codysfreckles

In the 2007/2008 academic year Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) has been given a lot of "heat" regarding the nursing programs at the college. There was concern about the long waiting lists to enter the nursing programs. In addition, the LPN program was put on suspension due to a low passing rate on the NCLEX. The LPN program has since been taken off of probation because the NCLEX pass rate rose to 95% and there is no longer a waiting list to enter the programs. You may be wondering how the nursing program accomplished such a feat so quickly. Here's a short list of why the school did not improve their NCLEX pass rate: - Making an adequate number of tutors available to students that needed them. (When I asked for addition help, I was referred to an instructor who was only available twice a week for a few hours. Our hours of availability did not over lap so, no tutor for me!) - Providing LPN students with the option to enroll in a NCLEX review course. (There is a review course for RN but not for LPN.) - Cutting out "busy work" in courses so students can focus on learning the core nursing teachings. (The work load in nursing classes is overwhelming by itself without incorporating busy work. In one of the classes I had to write a nutrition paper on myself, total waste of time!) From a student's perspective, the end does not justify the means. Some time in the last year or so (I'm not sure of the semester), MATC raised the passing score in courses from 77% to 80%. Also, the fall 2008 nursing policies changed. In Spring of 2008 one of the policies read that a student would be made ineligible to progress in the program if he/she received a "U" (less than 80%)in two of the same courses or three different courses. In fall 2008 the policy reads that a student would be made ineligible for the program if he/she received a "U" in any two classes. This is where it gets kind of confusing. Students who had two "U"s at the end of spring 2008 were still able to register for nursing classes in fall of 2008. Of those students, if they received another "U" in the fall 2008 semester (when the new policy was implemented), they would be made ineligible to continue in the nursing program. In total, those students were allowed three "U"s before being dropped from the program. I was told by department heads that they decided those students were considered under the previous policy from spring 2008 (3 "U"s in any courses or 2 "U"'s in the same course). According to the new policy, those students should not have been able to register in fall 2008 because they already had two "U"s in their academic transcripts. I'm pointing that situation out because of the way the policy changed effected me and those like me. At the end of the spring 2008 semester I received a "U" in one of my courses. Unfortunately for me, I also received a "U" at the end of the fall 2008 semester. Those of us who only had one "U" from the previous semester and ended fall 2008 semester with another "U" were made ineligible for the nursing program. Essentially, we were only afforded two "U"s. While those students who had two "U"s going into fall 2008 were afforded three "U"s. My argument is that there was unfair treatment when the nursing department decided the new policy would effect some students immediately and the old policy stood for other students. The policy change should have effected all students at the same time. Under the new policy, students who had two "U"s at the end of spring 2008 should not have been able to register. Only one of the "U"s from the previous semester, on their record, effected them while. My question is, why were students like me not given the same. For those of you who are not in a nursing program or know someone who is, the amount of information that has to be learned is huge! This is coming from a student who has already obtained a bachelor and master degree. I have never failed a course in my college career but in the nursing program I've failed twice! The people who are failing these courses are no dummies! The wealth of information that is to be taught in a course is determined by the State Nursing Board, or some such organization. What is MATC doing to graduate competent nursing students? Well, besides raising the course passing score and changing the policy regarding being kicked out of the program..I couldn't tell you. I read an article in the Journal from last summer. The representative of the nursing program was asked these very same questions. She mentioned making tutors available...one tutor? She also stated something along the lines of not having control over whether or not students partake in the support they are offered. What support?! In addition she mentioned the NCLEX review course that the school offers...what about for LPN's? Yes, people, I am bitter! Students like me do have the option to request reinstatement to the program. The thing is, if the new policy was applied the same way to all students, I wouldn't be in this situation. The sad thing is students have no recourse to contest being made program ineligible

thanks! i'll look into it.

i'm considering moving to texas to complete my adn. are there any schools near there that offer adn's. i've been having a heck of a time trying to find info on the colleges near there...besides the memorial hospital. other than that, i can't find anything. thanks for any help!

i was just checking to be sure my childcare coordinated with my classes. there are a lot of nursing classes they don't have full enrollment. especially in 1st and 4th semester. i would recommend to anyone to apply to any nursing programs that interest you. the more places you have applications, the greater your chances of getting into a nursing program. you could always transf to your first choice of schools when your number comes up at that one

being a current student in the rn program at matc....i'm telling you now, it only gets worse once you are in the program! the program is so disorganized, yet they want to blame it's recent failure on the students. it's so sad and damn irritating. i would definately consider other schools and speak to those students. ****, maybe it's the same at every school. it is a very difficult program. i have a master's degree from uwm (in a different subject-obviously) but this associates degree is kickin my butt! also, unfortunately most of the instructors are not supportive. the counselors are useless and no matter who you talk to, you can never be sure you are getting correct, current and up to date info on any program questions you may have. oh, and my second semester clinicals were a joke. didn't learn anything...and i had to pay for that useless waste of time.

first try contacting a supervisor by phone...always be sure to get a person's name because then someone is accountable for the information they give you. this usually helps in being sure the information they are giving you is correct. if you are not having luck on the phone...show up in person and ask to speak with the supervisor. be sure to take a list of people you spoke to, the info they gave you and the time and date. i was suppose to be on the waiting list for a year but it ended up only being a semester because they got sick of me bothering them!

consider moving to a different area?

i'm a student and i'm suprised to hear that an instuctor has an issue with the hesi! it's good to know. at my school, we have to take the hesi but getting our diploma doesn't depend on passing it. i think the hesi has become so popular with the schools is because of it suppose prediction of passing the nclex. if the students fail the nclex, that makes the school look bad. at my school so many students were failing the lpn hesi that the school's accredidation was put on probation....but it is so unfair for students to spend so much time and money and then not be able to receive their diploma. that should be illegal!

thanx

excellent question...i didn't know there was such a thing until i read your post!

you have a good plan, i'm sure you'll pass the next time

how much time do you think you spent studying? did you have to take the hesi? did you pass that?

i thought the minimum was 85?

how long did you study before taking nclex

you think they give you more questions in the area you are weak in? i never heard that one before!

which study method did you use the first time? which one are you using now?

congratulations. i'm looking for a study method as i didn't pass the hesi, so i want to study before taking nclex. can you tell me more about the method you used. i believe i saw a book by a woman whose plan your speaking of.

are you from houston? from what i've been reading it's probably too big and busy for me. i live in milwaukee, wi,,,about 600,000 people with a pretty balanced racial make up. i'm biracial and the surrounding areas that are smaller seem to have very few minorities. that concerns me.

regarding salary...is that 20/hr or 20/yr?

what is sugar land...fort bend? are they suburbs of houston

hi everybody, i'll be finishing my associates degree in nursing at the end of 2009. I also have a BA in psychology and an MS in communtiy counseling. i plan to relocate to houston in the beginning of 2010. i'm seeking information on the starting salary for a new graduate rn, what area to seek housing in (i want to buy a home) and the school system. my son is 6 and currently in a spanish immersion school, i hope to find one in houston so he can continue on that path. i've starting researching the real estate prices and spanish immersion schools. never having been to houston or knowing anyone in houston the task has become quite daunting. i'd like to purchase a home in a family friendly area, in the school district of a good spanish immersion school. in addition, all of the job postings for rn's i've come across require 1-2 years experience....help! salary, house location, and spanish immersion school. thanx