Just found out my school has a low NCLEX passing rate... should I leave?

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2017

If you left, what are your other choices for schools? What are their pass rates?

jss1985, ASN, RN · Jan 14, 2017

If you left, what are your other choices for schools? What are their pass rates?

The only other option for me is a CUNY school. There's 4 of them near me: Medgar Evers (76.9% NCLEX), Laguardia (73% NCELX), Hostos (87.5% NCLEX), and Bronx Community College (100% NCLEX). All of which are low cost public schools and are eligible for tuition reimbursement from my union.

I already met with an advisor for the last one (BCC) who said I should have no problem getting in with my GPA (3.80). Thing is their program is in the evening, the same time that I go to work. So that's out.

Out of the remaining three, I heard that Laguardia might be a little flexible but I would have to speak with an advisor for further detail.

The school that I already signed up for (Mildred Elley) is a private school and the program normally costs $27,000 with books, tuition, etc. But with my transfer credits, that would bring it down to about $18,000. But the problem remains, their NCLEX pass rate sucks. Oh and the union I'm in said they will not cover tuition reimbursement for that school because of the low rate.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2017

Well, different levels of nursing school tend to have different types of people that attend them. This isn't true and this isn't scientific in the slightest. Usually, traditional BSN graduates are under 30 with no kids or have a great support system. ADN graduates are a mix and it is hard to really define them. Some were in their 20s. Some had a dozen kids and had to hang out in the library to study. Some were second degree students or older students like in their 40s-60s.

LPNs tend to be people who are working full-time and have kids with limited support system. When you have kids and are the person paying the bills/insurance, it is hard to find time to study. I started a LPN class briefly before switching to RN. It was older students and students with children. Not to mention that the LPN program was at a private institution that aimed to recruit students in lower income areas and those who had it paid for through their work or unemployment.

If I were you, I would avoid the private institution. That 20,000 is only 3k less than what I paid for my associates.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2017

Given that Mildred Elley is a for-profit school, neither the cost nor the pass rates are entirely surprising. It looks like you could complete the program at BCC for about half the cost.

What's your current job and what's holding you to this place of employment? Finding a new job that will work around a school schedule may be a better option.

jss1985, ASN, RN · Jan 15, 2017

Given that Mildred Elley is a for-profit school, neither the cost nor the pass rates are entirely surprising. It looks like you could complete the program at BCC for about half the cost.
What's your current job and what's holding you to this place of employment? Finding a new job that will work around a school schedule may be a better option.

Well its a union job they help pay for school. Most of it actually. And i need the money for my family and i. I make $23/hour. Good benefits too.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 15, 2017

I would speak to an admissions advisor at BCC to find out what your evening class schedule would be and then talk to your manager to see if there is a workable solution. Do NOT sink $20K + into a for-profit LPN program with a low pass rate. Do you really want to go in to debt (since your job won't pay for it) for something that you might not even be able to pass NCLEX? Not worth the risk.

Get a quality education. Sounds like BCC is quality with a 100% pass rate. There's usually a way to work around things. I would definitely arm yourself with all the info you need and then schedule a meeting with your manager.

Good luck :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2017

The LPN-to-ASN transition program that I completed had a 56 percent first-time NCLEX pass rate at the time I enrolled. I still passed NCLEX on my first attempt.

Though I don't recommend attending a school with chronically low NCLEX pass rates when there are other options, be mindful that NCLEX is a solo effort. Just because some classmates perform poorly doesn't mean you'll end up like them.

Beldar_the_Cenobite, CNA · Jan 15, 2017

Bronx Community College (100% NCLEX).
I already met with an advisor for the last one (BCC) who said I should have no problem getting in with my GPA (3.80). Thing is their program is in the evening, the same time that I go to work. So that's out.

I don't know you, but I myself am not in a comfortable position in life to be picky about what I truly want. You spoke with an advisor who told you "You have no problem getting in". The key to being a real nurse when you graduate is passing your state board NCLEX. You listed the schools that have the pass rates. You want the one with the highest so you can get out of the life you're living now and become that RN you want to be. How badly do you want to be an RN? Badly? Or meh, I'm just doing it for the hell of it.

Like I said before, I don't know you, and I don't know your personal life but I myself...there are things I'm willing to do to get what I truly want. What I personally truly want is to no longer be unemployed and in college accruing debt. A BSN, which is what I'm going to school for, is what I truly want. My situation is very different from what most of society know about a college student and one day the VA might make a story about it but the point is do whatever you have to do to get where you need to be which is to be a nurse.

Beldar_the_Cenobite, CNA · Jan 15, 2017

I'm not trying to offend but if you can't adapt to the reality of reaching your goal, that is a bullet you'll have to bite. And I say this to any student. If the OP has no kids, there are options the OP can do to adjust. I've done them. They're VERY dangerous but if the OP can get through it, it'll have been worth the sacrifice.

jss1985, ASN, RN · Jan 15, 2017

I'm not trying to offend but if you can't adapt to the reality of reaching your goal, that is a bullet you'll have to bite. And I say this to any student. If the OP has no kids, there are options the OP can do to adjust. I've done them. They're VERY dangerous but if the OP can get through it, it'll have been worth the sacrifice.

Dangerous in what way?

I have a 2 year old and an 18 yr old stepdaughter. My wife works as a cna. We make roughly the same salary.

jss1985, ASN, RN · Jan 16, 2017

Think i found a solution. Might be extreme but tell me what you guys think...

Theres a vocational school that offers lpn for $14k. Its ACEN accredited and my union sponsors it so they will help pay it. The hours are mon to fri 8am to 1pm for 3 semesters.

The catch? Its a 2 hour commute from where i work/live. Im in the bronx and this place is in long island. I dont have a car so it will be subway train plus LI railroad.

I would have to wake up 5am to be there by 8am. 5 days a week for 3 semesters.

Worth it?