Alot of people badmouth Everest, including me. I've been saying I would never pay 12-15k to enroll at a program with such a dubious reputation. I've also heard sometimes they don't teach you what you really need to know to become certified in your chosen field and that scares me even more than the cost. I am an advocate of going to publicly funded schools over private, for-profit schools, but now I find myself in a situation where Everest is my desperate last option.
I am planning on moving to an area where it is difficult to find CNA work without training in EKG/Phlebotomy. Ironically, it seems hard to find any schools close to where I will be living that actually offer this kind of training. To the best of my knowledge hospitals there don't do on-the-job training. There are at least half a dozen state-funded schools that provide that kind of training where I live now, but every last one of those schools only offer fulltime day classes and I work in the daytime. Everest offers evening classes so it looks as if this is my last resort only option.
I've heard lots of negative things about Everest, but nothing in regards to their PCT program so I don't know how bad or how good it is. Does anyone have any opinions or information?
I'm sorry, I'm in upstate NY. But I can't imagine that the LTCs in FL don't offer training, as well. It is very difficult to attract CNAs and this is one way it is done.
It's possible that some LTC's down here offer the same thing, but in South Florida affordable CNA training is relatively easy to find. The problem is I'm planning on moving back to Brooklyn and unlike where I live now, hospitals want CNA's who are already trained as PCT's (with EKG and Phleb(). I guess the market up there is so competitive hospitals don't feel a need to provide on-the-job training. I don't know if it's the same thing throughout New York State or just unique to the New York City area. I don't mind working in LTC if that's what I find but I also don't want to limit myself when it comes to job searching.
Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CCU, Alzheimers, Med-Surg.
Personally, if it was me, I would rather limit myself and work in LTC for awhile for some experience and then get into a hospital rather than pay 15000 for PCT training. Who knows if they will even hire you coming from Everest.
It's possible that some LTC's down here offer the same thing, but in South Florida affordable CNA training is relatively easy to find. The problem is I'm planning on moving back to Brooklyn and unlike where I live now, hospitals want CNA's who are already trained as PCT's (with EKG and Phleb(). I guess the market up there is so competitive hospitals don't feel a need to provide on-the-job training. I don't know if it's the same thing throughout New York State or just unique to the New York City area. I don't mind working in LTC if that's what I find but I also don't want to limit myself when it comes to job searching.
Personally, if it was me, I would rather limit myself and work in LTC for awhile for some experience and then get into a hospital rather than pay 15000 for PCT training. Who knows if they will even hire you coming from Everest.
That is my big fear. I've heard some employers won't hire Everest grads. And I've searched all over the place; I can't find any personal testimonials from anyone who's been through the Everest PCT program let alone the one in my area so I have no clue if going to that school will be a help or a hinderance. I'm scared that I'll go to Everest and when all is said and done look back and kick myself for not taking the advice of you and everyone who suggested I not go there.
Between the two evils, you would probably be better off getting the nursing home training rather than going to Everest. The main problem in Tennessee with getting training through an LTC, however, is that it is a.) not comparable to going through a regular CNA training program and b.) NOT transferable to other states under any circumstances! However, the same thing may be true of the Everest program.
Before choosing my training program, I went to the TN State Board of Health website and confirmed that it was on their list of approved programs. I then checked which states would take the TN CNA license. Some will and some won't; there's really nothing you can do about that in relation to reciprocity for your state, but if you haven't already checked, this is something you MUST KNOW. NY may not even take a CNA license from FL. Either way, though, I have a hard time imagining how it could possibly be worth it to go through the Everest program. In TN, people can work at a LTC for four months before they actually have the CNA license, and if the same thing is true in NY, then that could be an avenue for you to consider. Maybe you could work in a LTC and get PCT training while you're there?
The more feedback I get from this forum the more my fears about Everest are reaffirmed. Actually I've been doing more research and I think I might have found another school in my area that offers the same kind of training at night. I've never heard of them before so I'll have to try and find out more information about them but at least they're an option...I think I'll just delete Everest.
The last I heard Florida and New York do honor each other's CNA licenses which makes sense since so many people migrate between the two states for some reason.
Don't do it!!!! Why pay $12k when you can pay half that price.... Atlantic technical center and Sheridan is offering the PCT class. I'm looking forward to take that class @ West Broward School for Nursing Assistant which is less than $2,000....
You're absolutely right. I've already decided that when I take the PCT course I'll either do it at Mcfatter or Sheridan if I can pass the extrance exams. I can't take the class now because the schedule is too demanding but as soon as possible I've narrowed it down to those two schools. I've already looked at their curriculum and it appears to be very thorough. The worst thing would be to enroll in a PCT course and then not be taught anything. I've heard there are quite a few of those out there.
I found this forum on the PCT class by accident and felt compelled to add.....from direct experience about Everest. The bad rap you have picked up is true. First off, hospitals that have had them in there for clinicals will NOT hire because of the poor and unprofessional behavior allowed. They are extremely over-priced: try $16,000 after financial assistance (yes this is what is owed by you). The teachers and staff know of the bad reputation and have not done anything to change or address it. There is unprofessional and even violent behavior and outbursts allowed and the teachers even participate in it. If a student speaks up about things they see, it is passed to the teacher and students and they are literally threatened and scared out of the program and lose their money. They get business because they offer evening and weekend hours so they prey on desperate single moms. But once you are in, you won't be seeing a refund and you are stuck trying to survive what you learn. Unfortunately this information was not found before experienced. I know a handful of women that went to the program and prayed to get through it and I can't say the number that were threatened and even attacked or were afraid to show up in class. I can't go on because I don't want to cause any problems on the forum but I do want to add that this is direct experience.....not from reading on the internet (which was unfortunately AFTER the experience).
The sad thing is that they cater to the off schedules and continue to get business.
It is a serious problem that the facilities that experience them in clinicals will NOT hire from their school. A person would have to stand out and shine during clinicals to get past that reputation. Very scarey when it comes to find a job after owing $16k.....not $14k for a PCT program.
I wish these girls would have found this forum before they experienced it first hand. I wish I would have found it. I have dealt with PCT programs doing clinicals where I work and did not see any of this. I wish I would have known all this to guide and direct them. This is very sad to see.....women trying to improve their financial status and being devastated with this kind of learning experience.
Miwila
274 Posts
You mean here in Florida?