Los Angeles County School of Nursing, GPA, reviews & future program prospects

U.S.A. California

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I've read through most of the LA County SON threads and I'm really intimidated by all those post that said it's a very difficult program with many students dropping out, failing, or barely squeaking by with C's in their courses.

If any current and former students or graduates would like to tell us about their experience, how they are doing, how they did, that would be wonderful.

I know that as long as you graduate and pass the NCLEX, you are a nurse, but at some point I may want to get my BSN or MSN and I'm worried that the general low GPA of the LA County graduates could hinder me from getting into an advanced degree program. For example CSULA has a ADN to BSN collaboration with the local community colleges including LA County SON.

Because of that, I am considering going to a LA Community college instead such as Harbor, LAVC, or El Camino College. While the program at LA County may be top-notch in clinical training, I want to make sure I'm not damaging my future academic prospects. Has anyone moved on from their LA County ADN to a BSN/MSN and any insights as to if their GPA affected their transition?

Thanks!

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Specializes in PICU.

I'm currently a LA County college of nursing student in my 3rd semester. I'm also in the Cal State LA adn-bsn collaborative program. LA county is a great nursing school! All nursing schools will be challenging, we have one of the highest NCLEX pass rates. Yes, it's hard, but it is possible to pass and keep a good gpa, you just have to put in the time and effort. Never allow fear from stopping you from pursuing the best. I love my school and would never ever consider going anywhere else! Im not sure who said that there is a high drop out rate, this is not true. Not all students who drop a semester do so because of failing, there are other circumstances that take place in their lives that causes them to have to sit out for a semester. You have to ask yourself, do you want to just be a nurse who passes or do you want to be a competent and prepared nurse? County will prepare you for the challenges of nursing. We have one of the most diverse population of patients. We have nurses that graduate from other schools and they are amazed at the knowledge and skills that we county skills have and continue to acquire. I hope I answered your questions. Feel free to contact me if you have anymore questions. 😊

Smylee_rn2b

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Specializes in CVICU.

I LOVE my school....I'm so happy I chose county.... I feel like no other school will prepare me to be the best nurse I can be besides this school.. I've seen things already that most people only read about in textbooks and I'm only in second semester.. The other day I had a nurse who was surprised that I could change an IV bag... And even more surprised that my instructor didn't have to be babysitting me while doing it because most schools you don't get that independence... Not even in your last semester. In fact in our last semester we have 4 patients and can do everything besides give blood.. We are basically a nurse at that point.. I don't know any other school like that...

As for the theory... I study 2 hrs a day and get mid A, high Bs on my exams... However this is me and is not typical of any other of my classmates. Clinicals are the major time suck due to worksheets which are common in every program (I think)... theory is not bad and most instructors graduated from county themselves and aren't trying to trick us, they just want us to pass NCLEX... Clinicals is what gets most people, in my opinion, not theory by itself but failing theory is secondary to drowning in clinicals.

If you want the best school... County in my opinion.. There are plenty of BSN programs out there that will even take C students 😀

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Orangeskye,

You could be a great student or you can be okay with barely making it through the program. Sometimes we don't have all the control we want. Like if you have a sick parent, you need to work a lot, you have kids to care for, you have no support system, etc. Yes, these things will get in the way and you may graduate with a 2 point whatever gpa. Otherwise, it CAN be done. You can graduate with a good GPA.

I graduated in the top of my graduation class at LACCONAH and am now in a BSN program at CSUDH. Personally, I feel that the students who failed out had life problems they couldn't overcome. That's valid. It happens. I think the school does a pretty good job of bringing up issues before you get kicked out so you can fix them. The students who made it through and did just okay...hmmm...that's a tougher one to explain. Some were straight up tired of school and were just trying to get through it. Others did try but bless them, they just couldn't understand how to take a test enough to get B's and A's. No matter which school you go to, the classroom and testing should be the same since the goal is to help you pass NCLEX. So all those tricky styles of tests will be a part of all nursing programs. Some people are not good test takers.

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Sorry to steer away from the subject, but I see that both you guys have done rn to bsn programs at CSULA and DH. Both of which I'm currently deciding to do. How you do you like the CSULA colab and for dominguez hills, how do clinical hours work for leadership and community

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On 10/27/2015 at 4:06 PM, willowita said:

Orangeskye,

You could be a great student or you can be okay with barely making it through the program. Sometimes we don't have all the control we want. Like if you have a sick parent, you need to work a lot, you have kids to care for, you have no support system, etc. Yes, these things will get in the way and you may graduate with a 2 point whatever GPA. Otherwise, it CAN be done. You can graduate with a good GPA.

I graduated in the top of my graduation class at LACCONAH and am now in a BSN program at CSUDH. Personally, I feel that the students who failed out had life problems they couldn't overcome. That's valid. It happens. I think the school does a pretty good job of bringing up issues before you get kicked out so you can fix them. The students who made it through and did just okay...hmmm...that's a tougher one to explain. Some were straight up tired of school and were just trying to get through it. Others did try but bless them, they just couldn't understand how to take a test enough to get B's and A's. No matter which school you go to, the classroom and testing should be the same since the goal is to help you pass NCLEX. So all those tricky styles of tests will be a part of all nursing programs. Some people are not good test takers.

Hi @willowita! I am currently starting the CONAH program and although I’ve read through a lot of reviews and experiences of people who made it through this program, I became very intrigued on your post and how you stated you were top of your class. I know everyone is different but I would greatly appreciate any advice as to how you achieved to do so well in the program? Is there any study tips or clinical tips you would be so kind to share. Thank you in advance ?? Anything’s helps ☺️?

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