Feedback on NCP Vocational School in South San Francisco

frankiebaby · Jul 8, 2008

I went there in 2005 and overall found it to be a pretty good school. I know that 100% of my fellow graduates that took the NCLEX, passed on their first attempt.

But that said, there are some problems with NCP. They had some pretty rigid rules about attending NCLEX review sessions (they wouldn't submit your paperwork for your ATT if you didn't) and they also made students stay in class everyday from 8-5 pm to "study" when our time could have been better spent. If, for example, our class lecture ended at 3, we would have to quietly "study" until 5. If we left, we would be marked as absent and have to make the time up. I'm an adult, and that always rubbed me the wrong way. They often treated students like children giving us "busy work" that really didn't improve our knowledge or skills. The founders and much of the faculty are old-school Filipinas (nothing wrong with that, many of them are wonderful nurses and teachers,) and they ran the school as if were 1950. There was very little autonomy afforded the students. I also know that they have a hard time maintaining faculty and clinical sites, but then many nursing schools are in the same boat.

BUT all that said, if I had to do it all over again, I would. I was desperate to become an RN, and as you know, all schools in the area are extremely impacted. I was frustrated with waiting lists, and I saw NCP as the quickest route to achieving my goal. I am now at a local community college finishing my RN, and becoming an LVN at NCP first made it possible for me to get some experience before and during RN school. Not to mention that having a job while I'm in school helps pay the bills! As an LVN you can apply for advanced placement to many Bay Area RN programs, and with advanced placement, the waiting lists are much shorter than going straight into the RN programs.

NCP is a decent school with good people. It is very expensive, though. If I had a choice between a community college and NCP, I would absolutely choose the cheaper route. But, if like me, you don't want to wait for years on a waiting list, then NCP is a good choice.

Hanna0225 · Jul 8, 2008

I went there in 2005 and overall found it to be a pretty good school. I know that 100% of my fellow graduates that took the NCLEX, passed on their first attempt.
But that said, there are some problems with NCP. They had some pretty rigid rules about attending NCLEX review sessions (they wouldn't submit your paperwork for your ATT if you didn't) and they also made students stay in class everyday from 8-5 pm to "study" when our time could have been better spent. If, for example, our class lecture ended at 3, we would have to quietly "study" until 5. If we left, we would be marked as absent and have to make the time up. I'm an adult, and that always rubbed me the wrong way. They often treated students like children giving us "busy work" that really didn't improve our knowledge or skills. The founders and much of the faculty are old-school Filipinas (nothing wrong with that, many of them are wonderful nurses and teachers,) and they ran the school as if were 1950. There was very little autonomy afforded the students. I also know that they have a hard time maintaining faculty and clinical sites, but then many nursing schools are in the same boat.
BUT all that said, if I had to do it all over again, I would. I was desperate to become an RN, and as you know, all schools in the area are extremely impacted. I was frustrated with waiting lists, and I saw NCP as the quickest route to achieving my goal. I am now at a local community college finishing my RN, and becoming an LVN at NCP first made it possible for me to get some experience before and during RN school. Not to mention that having a job while I'm in school helps pay the bills! As an LVN you can apply for advanced placement to many Bay Area RN programs, and with advanced placement, the waiting lists are much shorter than going straight into the RN programs.
NCP is a decent school with good people. It is very expensive, though. If I had a choice between a community college and NCP, I would absolutely choose the cheaper route. But, if like me, you don't want to wait for years on a waiting list, then NCP is a good choice.

FRANKIEBABY.. thank you! Great information you've provided.. My younger sister graduated from NCP last year and she said it was worth it. Though I always like getting different opinions from others.

I have my heart set on attending a private LVN school and NCP is my top choice because of their NCLEX pass rate, which has been consistently high over the past years. If I didn't have my two year old son, then I would have probably went the community college route, which I did before he was born, but even then the nursing programs at colleges were starting to get impacted. Although I'm still young, I ultimately want to become an RN, but it just seems so unfair that there are not enough nursing schools that are affordable for those who want to fulfill their dreams.

frankiebaby · Jul 8, 2008

Hanna,

Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into your decision. NCP is a good school, and everyone there works hard to help students succeed. One thing that I've heard that's changed since I graduated is that they now offer student loans. When I attended this wasn't an option, so paying for the program was a bit tricky.

Good luck to you! :specs:

Julie2722 · Aug 31, 2008

O wow..So they have some bad points...I don't mind the study bit, i have a three year old brother who hates it when i lock myself in the room to study, he hates closed doors...and playing so i would never get around to studying...I am doing the pre-requisites starting Wednesday and than hoping to go on to do the LVN program...I am so nervous!! Do you have to have Anatomy and Physiology knowledge??? I didn't take science/biology or any science courses in High school so i am nervous that the teacher will be talking about something i have no idea about..

Julie2722 · Aug 31, 2008

I am thinking of going to NCP Vocational School in South San Francisco. I wanted to know if any current students or those that have graduated here, could give me some feedback good or bad?? Thanks!!

I am going to do the Pre-Req and than hopefully the LVN program there... Its expensive but i have heard mostly good reviews about the place...The only bad thing is that it cost so much haha...I went to check the school out and its a nice school, small...But that makes me feel better that its small...big schools with heaps of people intimidate me!! :nurse: I hope you find what you are looking for

Hanna0225 · Aug 31, 2008

o wow..so they have some bad points...i don't mind the study bit, i have a three year old brother who hates it when i lock myself in the room to study, he hates closed doors...and playing so i would never get around to studying...i am doing the pre-requisites starting wednesday and than hoping to go on to do the lvn program...i am so nervous!! do you have to have anatomy and physiology knowledge??? i didn't take science/biology or any science courses in high school so i am nervous that the teacher will be talking about something i have no idea about..

hi julie,

i will be starting the a&p class this wednesday too! i already took an anatomy course at city college sf a few years back before i had my kid, and i passed with a b. but with ncp their requirement is (anatomy and physiology combined) so thats why i am just going to take it there. it was pretty hard, i compared my city college book to the ncp anatomy&physio one (my sister's book--she graduated from ncp a year ago) and it looks totally simplified and very much doable! almost high schoolish i would say. anyhow, maybe we could be study partners if you want.

just curious, are you trying to get into the november 2008 program or spring 2009?

and did you take the hobet exam??

don't be nervous, we are in the same boat. you should do fine

Julie2722 · Sep 1, 2008

O that would be totally great!! So, you are going to be at the South San Francisco NCP? That is so cool...For the LVN course i wanted to get into the November one, so than i won't lose my "studying mode" if i manage to pick one up haha...And no i haven't taken the HOBET test yet? Have you? I wanted to study for it a bit before i did it...Ugh! So much to do...

Hanna0225 · Sep 1, 2008

o that would be totally great!! so, you are going to be at the south san francisco ncp? that is so cool...for the lvn course i wanted to get into the november one, so than i won't lose my "studying mode" if i manage to pick one up haha...and no i haven't taken the hobet test yet? have you? i wanted to study for it a bit before i did it...ugh! so much to do...

yes, i will be going to the ssf one. i just took the hobet test about a month ago, it wasn't too hard. you should definitely buy the study guide that they sell at the school, it helped sooo much!

well hope to see you on wednesday!

Julie2722 · Sep 15, 2008

Hey, i have no idea how to reply to your message lol so im doing it here, hopefully you see it! So yeah i am at NCP but doing the 4-7pm class, me and another person wanted to change to the day class last week because our teacher is totally scary lol...Shes actually really cool, she makes you do your work and no slacking off etc and i need that :) So its all good. Im still getting everything together for the LVN course, going along really slowly and thinking about doing the HOBET test next week so busy busy...Hows your class? I heard that your teacher is really cool and easy to talk to? Do you think its hard? Overwelming? Fun? lol...Some said it was fun...Still looking out for the fun bit lol...So neway talk to you laterz...I have some studying to do for todays class..

Julie.

iluvspongebob · Sep 19, 2008

Hi! Im also in the process of applying for the November classes at NCP. I'm just really stuck on the essay and I've revised it 4-5 times and it still doesnt look good. Can anyone who already got in tell me how they choose their applicants and whether its critical that the essay "stands out" from the rest? And also what kinds of questions do they ask during the interview? Thanks!

Hanna0225 · Sep 19, 2008

hi! im also in the process of applying for the november classes at ncp. i'm just really stuck on the essay and i've revised it 4-5 times and it still doesnt look good. can anyone who already got in tell me how they choose their applicants and whether its critical that the essay "stands out" from the rest? and also what kinds of questions do they ask during the interview? thanks!

hi there,

i just had my interview this past tuesday and was accepted into the november program. as for my essay it wasn't really that long maybe 300 words max, just explaining why i chose this career, and why i am fit for it. before the interview they give you a questionnaire to fill out. they mainly want to know if you're going to managing your time correctly (i.e if you have kids, are working) and that you're really serious to work hard and sacrifice.

anyhow, hope that helped a bit. let me know if you have other questions :wink2: