PTEC

FLg8r · Jun 5, 2009

well, i'm not sure -- and i'm SHOCKED that you didn't get in either! i was told that a lot of the ones accepted, had high TEAS scores, but their points were 15 and up. they were previous applicants - so there's 1 extra point, some millitary, so there's another extra point - and i'll assume male as well??? it just seems impossible to me to even compete to get into these programs. i don't want to spend the money, but maybe a private school is the only way to really get in. i turned down galen (May start date) because i wanted to get into this program -- to save money for one reason, but really because i couldn't see spending all that money on a private school to get the same outcome in the end. seems to me that those private schools are only out to make money -- i mean, how can EVERYONE get into them, but few get into these?

they wanted me to apply to the october day class, but it's in st. pete and unless i could find an evening hour job, i couldn't do that. i suppose i could just wait it out and see what happens in january, but i've been WAITING for so long now, i'm starting to wonder if it is worth it.

i've also heard that local hospitals are no longer hiring LPNs, so that leaves long term care as the only place for employment. wouldn't mind that, but the pay isn't there either. i really wanted to get in the pTEC program to bridge to the SPC RN program ............. i'm really n ot sure what i am going to do ........ how about you?

Are you serious? I only scored a 85.3 on my TEAS and received an email saying I was accepted as the first alternate if anyone should decide to drop from the original roster. But I also had some points from having my A.A. degree and working in the medical field. It really sucks because considering it's an online program, I really doubt anyone would decide to not do the class unless they find out they got into a R.N. program as well.
So, what are you gonna do now? Are you gonna wait to reapply for the next class in January or try something else? I'm still not sure.

reinvent · Jun 5, 2009

It's ridiculous and unfair to give extra points for applying in the past and for being male. My friend went to Galen for the LPN program and she hated the staff there. Plus they aren't accredited. PTEC also told me about the October class but I can't do day classes because I work full-time in a doctor's office M-F 9-5. And I'm a single parent so I can't not work for a year to go to school. So that's why I was really hoping I would get into this program. I wish they would start a night class. I'd actually would rather do a night class than an online class.

My friend that went to Galen is working as a LPN on the night shift at a LTC facility and makes 20/hr which isn't too bad. I wanted to do something like that, work maybe PRN or three nights a week and then still work two days a week where I work now while taking the pre-reqs for the RN bridge program at SPC.

I heard that Keiser was starting a night class but I wasn't sure how expensive they were or if they are accredited. I might look into that. Have you heard anything about that school?

well, i'm not sure -- and i'm SHOCKED that you didn't get in either! i was told that a lot of the ones accepted, had high TEAS scores, but their points were 15 and up. they were previous applicants - so there's 1 extra point, some millitary, so there's another extra point - and i'll assume male as well??? it just seems impossible to me to even compete to get into these programs. i don't want to spend the money, but maybe a private school is the only way to really get in. i turned down galen (May start date) because i wanted to get into this program -- to save money for one reason, but really because i couldn't see spending all that money on a private school to get the same outcome in the end. seems to me that those private schools are only out to make money -- i mean, how can EVERYONE get into them, but few get into these?
they wanted me to apply to the october day class, but it's in st. pete and unless i could find an evening hour job, i couldn't do that. i suppose i could just wait it out and see what happens in january, but i've been WAITING for so long now, i'm starting to wonder if it is worth it.
i've also heard that local hospitals are no longer hiring LPNs, so that leaves long term care as the only place for employment. wouldn't mind that, but the pay isn't there either. i really wanted to get in the pTEC program to bridge to the SPC RN program ............. i'm really n ot sure what i am going to do ........ how about you?

FLg8r · Jun 5, 2009

they are about the same expense as galen. i think i'm going to wait until the next online class orientation comes up for january. i think i'll also re-take the TEAS, but i don't forsee getting a higher score. i said in my post i had a 94, that was an 84 ... sorry .. typo .... but still, should have had enough points to move things along. i'd be curious to know how many of those they chose, are actually going to do well and stick to the curriculum. i hate the fact the the ones they chose, may just be doing this and not REALLY want to do this. also, i - like you - came to this forum. not by chance, but because i've researched this site like all the time for new things in the nursing world and to keep up on the schools that are out there - good / bad - pros /cons .... i find it odd that you and i are the only ones on here, and neither of us were good enough to get in the program. that sucks!

oh, and if you do try for the jan class, we should meet at the orientation -- i'm sure they will make us attend that again :cry: i'm also a single parent - have some support from my husband (we have been separated for the past 2 years now), but should you ever need help with your kid(s) maybe we can be each other's support system. my son is 8.

i'm just very depressed right now because i felt VERY confident and tried for once in my life to think and be very optimistic and for nothing .... at least you were offered the altnernate list ... you may get in on that ..... they have to pay their $100 to secure their spot, so we may have another shot if they don't do that .... times are tough right now, so coming up with $100 may be hard for some .... especially since most of the ones at the orientation were unemployed. times are tough right now, which is only making the competition that much more for us --- us being the ones who have been trying for years - not months, to get into a nursing program.

StaycHFL · Jun 6, 2009

I can assure you they will make you attend the "meeting" again if you apply to the January class. When I applied for the online class I was told I should also apply for the October St.Pete day class,just to increase my chances since I feel so pressed for time.Chris Crawford suggested over and over to apply to the St. Pete program and at first I declined. However,after a few days I changed my mind and decided to just apply and see if I caould even get in and make the day class work. GET THIS- when I called Chris to tell her I did want to apply she told me I could but since I did not attend the St. Pete "mandatory" meeting on May 12 I would be placed at the back of the line-meaning that unless all the other applicants were missing something from there packet they would not even LOOK at my packet.??????? Why would I have to attend both meeting for the same program???? Anyhow I am going to reapply in January and are considering getting my 140-hours CNA prior to class to give me an additional point. I work in the medical field and received an additional point for that as well. I'm still appalled that people received points for being male!!!!

classykaren · Jun 6, 2009

Keiser is 20,000 Dollars

FLg8r · Jun 6, 2009

i'm going to also re-apply for the january class. i want to attend CNA classes, but where?? all of these place i've found are just "boot camps" that are only for test preparation, nothing more. i've only found one place in Pinellas that is listed on the DOH website as board certified, and it is -- of course - a private school. it's about 5K for just the CNA. i can't see paying that ..... at one time, i was going to just take the CNA test and "challenge" it, but after orientation and learning that they would not accept that, i figured - why bother? let me know if you find a CNA course to take -- i may join you :-)

i cannot believe that you'd have to attend that mandatory meeting for the October class. what is up with that? some of this makes absolutely no sense to me at all. of course, if we are really desperate, there are always the private LPN schools. to me tho, i don't want the expence of paying back those loans. there is also a tech school in manatee county, just over the skyway bridge i've heard is good, but really don't want to travel that distance for school. maybe if we hang in there, we will get in the next January class. i'm thinking about retaking the TEAS to get a higher score ...... have you considered that?

StaycHFL · Jun 6, 2009

I live in Tampa and I found a tech school,Leary Tech. They have the 165 hr CNA course (475.00) and they offer it at several different ALFs in Tampa. They also offer nights and weekend classes,which is great for me. I am going to try and do the weekend class starting in July through October.I figure however I can get an additional point is worth the time not to mention the experience.I'm also planning to have sexual re-assignment surgery as well,LOL.

reinvent · Jun 6, 2009

I will probably try again for the January class. I'll definitely meet up with you at the orientation. My son is only 1 1/2. I probably am going to re-take the TEAS but I don't see what good it'll do me because I got a 85 and unless I get a 90+ it is not going to make a difference. But I'll try and see what happens. I'm pretty upset as well. I still think it was wrong to give people a better chance of getting into the program just because they have applied before or because of their gender. How is that fair and what makes them better students than us?

I definitely cannot afford to go the private school route. So I think I will re-take the TEAS and then reapply for the January class. I think I might also take one or two science classes in the fall at SPC so I have some of the pre-req's for the bridge program taken care of.

they are about the same expense as galen. i think i'm going to wait until the next online class orientation comes up for january. i think i'll also re-take the TEAS, but i don't forsee getting a higher score. i said in my post i had a 94, that was an 84 ... sorry .. typo .... but still, should have had enough points to move things along. i'd be curious to know how many of those they chose, are actually going to do well and stick to the curriculum. i hate the fact the the ones they chose, may just be doing this and not REALLY want to do this. also, i - like you - came to this forum. not by chance, but because i've researched this site like all the time for new things in the nursing world and to keep up on the schools that are out there - good / bad - pros /cons .... i find it odd that you and i are the only ones on here, and neither of us were good enough to get in the program. that sucks!
oh, and if you do try for the jan class, we should meet at the orientation -- i'm sure they will make us attend that again i'm also a single parent - have some support from my husband (we have been separated for the past 2 years now), but should you ever need help with your kid(s) maybe we can be each other's support system. my son is 8.
i'm just very depressed right now because i felt VERY confident and tried for once in my life to think and be very optimistic and for nothing .... at least you were offered the altnernate list ... you may get in on that ..... they have to pay their $100 to secure their spot, so we may have another shot if they don't do that .... times are tough right now, so coming up with $100 may be hard for some .... especially since most of the ones at the orientation were unemployed. times are tough right now, which is only making the competition that much more for us --- us being the ones who have been trying for years - not months, to get into a nursing program.

Bean79 · Jun 7, 2009

Hi everyone! I am currently a PTEC LPN student (daytime). I see some of you are currently considering CNA training. If you are planning on pursuing PTEC again in the future my advice to you would be to do the CNA training that PTEC offers. Reasoning being, when you apply you get credit for the PTEC CNA course and also when you start the LPN program, you actually will get to skip this portion of the course. The first part of the PTEC LPN program in Nursing assitant and health CORE training. Many students in my class including myself were CNA's prior to entering PTEC but still had to do the CNA training all over again because it was not PTEC's specific training and CORE training. Those that had already did the PTEC CNA course skipped 2 months of school. I know PTEC's CNA course is longer than a lot of training centers but at least you will be skipping a part of the curriculum, and usually when applying for the LPN program they give preference to students who have completed a PTEC course previously. Hope this helps and good luck to all of you :)

Oh on a side note, if economy is an issue when selecting an LPN school there is another school is Tampa that I hear is very good and also costs about $5000 for the entire program. It is Erwin Tech. I believe their entry requirements is different and they only require TABE (I think). They also have an evening and Daytime LPN course. Something to consider....

FLg8r · Jun 7, 2009

thanks for the tip .... i know from the orientation that the curriculum in the school of choice for the CNA course, has to meet the same standards at pTEC. that said, it is virtually impossible to find a school that offers what pTEC CNA course does. of course, they only offer it in the day time and at st. pete campus from what i was told. believe me, if i could go that route, i would, but i need to work during the day and cannot quit to go to school.

how do you like their LPN program? did you have to apply a few times before being accepted? if you don't mind, what score did you get on the TEAS? we are debating whether or not it is worth or time, effort and money to retake, hoping to obtain a higher score.

thanks in advance.

Bean79 · Jun 7, 2009

I certainly understand the issue with work and school. I actually delayed applying to PTEC for a while because I had a day job. Once I was at my job long enough I was able to transfer to a night position, so I could go to school and work at the same time. It is extremely tough doing both, but a neccessity for me. As far as PTEC application process, I was accepted on the first try. I scored an 89 on the TEAS. I earned extra points though because I have a degree and a health background. But there are people in my class with no previous experience that were accepted and have done really well. I am not sure how "helpful" it will be to take it again. But I can see the incentive, especially if you can score 90+ since that can give you up to 2 points extra, then another point for being a previous applicant.

The program itself has its pros and cons. I am just passing the halfway point now and nearly finished with the bookwork part of the curriculum. When my class entered, PTEC had just began implementing a new curriculum, so it felt a bit disorganized. Our class also had the disadvantage of not having a consistant instructor for the first couple months due to a shortage of teachers. I know that this has been improving and will no longer be an issue since the school is decreasing the number of classes a year, so staffing shouldnt be a problem anymore. Things still are disorganized, but it has been improving and I know many problems my class encountered were corrected by the time the next class started in January.

Not all instructors are created equal, but having been to other institutions I recognize that this is true of any school. The main concern is that since PTEC is funded by the state, so they are affected by budget cuts. Resources that are readily available at more expensive private schools are hard to come by at PTEC. The problems I hear students complain about, I also hear the same complaints from friends that go to Galen, SPC, HCC etc... But the pros are it is affordable and I love that over half the curriculum is spent in clinicals so we spend a lot of time in hospitals actually practicing skills. The program itself can be challenging and a lot of people struggle, but they really want you to succeed.

Well I hope this helps and I really hope you get in next time around. I know what it is like being in that in between limbo phase when you want to start working toward something but cant. But dont give up, you will get there :)

FLg8r · Jun 7, 2009

thanks for all of you advice. but this is my 3rd, yes 3rd career change --- and i'm 46. so i don't have a lot of time to wait (police officer/detective - paralegal - hopefully some day soon - nurse) :rolleyes: i've been waiting around trying to get on SPC's class for the past 5 years. it will never happen. my grades are from 20 years ago when i got my degree and if i repeat them, then that counts against me (at the time, i wasn't devoting 100% of my effort into them because i just wanted to get my degree -- my GPA is only a 3.4, which as we all know, isn't high enough!!! i really don't get that -- lasat rejection letter i rec'd from the school for this past january start date, they were taking GPAs @ 3.8-4.0).... i can't win. perhaps, going the more expensive route may be my only option. how do the facilities feel about the training nurses from different schools? have you heard anything about them disliking nurses from any particular program? from what i've read on this site, they all seem to really like the pTEC students.