Maricopa Skill Center

U.S.A. Arizona

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Hello everyone i'm new to the forum. I was looking over the the lpn tutorial on the MSC website and it says the program requires a 2152 deposit, does anyone know if this applies to those using financial aid as well?

Hi cmi528, sorry to take so long to answer. There are no prereqs for this program. That is one of the positive things about the program. As for the scheduling, it may change but Block A is m-f 8-3. We did get days off here and there but it was really hard to schedule my shifts. I work three 12 hr shifts a week. For the majority of Block A, I only worked two days. Finances were bad. Now in Block B, you start your clinicals so in school three days a week, clinicals on 4th so I was back to work the remaining three days. Your schedule is set so your work can schedule you. Now for Block C, this first week has been testing and check offs of skills. We start clinicals next week. Again three days a week and one clinical. You have three different clinical sites this block so the days will change but my first clinical is M/S which is 10 Fridays. It works out for me. I also did some pre-reqs online in Block A. I started 201 and I just can't keep up and dropped. At work now and trying to tell you what I can so will spend a little more time when I get home answering your questions. :up:

Thanks for your response.

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I took 092 during block A and 205 during block B. Block B is really time consuming and a lot of studying but I made it. I started 201 a few weeks ago and just can't do it anymore. This program is really demanding of time. As long as you can put your family life on hold, you will be fine :cry:. Because our graduation date has been delayed, we are not going to finish in time to enter any block 3 program in January. It has taken a while to accept that so at this point, I am going to go easy on myself and focus on graduating. I came this far, with a lot of work and don't want to mess it up now. I was sooo stressed when it came time for testing I just want to focus on finishing so probably no more prereqs till I graduate. Who knows, in a month I may feel different. I still need 201, 202, and 121 and I really wanted them done. NOW, I just want to graduate!

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arizdolphin,

Hi, so you are in block C, right ?

I heard that your graduation date was delayed due to the school's performance but you will be able start Block 3 of any of Maricopa community colleges anyways because the diredctor of the program gurantees it. (she knows all the people in charge of acceptance...)

isn't it true any more?

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You will find everyone has a different experience each rotation! Different class dynamics! The curriculum is the same as Gateway's LPN program, in fact the email addresses held by all the instructors is @gw.maricopa.edu. All nursing schools are stressful and have their share of issues, due to the fact that nursing is always changing. HESI scores and NCLEX rates will be a better indicator if the school performing well! You need a HESI score of 800 or higher to be allowed into Block 3, and I received a 917, and I knew many people who did the same and better! Most of the students, inluding myself are taking the Boards in October, and I feel we should do well! Go to the AZ State Board of Nursing website and it will give you stats on pass rates for each school! Example how many students tested and how many passed! I had a good experience with the instructors, but I also studied hard and was reading anything I could get my hands on! I also attended some nurse workshops for further education! Good luck to you!

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I started school on Friday at MSC. So far so good, I guess. It's kind of annoying that the first block is basically CNA and A&P stuff, since I've already done both. Hopefully it'll be a fairly easy block.

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i started school on friday at msc. so far so good, i guess. it's kind of annoying that the first block is basically cna and a&p stuff, since i've already done both. hopefully it'll be a fairly easy block.

please keep us posted on your progress and the happenings. how many are in your class?

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Hey JessLP, You should have no problems in Block A. Teachers are great and since you are a CNA, that really helps. Good luck. If you have any pre-req's to do, now is the time to get them out of the way. Block B will hit you like a brick wall!!

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I started the LPN program at MSC last month, so I am in "Block A", which is the ungraded pass/fail "weed out" portion of the program. We are studying Nutrition, A&P, medical terminology, math, and basic skills (CNA). You fail if you can't get at least a 76% in all these classes. I'm hoping for the best!

I took the NET back in May so I could start in September. I was told the NET score was the only factor influencing admissions - they take the top 40 applicants, and only look at other factors if there is a tie. Almost everyone in my class has some sort of prior post-secondary education. The average age of the students seems to be around 30. We've had 3 or 4 people drop out so far.

The admissions packet was simple. I just had to obtain proof of vaccinations and a mental/physical health signature from an MD, and get a AZ DPS fingerprint card. You also need proof of CPR/CCR certification.

I couldn't get any financial aid, but most students have it. I had to come up with $2100 before I could be admitted. The rest of the $8000 tuition is paid in monthly installments until August 2010.

Once you complete the LPN program, you can theoretically jump right into the last year of the ASN programs at the other Maricopa County community colleges. The community colleges leave a few seats open for LPNs and EMTs who want to become RNs - in reality, you're getting the seat of someone who dropped out. Grades and NET scores are important, as there are a lot of people fighting over these seats.

I am completing my RN pre-requisites online while I do MSC's LPN program. It's going to take me 11 months to finish all those pre-reqs. The prerequisites for the RN are almost the same as the PA school at Midwestern University. I'm going to apply to Midwestern to try to get into the class that starts in 2011. It's extremely competitive - in theory, you just need any bachelor's degree, the pre-req courses, and a 50th percentile on the GRE. In reality, they only take the top 10% of all applicants, who all have clinical experience as nurses, EMTs, military medics, etc.

So far I'm enjoying the LPN program at MSC. I've had a few tests so far and they've all been very easy. There is a LOT of material you have to learn, though. Between this program and my online courses, I could work part time if I had to, but I'm REALLY glad I don't need to. I know some other students have part time jobs.

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Hey Smileyperson, Welcome to Block A. Block A allowed me time to get a couple pre-reqs out of the way. I still need 201 and 202 and just can't seem to find any (except Rio online). Block C will end in January so it looks like I am not going to make it into any acelerated program. I wish I hadn't dropped my 201 in Block B but it seems like everything was too demanding and I couldn't find the time for homework. Block B really, really sucked. I'm glad it is over and Block C is awesome! Love the teachers and I think I can handle a 201. Do you know of any other online classes except Rio? Hope to meet you soon. I think there are three or four of you in Block A that actively post here!! Let me know if I can help you out with anything along the way.

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Hey Smileyperson, Welcome to Block A. Block A allowed me time to get a couple pre-reqs out of the way. I still need 201 and 202 and just can't seem to find any (except Rio online). Block C will end in January so it looks like I am not going to make it into any acelerated program. I wish I hadn't dropped my 201 in Block B but it seems like everything was too demanding and I couldn't find the time for homework. Block B really, really sucked. I'm glad it is over and Block C is awesome! Love the teachers and I think I can handle a 201. Do you know of any other online classes except Rio? Hope to meet you soon. I think there are three or four of you in Block A that actively post here!! Let me know if I can help you out with anything along the way.

Hey Dolphin, glad to 'meet' you! I am doing BIO 201, 202, and 205 online through Rio Salado. I'm doing CHM130 and BIO156 online with them too. I just need those 5 classes by the time I graduate, in case I can jump into one of those ASN seats at a CC. I spend about 5 hours a week per class on my homework and labs. Everything is done at home except the midterm and final. Not having to show up at class is great, especially if you're self-motivated and learn best from reading rather than lectures. I'm really happy with it. I hear South Mountain also offers some classes online. http://www.southmountaincc.edu/

What sucked about Block B?

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I'll have to check out Southmountain and see what they have. I'm right with you on getting into accelerated spot. The school will help you out also with that and remember we are a Gateway school so there are always spots there. The problem that we may run into is that Banner system is having their LPN's sign contracts to get their RN within the next two years. This is going to take up a lot of spots when it comes to advance placement. I still need my 201 and 202. I took everything online at Rio so I know it is doable. Just keep ahead. You are going to have a ton of work to do in Block B. It is doable but for the three of us taking either 201 or 202, we all dropped. Someone dropped 205 in Block C but I managed to get through it during Block A and B as well as Algebra. This program is all about time management. As for a more detailed opinion, we are just going to have to meet one day. I would suggest that if you haven't already met anyone in Block B, do. They can give you a lot of insight into what is coming. Some are also able to help you out in any area you may need. Block B all your testing is going to come NCLEX style so prepare yourself. Go through your NCLEX book from time to time, know the answers to ALL questions at the end of the chapters and know your powerpoints. This is a fun and exciting time.............as well as the hardest educational experience I have ever had.

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Hi

I graduated last summer! Our graduating class passed their NCLEX, 100%.

PROS: Great instructors, great clinical sites, and you can transfer into block 3!

CONS: the building is kind of old, and from my stand point not the safest area of town, but the education is there if you want it!

Good Luck to all the students!

:yeah:

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