Gateway LPN Fast Track

Marlene39 · Jun 17, 2010

When is the next application date? I looked on their website, and didn't see a specific date. How many times a year does the program start? Do you go during the summer? Does anyone else have any tips for the CNA manual skills exam? That's the last thing I have to do before applying. I'm scheduled to take the test on July 10th.

They have August and January start dates. The next application period will most likely be in November. They give several opportunities throughout one week to turn in your application. They choose using a lottery system, but previous applicants get first choice. I got in with just a one semester wait and start in August. A friend of mine got in right away but chose not to start and then didn't get in the next go around, so keep that in mind. It is a semester program with no summer school (unless they offer an extra summer program). If you get in in January you would go January to May and then block 2 would be August to December.

For your CNA skills test, take your time and try to think about logical steps. Don't forget the basics (call light/water, bed breaks, curtain pull, lowering the bed to the lowest setting) and you can always add these steps if you can't remember if they are needed or not. Talk through what you are doing just in case the examiner can't see you do it. For example say "I'm pulling the curtain to give the patient privacy, I'm locking the breaks" or "I'm wiping front to back". At the end of your skill they give you a chance to either repeat the whole thing or tell them if you missed any steps, but they won't prompt you on specifics (although I've heard some do). Go back through and name every step you could have possibly missed by saying "I may have missed the call light, the bed breaks, pulling the curtain, lowering the bed at the end" even if that means going through them all verbally one by one. For your hand washing make sure you don't recontaminate by shaking your hands, touching the sink, turning off the light with your bare hands, etc. The examiners want you to pass so don't think they are being overly scrutinizing. Just be calm, take your time and be logical about everything. If you are at RSAA take advantage of their extra study sessions and work through your skills. I got 100% on my skills by using these techniques and you can too. Feel free to email me if you need help with anything.

Good luck! :up:

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Jun 18, 2010

Thanks for the information that was very helpful. I feel comfortable with most of the CNA skills, although I am worried about getting occupied bed because that's such a long one with so many steps. I was hoping they had more than 2 start dates, but the Gateway program is the only program I can do because of my teaching schedule. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait it out.

Marlene39 · Jun 18, 2010

Funny, I got occupied bed and I was so worried about getting it I think I brought it on myself. I still had plenty of time after doing my skills to go over each one again verbally just in case I missed a step. I now do occupied beds at work at least once a day, so it is a good skill to have. I also got TED hose (apply those all day now too) and dental care (haven't done it since). None of those skills did I have any real experience with before and I still passed. Just talk your way through it so they will be so busy checking off the steps you say they won't see you make any mistakes.

TinkRN8 · Jun 18, 2010

I was at RSAA and we had to do a skill for our final, then of course, the 5 skills for the state. I got female perineal care for the final, which is the ONE skill I didn't want. Then for the state, I was like one of the last to do my skills. EVERYONE had gotten either ROM, or transfer from bed to chair...the easier skills. Guess what I got, yep, perineal care. :confused:

You will do great. It is so nerve wracking, but as long as you study the "bible" and know the steps you will do good. As mentioned by others, definately talking through the steps does help immensely.

Good luck!

inspiredRN10 · Jun 20, 2010

Quick question, what are the schedules like at RSAA? I heard the program various from day, night, and weekend. Are they all 3 weeks long? And what are the times? I can't find it on their website. I have heard a lot of good things about RSAA, I am thinking that is where I'll go.

Marlene39 · Jun 20, 2010

Their website is http://www.rsaatraininginstitute.com/

They have all different class times. There is a day class that takes 3 weeks and goes M-F 7-4:30, but there are evening and weekend classes as well. These will be longer since you have to have 120 hours of class plus clinicals for a CNA here in Arizona.

I highly recommend this program!

inspiredRN10 · Jun 22, 2010

Thank you! I think that is what I am going to do…Also, I called gateway and the lady I talked to said that there is a year wait list? Is that true? If I applied in November, could I get in by the Fall 2011? I thought it wasn't a "wait list" since it is a random selection? Am I wrong?

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Jun 23, 2010

I was wondering the same thing if you can get in if you apply in November or whenever they take the next set of applications. Do any other community colleges offer the LPN program? I really wanted to apply to Gateway. Last time i spoke to an advisor they told me it would only be 1 semester. I'm not sure I'm understanding how they take the people and place them. Is it completely randomized for the LPN or is it first come, first serve on a list? Thanks

inspiredRN10 · Jun 23, 2010

The lady I spoke to said it is completely randomized. So if we apply together in November, you could get in Spring 11 and I could get in the Fall 11. It sounds like most people (recently) have waited a semester. So I think if we applied in November, we'd more than likely (hopefully) get in, in the Fall 11. As far as I know Gateway is the only community college that offers the LPN program. Also, do you need to have ALL your immunizations finished in order to have your application accepted? I don't have all 3 of the Hep B shots, and I know you have to wait a period of time in between…I am sort of worried about that. I heard you only needed your first when you initially apply but need to have them all done within the time frame, and then show them afterwards…Any insight to that?

TinkRN8 · Jun 23, 2010

Hi, I just graduated from the program in May. It isn't really a wait list or random. It is kind of a combo of both really. I am thinking there probably will be a wait now because so many have discovered the program as a way of backdooring into the RN program and they have so many more applicants. Yes it is random, but I do know that they do give preference to those who have been waiting. For example, if you applied for fall, but didn't get in, you will most likely have a spot for Spring. You are put ahead of new applicants just applying for Spring. Does that make sense? Also, I do know that they are trying to accomodate as many as they can. For instance, I applied for Fall 2009 and got in because they created a 3rd (afternoon) class. And, I know that they are currently running summer morning and evening classes right now, which they have not done before. Also, people do drop at the last minute. Several people in my class got a call the night before class started.

Yes you have to have all of your vaccinations up to date. In the case of the Hep B, as long as you have the 1st one done, you are OK. Honestly, they never asked me for record of the other 2. And remember that the TB is a 2 STEP, not just the single injection and reading.

When you do turn in your application, make sure you have ALL of your paperwork with you, or you will be turned away. They will not accept incomplete applications.

Good luck!

inspiredRN10 · Jun 23, 2010

Thank you so much for your response! Yes, I applied last week to the forever long wait list of the nursing program. As of now they have 2,601 applicants who are not placed. I was quoted to get in (the earliest) Fall of 2012!! I felt really discouraged, but this sounds like a much better plan. So I am really excited to get started! Do you have an idea of when the applications will be due in the fall? I heard October. I just want to make sure I get everything organized.

And thank goodness about the Hep B I was worried! I got the first injection in 2002, but never received the other 2. So I hope that will work for now, or at least get schedule for get the other two. But you think if I just show the 1st they will accept it? I think once I have everything put together I will go in and have them look it over to make sure I have everything, before I officially turn it in.

Marlene39 · Jun 23, 2010

i think you should get your heb b started now just in case. you could have them almost done by the application date (which i believe was either late october or early november last year). i'm not sure the one shot you received in 2002 will still be acceptable. i had the first two shots done when i turned in my application and they were fine with that.

another thing i would suggest is to finish your co-reqs while waiting to get into the program. this way you will be ready to go straight into block 3 when you finish the lpn program. plus, i do think having microbiology and a&p 2 will be helpful when you start learning pathophysiology. there is an absolutely awesome micro teacher at gateway and if you want his name email me and i will give it to you. he made it very easy to understand and the labs were really fun.