical for me and my family.

Good Luck guys, let us know how it goes.