Maricopa Skill Center

DaughteroftheKing · Apr 22, 2008

HOLA!!

I got into the August program & I have two friends (one is the nurse I work with) that went there.

Im going there because it will in fact take years off the time Ill become an RN. Its 13 months long, and from what I hear, is good training. My friends said they felt just fine going on the floor after graduation. They said its not too bad because its spread out over 13 months instead of the normal 9 months of Community college. I beleive the schedule for the first 14 weeks before clinicals start is like mon-fri 8-4, and then when clinicals start, its shorter days with one day later in the week for clinicals. Im actually waiting to get my info packet (which they said they were gonna mail last week:confused:) So when I get that Ill post more info..

Are there any current Maricopa Skill Center LPN students out there? I think that that is the route that I am going to take to get me on the path to becoming a RN, but I have a few questions. How hard is the program?
What is the schedule like? Pretty much anything anybody can tell me about it.
Thanks!

mkalizmoore · Apr 22, 2008

Thanks a lot. I am going to the info session they are having on May 14th. How long of a wait was it for you? I called there yesterday and they old me that there really wasn't much of a wait at all. Thirteen people or something like that. I find this hard to believe considering the state of the waiting lists everywhere else.

DaughteroftheKing · Apr 22, 2008

Mostly because of the cost there really isnt a wait. I applied in Feb. & was notified this month that I will be in the next class to open (August) . From what I know, unless alot of people dont accept their spots, the Aug. group is full. Otherwise I believe the next open class begins in Jan. So theres not really a waiting list- just wait for the next class to open

Thanks a lot. I am going to the info session they are having on May 14th. How long of a wait was it for you? I called there yesterday and they old me that there really wasn't much of a wait at all. Thirteen people or something like that. I find this hard to believe considering the state of the waiting lists everywhere else.

mkalizmoore · Apr 23, 2008

Mostly because of the cost there really isnt a wait. I applied in Feb. & was notified this month that I will be in the next class to open (August) . From what I know, unless alot of people dont accept their spots, the Aug. group is full. Otherwise I believe the next open class begins in Jan. So theres not really a waiting list- just wait for the next class to open

I think I am willing to pay to be able to get started a lot sooner. There are 1400 something applicants waiting to be placed for the Maricopa County Programs and I think thats going to take forever. It would be cool to start in January. That will give me time to come up with some kind of plan for work. Do you plan on working while you are in the program?

sassiebaz · Apr 23, 2008

Mostly because of the cost there really isnt a wait. I applied in Feb. & was notified this month that I will be in the next class to open (August) . From what I know, unless alot of people dont accept their spots, the Aug. group is full. Otherwise I believe the next open class begins in Jan. So theres not really a waiting list- just wait for the next class to open

The main reason Im having second thoughts....the cost. Gateway is less than half of what Maricopa skill center costs. Of course, I still need to get my CNA license. I think it's worth it though.

DaughteroftheKing · Apr 23, 2008

The cost scared me at first too, but there are a bunch of agencys that you just have to look up & get ahold of that pay for your tuition in a vocational school (ie msc) ... two I know of include friendly house (that is paying for $4000 of my tuition) and az call a teen which will pay more than 4k but you have to be between 18-21 so I couldn't get that. anyways, I found ways around it & I think $4000 is not that bad (it includes books) to get in this aug, so I'm happy!

I am working while going.. prob gonna try to do 16 hours a week.. but my dads letting me stay with him for this school year, so that helps :)

AZMOMO2 · Apr 23, 2008

the lpn program only costs $4000?

DaughteroftheKing · Apr 23, 2008

Lol no no no.. It costs $8000 for the year including books, but there are agencies here in Phoenix that will pay for part of your tuition- like Friendly house who is going to cover $4000 of mine! So ya.. if you do the work, you can get it for $4000 .. and apparently theres more agencies Im going to look into to see if I can get more covered!

the lpn program only costs $4000?

AZMOMO2 · Apr 23, 2008

well thanks for the info that is one way to go. I had thought long and hard about going the private school route but I can't seem to even fathom the idea of how I could even pay that much for school.

mkalizmoore · Apr 23, 2008

The cost scared me at first too, but there are a bunch of agencys that you just have to look up & get ahold of that pay for your tuition in a vocational school (ie msc) ... two I know of include friendly house (that is paying for $4000 of my tuition) and az call a teen which will pay more than 4k but you have to be between 18-21 so I couldn't get that. anyways, I found ways around it & I think $4000 is not that bad (it includes books) to get in this aug, so I'm happy!
I am working while going.. prob gonna try to do 16 hours a week.. but my dads letting me stay with him for this school year, so that helps :)

How did you find out about these agencies? Is this something that will be brought up at the info session? Do you have to committ to working for them for a while after graduation, or is it just free money? That's pretty cool. $4000 is quite a bit of money. I need to get as much money as possible because I am pretty sure I am going to have to quit my job whenever I start.

AZMOMO2 · Apr 23, 2008

How did you find out about these agencies? Is this something that will be brought up at the info session? Do you have to committ to working for them for a while after graduation, or is it just free money? That's pretty cool. $4000 is quite a bit of money. I need to get as much money as possible because I am pretty sure I am going to have to quit my job whenever I start.

I was actually asked to quit or at least give notice about 6 weeks in advance to finishing up my CNA, so my current employer can hire my replacement. :confused: " So I can find a job that will help me with my new career" they said. Now how sweet of them to think of me.:wink2:

When they found out I was going back to school to become a nurse and wanted to get into a program ASAP they started freaking out. I used to work 40 + hours a week now I am lucky if I work 32. Oh well at least once I get my CNA ( again... used to have it but let it expire in 2000) I can try and get a job at a hospital or nursing home if I have to.