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:wink2:Okay so I have worked as CNA in the passed and am finishing up a phlebotomy training program. I have also been researching my options for LVN schools and was looking at WCC(western career college), UNITEK(my first choice) and Gurnick (concord location) Pros for WCC they take government grants ETC but cost an arm leg and whatever else you can give them(they are all a chunk of change though). They have flexible schedules and are relatively quick as are all the others by comparison. UNITEK would have been my first choice as I was going to have the luxury of my parents financial support to focus solely on the 10 month VERY INTENSE program however was very shocked when I couldn't qualify for their only funding source(sally may) which is VERYSTRICT. I even tried with 6 different co-signers and to our suprise were all denied. I then visited GURNICK academy in Concord. Same set up as unitek in regards to funding however there program has day/eve classes and only 5 hours a day for those who want/need to work unlike UNITEK(very very very difficult to work) Also Gurnick does have some in house financing options unlike UNITEK and is approx 22K vs. 33k. Gurnick is also BART ACCESSIBLE. Hmm what else. UNITEK is beautiful. the others ok. in the end though I know its what I choose to make of it. All the marble floors and new computers UNITEK has can be overlooked as long as I can get the same information at Gurnick that I could at UNITEK. Anyone else looking into Gurnick Concord? I currently work full time as a Flight Attendant but want out of the airline industry and want to help people on a more self gratifying level. Also to those of you whom might be a few steps behind me and still gathering all your information. Don't be discouraged like I was and still kind of am by RN's(like my aunts) that you speak to regarding LVN intially vs. RN. Some just don't understand that the waiting lists are rediculous. Please email me if you have any questions about my findings thus far as I have also taken a few of their basic entrance tests. Don't worry I barely passed Algebra. I have just been told that I will really need to pay attention and work twice as hard in area of math that may prove more challenging for me than some of the others that are good in math. Good luck all in transition such as myself. Okay well I know my post was all jumbled--just typing what comes to mind.
I'm looking into Gurnick's program and wanted to know which school you ended up going to. Also how did you finance it I don't qualify for financial aid and taking out such a large loan is a little scary.
Gurnick offers Pell Grants, Federal Student Loans, Sallie Mae Loans and also except WIA through the EDD office.
FYI: WCC's program is $40K if you DO NOT go with financial aid, $60K with financial aid. Also you go to school M-F from 8am - 5pm. I went to their program in 2008, and ended up dropping out because of the lack of organization the faculty have.
Unitek (Fremont) are just straight rude and when I did not qualify for the financing through them, I was treated like a "second class citizen". I felt that they only cared about making money and not their students.
At Gurnick all the instructors and staff are on a first name basis and always willing to go the extra mile for you.
Hello Christine2009,
I'll be attending Gurnick and wanted to get your input. Please email me at [email protected]. Thanks! I'm so excited!!
Christine2009
358 Posts
Hi everyone, I am a student at Gurnick in Concord (evening program) and have to say that I am loving the experience there. I just finished my first module and ended up with all A's! The instructors are very educated and you really do get what you pay for.
For those of you starting the program on July 11th, I have all the study guides for the tests and can give you all help with what to study ahead of time when you get your books.
For the prereq class, you will have A&P, Drug Dose Calculations and Medical Terminology. You go two days a week from 9am - 1pm or 5pm - 9pm.
The program director (Leora) usually teaches the DDC and I think you will have Arti for A&P if not, Dr. Pannu who is a medical doctor and very nice.
If you do not pass a test, they let you do rationales for the exam...you write the question you got wrong and then find the right answer in the book with the page #. The instructor then adds 5% to your score, inabling you to pass the tests. For example: If you got a 70% on the exam, with the rationales, you now have a 75%!
If you study everyday, it is impossible not to pass the class. Leora frequently tells us, that if we do not pass a class, then they have failed at presenting the material to us. So far we have yet to lose anyone, nor has any of my classmates had to go into remediation.
Record all your lectures...I did this and would listen to the lecture again when I would get home. Ask questions when you are unclear on something and most importantly STAY OUT OF THE DRAMA!
Best of luck to you all and hope to see you in July!