Confused

[Prosperity84]

Hello. I'm new to Oklahoma.....per my husband being military. I had a well paying contractor job at the last post we were at but I recently decided I wanted to pursue my life long dream to be a nurse. So I looked into schools and Platt College came up for the LPN program. It is a private college and I've read mixed reviews. I know it's more expensive than traditional community college but I don't really want to go the hoops of pre-requisites, waiting lists etc. I really just want to devote my time to school and get into the field. Are there any Platt College graduates from the LPN program that can shed their experience and their success rate in finding work afterwards? And does it make a difference that the school is state accredited but not nationally? Thanks any advice will help.

[AspiringNurseMW]

See if you can look up your schools NCLEX pads rate. Call around to facilities you would like to work at and ask their opinions

[ThatBigGuy]

A quick Google search turned up the OK Board Of Nursing's official NCLEX pass rates for Platt College, and it's pretty bad.

https://www.ok.gov/nursing/nclexpass1.pdf

You might use that webpage to find programs near you with better pass rates.

[OnlyDreaming]

How do you find the NCLEX pass ratings?(sorry to hijack post)

[runsalot]

Google it. Put in the school name and nclex pass rate.

[RunBabyRN]

Any program without prereqs triggers major red flags. I would strongly suggest avoiding any tech schools/career colleges. Most of their stuff isn't transferable, should you choose to further your education, and most employers are reluctant to hire graduates. There's a reason there are the "hoops" of prereqs. There's a lot to learn before going to nursing school, and you need to know if you can hack it.

Do a search on this site for accreditation. There is a lot of great info here about regional vs. state vs. national accreditation.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

If your credits aren't transferable to continue to RN, red flag. If the school isn't accredited & charges more than accredited colleges and universities, red flag. If the NCLEX pass rates are poor, red flag. If the school touts no pre-reqs and quick completion, red flag. You get the idea.

The best thing is to find out if local facilities actually hire grads from this institution. Don't go by what the school says because they will count ANY job as job placement. So, getting hired at McDonalds counts as "hired". While some vo-techs have good reputations, others do not. Just depends on you're area. I know you're anxious to get in the field and start working, but don't let the lure of "get it now" cloud your judgement.

[verene, MSN]

I would spend more time looking into the program as no pre-reqs and more expense than a CC are big caution flags. I'd also question going to a school that is only state and not nationally accredited in your situation. I'm assuming with your husband in the military that there may be more moves in your future, in which case if you go through the time and training to be a nurse you want a nationally accredited school so that you have a chance of licensing in your new state should you move and want to continue as a nurse.

It may help to think of pre-reqs not as hoops to jump through, but as the first steps on a long path. What you learn in pre-reqs is a foundation to build up on in nursing school. Plus taking time to go through the pre-reqs helps you to build study skills, and learn about yourself, not exactly a waste of time.

[Prosperity84]

Wow such great answers. I really appreciate everything! I did see the pass rates as well, not at all impressive. I've found Great Plains Technology Center they had much better pass rates. I guess if this is something I really want to put towards a better future I'll have to invest in the pre-requisites. It's not worth it to go through training only to find out I can't transfer it anywhere else if we get stationed elsewhere.... (which is pretty much guaranteed). Thank you all so much! God bless♡