This review is of their Practical Nursing program which I graduated from Dec '24. Unlike pre-req…read moreclasses, you can't choose your instructors once in a program, so it's a risk. However, I felt VERY lucky that instructors Crystal and Taylor were wonderful! I felt very supported, their doors were always open (metaphorically) and they were ready to go above and beyond to help those in academic trouble. They never made anything easy, as that would have harmed us in the long run, when in the job market or trying to pass the NCLEX (nursing licensure exam). Which, btw, they currently have a 100% pass rate for. At one point in time, I was failing pharmacology. (My brain just doesn't work that way, memorizing meds/side effects/treatments/method of action) so Crystal, who taught the class, worked with me outside of class to advise me on study methods and ways to get through. I hear that Taylor did the same for students failing her class. I have not yet taken the NCLEX (I'm scheduled to take it next week) but already have THREE job offers. THAT says something.

MCC Penn Valley is not a bad community college, but I only say that because their new Health…read moreScience Institute is amazing. Without this building and the programs it houses, MCC would just be another crappy "Grade 13" community college. If you are a KC resident and considering an educational career in the health sciences (nursing, radiology, respiratory tech, occupational tech, etc) do yourself a favor and look into their programs before signing your life away to one of those colleges you see on TV. Penn Valley has a good reputation in health science and most of the programs accept students through a second application and an interview which filters the students down to those who really care about learning and are committed to their studies. The main campus at Penn Valley is pretty ghetto. The cafeteria is crappy, the facilities feel a bit old, and the burned out staff in advising, financial aid, and the business office are, well, burned out and tired. I only docked the school a star due to this because if I had to deal with rude entitled students yelling at me because they didn't fill out their forms correctly I'd be a troll too. I took several science classes here at night and felt the quality of the staff was good. No, you won't have professors who are publishing papers and working on the latest research like you would at KU... but, you won't be paying MU or KU tuition either. I can't say enough positive things about their career programs in health. Check them out and don't let the main campus freak you out.