Pensacola Junior College?

vleblance · Aug 13, 2008

I just graduated this month from the PJC program and yes it is an absolute mess, the most stressful and disorganized school I've ever gone too, but from what I hear other programs have similar horror stories. My advice to you is to keep your eye on the prize, if you know you want to be a nurse then it doesn't matter. PJC will give you what you need to be able to apply and take your boards. My class was lucky because we are the first class who's degrees are accredited so I am very thankful for that. I recommend you go and not let what others say stand in your way and I wish you the best of luck.

RNmag · Sep 9, 2008

I agree, PJC is a mess! Hopefully getting NLN accreditation will inspire some improvement. Also, the old director (Dr. Ingle) resigned, so there will likely be some changes with her gone. I would think some changes in a more positive direction. But, change takes time and it might get worse before it gets better. Whatever the case, I'm so glad to be done with PJC!!

I think the more pertinent issue facing nursing students and recent grads is the nursing saturation in this area due to there being 4 nursing schools within a small area; and the closing of one of our hospitals. The only nursing shortage in Pensacola is the shortage of nursing jobs, not nurses. No one tells you this in nursing school, there's only talk of nursing shortages. I advise those graduating from PJC to seek an Alabama license first and a job in neighboring Mobile, AL. The job market there is a little more promising.

HappyHHNurse · Sep 21, 2008

Yes, I totally agree with you RNMAG, there aren't a lot of jobs here in Pensacola, that is for certain. The pay is also very low, so be prepared for that if you are planning on moving here. I'm working my way out of here. As I have a house here, it may take awhile to sell it, but I'm getting out of this place one way or another....

Have a blessed day!

myty23 · Sep 22, 2008

Yes, I totally agree with you RNMAG, there aren't a lot of jobs here in Pensacola, that is for certain. The pay is also very low, so be prepared for that if you are planning on moving here. I'm working my way out of here. As I have a house here, it may take awhile to sell it, but I'm getting out of this place one way or another....
Have a blessed day!

What is the pay like exactly? Also, if you are moving out of here, where are you planning on going that has better pay? I would love to get out of this area as well, but I always wondered if it be worth it if the cost of living is higher somewhere else which makes the increase in pay equal out. Just wondering what area is a good area for that.

Laylani · Jul 25, 2009

I am currently enrolled in the PJC program and am having some MAJOR issues with the way the program is ran. We (the entire Aug 2008 class, 110 of us), are spreading the word on how horrible the program is, and are even trying to get the local newspapers and radio stations involved. I am in my 3rd semester, and am due to graduate in December 2009 with my RN degree, If I pass this Adults 2 and OB/Peds class of course. I currently have an 80% in both classes, and have heard that in the past, students entered the final with 85%'s and FAILED OUT OF THE PROGRAM! How do they keep the program running with statistics like that?! One test, that can boot you out! We are extremely bitter, as they take our money, and our time away from us to NOT TEACH US, NOT CARE ABOUT US, AND NOT EVEN WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO HEAR OUR COMPLAINTS! Im sure this is a money issue. They keep us going through Adults 2, and fail us out so we will spend more money to get back in, the "re-entry program!" How can a student who made a 98% on the first semesters final, an 85% on the second semester's final and go into the 3rd semesters final with an 85% AND FAIL OUT OF THE PROGRAM!? This just doesnt make sense to me. The teachers are harsh, as they do not show any remorse, or care to your time and dedication to this program. They feed you intricate information during class hours, only to NOT PUT ANY OF IT ON THE TEST! I could not even find any answers to this past cardiac test in the BOOK! If you scored high, it was because you made the "right" educated guess! This semester we have been "awarded" a new teacher for every test, and that teacher isnt even the one making up the exams! So far this semester we have had 5 different teachers in Adults 2! They are completely setting us up for failure and I can imagine the head of the program sitting in her office, enjoying seeing the checks float in, the students float out! I am outraged! I hope that you and everyone else who views this blog DO NOT ATTEND PJC! Spend your money WISER, and actually recieve an Education at Jefferson Davis!

Sincerely,

Bitter and Aggitated!

myty23 · Aug 3, 2009

Laylani,

Wow...your post is really eye opening. I have been back and forth about going to PJC. I want to choose it because it's closer, but I keep getting pushed in the other direction by peoples stories about PJC. Your post along with some other stories from people I know, is making it pretty clear to me that I should attend Jeff Davis. I know some pretty smart and studious people who are in the program and are saying some of the same things. I heard the fail/drop rate after the 2nd semester is something like 70%? Is that true? If that's the case then you are doing pretty well to have made it to the 3rd semester, but then you still have the possibility of being flunked out at this point. That's scary. I don't want to get into a program that is run this way. I'm going to be quitting my stable job, my husband getting a second job, and really risking my financial and family stability just to attend the nursing program. I hate the thought of working so hard to get there, then putting so much at risk, just to get in there and flunk out due to the disorganization and lack of proper teaching in this program. I've never heard anything bad at all about JD, in fact, I've only heard good things. However, I think because it's a smaller school with smaller class sizes, I never get any replies about the school on this website. But from what I've heard of both. I'm pretty sure I'm going to JD. Your post was the icing on the cake. Thank you for sharing.

Jacs7284 · Aug 11, 2009

Laylani, omg, i wish there were more people liek you, i have had the SAME problemwith them and had been just devastated. i felt liek a nut because i had always been in the nursing department office, trying to defend us students, and well, i could go on and on really... please email me, i would really like to try to do something about this college as well, i have been searching for something..or someone to take a closer look at these teachers...something is SO not right.

Queakous · Oct 1, 2009

Hey, I graduated PJC in 2006 and had many of the problems you guys have mentioned. Yes, they were way off base in many grading and testing skills but still the stuff they gave me allowed me to pass the NCLEX in 75. I did a lot of my off time studying with the Davis RNCLEX guide. That in itself helped me surpass the teaching I got at PJC.

Noel1221 · Oct 7, 2009

Hello, I would love to know more about the PJC program. I hear it is such a big mess, and I would love to hear individiuals thoughts on why the program is so awful. This info, will really help, as I am thinking of attending that school next fall. However, I don't want to put effort into a school that is going to hinder the learning process! Thank you in advance for all input!

josh1968 · Nov 2, 2009

Wow! What a buzzkill! I'm planning on a nursing career and looked at PJC first because of its location. On some of the blogs I looked at it said that PJC was not NLN accredited but in their nursing handbook it does state that they are, so I went to the NLN website and it does in fact have PJC as an accredited nursing program as of May of '08 until mid 2013. I think that some of the blogs prior to '08 were correct but that the accreditation has since been rectified.I also found something interesting that may validate alot of what has been posted. I was walking through the hallways of the nursing dept. the other day and saw a picture on the wall of the RN grads from May '09 and there were only about 30 people. Funny when they tell you that each class usually begins with @ 100- 130 candidates.

Noel1221 · Nov 2, 2009

Wow, that is alarming Josh1968. I was really hoping that the program was better than that! Are you looking into the program as well?