North-West College - Pomona — Local services in Pomona

I am a graduate from the LVN program at Pomona Campus and I would like to say a few words about my experience at North-West. Starting out I was very nervous and that’s an understatement because it is a competitive class up until First Term. I sure did struggle but I asked for help, in SOS I had a great instructor that made medical terminology and dosing calculations fun. In my First term I had another amazing instructor that was full of knowledge that not only taught us in an incredibly interesting way but she also had a lot of work experience as an RN. This instructor followed us until the beginning of Term 3. Then we were introduced to a very colorful man who was very wise and experienced himself through the rest of our 3rd term to our 4th and final term. I also learned a lot from my clinical instructors who gave us tough love and discipline. Because of their guidance I was able to witness so many procedures and experience hands on training.

One thing that I would like to advise on is to be a good classmate, unfortunately I went through a lot at school with my classmates and at times I felt like I just wanted to quit because I couldn’t stand them. This is by no means the schools fault. But I survived and I pushed forward. I might have not ended up with many friends but I wasn’t in school for that purpose.

Although many people want to complain about staff and such... I would like to state that I never had a hard time with staff. Yes there are times that they have to bear bad news but that doesn’t make them mean or bad people! If you treat people with respect and dignity you will be treated as such! I had great help from the financial aide, front desk, counseling, management, and from the ladies that helped make my resume and gave me my transcripts!

When it came down to finals and the Exit HESI best believe all I did was study in the library. Practice makes perfect and the Evolve portal was a lifesaver! I felt equipped for my finals. My instructors provided extra questions to practice test taking skills as well. Once I passed I was excited but I wasn’t quite done. I started HESI BOOTCAMP which is optional but I highly suggest!!!! I did it only to want more and that’s when Mr. Montano the NCLEX GURU lol as I call him was there every step of the way! I bought my NCLEX review book and went back to taking practice tests everyday until I was scoring high consistently... which trust me feels like it’s never going to happen, but you get there eventually!!! He gave me the okay to take my exam and I signed up as soon as HE said I was ready.

Don’t try to speed the process to only fail. I finished my program in July and took my NCLEX in September. I took the long and patient route and now I’m a licensed nurse! Today marks my 1 year anniversary of working in the medical field as an LVN! I sure wasn’t ready for COVID but that didn’t stop me! I’m truly grateful to have come to this school! Wish me luck... I’m in the midst of starting my RN program! I also would like to wish you luck... whoever reads this. This is for the people who actually wanted to know how the program was like... for...

After losing my job due to the Pandemic of 2020, and realizing that my former industry of employment was changing, I decided I needed a change in career, but being out of high-school for over 20 years and not knowing where to begin (other than researching my options), I wanted to go with an accredited college/program, that would not only teach me in an appropriate time frame, but also assist me in job placement after graduation. After narrowing down a few choices, I began to email each one and immediately an inquiry was made on the college's behalf to me and from speaking in that moment with Virginia (admissions rep), and hearing what North-West College had to offer me, someone with ZERO experience in ANY medical field, but with the desire to learn, it was a no-brainer to chose NWC. Financial Aid was a quick and easy process and I was set to start my new program/career in Medical Billing/Insurance/Coding in a only a few short weeks, that is how easy the process was, and with classes starting throughout the year, ensured a timely education process! Which meant a lot to me, as Time was of the Essence for me to get myself back into the work force by the time the pandemic slowed down. The first 6-weeks (pre-req) are more of a study session and learning the characteristics of someone who is on the path to success, and my instructor was Mr. Fam. He had a wonderful teaching style that got you to think and look internally to problem-solve. This class is great for preparing students how to study to get the most out of their education and I learned a lot of great real-world lessons, that I didn't know before! Ms. Marquez has been my instructor for my "remote" classes via Zoom (again, due to pandemic) and has done an excellent job adapting to the situation and ensuring we have all the materials and resources available, just as they would be "on-site". She really goes above and beyond with guidance and explaining something foreign to most of us, in a completely understandable way! Our Campus Director, Ms. McIntyre, is also vigilant about doing weekly/bi-weekly Zoom "check-ins" with our classes to ensure we are set up for success and always offers her time and services. All in all, I have had an amazing experience learning from this college. It really opened up my eyes to the possibilities that are out there, and there are so many more than I could have imagined. I am set to flow into my externship soon, and I know that NWC has prepared me exceptionally for the "new" medical billing/coding workforce of 2021...AND BEYONDDDDDDDDD (::in that Buzz LightYear voice::)

Thank you everyone who has helped me and to all my awesome classmates-See ya'll...

Still attending the school. They aren’t as accommodating at they say they are. The only reason I’m in this school is because they call you constantly and basically beg you to join. I’m 11k in and if I drop now I have to pay that off. They have no excused absences which is ridiculous because you could be like me in the Emergency Room and still have to attend class while hooked up to IV’s and getting ct Scans. I don’t recommend this school. You may be hybrid but you can’t take the class to go with you. There’s a lot to say but I’m over it.

Edit (in response to the owner who responded 10 months later and no longer attending): I went directly to the director and was not taken seriously. I was very ambitious to reach my goals, but I was stuck with some teacher who openly decided that everything I did was wrong. This is college not elementary school. I should not have been the subject of this teacher’s time outs to speak to me about my personal life. She is a teacher not a counselor and to embarrass me that way. Was 100% NOT HER PLACE to pull up my traumas or try to pull them out of me. If she wanted to be a counselor she should have chased that dream. I tried to speak to your team and there was no effort made. Not allowed to transfer or ask for another teacher. I have kids, i have a schedule I must stick too. I was told there was flexibility there was non. The only teacher in that school who was amazing was Jeanette Isazaga and the admin Virginia, who really made me comfortable and encouraged. But this MA teacher was truly...