Americare Institute good LPN school?

lvaliav · Jun 4, 2009

Hi-

I start in the fall but I actually start the nursing courses. So for me I should be done 10 months from then -- so by may or june '10. They have Fall and Spring enrollment. Have you taken anatomy and a math and psych course? It is usually like 12 month program. But once you start the nursing courses like pharm and etc, then it is about 10.

Angel888 · Jul 21, 2009

I also attend Americare Institute in Schaumburg right now and have to say that they are unorganized. Though I feel that they are getting a little better, be prepared to have alot of patience and flexability. Also, be prepared to teach yourself your classes. This is fact. The information being taught in the classes comes very quickly, and if you do not keep on top of it you will fail them. I am saying this from experience. Myself, and all 25 of my classmates agree. That's 26 people. No arguing there. The teachers ARE wonderful. But they only have a limited amount of time to teach you a BOAT LOAD of information. They WILL help you if you have problems, but ONLY to a certain point. And they do not slow down if you get lost. I have roughly a 3.8 GPA there, and have worked very very hard for it, (and have spent a lot of money in the process) so I do feel I have some authority to express my oppinions on this matter. Be prepared-for last minute schedule changes, unanswered phone calls, lack of information, and out of touch staff members. They have ONE person, at this time, handling all student affairs. And many questions, no matter how simplistic they may be, take much time to get answered. This is a private school, and the same rules do not apply as they do state schools, regardless of accredidation. I do recommend this school for those who posses the qualities I mentioned above, patience and flexibility. But if you have a strictness or higher standards/expectations for your educational patterns, it may not be for you. One method of sales that they inforce is telling pre enterance students that they will be working at hospitals starting from 21$ to 24$ an hour, but be VERY aware, MOST suburban hospitals centering around the area of Americare in Schaumburg DO NOT hire LPN's anymore. LPN's are being weeded out of hospitals altogether. This is also fact. I have called 12 of them. If you don't believe me, please call so you can make a sound decision. $18,000 is alot of money. You may find that RN is a better way to go. Hope this helps.

Me

lvaliav · Jul 21, 2009

Thank you for your well informed message. What classes are you in this semester? If pharmacology or nursing fundamentals or the other one, is it unbelievably hard material. How are you studying. Thank you in advance. I am just really scared when it comes down to the pharm and Adult Health!!!

LasFresas48 · Jul 21, 2009

I am also currently a student at Americare. I am in Med-Surg Nursing and Peds right now. Both of these classes are incredibly hard to begin with, but now they took away our quizes, made the med pubs (which don't always have a tutorial before the exam) count, and the ati exam is now get a level 2 or fail the class. I do not think I want to go here for RN, not with what I have been through this summer. Up until this semester it was a good fair school, now I feel like they are trying to fail us. Hope I can get through, just have to keep thinking positive and praying the end comes quickly!

lvaliav · Jul 21, 2009

Yeah weird... I know a girl who is just starting her clinicals and is in Pharm and Nursing fundamentals now. She said how they changed and are not doing the quiz thing. But I think the whole class argued and they got to work out a deal. You guys should as well. 18 grand is not something to play around with.

LasFresas48 · Jul 22, 2009

Yeah tell me about it! We are actually more upset with this whole ATI thing. They just up and decided that they were going to start using it as a do or die test instead of a study tool (which was what it was originally intended for). We have talked to the director many times now and not much is changing so it was pretty useless. I just can't wait to be done with this school and not have to deal with this changing crap all the time. We are under enough stress with trying to pass each test and do well in the class with no quizes or anything,then add this on and I can tell you that most people in my classes including me say they have never been this stressed out in their lives. :cry: I love nursing but this school is not what I thought it was going to be, especially with the money I am paying. Maybe I should have waited to get in at Harper...

lvaliav · Aug 13, 2009

Las Fresas, which instructors would you recommend for pharm and nursing fundamentals????

maggata · Sep 25, 2009

I just start Americare this fall with A&P, so far is ok but I have to say they are a little disorganized...especially regarding the space and classrooms...they're lab is also very small, we (my classmates too) were expecting a little more after paying that tuition - which I think is pretty fair for a privet school. I like my teacher a lot.MR X he is so funny. I hope I wont be disappointed in that school. So besides that one thing I totally disagree with keeplookingup7 but maybe some people can look at tings only in negative way ....well I feel sorry for them and wish the best for the future.

sanriosweet · Oct 26, 2009

Hi! I am planning to go to Americare this Spring semester, and I think this site is pretty helpful. The only thing that scared me was the blog from keeplookingup. I saw her comment in ripoffreport.com too. Is her comment really true? To all current students and those who already graduated who are in this msge board- will you recommend this school?

I also want to comment about what I observed when I was there (as an applicant for new student), and before I came for information session (to ask/ get some info); I did have a hard time to speak to somebody on the phone. I had to tried to call them more than 3x maybe (in one day)....the phone was just ringing and ringing... before someone finally answer the phone. And, when I got there, I was in the lobby waiting...I noticed the same thing, eventhough there's person in the front desk, they don't answer the phone right away....there were probably few missed calls during the time that I was there waiting. This maybe not much to worry....but this concerns me (good customer service... reflect how good the company is) that's why I started to do some researched about this school ( like..what else I need to know). I just don't wanna regret later on, if I end up going to this school.....with the money I am going to pay for the program.

Any helpful advise is appreciated.

Thanks!

LasFresas48 · Oct 26, 2009

This is my post on another thread that may help people decide if they want to go to Americare Institute. I have two weeks of Role Transition (the last class) left and I couldn't be more excited. I know from the crazy hard classes, being overstressed, and pushed to the limit, it has all been to get me to this point to pass the exit exam and then my NCLEX. I am very confident that I will pass both because of the wonderful teachers I had for my classes last semester : )

https://allnurses.com/illinois-nurses/anyone-americare-institute-386415-page3.html

doli123 · Jan 12, 2010

hi,

i liked the school. my english transfered. A&P they transfered. if you did one course only,they do not transfer. they need colleage algebera and i did the placement test fee. their fees are 23,000 tolal. I am starting in summer.

anita

HellooooNurse · Feb 22, 2010

Wow, it's been a while since I've been here. This thread has grown!! I'm sorry to hear the Americare has been disorganized. I had to take some time out of school because of family issues, and I'm itching to go back to school but I don't know if it's going to work out financially. I hear they have financial aid now or something. Does anyone know anything about this?