Goodwin college

CTNurse2B · Jan 6, 2009

Ahh welcome to CT - Land where they make it VERY hard to become a nurse :banghead:

I have heard nothing but bad things about Goodwin College from friends who attend. They are a fairly newer program and previously had trouble with their students passing the NCLEX. Therefore, they made their graduation standards very high and unfortunately fail many people out, and thus raise their NCLEX passing rate. Nice huh?

They do graduate some competent nurses if you can make it that far, and their admission criteria is very high. Add in some organizational problems and many unhappy students in the mix and Goodwin just doesn't seem like a very viable option, for me anyway.

The community colleges are good, but waitlists are very long. If you can get in then these may be your best option. Capital is good, as well as Three Rivers. I haven't heard anything about the others.

Now onto the LPN issue, and this is where I am currently. The tech high schools that offer the program have waitlists of up to three years. Many of them are also 22 months instead of the 15. The price is right though, which is where the waitlists come in.

For me, and this option does not work for everyone, but I am starting my LPN at Lincoln Tech (expensive), but no waitlist. After the 15 month program, I can bridge over to the BSN because I have a BA in another field (but no hard science pre-reqs) while working as an LPN.

So by the beginning of 2011 I'll have a BSN or atleast an ADN, and will be working from the beginning of 2010 on and making an income. Whereas if I had waited on the waiting lists for the community colleges I wouldn't start till 2010-2011, and I just can't wait that long!

Good luck in your decision!:wink2:

cool12 · Jan 6, 2009

Thanks CTNurse2B,

Thanks for all the true response!

You are really are really doing good. I hear that LinconTech is about 23k. Is that right?

How did u get all those funding. I know that FAFSA and loan might prob help with 10k and how do u fund the rest.

I dont mind to get funding to that kind of school ,at least if someone can become LPN at the end.

I had applied to three rivers as my first choice. The curricullum seems very good based on all those ADN prereq's that I have getting out of the way. I might end up doing like one class each semester except the last semester if I can get in.

Can previous college credit be transffered to Lincon Tech. do you know?

I just kept my option opened now.Hopefully something will come out better!

Good luck my friend!. I will keep ypu posted!

Ahh welcome to CT - Land where they make it VERY hard to become a nurse
I have heard nothing but bad things about Goodwin College from friends who attend. They are a fairly newer program and previously had trouble with their students passing the NCLEX. Therefore, they made their graduation standards very high and unfortunately fail many people out, and thus raise their NCLEX passing rate. Nice huh?
They do graduate some competent nurses if you can make it that far, and their admission criteria is very high. Add in some organizational problems and many unhappy students in the mix and Goodwin just doesn't seem like a very viable option, for me anyway.
The community colleges are good, but waitlists are very long. If you can get in then these may be your best option. Capital is good, as well as Three Rivers. I haven't heard anything about the others.
Now onto the LPN issue, and this is where I am currently. The tech high schools that offer the program have waitlists of up to three years. Many of them are also 22 months instead of the 15. The price is right though, which is where the waitlists come in.
For me, and this option does not work for everyone, but I am starting my LPN at Lincoln Tech (expensive), but no waitlist. After the 15 month program, I can bridge over to the BSN because I have a BA in another field (but no hard science pre-reqs) while working as an LPN.
So by the beginning of 2011 I'll have a BSN or atleast an ADN, and will be working from the beginning of 2010 on and making an income. Whereas if I had waited on the waiting lists for the community colleges I wouldn't start till 2010-2011, and I just can't wait that long!
Good luck in your decision!:wink2:

msdeannah · Jan 7, 2009

I just want to say with the community colleges. I was told that the wait list disolves every year at the start of the fall semester and you will have to reapply, it is not on going. I was told this at Gateway and it is in the info online. This may be new though.

Good Luck

mattfd37 · Jan 17, 2009

I signed up for Micro and Psych yesterday..at the school since they are not up with the times (reg online), it took 3 1/2 hours!!! I have a AS/BS and 16cr at NVCC and they still find ways of adding classes to my pre-reqs. The admissions office staff are very nice but the whole process feels exactly like you are buying a car from a shading dealer. I literally had to walk to 5 different dept's and wait and wait and wait for someone to come out into the vacant room. The school seems very disoriented and some of their procedures are backwards. They are very expensive ($490/cr) for a small school i.e. a 5 story building. I hear a lot of bad things and good things are this school hopefully I'll experience the good, but right now that hasn't happened yet.

lucidli · Jan 21, 2009

Hi yercy12 - I am currently a student at Goodwin, just beginning my fourth semester (out of five!). My experience has, for the most part, been very positive. There is definitely a sense of disorganization amongst administration and faculty, but it is due to the fact that it's a fairly new program and they're trying their best to work out the kinks in the system.

Each semester the head of the program invites students to meet as a group and discuss how they think the program can be improved, and I've seen these meetings lead to real change in the past. The key is to get involved rather than sit around and whine about issues that one is unhappy with.

The program is definitely difficult and requires total committment and dedication. I work 40 hours and spend at least another 40 on class, clinical and studying, every week. Clinicals are tough but I have to say I've enjoyed every minute of every challenge. I've had the honor and pleasure of being taught by some amazing instructors here at Goodwin - women for whom I have the utmost respect, women whose positive influence will affect me for the rest of my life.

Before you write the school off as "too difficult", consider that if you get to the end of your training and you can't pass a comprehensive exam - EVEN ON THE SECOND TRY!!!- then you're in the wrong field altogether... last semester a student was only allowed to take the exam ONCE, and some failed and had to retake the entire semester. There is an exit exam at the end of each semester, so by the time you take the final exit exam you will be fully prepared for it.

So my advice is to look into the program further before you make your decision. Admission is based on a point system by the way. If you prepare well for the NLN entrance exam you should do fine.

If you have any questions, let me know. Good luck to you in whatever decision you make!

NocturneNrse · Jan 22, 2009

I just graduated from Goodwin College's RN program. While I can't say it was easy - I ask.. did you really think it would be? We're going to be responsible for lives here.. I'd like to know the person watching over me has a good solid education. I don't mean for that to sound snippy, but nursing involves A LOT more than many people can even imagine. I think that's why they don't get as much recognition as they deserve... or respect.

However; Goodwin College has come a long way w/their RN program. They had to beef it up in the past few semesters due to a low NCLEX passing rate. It's above 90% now, and with our graduating class.. I'm shooting for 100% and wouldn't be surprised if we made it!

About applying to Goodwin. It is expensive, I'm in for about 25,000.00 dollars all in all, but was able to get grants and loans, very little out of pocket expense during my schooling. The classes (Nursing) run either one long day, or two short nights a wk, with an addition 9 hour day for clinical at a variety of different hospitals. You will have to shuffle around your schedule a bit each semester, because clinicals are chosen by picking your name out of a hat to determine who picks first, and you may be the last one to choose, so be prepared. And, class times/days each semester will change.. maybe a Tuesday for Nursing 100, Wednesday for 110 and so on.

I think Goodwin has gotten a bad reputation because of it's low passing rate in the past, but since it's increase in pass rate - as we all know, good news travels a LOT slower than bad news.. we're still seen as behind the Community College programs, when in fact, I believe we may surpass that level. There is an exit exam at the end, but with all that you're taught throughout, you won't make it to the exit exam if you won't be able to pass it. There are exams nearly every week in the final two semesters, and they're a true test to what you're capable of doing. If you pass the final for the semester, you're in pace w/everyone else and will pass the exit exam. AND, all of this testing prepares you for that final NCLEX test which gives you your license.

Check out all of the Nursing programs in the state, and choose what one you feel most comfortable with. They're all good programs and remember.. not to scare you, but you won't see your friends for about two years once you're in the program.. it's hard hard work... but NOT impossible!!! Best to you... it's going to work out!

MissBlossom · May 15, 2009

Stay far away!!!! This school is a joke.

lucidli · May 15, 2009

Hi - did you attend Goodwin? And why do you think it's a joke? Did you have a bad experience there?

MissBlossom · May 15, 2009

Yes, I did. I went there for a few semesters about 4 years ago. At the time the nursing program was relatively new and was completely unorganized. I had transferred a bunch of credits over from Tunxis, I needed 6 classes to be considered for the actual nursing program so I took them there. When it came down to applying to the actual nursing program they told me that I did not qualify for it and basically tried to "sell" me more classes. My GPA was ok but they like their students to take the majority of classes with them. Goodwin is ridiculously expensive, for what they charge you can go get a B.A. at Uconn. A few people that I now actually graduated from the program and had to take an extra Kaplan course to pass the state exam. My friend's mother is an R.N. at NBGH and said that they no longer take fresh Goodwin grads because they were found to be incompetent upon hire. They just don't seem to prepare students that well and I am glad that I did not get in after all. I can't think of anyone who actually had anything good to say about it. This includes other programs as well.

I think I read a previous post about how they seemed like a used car salesman and that is also correct. They make it seem that it is soooo easy to get into the program and it is not. They try to get you in there as fast as possible, not really explaining everything so well. They have a nice new building now, paid for by ripping off students. All in all, I really hate that place.

Good luck!

cool12 · Jun 9, 2009

Thanks Lucidli,

What is the cummulative grade do u have to get in Nursing courses each semetser to be considered pass.Can any classes be repeated and how many times.Lol, u will be thinking why those Questions, I am more than average student by profiling but I just like to have idea of all the policies of the school I am applying to.

There are good advices in your reply. I am starting to look it at a different way. However their instruction on thier websites did not state that u can repeat the last semster but states u will be out of the program.

Thanks again partner!

Hi yercy12 - I am currently a student at Goodwin, just beginning my fourth semester (out of five!). My experience has, for the most part, been very positive. There is definitely a sense of disorganization amongst administration and faculty, but it is due to the fact that it's a fairly new program and they're trying their best to work out the kinks in the system.
Each semester the head of the program invites students to meet as a group and discuss how they think the program can be improved, and I've seen these meetings lead to real change in the past. The key is to get involved rather than sit around and whine about issues that one is unhappy with.
The program is definitely difficult and requires total committment and dedication. I work 40 hours and spend at least another 40 on class, clinical and studying, every week. Clinicals are tough but I have to say I've enjoyed every minute of every challenge. I've had the honor and pleasure of being taught by some amazing instructors here at Goodwin - women for whom I have the utmost respect, women whose positive influence will affect me for the rest of my life.
Before you write the school off as "too difficult", consider that if you get to the end of your training and you can't pass a comprehensive exam - EVEN ON THE SECOND TRY!!!- then you're in the wrong field altogether... last semester a student was only allowed to take the exam ONCE, and some failed and had to retake the entire semester. There is an exit exam at the end of each semester, so by the time you take the final exit exam you will be fully prepared for it.
So my advice is to look into the program further before you make your decision. Admission is based on a point system by the way. If you prepare well for the NLN entrance exam you should do fine.
If you have any questions, let me know. Good luck to you in whatever decision you make!

lucidli · Jun 9, 2009

Hi yercy12 - to remain in the program you must pass each semester with a minimum of 73. As it stands now, I believe you can repeat one semester only. They're still tweaking the program a little bit here and there, so things might change again, who knows! If you work really hard, maintaining at least a 73 is manageable...the instructors are excellent and willing to help if you have difficulty.

As far as getting the points you need to be accepted, do your best to get a high score on the NLN exam and do lot's of community service! There's an NLN study book - if you read it cover to cover and do ALL the practice tests you should do well! Good luck!

Lucidli