Unitek College LVN program... good or Bad??

IndyColts · Jan 27, 2009

The proprietary programs such as Unitek are primarily interested in the income from students. They admit under-qualified students who cannot get into the competative programs at the Community Colleges and their practice is to do most anything to keep the students so they can continue to get the income (profit). As a result, the curriculum and instruction are watered down to accommodate the poorer students. If students are challenged the way they should be in a nursing program, then those who are poor students or not as intelligent as nursing demands, would be left behind and the college would not get the income. So, in a nutshell, if you want a challenging education, one that has the standards required of nursing, stay away from the for-profit schools.

Before accepting a position in the program, you should seriously investigate the clinical situation as many clinical setting are more than reluctant to let the proprietary programs use their sites because most in the nursing field have caught onto the fact that the students from these programs are not very sharp--not well informed, not knowledgeable and probably not who the institution wants to take care of their patients.

CalNevaMimi, LPN, LVN · Jan 28, 2009

The proprietary programs such as Unitek are primarily interested in the income from students. They admit under-qualified students who cannot get into the competative programs at the Community Colleges and their practice is to do most anything to keep the students so they can continue to get the income (profit). As a result, the curriculum and instruction are watered down to accommodate the poorer students. If students are challenged the way they should be in a nursing program, then those who are poor students or not as intelligent as nursing demands, would be left behind and the college would not get the income. So, in a nutshell, if you want a challenging education, one that has the standards required of nursing, stay away from the for-profit schools.
Before accepting a position in the program, you should seriously investigate the clinical situation as many clinical setting are more than reluctant to let the proprietary programs use their sites because most in the nursing field have caught onto the fact that the students from these programs are not very sharp--not well informed, not knowledgeable and probably not who the institution wants to take care of their patients.

You just made a highly insulting generalization to many intelligent people who are my fellow classmates at Unitek. We are in the program for different reasons. We have diverse educational backgrounds. Many of us are choosing nursing as a second career. Some of us simply do not wish to wait several years to get into a community college program. You don't know me, my financial situation, my previous university education, or my IQ. Oh, by the way, there is no "NCLEX for Dummies." We all have to pass the same test. In the future, perhaps you should consider your audience on this site before discriminating against an entire population of private school students. Say what you want about the school in particular, but keep your nasty ignorant comments to yourself.

bluenyellow · Mar 3, 2009

You just made a highly insulting generalization to many intelligent people who are my fellow classmates at Unitek. We are in the program for different reasons. We have diverse educational backgrounds. Many of us are choosing nursing as a second career. Some of us simply do not wish to wait several years to get into a community college program. You don't know me, my financial situation, my previous university education, or my IQ. Oh, by the way, there is no "NCLEX for Dummies." We all have to pass the same test. In the future, perhaps you should consider your audience on this site before discriminating against an entire population of private school students. Say what you want about the school in particular, but keep your nasty ignorant comments to yourself.

Thanks NorCalMimi!

i am currently studying biology and am looking into attending unitek after i graduate.. are there any sort of requirements they ask before applying (letters or recommendation, certain pre req classes?) i looked up the website but it seems like as long as you're able to pay for it, they will accept you.. =] thanks for any feedback!!

CalNevaMimi, LPN, LVN · Mar 3, 2009

You need to be a high school grad. I'm finding that some of my previous college education has been helpful though. While I was waiting for my LVN program to start I took some RN pre-reqs at a community college, thinking that I'd have to take them someday anyway. I'm glad I did that. Also, while waiting for the program to start, I studied medical terminology with a textbook I bought used online. Priceless -- what a huge help that was! If you are naturally a critical thinker and can master a multiple-choice test, you've pretty much got it made. Be prepared to work hard and absorb more information than you ever thought possible! Every day I learn something completely new. Good luck to you!

bluenyellow · Mar 3, 2009

You need to be a high school grad. I'm finding that some of my previous college education has been helpful though. While I was waiting for my LVN program to start I took some RN pre-reqs at a community college, thinking that I'd have to take them someday anyway. I'm glad I did that. Also, while waiting for the program to start, I studied medical terminology with a textbook I bought used online. Priceless -- what a huge help that was! If you are naturally a critical thinker and can master a multiple-choice test, you've pretty much got it made. Be prepared to work hard and absorb more information than you ever thought possible! Every day I learn something completely new. Good luck to you!

will younalso be doing the LVN-RN program at unitek? It's so expensive =[ but it all seems worth it in the end. I just hope that by the time I start the tuition isn't too crazy.

CalNevaMimi, LPN, LVN · Mar 5, 2009

My long-term goal is to get my RN, but I'm not in a position to decide how I'm going to do it right now. If money turns out not to be a problem (???...lol) I'll stick with Unitek because I'm familiar with the program and the way things work there. There's always winning the lottery...

OnMyWay2MSN · Mar 22, 2009

You see their NCLEX pass rate on the CA Board of Nursing website....horrible, 69%...i would look elsewhere before you drop a ton of cash on this school, they may be the worst in the entire state

CalNevaMimi, LPN, LVN · Mar 23, 2009

Well, actually, the scores from Fremont and Santa Clara were a bit higher than 69%...and also keep in mind those scores are from 2007. There are many schools with higher scores, but there are quite a few with much lower scores. Some schools had lower than 50%. I like to check the facts when something just doesn't sound right.

CalNevaMimi, LPN, LVN · Mar 23, 2009

Here's a link for the information about pass rates in CA:

http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/Education/VN_Stats.asp

yoyoyoyo · Apr 12, 2009

i do fear reprisal for posting this.. the staff monitors responses on this site.. just a heads up ladies and gents..

honest truth from my experience is go elsewhere.. this school is very interested in your money rather than you going out to be a great nurse..

the computer systems break down constantly, if they worked at all, wait this was a tech school too right?? your clinical sites have you doing more CNA work than LVN work, i mean that seriously too.. be prepared to help ambulate a person to a toilet every day, wipe their bottom, give them a shower etc. throughout the whole program. be prepared to be told " this is a highpace program, so if you dont like it leave"

as others have said, most there will make great nurses, but teaching? thats a whole other subject, i question their abilites to teach, some even pulled information directly off wikipedia for their lectures no not in powerpoints. going directly to wikipedia.com

i can go on but its pointless. if you want to get your certificate and get your license quick without a degree this is a program for you, you will not learn much overall or retain much at all, but you will get your license if you study for the nclex on your own time since this is virtually a self taught program with little direction given. if you want to become a great nurse with a great knowledge base, go somewhere where you may take your time to learn.

edit: prerequisites they let you know that 36 students is the max per class. what they do not let you know is they put 40 plus students in the pre req class and tell you its not a competition. add to that the previous class has some priority which further limits the amount of students that come in so imagine having to compete to be in the top 20 or so to be safe.. this told me one thing when i started. they are expecting quite a few people to fail and want to keep their classes full which wreaks of "i want your money more than your success" call me a synic but im glad im done there and would not go back..

leelee7 · Apr 20, 2009

Did you ever attend Unitek?

-If so how was it?

-If not, why?

I was thinking of stating their program in September here in Sac

leelee7 · Apr 20, 2009

I understand your frustration. Don't be too quick to judge the school though. They hire these teachers based upon their experience. The person may be qualified in their field as an LVN but not everyone is meant to teach. Also, you must realize that all of these technical schools have hire instructors who work in that field (LVN or whater)to teach. No MD or RN would teach an LVN class making $20/hr when they can get $45/hr working elsewhere, same for pharmacy techs. No pharmacist is going to take a teaching job for that amount if they can make $70/hr elsewhere. You have to be proactive about your education and report this teacher to the school. If you don't say anything then they will never know. Like I said previously, the person may be knowledgable in their field but is not the right person to teach or lead a class.