Bellingham Technical College LPN

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Specializes in Psychiatry, corrections, long-term care..

I'm attending BTC right now to finish up my pre-reqs for the LPN program and was hoping to find some alumni or current students to ask about the program. I'm going for the full time program and will be taking days or evenings, whatever I can get into first. I work as a CNA and was thinking I could work two to three shifts a week, depending on class/clinicals.

The program says classes are held "between" the hours of 8-3 or 3-10. Are you in class for this entire period?

Any general information or opinions on BTC's LPN program would be much appreciated! :)

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Specializes in Infusion.

Hi! I am currently on the wait list, and should be starting in September, I do have a few friends already in this year. Yes, you are in class the entire time. Or in clinical from 630am-2pm or 230pm-10pm roughly. I have heard it is quite a demanding program, as they are doing in 9 months what other schools take a full year or longer.

I have also heard that the LPN's trained at BTC seem to have better clinical skills than RN's at Whatcom CC. The LPN program focuses all on skills whereas 2 year RN program is a lot of theory. I know one guy who went to whatcom, and said had it not been for his CNA and EMT work experience, he would have not felt confident with how little time was spent on skills.

Hope that helps! I will be able to give you first hand knowledge come September I hope! I have been on the waitlist since July, so I should be getting in then. One of my friends in the evening full time class right now said the first quarter was the worst for reading and studying, the 2nd quarter was much less once the clinicals start and she is starting the 3rd quarter next week.

Take care,

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Hi! I am currently on the wait list, and should be starting in September, I do have a few friends already in this year. Yes, you are in class the entire time. Or in clinical from 630am-2pm or 230pm-10pm roughly. I have heard it is quite a demanding program, as they are doing in 9 months what other schools take a full year or longer.

I have also heard that the LPN's trained at BTC seem to have better clinical skills than RN's at Whatcom CC. The LPN program focuses all on skills whereas 2 year RN program is a lot of theory. I know one guy who went to whatcom, and said had it not been for his CNA and EMT work experience, he would have not felt confident with how little time was spent on skills.

Hope that helps! I will be able to give you first hand knowledge come September I hope! I have been on the waitlist since July, so I should be getting in then. One of my friends in the evening full time class right now said the first quarter was the worst for reading and studying, the 2nd quarter was much less once the clinicals start and she is starting the 3rd quarter next week.

Take care,

I would also love to hear of your experience. I am currently taking pre-reqs at Everett, but I didn't realize there was a wait list at Bellingham tech. Good luck!

I personally love that they have a 9 month program!

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Specializes in Cardiovascular Nursing, Progressive Care.

Wow! Would definitely have to disagree with you. I currently am in the Whatcom RN program, and I can tell you that we get extensive practice and experience with our clinical skills. Much of the theory in the program is centered around physical assessment and management of care. The program is 2 years in length (6 quarters) and by the 4 th quarter, we will know all the clinical skills to practice as an entry level RN nurse. The entire second year is focused on practicing and mastering those skills. The CNA skills almost irrelevant when it comes to the nursing program with the exception of basic nursing skills.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, corrections, long-term care..
Wow! Would definitely have to disagree with you. I currently am in the Whatcom RN program, and I can tell you that we get extensive practice and experience with our clinical skills. Much of the theory in the program is centered around physical assessment and management of care. The program is 2 years in length (6 quarters) and by the 4 th quarter, we will know all the clinical skills to practice as an entry level RN nurse. The entire second year is focused on practicing and mastering those skills. The CNA skills almost irrelevant when it comes to the nursing program with the exception of basic nursing skills.

Well RNs and LPNs are different, so I'd expect there would be differences between the two programs. I wouldn't rule out CNA skills, especially if you go into LTC nursing. It hurts our feelings. :p

The Whatcom nurses I have worked with (when they did clinicals at my facility) were absolutely wonderful, professional, and did a good job from what I could tell.

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Specializes in Cardiovascular Nursing, Progressive Care.

Oh in no way was I trying to disrespect CNA's. They are awesome and honestly they know their facilities inside and out, and they are very much so underpaid. I was trying to make the point that WCC RN students are given more than adequate clinical education and clinical time, it is a great program for those that have little or extensive CNA experience

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Specializes in Psychiatry, corrections, long-term care..

I've heard that they added a third set of nursing classes to the mix so the waitlist has shortened to 3-6 months. I'm fairly skeptical because I have coworkers that have been on the list for a year and more now. Anyone have some information or experiences to share?

I've never been able to actually find any on BTC's website.

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Can anyone tell me what the wait list is for either program, Whatcom RN or Bellingham Tech LPN? Did I understand correctly that BTC is about 3-6 months total? :eek: If so I'm moving there!!! The point system around here makes it almost impossible for most to get in at my local college.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, corrections, long-term care..

Whatcom's RN program is not a waitlist program. You can apply once every fall and if you don't get in, you have to wait until next year.

And I think BTC's program is still a year to a year and a half based on what current students have told me during their clinicals. I know I sort of answered my own question, but I was hoping someone could tell me otherwise since that's quite the wait. :p

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Well I guess that's not too bad. :grn::grn: I can just continue working on the pre reqs for the RN bridge while I am waiting to get into their LPN. I did email the college with the same question so, I'll let you know what I hear when they respond.

Ah HA! Speaking of the devil!! This just popped in my email box:

"The most likely wait list time for a student who has completed all of the LPN prerequisites can be up to 2 years, and the wait time for LPN-RN bridge is about a year.":sniff:

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Specializes in Psychiatry, corrections, long-term care..

Damn, that's a pain. One of my coworkers has been waiting a year now. Another gave up after waiting a little longer.

Looks like I'll have to find something to do in the meantime. :)

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