Okay here's my 2nd attempt to post this... a little background first.
Hi everyone. I am making the very scary step to leave my fairly secure and well paying corporate job that I am miserable in to pursue becoming a RN. I am in my late 20's, married, and have a 7 1/2 month old daughter who is my whole world. My income takes care of a large portion of our bills so for me to quit my job and go to school will be tough for my family but my husband is supportive. Right now I am just really trying to make the right decision in terms of my education.
I was going to go the community college route. I live in the Bay Area and was at first interested in going to Chabot or Ohlone nursing programs. But I have never taken any college courses so I would have to take 2-2 1/2 years of the pre-req classes before even being eligible for the nursing program. Since you all know, it is a lottery system, it could be 5+ years before I would finally graduate. I am not able to go that long without having a job.
I came across the Unitek website. I contacted their campus in Fremont (I live in Livermore, it would be only a 25-30 min drive on 680) and have a meeting with them on Monday. But I have never met anyone that has taken classes there. I have heard some good, some not so good. The positives of me going is that although it is CRAZY expensive, it is a 2 year program. They said that includes the pre-req's I would have to take. That means that my family would only need to cut back for 2 years. I could be working as a RN by the time I am 30 years old.
My question is... does anyone know how they get the pre req's done in those 2 years in the program? The program is first the LVN program and then LVN to RN. Then, how many of those grads actually get good hospital RN positions afterwards? Do hospitals seem to be receptive towards Unitek graduates? I don't want to get close to $80k in student loans to end up not being employable due to the college I attended. Also, I am hoping to become a Labor & Delivery RN or Pediatric Nurse, do they have any specialty courses?
Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated. I am very nervous, anxious, but excited too to start this new chapter in my life. Thanks in advance!!!!!
I'd be very wary with private loans. I almost lost everything because of the extreme payments. 900/month is not feasible for most. It's now down to a manageable 650/month....but still. People think how much money they will make when they graduate school but they don't realize new grads have trouble getting jobs. Then the taxes they take out of that big paycheck...at least in California further dwindle. Then add a mortgage a car and bills...better hope there is a second income or be willing to work lots of overtime which isn't always available.
I have been working on my RN program pre-requisites for the past 4 years, and I completed all my science courses through Unitek as well.Problem is I was hoping to get loans for the crazy $42,000 tuition, as well as a cost of living loan because I would be virtually unemployed during the program (mortgage, car payment, bills). So I recently went to the "info Session" and was told that before being able to speak to the financial aid department, I would have to complete the one month full time LVN-RN transition course, and pass with a good grade. Thats a $3,000 class, plus I would need living expense monies, since it is not included in the tuition!
I said, "well how do I know if I can afford the program unless I speak to financial aid first?". Seems like a way to really get your money just to find out you may not get in the program! They literally said if you pass the class and you speak to financial aid, you better be able to pay As soon as possible or they will just move onto another applicant who can pay.
Off the record a woman who worked there told me that they only use Sallie Mae Loans, and its only up to $25,000 given so you basically have to have the extra monies plus living expenses in order to be able to get into the program.
After 4 years, and over $8,000 spent on Uniteks Pre-requisites, I may not ever get to be a RN after putting so much time into my education. The reason I even took the Pre-requisites at Unitek is because they were easy to enroll in (Jr colleges are so impacted with potential nursing students it was hard for me to even get the classes I need in the small time frame I have with work). So Beware Unitek College LVN-RN students! Unless you live at home with your parents or marry rich, this program is a no no!
My last hope is going to be Carrington College. The rep said I can speak to financial aid first before wasting my time with that school. Worst thing is most other schools do not accept Uniteks Pre-requisite courses, not even Excelsior College thats not even board approved in California will! So Unless I have given up on my dream entirely, I am going to have to repeat the courses. Good Luck.
When I attended the program Sallie Mae gave me a 35k $ loan for the entire program. They've changed things since I went. Heads up. Sallie Mae does not want consumers to pay off their loans. my 35k loan ballooned to 45k as it was in deferment while I was in school. 1 year adds at least 10k of interest. I paid an extra 8k on it in one year and only lowered the balance 2k. I was overwhelmed and upset with the predatory student loan and my grandma blessed me with a personal loan to pay it off.
If you can't avoid horrible student loans through Sallie Mae to go to Unitek, seek another school option. Completion of the program will not give you the level of financial relief to handle those sorts of loans.
My min payment was 430 a month and that would have resulted in me never paying it off. Each payment goes towards interest first and very little is applied to principle. Beware and good lucky finding another option.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Nia415: you may also want to check out Kaplan College. They have very flexible payment options. Federal Loans, Private/Sallie Mae, monthly payment plans, etc.
I am considering the lvn-rn bridge at unitek. Can you tell me about your experience? I am having second thoughts about spending so much money if the quality of the program is not there.
I am considering the lvn-rn bridge at unitek. Can you tell me about your experience? I am having second thoughts about spending so much money if the quality of the program is not there.
I went to Unitek as my last resort as i cannot wait for the long wait list at several community colleges i applied to. Also theres recency of Science classes and if still dont get in that year, i need to repeat most of it.
I am so lucky to finish the 8month program coz it was tough..Im taking the Nclex in few weeks.(wish me luck)
They will help you with loan application, fafsa if you're eligible. Theres a 1month transition class that you need to pass before being accepted to the 8month program (2semesters 4months each) all inclusive of books, uniforms, all lab materials & even kaplan package for review.
I went to Unitek as my last resort as i cannot wait for the long wait list at several community colleges i applied to. Also theres recency of Science classes and if still dont get in that year, i need to repeat most of it.
I am so lucky to finish the 8month program coz it was tough..Im taking the Nclex in few weeks.(wish me luck)
They will help you with loan application, fafsa if you're eligible. Theres a 1month transition class that you need to pass before being accepted to the 8month program (2semesters 4months each) all inclusive of books, uniforms, all lab materials & even kaplan package for review.
You can message me for other specific questions.
thanks for your quick response. I tried to PM you but because i am a new user i am unable too.
If you can PM me about your overall classroom and clinical experience that would be great.
I'm also looking into Unitek as a last resort, for the same reasons you chose Unitek. Can you please share you experience? I know you get what you put in but I'm just scared of all the horror Stories I hear about Unitek. Is Unitek really that bad?
Its not that bad but not the best choice either. As Ive told everyone who asked me, try other school 1st. I did my LVN there too (like 7yrs ago) Unitek was my last option & it worked out for me. I graduated & passed the NCLEX RN. Now its time to work really hard to pay off the expensive student loan.
I second the be aware of the loan payments. My 35k loan costs me 700$ a month. That's a big payment in a not great job market for new RNs. Actually I imagine the costs have gone up so a much bigger payment now. I don't regret doing it when I did it, but I think in this current job market is be very wary unless you have a way to make those payments without landing an RN job right away. I graduated 7 years ago, very different market.
i cant replay to your massage because of my account in here. but i did a yelp review of them under stella my name and you can contact me via yelp and i will answer all your questions. i just finishe this month.
NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN
2,387 Posts
I'd be very wary with private loans. I almost lost everything because of the extreme payments. 900/month is not feasible for most. It's now down to a manageable 650/month....but still. People think how much money they will make when they graduate school but they don't realize new grads have trouble getting jobs. Then the taxes they take out of that big paycheck...at least in California further dwindle. Then add a mortgage a car and bills...better hope there is a second income or be willing to work lots of overtime which isn't always available.