Hospital based diploma in Stl

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Remember how some nursing homes used to offer free lpn training, if you agreed to work for them for a year or two? Does anyone know if any hospital/nursing home based programs exist anymore in Saint Louis? Just curious, maybe I'm a little old-fashioned.

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As far as I know, there are no longer ANY diploma programs in the US.

I like your idea about "the old-fashioned; as a diploma graduate, I believe I got one of the best educations a nurse could have in terms of theory vs. clinical. A perfect balance. I graduated Samuel Merritt Nursing School in Oakland, Ca. in 1979 (Now Summitt Medical Center). I had incredible teachers, amazing oportunities and absolute support during my education.

As it was such a streamlined environment, it was all about ME, and MY progress.

As far as educational quality, I was on the board of SNAC during my 3 years, and had alot of interaction with UCSF and USF students during my program. I can honestly say that our curriculum included everything that thiers did except for public health, and on the clinical floors, we simply ran circles around them, because we had so much more clinical time.

I don't know how all you 2 year students do it. Hats off to you all!

Cate

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.
As far as I know, there are no longer ANY diploma programs in the US.

Cate

Not true--there are still diploma programs running in the US as I just graduated from a 3-yr diploma hospital based program. They are few and far between but they are still out there.

To the OP: try going to www.allnursingschools.com which lists the schools by state. Good luck.

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Specializes in SICU, ER, MEDICAL.

The only diploma school left in St. Louis is Luthern School of Nursing. It is hospital based at St. Alexis Hospital in South City.

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Yes, it's just so difficult to enter into all of these schools without being on a waiting list. Lutheran has closed their Fall semester and is not starting the next nursing semester until Fall 2007...which is the same as or longer at the community colleges. But, I guess I was speaking more on the terms of a nursing home that offer LPN training as some do CNA training. There used to be some that offered it. With the shortages of nurses in Missouri, it seems that there would be more opportunities for ADN RN degrees and LPN diploma programs. There are opportunities, but it takes so long to enter the nursing program. I understand that there's not a problem with that in Illinois. I wonder why it is in Missouri. I guess I just have to wait my time. To give an example of the waiting list, I am #216 on the waiting list at Forest Park. I've applied to all three community colleges. I just hope I don't forget the knowledge that I do have by the time they call me. They say if you don't use it, you lose it. Good luck to all.

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I think these schools just tell you the first thing that comes to their mind. I spoke with Lutheran 2 days ago and she said I could begin spring 07 if I get all of my paperwork in by then. The main problem I have with them is I am in North County and their in deep South City. I guess that's just a sacrifice I'll have to make.

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Tosie,

Well, actually they told me that I could start the pre-nursing program for Spring 2007, but those aren't actual nursing classes. During the pre-nursing part is when I would take their pre-req of Abnormal Psychology and Bio Medical Ethics (I think that's the name of the course) or I could wait until Fall 2007 and take it with the nursing courses. They told me that I couldn't actually start the nursing classes until Fall 2007. I figured that I would be wasting my time by taking those pre-reqs if I cannot start the actual nursing classes until Fall 2007. That is the same time that Flo said I would have to wait until I get called on the waiting list. Now, if I could take those two pre-reqs over the summer and start actual nursing classes Spring 2007 at Lutheran, I would do it in a heartbeat. So, Flo would be the better choice, (cheaper and degree) since I will be starting around the same time of Fall 2007. Plus, Lutheran requires you to take some type of test before starting, you have to get three references, and type a two-paged essay. Again, I would do it in a heartbeat, if I could start nursing courses in the Spring 2007. But, that's not the case. You are doing the right thing by going with the choice that is best for you. Whatever it takes to start doing the real thing. I know that taking so many pre-reqs gets a little frustrating after a while. I know because the only ones I have left at Flo are one more P.E., History, and Comp II. I'm ready to start getting a little experience with the real thang. Hang in there!!:lol2:

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Specializes in ICU, Hospice.

Lutheran School of Nursing is the only diploma RN program left in the state of Missouri.

I just graduated from there November 20, 2005 and passed my state boards first try December, 9, 2005. I choose this school because it offered more clinical hours than the Community Colleges or the 4 year BSN programs.

Like both of the previous posters, I had prerequisites to complete and was able to complete all of them in two semesters at various community colleges (East Central, Jefferson, Meramec & St Charles). No one community college offered all of the courses I needed in that short of a time period so I drove....and drove...and drove, but got all of them completed. A couple were online classes and that helped.

If you decide to take prereqs at the CC colleges it is much cheaper, just make sure you call Mary in financial aid at Lutheran to get your courses preapproved so you know they will transfer in and equal the prenursing courses taught at Lutheran.

BTW St Alexius is the old Alexian Brothers Hospital, maybe you heard of that...just a name change with change of ownership. If you have any questions just send me a note. :lol2:

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HI Riverwink,

I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience at Lutheran. What was your experience with the TABE Test? I passed Elementary Algebra at the CC, but I don't know if I can remember all of the Math. How is the curriculum set up at Lutheran? If I have all of my required pre-reqs, would it still take me two years to complete the degree?

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Specializes in ICU, Hospice.
HI Riverwink,

I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience at Lutheran. What was your experience with the TABE Test? I passed Elementary Algebra at the CC, but I don't know if I can remember all of the Math. How is the curriculum set up at Lutheran? If I have all of my required pre-reqs, would it still take me two years to complete the degree?

I started right before the TABE test began. Actually, I was one of the people who suggested pretesting as many of the people who began with me really were not ready to begin nursing school and consequently flunked out. The TABE is basic reading comprehension and math...nothing to heavy from what people taking it have told me. If you are worried about math, go to Barnes & Noble or Borders and buy a drug calculation workbook from the nursing section. It will review the basic math you need...just start in the begining of the book.

Yes, it still takes two years to complete the degree if you have all your prereqs in advance. And if you have not completed them for others reading this message...complete them before you start the program. It is intense enough that you don't want to have to take a bunch of prereqs while you are in nursing school.

The program is set up much like the programs at the community colleges, we just have more clinical hours in the hospitals. The hospitals here in St Louis snap up our grads because they know we can work circles around most other graduate nurses.

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Riverwink

Thanks for your inside info. It really helps a million. That's why I love this site. Congrats on passing the boards. That's what really matters!!!

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