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 Oakland Community College, Schoolcraft College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and Northwestern Michigan College.
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 Davenport and Northern Michigan University.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Mott Community College, Montcalm Community College, Lansing Community College, and Oakland Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Kirtland Community College, Kellogg Community College, Glen Oaks Community College, and Southwestern Michigan College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Gogebic Community College, Northern Michigan University, Northwestern Michigan College, and Glen Oaks Community College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Northern Michigan University, Gogebic Community College, Southwestern Michigan College, and Northwestern Michigan College.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Alpena, Gogebic Community College, and Northern Michigan University.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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University Of Detroit Mercy • Detroit, MI
Studying Nursing (completion in 2011)
• 9/21/2011
"Many other schools had a long wait period before you could even begin the studies toward a nursing degree. The smaller sizes of classrooms were helpful for our learning experience and most do not get that. I openly recommend UDM to those that want to study nursing."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend UDM especially because we have smaller classes which allow for more personalized learning experiences. We also are located in an urban setting that has many hospitals and medical centers to provide for a good clinical experience. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | UDM is known for having relatively small classes compared to most schools. There is a large wait to enter the nursing program but for good reason. We have at least 85% pass their boards on the first test, but before graduation all nursing students take two full practice boards with study sessions included. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The University of Detroit Mercy did a great job helping to prepare myself and many of my peers. The program drove us to do well and represent what a Titan truly is. The courses I had to take outside my major were rather dull and some of the professors outside nursing I did not care for. On top of this it was very expensive. If I had the chance to pick what school I would go to again, I would still pick UDM. |
| Instruction | 10 | I passed my boards my first time through as did the majority of my classmates. We were instructed by many alumni that had or have successful careers in a variety of nursing aspects. We were expected to push ourselves outside the classroom and utilize the class time for proper questions to the professors as well as handling practical situations. A main focus was patient care which is why I joined this profession. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Some of my classmates did struggle and I saw a few have to retake courses or even drop out. Those that could not pass the courses simply were not cut out for the program and found success elsewhere or they were people that did not put in the effort necessary to pass. Nursing is an important field and those that cannot pass the course material or tests should not be in the field with all the responsibilities involved with another person's life. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We did have a lot of course material that was book oriented but we were offered many different experiences. We had a lab that we would visit and pull parts to participate in. The lab had a fully functioning life like dummy. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | This is a very rigid field of study. Our school has many great professors but we are all on their schedules. We have required courses that pop up and make our schedules difficult to hold anything other than school. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Our number one asset was the professors, but our classes trained us well and we could rely on our peers as well. The school library gave us access to programs and resources that we couldn't get anywhere else. |
| Social Life | 5 | The student life on campus is relatively dull. Most often people find a group of peers and friends to explore the city with. I fell in love with Detroit and the music and food scene. |
| Placement Services | 6 | Our school has counselors that will give help and guidance for the type of nursing career we wish to seek. We are encouraged to seek our own path in the field and look for those jobs personally. The career field is wide open with many positions, so finding a job is not a difficult thing. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | The alumni of UDM mostly consists of asking for donations to the school. |
St. Clair County Community College • Port Huron, MI
Studying LPN (completion in 2009)
• 9/27/2011
"I feel they did an excellent job training me for my profession. What else could you ask for?"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If you study hard and take advantage of the knowledge the staff provides, you will graduate with an excellent knowledge of the basics of nursing. Also, SC4 has an excellent reputation that will follow you when you start out. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | I have been told many times that a SC4 graduate is a great hire. I have been hired solely because of the fact that I graduated from this program and the employer knew I had to be well prepared to pass those classes. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I feel the school I attended MORE than prepared me for taking my NCLEX and gave me a very good start on the basics needed to build on. The staff was very encouraging and knowledgeable. |
| Instruction | 10 | Again, the staff was very encouraging and really knew their stuff. |
| How Difficult | 10 | There was no way you could work full-time and attend this program. The homework/study load was intense, but well worth it. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | They provided a nice mix. There was a lot of lab time and clinicals to practice what you learned in the classroom. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | Once you're in the LPN program, you have to take the classes they offer at the times they offer them. The prerequisites were much more flexible. I was able to take weekend and night classes for these. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The library was very helpful. The classrooms were a little tight at times. |
| Social Life | 5 | When you're in the nursing program you don't have time to experience the social side of school. I know they had a lot of activities and posted them throughout the campus. |
| Placement Services | I have not utilized these services so I can't fairly review them. They did come to our class and explain their services. | |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I do receive information from them, but I have not taken advantage of the things they offer. I think they do a good job. |
St. Clair Community College • Port Huron, MI
Studying LPN (completion in 2009)
• 10/17/2011
"Very satisfied. They prepared me with the basics. I have known other people in this profession that were not as well prepared by other schools."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If you can make it through the program, you will be ahead of other grads. They prepare you for the worst case scenarios you will face on the job. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | The school has an excellent reputation in the community. I have heard excellent things from local health care facilities about my school. |
| Program Quality | 9 | My school had very professional teachers. They over prepared students to take the final tests. |
| Instruction | 8 | See my previous answer. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The program was very difficult. It really prepared me for the basics of the field. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There is a great mix of hands on and book learning. The clinicals help tie everything together. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | Once you are in the program, there is not flexibility. You must make the sacrifice to finish on their terms. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | I have used the school's facilities, and, they have helped a lot. |
| Social Life | 5 | When you are in the program there is no time for social events. Their are lot of postings about events throughout the campus, though. |
| Placement Services | I have not needed to use these services and so I have not had experience with this department. | |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I do not use the services they provide. They do not go out of their way to contact me. |
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