Thoughts on Maric College?

U.S.A. California

Published

Hi

I threw my story out on another thread. I'm just finishing up 20 years in the Navy most of it was in Naval Special Warfare where I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to cross-train as a medic. As I was looking for a 2nd career I kept saying things like "I can do this, or I can do that." I finally came to realize that what I "wanted" to do was be an RN. It's a good way to take some of the lessons that I really didnt want to learn working for "Uncle Sucker" and put them to good use helping someone else.

but I digress

I'm starting my classwork as best I can prior to my actual retirement date but I'm getting a little frustrated when the people at the college I'm going to keep telling me how it'll be at least 2 years from the time I finish my pre-req stuff (A&P, chem & microbiology) before I can get into the "core" ADN program. In some things I can show quite a bit of patience, in things like this, not so much.

I'm posting because Maric College is boasting that they have no waiting list, and a better than 85% pass rate on NCLEX-RN. I just keep getting a intermittant alarm going off when I talk to anyone there. It has that slight scent of diploma mill. Not that I have anything against a diploma mill but will the diploma that I get from there do anything for me in the future if I decide to trade up to a BSN? Most importantly is the training that you get from there up to speed?

Just curious if anyone has any experiance with Maric?

Thanks in advance

Jim

Specializes in ICU.

Hmmm. OK, I see Grossmont's Health Occupations LVN program. Next start is Fall 2006. Too late for me. (Good reminder about that one though.)

-Meloney

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Meloney,

There is an LVN program for ROP, it's at the very bottom under "Vocational Nursing" but it looks like it's the only one with a waiting list Fall 2007 - and it's at City College - I guess the same one you are talking about.

Yes, Grossmont Health Occupations. She said she didn't wait, just took the prereqs and got in but maybe they only start once a year and that's why you have to wait? Anyway, it may take you a semester or two to take prereqs. A lot of community college programs require that you take at Least Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology and sometimes they have a 5 yr limit on when you could have taken them.

Good luck!!

Melissa

Thanks Melissa and Jim - it's really good to read all the info from others who have been researching the same thing at the same schools. I had to read this thread again because there's so much good info here.

Melissa - yes, I've taken a look at ROP and the LVN programs at community colleges. I don't see an ROP program for LVN, just CNA/MAs. That's an option, true, but not my prefered choice. I'd like to do an LVN so I could do a LVN-RN step up program later. City's LVN is full for the next start... next opening is Fall 2007. Your friend is in an LVN program at Grossmont? I intend to visit them as well just to check in, but I don't see an LVN program on their website at all. They may have it, but they're not advertising it... unless it's Grossmont Health Occupations? Interesting - I thought that was for reentry nursing, but I'll check it out. Southwestern's LVN program is something like 3 years long and impacted.

I know vocational schools are expensive, but timing is a big part of the equation for me. The job I have now ends at the end of December and my start date in the program would be early Jan. If I'm going to make a break out of what I'm doing now and into nursing, I want to make it a clean one and dive in. With an LVN-RN step up at a community college, actually my end dates for getting an RN will be about the same (about 5 years from now, but about the same. :) Getting an LVN in a year and having the opportunity to practice and see what types of nursing I enjoy will be so helpful to me along the way to an RN.

There's lots of work out there for LVNs... Concorde at least has a new grad relationship with Kaiser. I know other hospitals don't hire them as much and generally don't take new grad LVNs, but I'm only looking at LVN work for a couple years. Maric seems like they have some placement services too.

Anyway, I have more visits to do with schools and employers before I make a final decision. Thanks again. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You hear that the waiting lists are 2+ years long, but realistically it is about a year or so in some places. You could always find out what classes you need for a BSN in the time while you are waiting (keeping options open). Also.... there are night/weekend classes at the community colleges. You could also try to get on numerous waiting lists and see which one comes up first. Just some info...

P.S. I went the vocational route and sorely regretted it. Once they have you.. there is no getting out and they screw you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Once they have your money they don't give a rats a$$ about you! Instructors are a joke along with professionalism! Talk about feeling like you are back in high school... HELLO - I AM AN ADULT - THANK YOU!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ok for the person that said that some hospitals no longer hire LVN's where are you getting this info. from? I just went to there website and they have openings for LVN's. Sharp has a whole lot positions, and everywhere I see there hiring LVN's, even new grads. Even from Maric. Maric LVN's are starting at $22/hour. I know because I know grads from there. There is so much work out there for LVN's, most are making $24/hour. All these ads I see for RN's, LVN's, and CNA's is crazy. Don't discourage people by telling them that there are no jobs out there for LVN's. THey're so many out there, and they pay good even if you're a new grad. You just get more orientation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You need to read my post again: let me repost it for you. As I said, a few no longer hire LVNs but Sharp does, and no it doesn't matter where you graduated from as far as getting a job. Just how good the education, how much it costs you and future educational/transfer opportunities. Maric will limit these.

$24 an hour sounds pretty high for a new grad LVN job in a hospital. Palomar, Scripps and Sharp are only paying 25.50-27.00/hr for new grad RNs!!!

REPOST:

As far as hospitals in San Diegos a few no longer hire LVNs (Palomar/Pomerado). Scripps does but in some units they use them interchangeably with CNAs. I believe Sharp does hire LVNs for all departments though. Don't know about Children's, UCSD, Alvarado or many of the other undependent hospitals but you can get an idea of the job openings for LVNs if you look at their websites.

Melissa

Ok for the person that said that some hospitals no longer hire LVN's where are you getting this info. from? I just went to there website and they have openings for LVN's. Sharp has a whole lot positions, and everywhere I see there hiring LVN's, even new grads. Even from Maric. Maric LVN's are starting at $22/hour. I know because I know grads from there. There is so much work out there for LVN's, most are making $24/hour. All these ads I see for RN's, LVN's, and CNA's is crazy. Don't discourage people by telling them that there are no jobs out there for LVN's. THey're so many out there, and they pay good even if you're a new grad. You just get more orientation.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know about 6 people that have graduated in the past year. 2 LVNs and 4 RNs 3 (1 LVN and 2 RNs) from Maric. They're working and making just as much money as anyone else with commensurate experience. Go look at the bureau of labor stats. No one's going to go without work anytime soon.

Jim

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

I suppose it doesn't speak directly to the quality of education to be had at Maric, but those cheesy commercials of their's would make me feel uneasy about their commitment to professionalism.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Jim, I did my LVN program at a community college here in Los Angeles. The whole program including tuition, uniforms and books must have cost me about $2000.00, which in my 3rd semester I applied for a scholarship and I received about $2000.00 free money. I understand you don't want to wait a long time, and I am 38 years old. But, I think going and paying between $20,000-$40,000 for a nursing program is ridiculous. I attended Los Angeles Trade Technical College here in Los Angeles and I just took my boards this past Wednesday. Once I pass boards I am going back to this same school and do my RN program. The prereq's to get into the RN program here is only ( Micro, A&P, Eng. 101), and an almost NO WAITING list. That is only 3 classes. LATTC has a passing ratio in the hi 80's and 90's. Also, as far as selecting the school with the best N-clex passing ratio, I would not worry about that. Once you graduate from the program it is strictly up to you how much effort you put into your studies. There are also hundreds of N-clex review courses out there including KAPLAN. I understand once again that time is of the essence, BUT please save your hard earned money for when and if, you decide to pursue your bachelors or even your masters, which in that case whatever hospital you are working for will help you financially and will most likely work with your schedule. AND, by going this route, either communito college or even a Cal State System, you can rest assure that almost all the credits will be transferable. Well Jim this is only my 2 cents. You can e-mail me anytime for any questions. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

im from san francisco and i already have a bachelors degree in psych.. i've applied to many accelerated programs but havent had any luck whatsoever getting in, which is soooo frustrating when all i want is to get in somewhere so i can start already, im not getting any younger!! maric's asn degree only takes about 15 months if you already have prereqs done and previous experience (i just finished a cna program here in the bay area so that will be my previous experience).. this sounds extremely appealing to me!! my boyfriend's sister went to maric and now she works at ucsf..4 of their relatives were also in the nursing program at maric and it seems they've all had good experiences there.. i am so going to apply to maric! hopefully there will be space for this coming jan 2006..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just tested in and am in the process of applying for the Jan class myself. Good luck, hope to see you there.

Jim

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i hope i make it in! ill be taking my test this nov.. thanx jim :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Practice doing everything on a timeline. They use the CPAT test. The first section is language usage, then reading and comprehension, then math. Everything is timed, so the trick is getting as much done as possible and doing it right. The math is all "pre-algebra" stuff. Fractions, percents and ratios are about as rough as it gets. If you want a headstart you can give them a call and go to one of the "test your best" workshop/tutoring sessions. They do 2 a day and it will give you an idea of what's going to be on the test and how it's formatted.

good luck

Jim

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment