What in the heck are private LPN programs?

[BSN32]

Recently I have a positon in which LPN's are on staff. In the 1970's, my Dean, Dr. Luther Christman, was instrumental in discouraging LPN programs. I realize that times have changed. I have changed my own old attitudes,which has been difficult. My generation and ANA were promoting the bill to define two levels of nursing practice. BSN, and ADN. This was in the early 1980's. Medical center's boasted a BSN staff. Primary nursing was the gold standard.So this is the bias of my earlier years in clinical practice.

But recently I have become aware of these private LPN programs. One such program has unusual entrance requirements. A high school diploma/GED, a clean criminal record, and $26,000-$30,000 guanantee a spot. I am aghast at the quality of care that I have witnessed. My colleagues, including seasoned LPN's from reputable programs, were flabbergasted to hear about such programs. This discovery was prompted by investigation of the educational preparation of 3 new LPN's. They have all since been terminated for patient negligence, life threatening medication errors, or substandard clinical practice.

Posting this thread will be met with outrage, and criticism I am certain. But why were the LPN's I have spoken about totally defensive concerning thier LPN program?

I am wary of a program that is not certified by NLN. I am wary of a program that does not include,or require an English class. I am wary of a program with such pathetic entrance requirements. I am adamant that these programs are not EDUCATION. I am not sure what they are.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

So hopefully I have learned my lesson, I will NEVER post anything on any public website. I will NEVER write anything controversial online or in an email.Especially when I am tired, and angry. Had I slept instead, and waited until morning, a post would never have been written.

Eeeh don't sweat it I put my foot in mouth on online forums TID over a wide range of subjects and websites.

[nursel56]

56,

I am not current on ANA happenings,Obviously. I no longer am a member, although I used to be. This is by choice. My own personal set of life circumstances limit me,We all have them. Acceptance is difficult.Chronic disease flares frequently.Being so LIMITED is so frustrating. Looking back at a brilliant career with tremendous potential that i used to have is no longer something I anguish.And I speak of no one about it.I am grateful that I am able to work, and that disease has been stable for over a year. knock on wood.

I am very much in favor of the 16 month accelerated programs, as well as the graduate level APN programs post a non nursing BS. I know 3 people currently in such programs. Open mind? Not even going to answer that.

Historical perspective of nursing is a great interest to me. My beloved mother was a diploma school graduate , class of 1945. Brilliant,gracious lady. When I moved back to this area, I became Elaine's daughter, in the community.Local people all remembered her as a wonderful nurse. I pray my clinical practice has been worthy her honor,

I SO REGRET posting anything, any opinion on line. It was late at night. I as very upset about a dangerous medication error I had discovered. Disbelief how the young grad defended herself.

Condescending? Yes, it certainly sounded that way. My intent when I wrote it? NO. Foolish to post my opinion on this reputable web site viewed by thousands of nurses. Absolutely. Any comment posted on line is there FOREVER. Do I feel misinterpreted? Oh yeah. But I am accountable for my post, and my poor judgement to post my opinion.

Condescending? I reread the post, and certainly see how it offended nurses who read it. Was that my intent. No. But my opinion remains in regard to several local private programs. I feel these nurses dishonor the profession.

So hopefully I have learned my lesson, I will NEVER post anything on any public website. I will NEVER write anything controversial online or in an email.Especially when I am tired, and angry. Had I slept instead, and waited until morning, a post would never have been written.

Thanks for replying. There was probably a bit too much indignation in my response as well, although I didn't call you condescending! I'm sorry you are dealing with chronic illness and the interruptions and frustration of wanting to stay employed more than anything. We have several members here who are dealing with that situation, and some have had to choose (or others made the choice for them) to go on disability. There is a real mourning process that goes along with that, and a feeling that maybe you don't have anything to offer. Nothing could be further from the truth.

When I wrote my post I was thinking about the school DON and one of my instructors in particular (diploma grads). One had been a navy nurse and had a very formal prescence but a heart of gold. I remember thinking how her pillbox style cap with the trim didn't quite "fit" but I learned so much from her. The DON was just a bit of a thing with bright red hair and lipstick that was a bit jarring, but she was out often due to advancing Huntington's Disease. She was really struggling with her speech by the time we graduated but she soldiered on anyway. I was probably subconsciously defending them!!

I believe there are probably many companies in the burgeoning nursing education market who are "fly by night" so getting a third party opinipn and really doing our homework when choosing where to go to school is so important. Anyone who relies on the sales pitch only is nuts!

Thanks for your gracious reply. :)

[DarkBluePhoenix]

While I DO know the school you are talking about and do not recommend it because of the price and availability of other options you statement that they don't require prerequisites confuses me as in the next breath you state you can either do the prerequisites before you enter the school or do them on campus at the school. So it's not that they don't "require" prerequisites persay but they offer the option of doing them with the school which MANY schools offer.

There are lot of professions you can "buy" your way into. I didn't realize being poor was a requisite before becoming a nurse or a member of any profession.

I dont know if you felt attacked by post or offended or if you were just be informative but I was just stating my opinion about a particular program here. I, in know way was saying you have to be rich or poor to be a requisite for a nursing program.

But its online so anything can be taken anyway...so sorry to offend or whatever...

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for replying. There was probably a bit too much indignation in my response as well, although I didn't call you condescending! I'm sorry you are dealing with chronic illness and the interruptions and frustration of wanting to stay employed more than anything. We have several members here who are dealing with that situation, and some have had to choose (or others made the choice for them) to go on disability. There is a real mourning process that goes along with that, and a feeling that maybe you don't have anything to offer. Nothing could be further from the truth.

When I wrote my post I was thinking about the school DON and one of my instructors in particular (diploma grads). One had been a navy nurse and had a very formal presence but a heart of gold. I remember thinking how her pillbox style cap with the trim didn't quite "fit" but I learned so much from her. The DON was just a bit of a thing with bright red hair and lipstick that was a bit jarring, but she was out often due to advancing Huntington's Disease. She was really struggling with her speech by the time we graduated but she soldiered on anyway. I was probably subconsciously defending them!!

I believe there are probably many companies in the burgeoning nursing education market who are "fly by night" so getting a third party opinion and really doing our homework when choosing where to go to school is so important. Anyone who relies on the sales pitch only is nuts!

Thanks for your gracious reply. :)

Agreed! IN this case you may not get what you pay for.

As a graduate from the very beginning of Purdue University's ADN program my director Dr, Joyce Ellis (rip) be appalled at these drive through schools. I think nursing as a whole needs to take a serious look and the churning of nursing graduates both LPN and RN's. It should never be about the quantity but the quality of what is graduated. I know I chose Purdue at the time due to a near 100% board passing rate and of course accredited. I learned much from my nighttime LPN....Louise Geyhart, THANK YOU for it all!!! I miss you...xoxo

I too am battling a dibilitating auto-immune disorder and pray every day that I will be able to return to work. I listen here and I fear I will never work again whether or not I can. I too have made the difficult decision to let all my certifications lapse and many I cannot keep because I do not work actively in my speciality....many of my memberships are gone in lieu of braces for my children, medications and an array of specialists that right now I'm pretty unhappy with, but that's another story. So I staulk the boards on AN....

I think the drive through, chun out nurses mentality needs to be re-assesed and all grads be helsd to a higher standard.....

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

I dont know if you felt attacked by post or offended or if you were just be informative but I was just stating my opinion about a particular program here. I, in know way was saying you have to be rich or poor to be a requisite for a nursing program.

But its online so anything can be taken anyway...so sorry to offend or whatever...

I wanted you to be aware that your statement was contradictory so you could have the opportunity to clarify. Sometimes the wrong syntax can change the way a message comes across. Your statement were not offensive persay but broad and sweeping implying that if you have the funds to chose a more expensive school that is somehow makes you less of a nurse. There are high priced for profit schools in all professions including laws and even medicine (those medical school in the Caribbean jump to mind) so the phenomena is by no means restricted to nursing.

[DarkBluePhoenix]

Oh no oops

I.meant they do not req pre reqs to get in. You cam come in with them done or do them there. That is what I meant. Sorry I was typing on my phone and sometimes I am too busy correctly phonetically (?) To correct myself grammatically.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

I understand. I have an iPhone that won't let me cuss worth a darn and I'm always telling people they are full of shot

I guess what it all boils down to if people are paying for it then there must be some value in it and I think the fact that that "university" bundles the prereqs is a selling point for most of their students.

Though in many schools it is implied but not guaranteed that if you complete your prerequisites with them you will move on to the clinical portion. The school I'm taking my prereqs at has that arrangement each semester they see how many of their students are ready to move on and then they pick from the direct application pool.

[Old.Timer]

And FYI, I don't care what initials you put behind your name, I care how smart you are, how safe you are, and how well you work with a team. I'd rather have a good, experienced LPN on shift with me than a brand new, thinks they know it all, ink on my license still wet BSN.

COULD NOT AGREE MORE .....! I was fortunate to work with awesome LPN's. They saved my butt many a time, especially especially when I was new. Thankfully, I was smart enough to know how little I knew and how much they knew. It was not just experience knowledge either; they had fabulous assessment, problem solving and prioritization skills.

[smartnurse1982]

To the op: I think that the reason they were having a hard time is because of poor on the job training,not the program they attended.