is this school really approved by the PA state board of nursing?

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Has anyone heard of Prism Career Institute's PN program? They say they're approved by the PA State Board of Nursing since Novemeber 2006, but when I go to the website nothing comes up about Prism. Anyone know why?...... Also, they say they make no representations or gaurantee's regarding a student's ability to obtain a license or employment. Do all schools say this?? Are they just covering their back's for rare cases that a student can't get their license?

Specializes in Hospice.

Being approved by the state board is the minimum standard, because you can't take NCLEX in Pa at least without state approval. It's the accreditation that's the sticky part..that's a sign of 'excellent' according to my law & ethics class this a.m. lol I retained something at least. I go to school in Pa also.

Without accreditation, title iv funding won't be disbursed by the U.S. government, which means they don't accept financial aid..such as pell grants and so forth. That's a HUGE red flag..state approval or no. I didn't learn this in class this morning either, I used to work for a proprietary school like the one in question.

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Sorry, but the testimonial by the blond haired girl just cracked me up! Watch it here:

http://www.prismcareerinstitute.com/nursing.aspx

I thought it was funny

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
Being approved by the state board is the minimum standard, because you can't take NCLEX in Pa at least without state approval. It's the accreditation that's the sticky part..that's a sign of 'excellent' according to my law & ethics class this a.m. lol I retained something at least. I go to school in Pa also.

Without accreditation, title iv funding won't be disbursed by the U.S. government, which means they don't accept financial aid..such as pell grants and so forth. That's a HUGE red flag..state approval or no. I didn't learn this in class this morning either, I used to work for a proprietary school like the one in question.

To give you an example of how rare it is for a LVN/LPN program to be accredited by the NLNAC: In the state of Texas, there are only 3 accredited vocational nursing programs out of about 80+ approved programs. So obviously you can attend a good program without the accreditation. Check NCLEX pass rates, ask what the drop out/fail rate is, call around to local employers to get a perspective of the graduates from that school, ask where the clinical sites are located, etc.

I attended a private well known LVN program which is not accredited. I felt I received a great nursing education and have never had any problem being employed. The NCLEX was a breeze, I passed with the minimum amount of questions. At my school I did receive a small about of grant money from the government and I received a government student loan. So do your homework and know that you can attend a good school without accreditation, it's not a red flag...

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Accreditation doesn't mean a sign of excellence what the NLNAC does it accreditate a school so that students who go there can transfer those classes that they took at that school to an RN program for credit........I know this because before i started Prism I called the NLNAC to see what that meant and that what I mentioned is what the lady told me and she said nothing about the school being the best or top rated......the only other thing she told me was if a job is looking for the coming from an accreditated school you probably won't ge hire but I know people who didn't come from an accreditated school and had know problems finding a job...........At Prism we did receive financial aid and all kinds of grants.....but anyway Prism is going up for accreditation in either Oct.....I know everything because like I said I was in the first class in Philly.......and the first class(meaning me) had to graduate before getting accreditation and to see the pass and fail rate........and we graduated with just about a full class only 7 people that started with us didn't finish so that say's something:nurse:

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Specializes in Hospice.

There are lots of different types of accreditation. In order to be approved for title iv funding, there's a particular accreditation that all schools must have that's not exclusive to nursing, to clarify.

And so, as far as a 'sign of excellence' is concerned, the reason for this is because the accreditation that's required to receive federal financial aid funding is VERY VERY VERY stringent, almost to the point of ridiculous. If a school can keep up with all of what's required at every 8 year audit, then yes..they are indeed excellent. I have been a staff member of a school that was up for their 8 year audit to maintain eligibility to receive financial aid, and I must say...I understood the hows and whys associated with our day to day standard operating procedure... .

I tell everyone that if a school doesn't accept federal funding, there's a reason for that. Either the program is too short (I'm talking weeks..like CNA) to warrant the need for FA, or there's a problem with their management and it's a good idea to stay very far away from them. It's costs apx. 15k for a school to receive accreditation that allows them to receive federal funding for student education. Above that, there's very stringent standards and compliance issues that must be dealt with. If a school doesn't have this accreditation, they shouldn't have started offering the program to students because the student will then have to pay out of pocket for their education, without the benefit of federally protected loans and loan policies.

The issue isn't private school v. public. I worked at a private (proprietary) school. It's about the way the school is run with respect to being governed by standards that protect and provide for the student in many, many ways.

So yes, accreditation in SOME ASPECTS is very important.

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And again I went to Prism PN program that program is not accreditated yet but will be...........As far as the school goes it is accreditated meaning the school but that wasn't the issue the issue was is it accreditated by the NLNAC and no the PN program isn't and it will go up for accreditation in Oct.....but is the school itself accreditated yes and that how we receive or financial aid and grants but as far as NLNAC accreditation that really doesn't hinder one from taking the NCLEX or getting a job

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

A new school can not apply for NLN accreditation until at least 2 graduating classes have taken and passed NCLEX to order meet this standard--applies LPN and RN programs

PRACTICAL - 6

STANDARD 6

Outcomes

Evaluation of student learning demonstrates that graduates have achieved identified competencies consistent with the institutional mission and professional standards and that the outcomes of the nursing education unit have been achieved.

6.1 The systematic plan for evaluation emphasizes the ongoing assessment and evaluation of the student learning and program outcomes of the nursing education unit and NLNAC standards.

6.2 Aggregated evaluation findings inform program decision making and are used to maintain or improve student learning outcomes.

6.3 Evaluation findings are shared with communities of interest.

6.4 Graduates demonstrate achievement of competencies appropriate to role preparation.

6.5 The program demonstrates evidence of achievement in meeting the following program outcomes:

− Performance on licensure exam

− Program completion

− Program satisfaction

− Job placement

6.5.1 The licensure exam pass rates will be at or above the national mean.

6.5.2 Expected levels of achievement for program completion are determined by the faculty and reflect program demographics, academic progression, and program history.

6.5.3 Program satisfaction measures (qualitative and quantitative) address graduates and their employers.

6.5.4 Job placement rates are addressed through quantified measures that reflect program demographics and history.

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Specializes in LTC.
Some people do really well and pass their state boards on the first attempt, but are not issued licenses due to having violent criminal backgrounds. The school would have no way of knowing about the criminal histories of its students, so it cannot guarantee licensure.

Criminal background/ child abuse history checks. Our school required them before we started classes.

I have no answer to this question but i have a question to ask myself. How much is the tuition for this program. I am an RN and I am looking for an LPN program for my friend in the PA area.

thanks for your answer in advance.

Twenty-two grand seems excessive. How long is that program?? Mine is eleven months and only $10K plus books, uniforms, etc. And we do get all the ATI books and dvds, too. Our NCLEX pass rate is the highest in the area (100% in 2006 and 2007).

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Criminal background/ child abuse history checks. Our school required them before we started classes.
My LVN program did not conduct background checks prior to starting classes.
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Prism do a criminal background check before letting students into the program..........The school is $22,000 that include books uniforms etc....and the complete ATI series to help with NCLEX

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Specializes in SNF/Acute.

i had to pay a $75 background check before getting into my lvn program here in california... which i think all states should require!

who wants a felon caring for you loved one? :no:

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Like I stated before Prism did background checks on everyone twice once before you start and secondly when it's time to submit paperwork to the BON

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