empathy101

Exactly.

Well then, tcbnurse1, the NCLEX shouldn't affect you until AFTER you start AND finish your nursing program. Not to be rude, but if all students were not held to the same attendance standard, for example, it could affect you. I just wanted to give a heads-up on a few unfair things that happened there. I really hope you do not run into some of the double standards that I mentioned before, because quite frankly they sucked & were unnecessary IMHO. Being able to keep focused is good, & I really do wish you nothing but a postive learning experience while you're there. I also read what you originally wrote about not having to complete the science portion for O-tech's TEAS. I ONLY mentioned that because IF you (or anyone else reading this) wants to go on to Valencia's RN bridge program, then you (or anyone else interested) should be aware that the science portion has to be completed or you have to do a new TEAS (I'm not sure which) when it's time to enter Valencia's RN bridge program. Some of my classmates that wanted to go onto Valencia's RN bridge program said that they wished they would've known that & they would've taken the science portion at the same time instead. Anyhoo, sounds like you already know a lot about classmates coming & going & diff reasons why, so you are already ahead of the game. If you're interested in NCLEX info, I would suggest getting a NCLEX book that breaks down diff sections so while you're learning about the heart in school, you can further your learning & NCLEX test taking skills (with awesome rationales) @ the same time. School, clinicals, & NCLEX prep is really all about what you make out of it. Invest what time & energy you can, & only success can follow. Good luck!

Well if you read everything I wrote...it was MORE THAN MY bad experience. No one finds it a bit strange that a teacher taught her husband in the PN program?!? Or that same teacher's child sat on school property & took a CPR course on campus when they were NOT a student?!? Besides that, yes, I did have a bad experience, unfortunately I was one of many. So whatever frustration some of you have already dealt with in regards to getting book info, or financial aid, or getting a hold of someone in admissions...well it really is their basic MO, so miscommunication is sometimes a real problem there. In regards to what size scrubs...go to a scrub store & try on brands you like. That's what I did & then I ordered those brands online (it was always cheeper that way for me). For books, look to the school for that info...I took their book info & ordered online through Amazon. For handling stress...everyone handle stress differently, so you just have to figure out what bothers you & how can you best handle it. There is a lot of reading involved, so plan accordingly. Sleep & vitC are your best friends! I had plenty of classmates get sick throughout the program...prob from a cocktail of less sleep, extra stress, clinical sites where other people are sick & so forth. Take care of you & your body, 'cause you need the best you to push through. Also, some test answers were wrong (one question had no right answers!), so if you care about learning & your grade...go over your test results & ask about the ones in question. For everyones' sake, I hope that is not the case anymore. And lastly, if the school was interested in improving themselves...they would have made their "anonymous surveys" actually anonymous. Lol. One last thing, if you do go on to Valencia for the fast track program to be a RN, unfortunately you need the science part of TEAS (not sure if you need to just complete the TEAS again, or just the science part). Like I sd b4, the staff can be fun & nice...but don't be shocked if you see a diff side. That's all.

All you can do is your best. Everyone handles and copes w stress differently...so do what works best for you. You have a major step ahead of your classmates, 'cause I knew nursing school would be stressful...I just didn't plan on the other neg stuff & no one gave me a heads up on things beforehand. Keep your goal in mind...graduating & becoming a nurse. Quite frankly I used most of my not so great experiences as a learning tool. Just do your best & really use your resources in your text books (heck some of the test questions are taken word for word from some of the online resources ).

I don't want to say...but like I mentioned above, the same teachers are listed with a couple now gone. So unless they've changed, you might have some of the same dysfunctional crap to deal with. For your sake, I hope not. Anyway, just knowing some of what I mentioned should help you not feel blindsided like me & my classmates felt...nursing school is stressful by itself.

Yep, I did finish the program...but I know many students that did not. Sometimes it felt like things were set up so students would fail instead of flourish...which is unfortunate and really benefits no one in the long run. I don't know which teachers you will have, but when I just looked on the school's faculty list, all the ones I had are listed (& some are no longer there). I don't know if you'll have the same teacher throughout the program or will be switched for different sections of the program. Just keep in mind that things change and/or get poorly communicated at times. If you keep that in the back of your head and go with the flow, you could do fine. Now don't get me wrong, the nursing staff can be nice and fun at times...but there's always another side of the coin, and if you experience that not so great side, keep in mind whatever you feel and see and trust your gut. I hope you have a most excellent experience, but even when you go to graduate, the school has you use your private sign on info to complete a "anonymous survey" on how the school can improve. If they really cared about that, then it would be anonymous without your specific student ID info. Oh, & the paper "anonymous" evaluation, is collected individually by the school counselor that sees each student one at a time. She then takes your "anonymous" review and staples it to your paperwork. SMH. I hope things have changed for the better for you and your future classmates. Good luck!

Good luck...you'll need it! Unfortunately the PN program is runned by passive-aggressive staff. The assistant director actually taught her husband in her class AND her preteen child was able to sit in (on school property & with nursing students) and participated in a BLS CPR class when the child was NOT an Orlando Tech student. Can we say "conflict of interest" anyone??? Oh and the worst part is, is some test questions/answers are keeyed in wrong! Be sure to review your test results, and if something is incorrectly keeyed, then be sure to speak up for yourself. Some students were allowed to miss a horrendous amount of class and/or clinical time and do make up hours in the end. Unfortunately other students missed just a small amount and where let go. Remember the passive-aggressive part I mentioned? Unfortunately, if "they" want to get rid of a student, they will start a paper trail and make it happen...some students were let go due to missing what their handbook says for max missed class and clinical hours. Remember, other students and their chronic missed class and/or clinical hours were NOT held to the same standard. Also keep in mind that the classmates you start out with, will not all finish the program with you, & keep in mind that previous PN students that took a leave during their original progam, might jump into your class part way through your program. I'm not saying this to scare you, but to give you a heads up on some things to keep in mind, and things you might experience. Nursing school is the most stressful thing you may experience, but if you can finish, it's also the most rewarding. Orlando Tech is great for the price of the progam...that is my positive info for you. Communication...not so much. Good luck, and I wish I had a better idea of what I was really getting myself into, back-in-the-day. I wish you much luck, sleep, and success in your nursing career!

Thank you for your study plan. I appreciate you sharing. I'm a wreck trying to get ready for the NCLEX. Lol

Thank you, NedRN,...although my thanks is months overdue, I appreciate all your advice.

The night LPN program @ Orlando Tech no longer is offered. The last night class graduated in March 2015. Day classes are from 7:45 - 2:15, M - F. Also, you are not allowed to go to your classroom (top floor btw) until 10 mins before your class starts (along w the entire school). You are not allowed food or drinks (unless you can sneak them in out-of-sight), it has a very high school feel, unfortunately. Some clinical hours can be earlier, like @ 6:30 am...depending on the clinical site & abailability. The students that start the program do not all necessarily end the program w you. There was a day class there that started out with 25 students & only about 9 ended up graduating in the end. Some students left, others switched to other classes. Keep in mind that the communication can be quite frustrating & tests answers were & can be keeyed incorrectly. There was one test I took were on one question, no answers were correct! SMH. Read your books & use your book resources, because you end up teaching yourself. Oh, & when it's time to finish your program, the school has you fill out an "anonymous" paper survey on how to "improve the school" but it's stapled to your paperwork. The school also has you log on to the computer with your password & then take 2 online surveys. If the school really wanted to improve things, they would make all surveys anonymous...which they do not. Also, there will be other students "jumping into your class" to pick up where they took a leave of absence...so don't get used to your initial classmates, because most likely that will change. Also CYA, because the school can be very dysfunctional in terms of rules changing @ the drop of a hat & the nursing department can be passive aggressive. Also, the assistant director of nursing was able to teach her husband in the nursing program (she is also the one, I've been told) who makes the tests (incorrectly keeyed in answers & all), & her preteen (not a student of Orlando Tech) was able to sit in class & participate in CPR during class time. Can we say conflict of interest??? The cost of the school is inexpensive, & that's about the only plus I walked away from. I tried to learn from my experience in how not to treat people & future patients from the poor experience from this school. Enter at your own risk.

Thank you, NedRN, for your response. In the case of reciprocity, do you know where I can find info on having a license through Florida & being able to work in Washington & Minnesota through reciprocity? Any and all info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey Everyone, This is my first post and question on this site. I hope some LPNs have some info for me. I am scheduled to graduate in March 2015 in Florida. I will then plan to take the NCLEX & once I pass, I will then take the phlebotomy course. I would like to go into agency work as a hospice nurse that works mostly in Pt's homes. I would also like to do travel nursing to Seattle, WA as well. So here are my questions: 1. Any current hospice LPNs have advice and can recommend different FL agencies that are great to work for in FL. 2. Does anyone know how a LPN license can transfer/work as a travel nurse in the Seattle, WA area? 3. I am looking for recommendations for national agencies AND is it possible to work as a travel LPN? (If I am able to work in Seattle part time, I wouldn't mind doing nursing homes and such.) 4. Finally, any advice for a student LPN getting ready to graduate? Thank you all for the ones that take the time to read this and offer any & all advice...it's greatly appreciated.