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

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I was just wondering if anyone has attended the LVN program at Unitek College in Fremont or Santa Clara California? and if you can answer a few questions for me:

How long is the program?

What is the cost of the program?

NCLEX-PN passing rate?

and lastly, would you recommend this school?

thanks!

do they offer RN classes in santa clara campus?

i live in san jose.

I m asking stupid question...i can call them too...but never thought of it.:lol2:

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Wow, I hadn't heard the incredible negativity until I looked on here....

Here's what I found from my research in the Sacramento area:

Most programs that are accredited by the State of CA are expensive.

That's the reality.

The Unitek program here is 11months long. That's really fast paced and isn't for all people.

Different schools are for different people.

I'm excited to have gotten into a program and have more opportunities to move forward with my nursing career. Glad to hear from Elorraine11 ! :)

Good luck to you all!

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Specializes in ICU.

Truth is, there still is a nursing shortage, our schools in the Sacramento area cannot take the heat from the amount of applicants and the waiting list is too damn long. I have several friends that have been waiting over two years. Hell with that, go to a private school. It's about time the heat was turned up. I checked unitek too, even though I'm ten years out. It's a great idea.

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Specializes in ICU.

:yeah:

I went to a Unitek meeting and walked out after they told me the price. Are you kidding me? There is no way I'm paying $33,000 just to become an LVN. They don't have the LVN to RN option up here in Sacramento yet but I asked about the cost of that program and the rep told me $38,000. Be serious now! I could go out and get my Master's for that price because I already have a Bachelor's in Health Science. How can one even pay back a loan that big with an LVN's salary? I'm not putting down LVN's and I don't mean to offend anyone at all but think about the logistics of the situation. There are plenty of low cost LVN programs out there. The classes offered in this program are from 9am-4pm, M-F. How are you supposed to work and support this $68,000+ bill with these hours. I don't know. I decided to take my chances with the schools I've been applying to and the waitlist I'm already on for the RN program. Good luck to everyone trying to get into a school.
:devil:

:devil:Heh heh heh....I went to RN school Monday thru Friday...full time. It was a jr college. I worked full time too. I commuted to school two hours one way. Good luck with that wait list. This was about ten years ago and I made it. Was hella tired and ****** off too. I'd say it's a great advantage to go to a private school, get the financial aid, which I know how to work to get, and git'r done!

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Specializes in ICU.
Oh yeah...... Ktin 25, I agree Unitek "SUCKS!!!!", I wouldn't recommend anyone to go there. Everything want you said here is so true. It's the worse school I ever attended. I withdrawn from that school. The school is so disorganize...you had to learn everything on your own.....got no trained instructors. The director of admission was so rude in the Sacramento campus. Instructors doesn't even repond to your emails. There was an instructor that got "FIRED" because she doesn't know how to teach...Unitek is a "GOLD DIGGER". Unitek think they may be the # 1 for nursing, but they are totally "NOT"...

If anyone who plan to attend Unitek College should ask all the questions and do research about that school before attending. If anyone want to know more about Unitek ask me.........I'll tell you all about that school.

:yeah:You guys need to fix your spelling and grammar. PS. When you graduate from another RN or LVN school you'll soon find that you have to learn everything on your own out in the field.:eek::devil: And most RN's out there are real hard on new grads. Good luck.:jester:

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Specializes in ICU.
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..

:yeah:Yer so smart! Hey, know what? When you are a RN or a LVN, you will wipe booty, clean pooopoo up off the floor, get turds thrown at you.....walk people to the potty, wipe blood off your uniform, clean poopy adult diapers and clean bloody poo up. Got it? It's part of the job no matter what.

Do not think you will escape the horrors of the real environment.:clown: Love, CRUSTY:clown:!!!!!!!

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Specializes in ICU.

:clown:

Hi all-

I have read a lot of your comments and would just like to add some of my own.

First, I'm from Fremont and I too considered the LVN and LVN-to-RN Program. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject.

Pros:

1. Accellerated Pace, LVN-11, LVN-to-RN-8

2. Class Schedule

3. Great for people who are self-learners (great observers and those who take advantage of their clinical experiences)

4. Gets you on the job market!

Cons

1. Tuition / Fees (Yes, it is a con because compared to state funded and community colleges, private institutions will always rank here with me. Even with other private institutions being higher, the return for cost ratio is still quite high for years.) Please see the average LVN salary in the US: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm#earnings. Keep in mind that most, not all start below average salary.

2. After completing the Nationally Accredited ADN program, it may be difficult to advance further in education without attending other high-cost private institutions since most state programs will only take regionally accredited units. Even that, is not entirely accurate 100% of the time as some of you have pointed out with WCC.

3. Like many technical institutes, instructor quality may be questionable. Many will feel that they are paying for access to resources for a self learning environment than they are being instructed. Your instructor may not have had any formal teaching experience or formal teaching education.

Bottom line is your personal goals.

If you plan to go for a BSN or MSN or to specialize later in life, a state institution may provide an easier transition from one step to another. However, if a personal situation needs you on the job market quick, a private instition may be better suited for you.

All nurses at all levels deserves their fair share of respect. So for those of you who wonders, "Why am I doing CNA work?" Sorry, when you become an RN, MSN, specialist or whatever, please do not ask anyone to do what you are not willing to do yourself. That means without the complaining. I'm pretty sure everyone has been in that shoe as a nurse one time or another. Someone has to do it. That means you newbs! :)

Last, I would like to add that I know many of you dissapprove of the foundation courses, aka pre-req's. But these foundations give a better understanding of why things are done the way they are. You have to ask yourself, "How much and at what quality of education do I want that nurse to be that is taking care of my mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, etc."

A Marine Corps. saying will end this perfectly: Its not the pay, it's the pride!

:jester:I love you. What you state here...correct. I wish the rest of the poster would quit whining and complaining.

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Specializes in ICU.
Why would anyone WANT to waste over 30 grand on such a crappy school? I almost went there, and I'm glad I didn't! I've heard from a lot of nurses that the LVN's that graduate from the 11 month program have absolutely no skills, and are no where near ready to begin working in a nursing facility. 11 months is NOT enough time to learn how to do anything. Also, Unitek is one of those schools that will take your money and run, like Boston Reed. I'm going to St. Francis Career college in San Jose, and let me tell you, those people teaching the classes actually KNOW how to teach. Their guide lines are extremely strict, but they have a 100% pass rate at the boards. It's considered to be the best LPN/LVN program in the country, and people come from all over to attend it. They even have a capping ceremony, which most school do not have anymore. It's a Catholic school, so it's non-profit, so you know the staff and administration are not after your money. Does Unitek have a 100% pass rate? I think not! Bleh! Sorry if I'm bashing anyone, but I'd hate to see someone waste over $30,0000 on such crappy education. I guess the saying about how a fool is easily parted with his money is true. : )

:jester:Basically, sister, you won't have skills to work when you graduate either. What you will find is that it takes one full year of working on the job to really know what you are doing. Crusty...:clown:

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Originally Posted by Ginny Weasley

"Why would anyone WANT to waste over 30 grand on such a crappy school? I almost went there, and I'm glad I didn't! I've heard from a lot of nurses that the LVN's that graduate from the 11 month program have absolutely no skills, and are no where near ready to begin working in a nursing facility. 11 months is NOT enough time to learn how to do anything. Also, Unitek is one of those schools that will take your money and run, like Boston Reed. I'm going to St. Francis Career college in San Jose, and let me tell you, those people teaching the classes actually KNOW how to teach. Their guide lines are extremely strict, but they have a 100% pass rate at the boards. It's considered to be the best LPN/LVN program in the country, and people come from all over to attend it. They even have a capping ceremony, which most school do not have anymore. It's a Catholic school, so it's non-profit, so you know the staff and administration are not after your money. Does Unitek have a 100% pass rate? I think not! Bleh! Sorry if I'm bashing anyone, but I'd hate to see someone waste over $30,0000 on such crappy education. I guess the saying about how a fool is easily parted with his money is true."

: )

Basically, sister, you won't have skills to work when you graduate either. What you will find is that it takes one full year of working on the job to really know what you are doing. Crusty...

Crusty - you are so on target with the insight you share. Finally, someone who tells those who are too good to do "CNA" work what the job will always include - direct patient care - in whatever form it takes. Caring is caring. :yeah:

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in respose to blue and yellow:

i cant figure out how to send personal messages so sorry it took so long to answer your questions.

so i am now in the second semester and it is HARD! lol. but so far its going well.

the first 3 weeks of the LVN program are basically pre reqs full of test. its a challenge but it is worth it. i think they do it to weed people out. you pretty much have a test eery day in those 3 weeks, but if you study its no problem.

once you pass pre reqs you move into first semester. Semester one went really well. i ended up getting a low A average for that semester. Don't get me wrong, it wasnt easy. i studied my tail off and worked really hard for it.

my experience at unitek so far has been really good. our teachers are so great and they really want to help you succeed. our class asked for tutoring sessions to be held after school and immediately the teacher made it happen. our tutors are previous unitek students so that is really nice too. they understand the program and really help when it comes to studying.

I am really happy (so far! lol) with my decision with Unitek. i didnt get into other state schools and i didnt want to wait around to see if i got in a lottery somewhere. I can honestly say that believe i am getting a great education here. I credit a HUGE part of that to the teachers. they really know their stuff and its such a blessing. But you get out what you put in. So far the people who have dropped out are the ones who cant handle the studying, dont do their work, and fall asleep in class. If you work hard, you will definately make it :)

as far as the loans go...a lot of pple are doing sallie mae

this is just hear say, but i hear that santa clara campus is better than fremont. Although fremont is bigger and has a little bit nicer of facilities, the atmosphere at santa clara is better, less stressful, and its quieter which totally helps!

well i hope this helps. if you have any questions just ask. i know what its like to wonder! sorry it took so long to get back to you!

Hi Elorraine11,

I'm new to this site, so I can't send messages yet. But I want to know how it went, since you probably have graduated by now right? I'm really interested in the program, I'm just scared because I do not have any previous knowledge or experience with nursing. I'm good with math, took up to calculus in High school, last time I took chemistry was in high school and I took general biology and physio/anatomy in my first year at college..so it's been 5+ years now since I've taken those courses. I wanted to know what type of information is in the first 3 weeks, or if I'd be able to pass it just by studying my butt off even without prior knowledge of it all. I don't mind putting in hard work and time in self-study, because that's how I seem to learn best. I never liked sitting through lectures, it always made me fall asleep anyway...Anyway, I just wanted to know if you think it would be difficult for me to get by, or should I take some pre-req's elsewhere first? Advice greatly appreciated :)

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O man this makes my decision even harder!!

I am looking at Carrington College(formally Western Career College) or Unitek. Both of these schools have good and bad reviews! I went to the Carrington College Campus in San Jose, and it was really nice. The admissions counselor was really nice and helpful and I felt like I got a nice vibe when I was there.

I called Unitek college after seeing that their pogram is cheaper and shorter and they have the LVN-RN program at their Fremont office which is about 20-30 minutes from my house(same amount of time and distance as the Carrington College) So now, reading all these posts, I am even more in a runt on what to do..I want to finish quick which Im sure most people do, but I want to make sure I go to a good school where I wouldnt have a problem enrolling in a different RN bridge program at a different college if I had to. I guess Carrington College has whatever credidation to where that wouldnt be an issue, but Unitek does not BUT they do have their LVN-RN bridge program. IM CONFUSED even more now than I was on what to do...

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So I am taking the exam on Friday for the Sac campus, and truly I am torn. But I know how much I would spend in time and money waiting for a CC cause I have many friends who have done it. I have all but 3 classes before I can apply but micro takes forever to get into, so another year or so. I am ready to get my nursing license. I have been a lead MA for 5 years and I am ready to advance.:nurse: Any positive comments to help me make the right decision?:eek: I attended WCC for my MA and though expensive I did learn a lot. HELP:yawn:

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