STONE ACADEMY LPN Program

real1143 · Jan 22, 2007

OK...I went to New England Tech.. evenings...I passed mod I but for certain reasons i had to leave school...Now I go to Stone Academy... days . I will tell you this NETI was $6k more than SA, but I guess it is worth it. NETI was very structured, where SA is trying to get there but they are not there yet. However, I can say that I am learning. All the girls from the first LPN class passed there boards, and where saying how well prepared they were. SA just became accredited and there program is about 2/3 years old. Good thing with SA is that they are affiliated with Goodwin College, so if you play your cards right you may get some money to go to RN school. But like every nursing school, it is a struggle to keep teachers. So if you feel you learn better with a lot of structure then you need to go to NETI. But I would try for both, tour each school and see which one you like. But hey to get into a nursing school, it doesn't matter which one, as long as you get in. And at the end of the day you can get that license. Lucky, your getting in there before the criteria to get in is hardier. But Good luck....

xenogenetic · Jan 22, 2007

OK...I went to New England Tech.. evenings...I passed mod I but for certain reasons i had to leave school...Now I go to Stone Academy... days . I will tell you this NETI was $6k more than SA, but I guess it is worth it. NETI was very structured, where SA is trying to get there but they are not there yet. However, I can say that I am learning. All the girls from the first LPN class passed there boards, and where saying how well prepared they were. SA just became accredited and there program is about 2/3 years old. Good thing with SA is that they are affiliated with Goodwin College, so if you play your cards right you may get some money to go to RN school. But like every nursing school, it is a struggle to keep teachers. So if you feel you learn better with a lot of structure then you need to go to NETI. But I would try for both, tour each school and see which one you like. But hey to get into a nursing school, it doesn't matter which one, as long as you get in. And at the end of the day you can get that license. Lucky, your getting in there before the criteria to get in is hardier. But Good luck....

What is the new criteria going to be to get in that will make it harder to get in? Just curious.

gagwoz · Jul 9, 2007

Hello budding nursing students! I am a FORMER instructor in both programs with both MSN and MBA degrees. Personally, I'd never attend either. NETI is overly structured and the first class I taught had 56 students in it. If I stood up front they couldn't hear me in the back over the projector mounted on the ceiling. If I stood in the back... The instructors were encouraged to assign homework every night. Very rigid with respect to attendance and tardiness - even between classes. Only 10 minutes between classes. If you come in after the class starts you are marked late and 3 lates = 1 absence from that class. Students are constantly talking so those sitting around them miss information in their notes. There are no make up exams. You just get a zero. I know of a student who had surgery and missed two weeks. She was told she had to drop out and re-start the program. Way too rigid for me...

At Stone students are treated like high school students. They are coddled the first semester and then bamm - real life hits the next semester. After they have your money, of course. The physical environment looks like some desks were thrown into an old building. There is no A/C in some of the rooms. Teachers quit in the middle of the semester because management doesn't back them up and isn't consistent with decisions. Favoritism seems to be a factor. There is no consistency with regard to the instructors. Some are very hard and some have no control over their classes at all. Students are "hard core" with aggressive outbursts and even threats to instructors at times. The area in Hamden is not very safe to walk in at night. That was more disorganized than I could have ever imagined. The place is dirty with dim lighting. The school principal has security monitors in his office - which he rarely leaves. However, if you have a problem go to him - he is always making exceptions in favor of the students.

Now tell me something, why an LPN program as opposed to an RN program? Think it's easier? Cheaper? Less work? Easier to get a job? Not at all!!!! Just the opposite. There is a ton of paper or busy work in LPN programs that you don't find in RN programs. RN programs have maybe one paper a semester and 3 exams. I'm not sure attendance is even taken since they believe you are adults and it's your money and therefore your decision to attend class or not. You are still responsible for the material covered. You are treated as an adult, a professional from the start. They assume that you will pass the program. Students call instructors by their first names and some instructors even give out their phone numbers to students who are "in crisis." Because of the nursing shortage LPN programs are popping up all over. They just want your money. 25 - 30,000 for an LPN license is crazy when you can get an RN license from a state school for about half of that, along with more and better opportunities once you graduate. That's not to mention increased respect in your work environment, better relationships with physicians (okay, that's debatable and I've always worked in ER's), and WAY more money.....

Oh well, it's up to you. I'd encourage you to research RN programs. There are long (up to 2 year) waiting lists for a reason. It's less work once you get in. Apply and while you're waiting take anatomy and physiology courses, biochemistry, psychology, English or a writing course. Two years goes by fast. I'm getting down off my high horse. It's easy for me to preach since my ideal job would be to get paid for going to school. I'm currently in an APRN program and returning to ER nursing after 10+ years of working in medical underwriting for an insurance company. It sure was boring but it paid the bills, allowed me to work from home 2 days a week and they paid for my MBA and MSN programs.

Best of luck. If I can lecture you any more please feel free to contact me directly.

gemini08 · Jul 9, 2007

Hi,

Thanks so much for giving your insight on 2 private LPN schools. You are right on the money in recommending people to get an RN degree rather than the LPN. I really don't know why some people would even think about spending such a crazy amt. of $$ for an LPN program when you can go to St. Vincent's College for less than what those 2 schools are charging and get a fantastic private education in a beautiful school setting. Sure you won't start your Nursing courses until 09' now but so what; you'll need to take A&P I and II, Micro, and other pre-req's anyways before taking the Nursing courses and the time will be well spent taking those courses!

Can you please send me a private message? I have a question for you but can't pm you directly. Thanks. Sue

Frecklestoo · Jul 9, 2007

I'm glad I read this thread. I've been in contact with Lincoln Tech about their LPN program but they don't give much info over the phone. I have a bachelor's degree, but I graduated with a low GPA back in 1990. All the acelerated BSN programs want classes taken within the past 5 years or so and a GPA of at least 2.5 or 3.0. My ultimate goal is to get my RN and I figured if I got my LPN first, I could work while bridging to my RN. Now I don't know what to do.

Renee

gemini08 · Jul 9, 2007

Hi Renee,

Please don't let the GPA you had when you were younger bother you. You will certainly be doing yourself a huge disservice if you spend the absolutely crazy amts. that these private tech schools are charging for their LPN programs. It is absolutely a shame that these schools are getting this money for their programs. You are too good to spend this time to get an LPN when you can be working towards an ADN. I highly recommend that you look into St. Vincent's College. They are all wonderful there and it is such a great atmosphere as well as curriculum. I know a huge amt. of knowledge about St. Vincent's program and would be happy to tell you anything that you'd want to know. Seriously, please do not waste your time & efforts in either Lincoln Tech or Stone Academy. Also, the best thing that St. Vincent's has to offer is the fact that you can go part-time thruout the entire program and take your time w/your studies; because as you already know a Nursing curriculum is extremely challenging and it is best to get all pre-req's done before you start the Nursing courses. Anyhow, you can pm me for more info.

LPNEMSCT · Jul 10, 2007

Hi

I attend Bullard Havens Lpn program and the total cost is about $5000 but most people got grants to cover most of that cost. Yes it is ridiculous to spend $30,000 on LPN school when you can just go for your RN, but some people like me don't reallly want to wait 2 years before being accepted into an RN program. After I graduate I am going to bridge to my RN and this way I can work and make decent money as an Lpn while going to school to get my RN. This is the best route for me. Myres if you really want to get your LPN, apply to one of the state schools.

real1143 · Jul 11, 2007

Hey guys...its me again... I am currently in the LPN Program at Stone...and I totally agree with what everyone is saying ...it is very expensive at this school...5 times more than state LPN program...and the same as some RN Programs....I would have done anything to become a nurse at whatever level...I am very proud of the decision I made..with 2 1/2 more months to go...A lot of RN Programs, don't just take you as easy as everyone says, after qualifying you have to make sure you get financial aid, among other things. I have other circumstances and reasons: I needed a quick program to be able to soley provide for my child...I didn't have time to wait...St V's wanted me to take pre reqs then I wouldn't start nursing classes til 09 to long it would be 2010 til I seen licensure....I couldn't do that...but you know to each his own....and I only needed to take 3 general classes, because I pretty much took everything else...it was a wait i couldn't afford...but if all works out I plan on finding a job that will pay for my RN...that way I only end up spending 20k for LPN and Rn...and I can still work and get paid in the mean time....It didn't care how much the program cost it wasn't about that for me....You do what fits your life, and what puts you at ease...either way it's a great field to be in...:balloons:

Nobeck · Sep 28, 2011

Hi there Geminio8, I am about to start the LPN program at Lincoln Tech and after reading your post is now seriously reconsidering. Can you please give me more details on the RN program at St Vincents? Thanks. You may also email me at [email protected]