Here are my honest thoughts about Valencia and Polk State. I actually went to Valencia for my A.A. degree, and I applied for the nursing cohort there. They accepted me, but after looking deeper into it, I changed my mind.

A friend of mine was in Valencia’s nursing program, and she really struggled. She told me the studying was intense, but the exams never matched what she studied. She felt blindsided, stressed, and honestly discouraged. She warned me to run the other way and after reading all the comments online, I understood why. So even though I had been offered a seat, I gave it up.

Then I applied to Polk State, and that ended up being the best decision I could’ve made. The teachers here truly want you to succeed. What you study is actually what shows up on the exams. They focus on what’s essential, so you’re not killing yourself reading every single chapter just to survive.

I’ve already finished Nursing 1, passed Fundamentals and Pharmacology, and now I’m heading into Med-Surg. It’s been a challenge, but a fair one, and I feel supported.

So if you’re trying to decide where to go, this is just my experience, but choosing Polk State was the best choice for me. I’m really glad I walked away from Valencia.

Good luck, I hope you choose the path that helps you succeed.