Florida LPN Courses

dfroll · May 10, 2008

I graduated on 5/2/08 as an LPN at Galen Health Institute in Tampa/St.Petersburg area. Galen is a private school so you know it will cost more than the Vo-Tech's but, I feel as though I got a good education for my money. Oh yeah! the school has a 97% passing rate for the NCLEX and has held that standard for a while. What ever schools you decide to go to you might want to check out the schools pass rate for the NCLEX. Because what really matters is passing your boards.:wink2:

Fallon · May 25, 2008

Hi there!
I'm in Broward County, I attended Sheridan Technical Center. I completed the LPN program in October of last year. I really recommend the school to anyone who is thinking of getting into the profession. I did see that you would be living in Pompano. Atlantic Technical is the sister school of Sheridan so I guess it is the same curriculum. I did have a few classmates that transferred from Atlantic, Broward, and Palm Beach Community Colleges. They all had their own little situations which caused them to transfer, but I can tell you this, they all completed the program at Sheridan. I am really glad that I did the LPN program instead of going right into the RN. It's a great opportunity to be able to get out into the field, make money, see what area you want to get involved in before you get specialized. I'm planning on going to BCC for the LPN-RN transition, I just have a few prereq's to finish, but after that it will only be about a year till my RN. So anyways, I'll quit the blabber-if you have any questions, let me know! Take care and happy school shopping!

Hi, I am thinking of attending Sheridan Technical Center. What were the teachers like? How was the program, was it organized well? How often were tests given and on average how many hours weekly did you study? Please give me as much information as you can. Thanks so much!

labrador4122, RN · May 26, 2008

I am a former student at BCC north campus, personally I do not recommend BCC unless you are entering the LPN-RN transition program. I did not feel as though the teaching staff at north campus is very helpful towards seeing students pass the program, if anything they try their hardest to change the program so frequently so that people are not able to pass. The failure rate at all BCC campuses for nursing is very high. I know because I've known multiple students at all three campuses and normally no one call pass thru the program without failing at least one or two semesters of classes.
I am now researching LPN programs in south florida broward county area, most private programs such as those at Keiser College or Sigma Institute which are higher in costs but are usually more caring and have a vested interest in your graduating or so I've heard from a few students i've talked to at both programs, one who graduated from Keiser and the other who will graduate from Sigma Institute in one month. I personally do not suggest anyone attend BCC if they don't have to and if you do make sure you have a strong support system of study group buddies cause you guys will need it for that program.
I've also heard Sheridan Tech is an excellent school I have a friend starting class this Wednesday she failed 3rd semester GIGU at BCC north campus but is now at Sheridan. She did her research and talked to some students before she started and I agree with dreamer that they have the best program b/c the teachers are very helpful and want to see you pass and graduate and that is very helpful in this type of difficult curriculum. Good luck to everyone out there!
Still holding on :balloons:

I always heard that North campus of BCC is the best.

It is true that BCC has a high failure rate for students.

I graduated from BCC last august- and it was a tough ride. But I think that with hard work and dedication BCC is doable.

If you are not a humble person- you do have to learn how to be humble and if the teacher says to you "do it again"... you have to learn "yes sir, right away sir.... of course- I will come right back to you with the answer.."

I personally did not fail any lecture course during the program- but I did have to re-take my math test once during peds- but the teacher scheduled me to re-take my test on the day that I had clinical with psych- I was in two clinicals at the same time- which I would not recommend at all... so I missed a day of clinicals in peds- and had to stay a semester behind for one day- when I made up my day the students in the other groups were amazed that they would let me sit out a semester for one day of clinical that could of been easily made up during the following semester. so needless to say that I ended up graduating in august instead of may- and that was a big heart break for me- because obviously I was looking forward to graduating in may in spite of having had a baby in the middle of the program.

BCC is not a great school- I would recommend NOVA as the best school in broward so far.

I heard from a girl in Keiser and another at City college- both whom I met during my kaplan nclex review that they were treated well with respect there.

and I don't understand why at BCC we get treated so bad there- and apparently it's in all 3 campuses!

just because we don't pay $30K per year for our AS degrees like at Keiser or city collge that doesn't mean that we don't deserve respect.

I went o BCC because it was my only option, I had failed a&p at nova that set me behind, I was never accepted to MDC- I was accepted to Manatee CC in bradenton... but that meant that I would of had to move away from everyone- and I ended up getting pregnant at the end of july- so there was no way I could do that.

SO inspite of BCC being a horrible school- I feel blessed that I was actually accepted to an RN program!! I feel blessed that I had the opportunity and given a chance in the world to better myself- a chance that MDC did not give me 5x's.

But I agree with you that it seems like they don't want the students to be there. like they want to make the test so so hard that they dont want the students to pass.

I remember studying so hard for one test- and I ended up with a C. I always sat up front, and looked behind me- and the people's faces so upset- that first semester 25 students passed and 25 failed. So I was definitely happy with my C.

but remember- study super super hard if you are at BCC or any other school- I made it at bcc so could you!

:nurse:

Lpn2BFall08 · Oct 18, 2008

Hey Miss Cola I was wondering is u could tell me more about your experinces at S Tech. Like, how many tests are giving in a week? How much of study time? How are the teaachers? Please give me as much information as possilbe. Thank you so muich!

labrador4122, RN · Oct 21, 2008

Gos1376,

what are you up to now? did you go to LPN or another RN program??

Big Dreamer 2011 · Apr 2, 2011

Hello everyone! I am moving from Orlando to Hollywood this summer and really wanted to get into an RN 2 year program! I keep thinking i should do the LPN first since i should get a taste of what its like (Im currently a Cna) I may find a great job and not want to go further, idk yet! Question is how hard is the MATH??? Also the school in Hollywood sounds great, does anyone know if you have your cna license if its a little less than 12 months?? Thanks so much and any help or recommendations are sooo appreciated!!!:)

Big Dreamer 2011 · Apr 2, 2011

Hi there!
I'm in Broward County, I attended Sheridan Technical Center. I completed the LPN program in October of last year. I really recommend the school to anyone who is thinking of getting into the profession. I did see that you would be living in Pompano. Atlantic Technical is the sister school of Sheridan so I guess it is the same curriculum. I did have a few classmates that transferred from Atlantic, Broward, and Palm Beach Community Colleges. They all had their own little situations which caused them to transfer, but I can tell you this, they all completed the program at Sheridan. I am really glad that I did the LPN program instead of going right into the RN. It's a great opportunity to be able to get out into the field, make money, see what area you want to get involved in before you get specialized. I'm planning on going to BCC for the LPN-RN transition, I just have a few prereq's to finish, but after that it will only be about a year till my RN. So anyways, I'll quit the blabber-if you have any questions, let me know! Take care and happy school shopping! [/quote
Did you find a good job, one that paid well and that you really like???

Big Dreamer 2011 · Apr 2, 2011

I am interested in this school so please share what your career was like after graduation and passing NCLEX etc??? Thank you so much!!!!

Miss Cola, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2011

Hi Big Dreamer! I really felt like Sheridan did a great job at preparing me for the NCLEX. I just bought a review booklet before I took the test and I was good to go. Testing is always stressful (for everyone, I would imagine) but for the most part I felt ready.

Then, after I graduated Sheridan and passed boards it took me about 3 months to find work. I was being picky-choosy though. I ended up at an Assisted Living and have been ever since (over 2 years now). It was not really what I visioned I would be doing as a nurse, I wanted to work at a hospital. Unfortunately, most hospitals in my area do not actively hire LPNs and ones that do, the pay is so-so. As an LPN I would recommend an ALF as a first job because it really eases you into the field. The only downside I would point out is there is a limit as to what skills you can use (ie: we dont do caths and g-tubes etc.) And oh yea,...you have to LOVE elderly people!!! lol

So, thats just a little insight into what I've been doing since my NCLEX-PN. I have many collegues that have done different things like home health, agency work, rehabs, etc. and they are doing just fine too. Its really personal preference. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!!! Hope I helped somehow!!!