Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Licensed Practical And Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Front Range Community College, Community College of Denver, and Mesa State.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Mesa State.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Community College of Denver, Otero Junior College, Trinidad State Junior College, and Lamar Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Northeastern Junior College, Morgan Community College, Trinidad State Junior College, and Lamar Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Colorado Northwestern Community College, Lamar Community College, Trinidad State Junior College, and Mesa State.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Northeastern Junior College, Colorado Northwestern Community College, Mesa State, and Lamar Community College.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Mesa State, Colorado Northwestern Community College, and Northeastern Junior College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Emily Griffith Opportunity School • Denver, CO
Studying Practical Nurse (completion in 1991)
• 3/1/2012
"As hard as it was, I was very satisfied with Emily Griffith Opportunity School & the Practical Nursing program. It has provided me with a great career these past 30 years."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would if EGOS still offered the Practical Nursing program. It was the best program & to say you graduated from that program gave you bragging rights, because the community at large knew of it's great reputation & the school took pride in that. |
| Program Reputation | The practical nurse program at EGOS has been absorbed by Araphoe Community College in Littleton, Colo. | |
| Program Quality | 10 | When I went back to school at the age of 32, I was quite nervous. I feel that all the instructors had my best interest at heart. They wanted me to succeed. If I needed extra help they were willing to provide it. They made sure the student understood & comprehended what they were teaching. They made learning exciting. |
| Instruction | 10 | I feel that I was very well prepared when I completed all the required courses for the Practical Nurse program. The instructors were well qualified and they wanted us to have a wide variety of experiences so we would be familiar with the whole scope of nursing. I learned & experienced so much during clinicals - it was amazing. Everything I learned was relevant to my profession & I continue to use that foundation they helped create to this day. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The Practical Nurse program was intense. We went to class 8 hrs a day 5 days week. Our every moment in school was scheduled. You were docked 5 minutes for every minute you were late. You could only miss 12 days in the year long program, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The home work was heavy. I also worked 32 hours a week on top of 40 hrs. school. This didn't include researching our patients, their diagnoses, etc... that you had to have completed for clinicals. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Practical nursing requires both. First you have to learn the information & then display your knowledge & gain more knowledge during your weekly clinicals. You work with real people in real settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, community clinics, etc... | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | Back in 1990 there was no flexibility in the practical nurse program. We didn't have weekend or evening classes, summer class options, or online classes. This is the way it was 30 years ago. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | We didn't have academic facilities. Our classes were held in a elementary school that gave us 2 classrooms to use. We didn't have any school libraries or computer access. The instructors themselves would tutor us if we needed or requested it. Our instructors were always available to us if we needed them. |
| Social Life | Since EGOS was a regular college, we didn't have sports programs, parties, or social events. All of us students banded together & cheered each other on and supported each other through all the trials of school. | |
| Placement Services | 9 | The instructors prepared us for job interviews, giving us recommendations on how to dress, conduct ourselves, how to answer certain questions, & how to use the instructors as references. They made sure we were ready to enter the job market as graduate practical nurses. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | Since EGOS wasn't your usual "college," I don't feel that they had a true alumni network or support system. You could go back & visit with your instructors or contact the department if you needed advice. |
Pikes Peak Community College • Colorado Springs, CO
Studying Nursing (completion in 2005)
• 3/4/2012
"They stay by me even though I graduated. They really want to see me succeed."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Maybe PPCC isn't Beth-El, but they are good. I am so glad I am not a secretary anymore. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | I know many others who have gone to their program. Everyone is glad they went. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Their training was very thorough. I struggle with math, but they spent lots of time with me to help me get through it. |
| Instruction | 8 | The teachers were compassionate about my weaknesses. The clinicals were very interesting. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I don't like math! But I am glad they helped me. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Lots of clinicals. I think there could have been even more time spent at the hospitals. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The schedule was tough for me at first, but I got used to it. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | I love the labs. Anatomy was fantastic and I loved the dissection part. |
| Social Life | 8 | I am still friends with some of my classmates. We have each other's backs. |
| Placement Services | 10 | They have always helped me to find work. They return my calls! |
| Alumni Network | 9 | They are always there for me. If I am looking for a job, they help me to find one. |
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