Georgia Perimeter College ADN Program??

[redhedmatt]

Hello all,

I am looking for someone to give me an honest review of the ADN program at Georgia Perimeter College. I have read/heard many, many horrible comments about the program there. Also, I understand that they were on the verge of loosing accreditation, and had to increase NCLEX pass numbers, and that their way of accomplishing that was to fail out everyone who might not pass. At any rate, I know that GPC's program was quite bad in mid 2000's, but who's there now? Has it improved? Are you teachers good/helpful? How many people are dropping from your class? Would you go there if you had it to do again? Just looking for some advice... Thanks

[JustADream]

There is a difference in the test itself in the last semester. They add some short written answer type questions to the last section instead of just straight multiple-choice. They accepted multiple answers for most- they just wanted to ensure that you grasped the material and were able to understand implications for your pt.

[secondcareerguy]

I am in the 3rd semester @ GPC. I've read a lot of the posts in this thread, some I agree with and many I don't. For what it's worth here's my take. First of all let me say that this is a mid-life career change for me so I'm not some cry-baby kid complaining about how unfair life is.

Like anything in life this program will repay exactly what you put into it. This is NOT an easy program. The NCLEX passage rate from this program is top notch and when it comes down to it, that really all that matter - Passing the NCLEX. Because this is an ADN program that competes with a boat load of BSN programs in the area - it can easily be considered an accelerated program. It lack separate a class for Pharmacology which is a HUGE issue. All pharm subjects are integrated into the coursework, and this requires a LOT of independent study. One resource offered at GPC, is ATI. ATI is vital to a student's success at GPC, but unfortunately the instructors don't stress it enough. ATI is quite possibly a better learning tool than all the assigned textbooks combined.

As to the instructors, most are MSN, some are APN (doctorates). Quite a few are students themselves working on APN degrees. I feel that this is a major component of the #1 problem I have with the program - DISORGANIZATION. We all know that nursing school is stressful but unorganized instructors can make it a living h3ll. To succeed in this program you MUST be prepared to be organized, flexible, and rarely work.

During the program, you are expected to drop everything in your life at a moment's notice during the first few weeks of every semester. If you don't succeed on some of the non-credited pass or fail elements of the program (ATI testing, check-offs, math tests) remediation is mandatory and may take a couple of days to complete - these remediation requirements are on your own time. the program moves forward at a steady clip, and you need to find time to catch up.

All in all this is an outstanding program with VERY caring instructors, period. Their goal is you passing the NCLEX. But if you can't hack it, your out! Don't think for a minute that because this is just an ADN program, you'll breeze by. Quite the contrary. Unless you have strong self-discipline and study habits, you probably ought to look at a different school. The instructors are NOT going to hold your hand and coddle you. Most students in my class are in their mid-thirties and are serious about this. If you're a kid looking to goof-off this is NOT the place for you.

[Wileen89]

what were you guy's GPA when you got accepted into the school?