looking for info on RSHT

nursn4me · May 11, 2006

Hi Sakina,

I have not attended RSHT but I have a niece who is currently enrolled. I asked her about the program and all she said was "it's ok." Doesnt sound very encouraging to me. I looked into the program a few years back and my understanding from people is that it is not worth the money and some employers are reluctant to hire a RSHT graduate. Maybe you should go on the virginia board of nursing to see if they have information on the nclex pass rate for RSHT. That would be a top concern for me, because it does no good to go thru school if they dont train you what you need to know in order to pass boards and be a competent nurse. The second thing you should consider before making your choice of school is the cost of the program. A few years back it was a little over $13,000 and I am sure it is even more now. Have you considered going to J.Sargeant Reynolds?? They have an lpn program that you complete in 12 months. The cost is cheap, you can get your certificate to sit for the boards for probably under $3000 give or take. I was in the lpn program at J.Sargeant Reynolds and I took a break because I didnt pass my med/surg class by 1 point so I got discouraged ,but I am taking classes again at J.Sarg. I am just waiting for a spot to become available so I can take my last class to graduate so I can sit for boards and continue on with the rn program. Again I dont have personal knowledge about RSHT just what I have heard. I do think it is a rip off to be charging that much money for tuition, I dont recommend them. Call J.Sargeant Reynolds if you are in the Richmond area and go take pn test for admission into their program. I am so happy so one else from Rich, Va is on this site. Let me know if you have anymore questions!!

Sakina · May 11, 2006

Thank you sooooooo much for that info I have been really worried about getting a job and passing the boards after I complete the program. Since they have classes starting every 5 weeks I'm going to take my time to investigate and shop around. I went to the Va board website but could not locate any info on their pass rate.. any idea where to find it???? thanks again so much your info

nursn4me · May 11, 2006

Sakina,

I just went to the virginia board of nursing and you click on education programs and then you click on pn programs. Richmond School of Health and Technology(RSHT) is listed on the website but their pass rate was only 73.9% that is not good. While on the website I checked J.Sargeant Reynolds pass rate for their practical nursing program and it was 92.9 which is very good. My advice is to do what you said you were going to do,take your time and shop around. In my opinion any school that starts a new pn program every 5 weeks is not concerned with the quality of education but the quantity of students which means more money in their pockets. I tried to talk my niece out of signing up with RSHT but she couldnt wait for the next enrollment for the pn program at J.Sargeant Reynolds. If you do the math on how much the program at RSHT cost minus the money you can expect to make as a new lpn grad doesnt equal to very much take home pay for you when you repay uncle sam each month on his loan for you to go to school. I say run and run fast!!! Go to a reputable college or hospital program that will not charge you more than half of your expected salary when you graduate and a program that is really interested in filling the gap of the nursing shortage. Let me know what you decide!! :confused:

SheriBabi · May 21, 2006

Hi, I am also a student a J. Sargeant Reynolds and started out in the LPN program and then later switched to RN. I have a friend who completed there LPN program and went back years later to get her RN and said the program was excellent. The department seems very organized and were always quick to help me when I was in the program. And my firend said the nursing clinical instructors were really passionate on teaching you right (which I think made it more of a challenge, but you come out better prepared to take the boards). From what she says it is one of the best programs. Also, I have heard personnally and through others that a lot of healthcare institutes in the area really like to hire JSRCC graduates, so that is always a plus.

I wish you the best on whatever you decide!!

Sheri

nursn4me · May 22, 2006

Hi SheriBabi,

I am working on my pre-reqs for the rn program too. I have most of the lpn program finished except med/surg (pne187). How many pre-reqs have you completed so far? I am taking 3 classes this semester, but I will have to take chem,A&P 1&2,sociology, and math 120 then I will be done with the pre-reqs for the rn program. I hear there is a waiting list of 18-24 months before you can get in for clinicals. 6 months if you have went thru their lpn program and you take the transitional bridge class. Have you heard anything on expected wait time for the rn program?? I am leaning towards finishing that last lpn class so I can get into the rn program quicker and be done. Are you taking any classes this summer? Are you already doing clinicals or working on the pre-reqs?

anonymurse · May 26, 2006

I believe all the VA community colleges with RN programs have long waits. So far as I know, these are all based on a point system where you get so many points per prereq completed. If you're thinking of attending a VA community college, you'll want to get the point count list, make sure your prereqs qualify, and ask program admins about current typical waits plus how much the points increased in each of the last 2 semesters so you can estimate when you can expect to be admitted to the program. This means more to some than others. Personally, I have a dread of "going stale" by pausing even half a year.

boss lady · Jan 31, 2008

I think you shouldnt go by the first opinion you get about any school. What not right for them could be the bet thing for you. Her neice might not like it because she is not doing so well or simply because its not for her. I like the school and think that they do a great job.

nursn4me · Feb 1, 2008

I think you shouldnt go by the first opinion you get about any school. What not right for them could be the bet thing for you. Her neice might not like it because she is not doing so well or simply because its not for her. I like the school and think that they do a great job.

While I do agree that no one should judge a school by a single opinion, and they should do due diligence to see if the school is right for them and fit their needs. I know several people who attended that school and some who even threaten to sue the school. It is a known fact that this particular school has had academic issues, instructors quitting and so forth. They were even on the news, the students wanted their money back because the Instructors quit.These students were not learning anything but had paid tuition in full.

I am sure they have worked through those problems, but I checked their nclex pass rate and it was not good back in May. I think anyone deciding to go to nursing school should check that school's nclex pass rate before making any decisions. Obviously the best thing to do is to go to a local community college where tuition is affordable if they are in no rush and can wait. Otherwise, private school is a good alternative but I would go for one with a better nclex pass rate.

Fan of 4 points · Apr 5, 2008

i am about to enroll in the LPN program @ RSHT in richmond Va has anyone attended that school or knows someone who has. any info would be helpful

I graduated from that school in 99(I think? So long ago). The whole thing sucked. We got kicked out of Children's hospital because one of the students cussed the teacher out, and also because some students were talking about a pt's mother who they knew, IN THE HALLWAY!!! Needless to say I didn't get the job there that I applied for, neither did my girlfriend. All in all if I had to do it over I would have skipped that whole experience and would have waited in line for RN school(my only reason for going to LPN school was the waiting list).

My mom went there as well and wasn't happy with her experience either.

I am ashamed to say where I graduated from, go to Sarge or get your RN...you'll never have to go back!

Lil' Pretty Nurse · Apr 29, 2008

i am about to enroll in the LPN program @ RSHT in richmond Va has anyone attended that school or knows someone who has. any info would be helpful

I did attend RSHT and graduated in Jan 2007... Don't believe everything you hear!! :twocents:

Facts:

Yes they had staffing issues

Yes the had placement issues

No you won't know everything when u get out of school (On the floor is where you really learn)

Myths:

What you learn is totally dependant on you

You get the same job opportunities as any other LPN (once you get your license no one cares what school you graduated from or your GPA... They just want to know that you can perform your job dutties)

FACT:

Most of the people who complain that they didn't know anything when they finished school or failed the boards are the same ones who slacked off during clinicals (taking the easy patients and hiding from the teachers to keep from doing any work) and cheated on their tests (instead of trying and reconizing their faults).

It is and always has been a known fact that most of the students expect everything to be given to them. They think that the staff owe them something... and when things don't go their way the go to the board of nursing.

So as long as u are not one of these people u should succeed anywhere!!

Many of my fellow RSHT grads might hate me for this, but......Its the truth!

BJWC · Oct 23, 2008

I have a daughter that attends RSHT Willow Lawn Campus. My daughter maintains a A-B average and has wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember.In most of her classes she knows more than the teachers do.She has been a student there for a year now enrolled in the LPN program at a cost of $18.000. Yet to this day she not even recieved her name badge, CPR card, that she paid for in March of this year to take the course. The teachers seem to only want bodies to fill their chairs and dont care about the students.She has never had a class start on time nor last as long as it is scheduled. We are currently looking around to find another school where she can transfer her credits. The sooner she can get into a crediable school the better off she is going to be. So if you are considering RSHT take time to look at other options .