In case you live in California and were considering going to Merritt Community College's (Not Samuel Merritt) Nursing Program, it might be in your best interest to reconsider. Over 130 students were accepted and after five weeks only about 30 or so remain. The teachers are of no help, and they offer nothing but "study harder!" I don't know, maybe I was wrong, but I was under the impression that teachers wanted their students to succeed, and they were there to teach pertinent information about test and responsibilities a nurse has. But who am I to judge, I am just a nursing student... wait, no im not anymore because in 9 weeks i was expected to read over 40 chapters, learn drug calculations, learn skills, listen to my instructors teach using outdated slides and talk about their "personal thoughts" about nursing, and lastly i was expected to be considered (lol) "safe" in clinical's after those nine weeks. So my advice to anyone considering enrolling to the nursing program at Merritt, would be not to waste your time and look for your education elsewhere.
BTW i have nothing personal against my instructors, i soley wish they were to do what they were hired to do and not to turn everyone into an "expected" failure statistic...
I am currently a student at Merritt and everything people have posted is absolutely true, which is so sad to say. First exam was 22 chapters and about 40-45 people "failed" (75% or lower) out of a class of 75 students or so. Talk about taking a blow, I was one of those people that failed. Yes they make you sign a waiver acknowledging that you will drop if you dont have a cumulative score of 75% by the end of the first 3 exams. I have respect for the instructors as nurses because but as teachers I'm not so sure. They dont help much other than tell us what to read and critically think for ourselves. I definitely agree with others that test review is an absolute must. Their exam questions are all based on the NCLEX, which is fine but at least help the students with a workshop or something. I still am not getting all of the rationales and its frustrating. We have three instructors and none of them can take the time to actually drill down and help us. It's been a rough ride so far. I really wish I researched this school before I agreed to attend. I hope I dont get booted from the program but at the same time it won't be the end of things.
Specializes in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, ER, Geriatrics.
I am a Merritt LVN student that was dropped from the program last semester because I did not pass Pediatrics by 1/10th of a point. All I can say is that the whole department is disorganized...the secretary is the rudest thing on the plant as well as the directors of the two programs (RN and LVN). It is now so clear why this department is on probation from the state and looking to lose not just the LVN program, but the RN program as well.
I found that the instructors do not prepare you for what you need to know for the tests and there is no desire to help us succeed. Out of the 45 students that started in this program last fall, they are down to 15!!! The textbooks they use have numerous errors in them.
I have a friend who is in the RN program (just started this fall) and she is doing good, but that is because she studyed the whole summer and continues to study till the wee hours of the night. I have lost all faith in Merritt and the whole Peralta College system, but continue to cheer my friends that are still in the program to the finish line.
Best of luck to you nursingfocused on your journey...and stay positive. I know that it is hard to do in such a negative enviroment, but I suggest getting together with a study group to go over the rationales. That is what my friend did and she passed the first test with a 75%.
Hanna0225
115 Posts
wow, just read the article...