PTEC LPN AUG 2010 MORNs @CLWR

[applicant2010]

hi,

i have recently decided to apply for the lpn program offered at ptec for august 2010 mornings at clearwater [which i am a little hesitant about since i have read the clearwater campus is disorganized]. i know how invaluable the information posted on other threads [from previous classes] has been for me, so, i have decided to document my experiences to the application process. hope this helps!

fyi the reason i have decided to go down this path is partly due to my current job status. i am currently working part time at a restaurant. although i do not have a family of my own, and currently live with my parents, i want to establish a flexible but stable career. because of this, i have turned to the medical field. i have currently finished my cna training at the red cross. immediately after finishing i applied and got hired to work for a home health agency. i am currently waiting to take my cna license exam [on may 3]. although i know i should be grateful for the opportunities i have received, i have way too much ambition so i have decided to move forward and become at least an rn. however, i have read that jumping straight into rn at spc is like winning the lottery! so instead i have decided to go down an "easier" path.

my plan to get into ptec's lpn program -

i have decided to apply to their cna program first [con - i would have to spend time (cna program starts in june and hopefully finishes before the lpn programs starts *not verified*) and money just to get an extra point in the admission process. pro - i get to skip "two months" of the lpn program since the cna courses are the same beginning courses of lpn program *not verified*]

second, i have decided to apply to earn as you learn at baycare since ptec holds spots for eayl students. *not verified* [con - there are more requirements to the eayl. i would have to sign a three year contract with baycare. i have to start working as soon as i get my cna license (hopefully soon!) "cna license to begin your work commitment the week following

orientation no guarantee of location or shift" and will have to work at least one day on the weekend and on major holidays. pro - eayl covers tuition, books, while pay you $175 each week! and will guarantee you three years off work!!! (no where else are you guaranteed a job and for that long)]

third, i have previous experience for working in this field.

fourth, i am a guy and at one point i think they also gave you some credit for this. *not verified*

to-do list -

apply to eayl

take the tabe and pass with 11 grade+ $15

go to first eayl interview

apply to ptec cna

meet with a counselor

pay deposit for cna $50

take teas and pass with a 70+ $ 32.50

go to mandatory meeting may 18, 2010

complete and pay background check $48.50

submit hs diploma

submit immunization records

submit lpn application

thanks for following my thought process! i will post updates as i complete my to-do list.

-- i applied sunday to eayl baycare job post 49242 - nursing assistant - non-certified today 4/26/10 got this reply:

baycare job application

dear applicant:

thank you for your interest in the dr. george morris earn-as-you-learn lpn program. education for the lpn eayl program is provided by ptec. classes begin august 24, 2010.

you must attend a mandatory admissions seminar on tuesday, may 18 at 5pm at the ptec st. petersburg campus. the address is 901 34th st. south, st. petersburg, fl 33711. students must pre-register online on ptec’s website, www.myptec.org for the seminar.

the requirements to be eligible for lpn eayl program are a high school diploma or ged, tabe test level a with a score of 11 or higher and teas test with a score of at least 70%.

the lpn earn-as-you-learn selection process consists of two interviews. to be eligible for the first eayl interview, you must have taken the tabe level a test and score 11 or higher or an aa degree/higher. you do not need to take the tabe test if you have aa degree or higher. please fax your tabe test along with you high school diploma/ged or college diploma by may 17 to:

attention: ***** ******

fax number *** *** ****

it’s important to take the tabe test as soon as possible to be eligible in the selection process. you will be contacted within several days upon receipt of your fax if you are selected for the 1st interview.

to be eligible for the 2nd interview, you must have taken the teas test and score at least 70%.

for information on ptec’s lpn program, please visit ptecs website, www.myptec.org, click on nursing information. please review the information on all pages prior to attending the mandatory seminar on may 18.

thank you for your interest in the dr. george morris eayl lpn program.

***** ******

recruiter

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[Bean79]

Dose anyone know about the hours for the morning class I know its 7 to 2 butt clinicles mrs merret said can go over in hours

Perhaps Clearwater is different. But usually clinical hours is the same as classroom hours. The only exception to this I found were the online students and evening sudents. The only time it ran over was in postconference or if I was observing a procedure that ran over. But even in these instances it was never more that 20-30minutes.

[erica!]

Perhaps Clearwater is different. But usually clinical hours is the same as classroom hours. The only exception to this I found were the online students and evening sudents. The only time it ran over was in postconference or if I was observing a procedure that ran over. But even in these instances it was never more that 20-30minutes.

Oh thanks, yea i work so i did not know how it will conflicked with it.

[scrapworking]

An update - took the TABE this am...bad weather aside, did well. Like the OP, I started in Bldg 7 signed in, paid for exam. Hiked over to Bldg 10, took the test - about an hour, got my print out of the results and back to Bldg 7 to meet with a counselor. Didn't even sit down...as I'm already signed up for the mandatory meeting tomorrow and have the TEAS scheduled.

I tried to fax the results over to EAYL, but it wouldn't go through, so I scanned and emailed the pdf to them.

Picked up my titer results & got my 2nd Hep B shot - another $43! Next one isn't until October...get them started early (Health Department needs 30 days for titer results...and are the least expensive option that I've checked).

More hurdles to jump through tomorrow! Good luck everyone.

[TJMA77]

I am also trying to get into the August 2010 LPN Program at PTEC. I took the TABE and passed. Also took the TEAS and got 82.4. After seeing the turnout at the informational meeting, I don't think my chances for getting in are very good with 4 points (3 for TEAS score and 1 for previous medical experience). I don't know whether to retake the TEAS before applying on June 17th or just apply and see what happens. If I apply and don't make it, I will probably check into PTEC's CNA program or see what other CNA programs are approved by the school and then do that while waiting for the next LPN class to come around. I am unemployed and my benefits will be running out in July so I need to do something. Anyone have any suggestions or happen to know what other CNA programs are accepted by PTEC??

[scrapworking]

It can be discouraging after seeing all those people, but know that not all of them will end up applying or will have some other factor that keeps them from meeting all the criteria. Don't give up on yourself - go for it and stay positive! You have to have 30 days in between retakes on the TEAS, and the packet is due on June 17th. So, if you can, I'd say study like crazy and retake it if you can afford it. I know they don't accept the "short" courses or the courses you take to refresh or challenge the CNA exam by the state. If you aren't going to take theirs, and after you narrow down a few legitimate courses, call pTec and see if those programs meet their criteria. For the price of pTec and the points (when applying to the LPN program) you might just consider doing it at pTec.

As for a backup plan, I'd say you really need to decide what your long-term goals are so you can reach those goals too. My goal is to be a RN...so I'm applying to all the schools I can for that. If I'm not accepted, I'm also applying to various LPN programs. If that doesn't work out, I will attend a CNA course...however far back I have to start is fine because my long term goal is to be a nurse (BSN eventually). So, keep the end in mind when making your for-now plans...would be my advice. It has also helped me to know WHY I want to be a nurse...especially when doing all my pre-req courses, or paying $$ out for immunization/titers, books, etc or otherwise get discouraged.

Good luck!!

[applicant2010]

-- updates

Okay, so I took the TEAS test. Ha, Ha I didn't study for it and paid the price. I got a 73 . However since the min. is 70 for EAYL and they decide who get their 6 seats *confirmed* I still may be in the running, just maybe.

TEAS test at clearwater are horrible!!!! First of all please, please, please either pay before hand or get there really early and pay since i was witness to the amount of people who took the test and they are fairly large groups. This means if you get their "on-time" and pay and come back to sign-in you may not get in (My advice is to sign-in and then pay). It was sad that one tester got there and was turned down because our group was full. (The bookstore and the testing sites are both in Bldg. 7 at Clearwater.)

I will try to post a pic of my results to explain the test better. Don't laugh at my results :).

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/q7YzNdTugssDxDJ7qf-2IQ?feat=directlink

Well as for that day the run down was as follows. First you sign-in. A proctor will call you in by 3s. You will sign-in again on a different roster, sign your name, and they will check your reciept and your photo id. Then you get scrap pasper for your test, you choose a computer and sign-in to your ATI account (you must create an ATI first before your test date!!!!). This were it got scary. You will be asked to navigate to a section on the ATI site to input a code for you test to begin. However in my case, and six others, this page would not display. We restarted the computers and signed-in again, which worked at that time. Had it not worked we would have been asked to get a refund and schedule or go to phcc. Scary scary stuff!! Before you start you are told about retaking the test (so you actually listen), you read the directions, you are told to use your extra time in a section to go to the bathroom (since its harder to pause your test to use the bathroom and come back) and you are told NOT to move your mouse out of the question area, which means to stay away from the blue side of the screen since it will lock you test (ha ha this sounds like a joke but is true). The proctor gives you access and you begin your test. The most interesting part of the test was the parts where you where asked to actually draw/write figures/numbers and manipulate/erase them (I guess to see if you could follow directions?). After you finish you get you results and you print them out. Then in my case you cry all the way home . Good times...

My advice is buy a pratice book and study your brains out now. Oh and stay positive, sleep well and eat breakfast .

[applicant2010]

TJMAZZ I agree with scrapworking and this is why. First off, after I finished my test I spoke to Ms. ***** and explained sometimes they have classes that fill up and dont hit the twos (which are my points for the app) but other classes that fill-up including most of the two point apps. Now think about it, in all of those cases where to the 4s fall? As for the number of people at the meeting not all submitt apps, and if they do they actually have to complete every section of the app to the T. If there are missing parts or they are incomplete, they count off for that (-1 for each item). I guess what im saying is what do have to lose?

[applicant2010]

-- update

unfortunately we had a constructive problem in team resources and our office was temporarily relocated. please fax your teas to my attention at *** *** ****.

thank you,

**** *******

recruiter

i tried sending my scores by fax but it was busy. hope you can accept my scores this way.

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[TJMA77]

Thanks for the encouragement scrapworking and applicant 2010!! I appreciate it!

Applicant 2010...Sounds like we took the TEAS the same day unless they always have problems with the computers and people being turned away and needing a refund. Did you take it on May 14th?? If so, you still have time to study and retake it on June 15th.

Good luck!! :)

[applicant2010]

Ha ha now its my turn to thank you for the encouragement! :) Yes I did take it the 14th. I might retake it just depends if I don't get the EAYL. Anyway it doesnt hurt to study.

[applicant2010]

-- Update

I am very happy since I have been told I will pass to the second interview! My second interview for EAYL will be June 8 at 10:30 at the Education Bldg. on 818 Milwaukee Ave. in Dunedin [which is about 5 min away from my house in a car!]. Wish me Luck!

[scrapworking]

Good luck Applicant2010! Keep us posted!!

I took the TEAS today and met all the criteria for pTec with my scores. FYI - I took mine at PHCC ($50) - warning: do not go on any days that have some sort of deadline on them! Apparently, they don't have many computer set-up and you may have to wait and feel rushed. Also, no breaks. By the time I hit the 4 section (English), I rushed just to get the dang thing over-my brain was tired! Therefore, I scored in the 80's on something I normally, and easily hit in the mid-90's. But it's done...and every section is high enough for pTec (& PHCC where I'm also applying).

I had my first interview (which I thought went well) by phone with EAYL and they asked for the scores to evaluate for a 2nd interview. They have pretty good turnaround, so I hope to hear from them shortly thereafter. My only concern is the 3-yr commitment after my LPN. I plan on going right to RN, afterwards so this may no be a good fit for me. We'll see!