Need Advice!!

scallywags · May 19, 2006

Hi. I am new to this website, and will soon be a NEW LVN student, starting in September. I have the options to enroll in one of 3 different vocational schools and was just wondering from you experienced LVN's which one is my best option.
Western Career College
NCP Vocational School
Unitek College
Any advice on ANY of these schools would be MUCH appreciated!! Thank you!!
Laura

Hi Laura,

I am a student at Gurnick. They recently opened a campus in Concord. Not that you need one more choice, but I thought I would throw this one out there. :)

I heard that NCP is a very good school. I was looking into their program, but opted for Gurnick as they have a late afternoon/ evening program. www.medacademy.org

Good luck to you!

MamaLauraTo3 · May 20, 2006

LOL. . .thank you. I looked at the site and it looks like a great school as well. Added it to my list of schools to check out. It's only 24 min from me.

Thank you. . .if you have anything else to add about that school please let me know. . . I am interested in knowing more. :-)

scallywags · May 20, 2006

What can I say? It is a fairly new school. The first class graduated earlier this month. During the accreditation process, they were granted the ability to open the 2nd campus and accept students twice a year (at both schools). I am in the 2nd class to go through the school, and the third class just started this week.

The instructors in San Mateo, where I attend, have been great so far. The director is great. She has firm expectations, but she will let you know what those are and exactly what is expected of you. I think she keeps us on our toes! She is a very nice woman and extremely helpful should you have any concerns. We had our orientation for clinicals this week at a site in Fremont.

The first class is a pre requisite, which is a biology class. First semester, we completed A&P, Maternity, Nutrition and Nursing Fundamentals. I thought we were in the 2nd semester already, but a classmate just pointed out that was not the case. I can't keep track of it! We are now starting the 2nd semester, and the first classes we will have include Pharmacology and Med/Surg. We will start clinicals one time per week in Fremont. This will increase over the next couple of months, but I am not sure how many days or at what facilities.

They do work with Sallie Mae for loans, and also have a monthly payment program through the school. The Sallie Mae loan is good because it has a deferred payment plan where you pay only $10 per month until you graduate.

I really like the evening program as it allows me flexibility in my schedule. A lot of students will take take the a.m. class if they are not able to go to the evening class, and vice versa. They are very accommodating. The school runs year round, so there is only 2 weeks off during the summer and 2 weeks during winter. But it goes by so quickly. I started last October and time has flown by.

The books and materials fee cover eleven books, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and a pen light, plus two school uniforms. You are required to wear these to labs and clinicals. The labs have been fun. We have practiced several things, such as giving each other injections.

I hope this is good information for you. If you have any other questions, let me know.