Looking into Unitek College for LVN program

Luularoo · Jun 29, 2011

Thank you for the pm you sent.

First, I wanted to know how you compared Unitek and Gurnick NCLEX scores? I looked at the CA board of Nursing website, although Unitek does have a low score, I couldn't find Gurnick listed on there : http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/passrates.shtml

I know Unitek compares their NCLEX scores to Gurnik on their website, but I do not trust that information since they are probably just finding ways to advertise their school: http://www.unitekcollege.edu/docs/NCLEX-Top-Schools-2010.pdf

Also, Unitek is an 11month program (40 hour weeks- 8 hours a day) and Gurnik is a 14month program (25 hour weeks- 5 hours a day). You mentioned that the course was crammed and it would be difficult to learn in that amount of time span, so I calculated the total hours of the programs. Unitek would come out to be 1911 hours while Gurnik is only 1520 hours. Maybe your classmates just were not used to being in an accelerated program, and it was not just based on Unitek school? or did they also attend Gurnik and decided they liked it there better over Unitek?

And Unitek also offer financial aid at the Fremont campus, the Sacramento campus only has Sallie Mae at the moment.

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I'm sorry, I hope you do not feel I am personally attacking your comments. I just really like to get all the facts before choosing which school to go to, especially if these private schools will be costing me a lot of money.

Christine2009 · Jun 29, 2011

Gurnick currently has only a LVN program and working to get an RN program started in 2012.

Gurnick is also an accelerated program and the first 10 weeks you do your prereq classes. Then you move on to the core nursing classes that are a year long. After you finish your course work, you are given a six week review for the HESI exam you need to pass to graduate. The review is taught by people who administer the NCLEX. That is how it comes out to 14 months.

Go ahead and go to Unitek and you will see that it is not all it is cracked up to be.

Best of luck to you.

Luularoo · Jun 29, 2011

Gurnick currently has only a LVN program and working to get an RN program started in 2012.
Gurnick is also an accelerated program and the first 10 weeks you do your prereq classes. Then you move on to the core nursing classes that are a year long. After you finish your course work, you are given a six week review for the HESI exam you need to pass to graduate. The review is taught by people who administer the NCLEX. That is how it comes out to 14 months.
Go ahead and go to Unitek and you will see that it is not all it is cracked up to be.
Best of luck to you.

As a new user I cannot send private messages.

You did not answer any of the questions I was inquiring about, it just seems like you are advertising for Gurnick. I understand you have attended there and have a lot of information about Gurnick, however, I am not located near any of its campuses, which was why I was looking at Unitek. I am not looking at Unitek to be my only choice, it is just my easiest option at the moment, which is why I wanted to hear from Unitek graduates. If your classmates who have attended Unitek would like to type a response, I would love to hear from them. Like I stated above in my initial post, I have read alot of bad posts about Unitek, but I also wanted to look for the good.

Since you were telling me to reconsider attending Unitek, I wanted to check all the facts and compare both the schools. So if you could please answer the questions I posted to your reply, that would be greatly appreciated. I am mainly interested in where to find Gurnick's NCLEX scores, since it is not listed on their website.

And I thought of a new question from your recent post about Gurnick. You stated there is 10 weeks of pre-requisites and 6 weeks for HESI review, so is there enough time in between to learn about LVN? Also, do those months allot time for experience from clinical sites? Unitek only has 3 weeks of pre-requisites and the rest of the time is allotted for 2 days of Lecture, and 3 days of Lab/Clinicals. I'm actually worried about getting passed the 3 weeks, it is very rushed and there are tests every day. If I do not pass it, I do not get into the core program.

Christine2009 · Jun 29, 2011

To answer your questions, yes you have time to learn the LVN stuff...one years worth. You go to clinical two days a week for 10 weeks and then everyday for two weeks. Lecture in the core program is 3 days a week for 10 weeks and then goes to two days a week.

The HESI is the grad exam that you must pass in order to get your diploma and is done after you complete your course work. You can go to www.gurnick.edu for more information on the program. To look at the pass rates you need to look at www.bvnpt.ca.gov

Also at Gurnick they offer remediation so if you do not pass a course, you can complete add'l course work to get into the next module of the program. We started with 25 students in my class and 7 months later, we have not lost anyone. They really want to see you succeed and willing to help you with passing.

MysticalSeeker · Jul 9, 2011

Unitek also offers Remediation....remember these are vocational schools...private companies....they got your money and will do nearly anything to continue the course so they get their money....if they lose students, they lose capital.

I am a Unitek graduate...been a nurse for 3 years now.....all private schools have their pros and cons....not one is wonderful....they are all the same, unfortunately....the teachers are not real teachers, just nurses, so you dont always get what you need from lecture....you really have to learn yourself....however clinicals, thats where (if you have a good instructor) you will learn your competencies.

During my time at Unitek there was mucho drama....mucho....teacher against teacher, drama....affecting clinicals and lecture time. Its just not professional behavior especially when they mock each other or dog the other teacher to the class....it produced A LOT of animosity and clique behavior....i look back at those 11 months and cant believe I survived......not because the course was uber-difficult but because of the instructors I had and the fellow students I was with....it was hell.

But here I am, survived it, passed the NCLEX on first pass with 85 questions and have been a nurse for the last 3 years.....yay me. Would I go back for RN? Not with the load of debt I currently have, unless I can get grants and good money....NEVER would recommend Sallie Mae, let me tell you.

But honestly, a vocational school is a vocational school....all the instructors are basically burnts out nurses who DO NOT want to be "on the floor" anymore, so they take a teaching job thinking its cushy money, until they discover that there is loads more work being a teacher than there ever was being a nurse....way more responsibility too. So go with the program that affords you the least amount of debt, think smartly.

alwayshopeful · Jul 20, 2011

I'm currently a Unitek LVN student and I only have 6 weeks until graduation! (finally) I can honestly say that deciding to go to Unitek was one of the best decisions I could have made. It's a lot of self learning. If you can, start this September! The group of teachers you will have will be amazing!! The pre-req course is more than do-able! If you read everything, take notes in lecture, and review, you will be fine. It all comes down to how motivated you are to succeed. Clinicals are in long-term care facilities and in the prision system. At first, you feel like you're doing a lot of CNA work, but it all comes down to learning the basics so that you can have excellent assessment skills. All in all, I feel that I am prepared to pass the NCLEX, get a job, and perform as an excellent nurse. Unitek was definitely the right choice for me, and if you're motivated as well, it can be a good place for you! One piece of advice...DON'T PROCRASTINATE! This program is fast, so it can seem overwhelming; but if you have good time management, you will be able to succeed! Good luck! (And try to enroll for this September....like I said...those teachers are the best!!)

cloudsofdust · Jul 20, 2011

What a small world, I am very familiar with Unitek College. I took my LVN to RN from them a few years back and just decided yesterday to take my online RN to BSN with them. It's a great school that has plenty of financial aid options and I can vouch for the job placement, they get you working in no time. With the online RN to BSN program I can still work at the job they placed me in a few ago while I get the schooling I need! I can't believe they would tell you that they wouldn't place you in a hospital; some of my classmates are working in hospitals. Call back to make sure you heard them correctly.

:nurse:Cindey:nurse:

mistymall · Jul 30, 2011

Hey there Alwayshopeful,

can you tell me more about the pre-req's? Im a bit nervous and will be starting next month... :confused:

thanks

alwayshopeful · Jul 31, 2011

If you're starting in a month, youll Have the same teachers I have now! And they're amazing! I was also really nervous about the pre-req portion, but it is more than do-able! I read all the chapters, paid attention in lecture and took notes in class! It's very important to stay on top of your reading/studying because you'll have a test just about everyday! But typically a lot of people drop out of the pre-reqs because they can't keep up with the fast pace, so it may not be as copetitive for those spots in the core program! But if you're motivated u can do it! If I can do it, you can do it! :) just be prepared to not watch any tv for those three weeks and focus all your energy on the material you'll be fine! :)

alwayshopeful · Jul 31, 2011

And also, I just noticed you said you already hold a Bachelor's degree...I do too, and a couple other people in my class do as well...and those of us ho already have higher education tend to be at the top of the class. So don't worry. You'll be fine! Trust me! :)

mistymall · Jul 31, 2011

If you're starting in a month, youll Have the same teachers I have now! And they're amazing! I was also really nervous about the pre-req portion, but it is more than do-able! I read all the chapters, paid attention in lecture and took notes in class! It's very important to stay on top of your reading/studying because you'll have a test just about everyday! But typically a lot of people drop out of the pre-reqs because they can't keep up with the fast pace, so it may not be as copetitive for those spots in the core program! But if you're motivated u can do it! If I can do it, you can do it! :) just be prepared to not watch any tv for those three weeks and focus all your energy on the material you'll be fine! :)

Thanks so much alwayshopeful for the quick reply:D Its good to hear that you really liked your instructors, and hopefully will be the same ones I'll have. Im glad to finally hear/read a positive posting about Unitek. I started to worry a bit but I completely agree with you, that if you're motivated, and stay focused and on top of your work, you'll be fine. BTW, how long until you actually start going to clinical sites, and where did you go? Yeah, Im planning to use my same study habits I had while obtaining my B.S. degree which was no tv & no social life for the next 11 months, LOL - in the end it will be soooo worth it!!!! :lol2: Thanks again alwayshopeful!!!!