Cost of LVN vs. NCLEX score

caliotter3 · Feb 20, 2010

The cost. Pass rate really has nothing to do with whether or not you pass. You pass based upon your own efforts. Theoretically, you could teach yourself everything out of books and pass the test with no school attendance at all.

Artistyc1 · Feb 20, 2010

lvn: stanbridge college w the nclex passing score of 97% in 2008. pacific college w the nclex passing score is 80% in 2008. the 2009 nclex passing scores are not listed yet on the website www.bvnpt.com. i was quoted with stanbridge amt $31k & pacific amt $26k.
which one will you pick for your lvn school? either the cost vs. the nclex score more important to you. please let me know! 02/19/2010

either one sounds like too much for an lvn program, to me. i am under the impression that they are private schools- are there any public ones in your area? i know people that attend a local diploma school for 3 years to become rn's, and they don't pay as much as that! especially when employment for lvn's these days can be more difficult to find in any specialty besides ltc. paying off loans for that much for an lvn program would be unacceptable, in my opinion. just my :twocents:

ursus57 · Feb 20, 2010

STATE tech school-You determine wether you pass. Period. :twocents:

kcochrane · Feb 20, 2010

I agree, do you have any tech schools that offer the LPN. At that rate of tuition you could go to a CC and get your RN.

Moogie · Feb 20, 2010

The previous posters are right. The tuition rate sounds very high for a vocational program. You could definitely get an ADN, even a BSN, from a state school for that kind of money.

I do respectfully disagree a little with the posters who say that whether you pass NCLEX is in your control. It is, but it isn't. A bad program is a bad program and often, that may be reflected in lower rates of passing NCLEX. You can go to a great program with a high passing rate and still fail NCLEX, but it is more difficult to pass if you have gone to a bad program.

Before you make your decision and invest in your education, I strongly urge you to talk with current students in the programs you are considering. Look at factors like attrition rates to see if the school with the higher pass rate is more successful because it aggressively "weeds out" students who are less likely to pass NCLEX. (The whole "weeding out" phenomenon is controversial because there are some who feel it's a necessary step to ensure that nursing graduates are indeed safe while others think it is a waste of time and resources because it should be apparent in the admission process which students are more likely to succeed which may be more likely to fail. Frankly, I would rather take my chances with a school with a highly selective admission process than with a school with a reputation for "weeding out" students, particularly students who are in their final semester.)

BTW, the other posters are spot on when they point out that there are, unfortunately, fewer opportunities for LPNs/LVNs. There are schools that will indeed promise students the moon and the stars and paint a rosy picture of prospective employment opportunities when in reality, hospitals in their area have stopped hiring LPNs/LVNs and only the clinics or LTC will hire practical/vocational nurses. If you want to work in LTC or in a clinic, you may be very happy with an LPN/LVN program but if you have your heart set on working in a hospital, you would be wise to look into RN programs instead (particularly for that amount of money!)

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

DogWmn · Feb 21, 2010

Too much to pay for an LPN/LVN program, go to a community college even if you have to wait. The NCLEX is only one indicator about a school, spend time finding out about the instructor/student ratio's, drop out rates and clinical hours. Another thing to look at is will your science and other courses convert to a bridge program if your so inclined.

It will depend on what area of the country you live in as to what opportunities are available to you as an LPN, I live in a semi-rural environment and LPN's are still hired at hospitals on occasion. Don't dismiss clinic work, if you can find a Family Practitioner or Internist it can be very interesting and you will learn a lot, traditionally they do not pay as well as a LTC facility. Also, "Doc in the Boxes" or as their now called urgent care/after care clinics are also very good to work at. Dialysis clinics, day surgery. There are opportunities out there, depending on where you live. Spend sometime researching oportunities that are available in your area.

There are many RN's on this board who have taken the LPN first then RN route and most don't regret doing the "get your feet wet first" with an LPN.

Remember we are in a baaad recession right now so jobs are tight for everyone. Spend time doing your research about schools your interested in, there are many variables to consider, including where in the USA you live.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2010

Seems like most here are looking at cost. Sometimes cost isn't everything. There are some who are willing to pay in order to advance because the wait lists and applicants are outrageous at some of the LVN or RN schools. Not all people are willing to wait in order to get accepted into nursing school whether it's the LVN or RN program. So therefore they would rather invest in their education and get it done quicker than wait longer in order to get in.

Now in answer to the original question, would I choose a school based on cost or NCLEX pass rates, it would have to be NCLEX pass rates if it's between those two schools. Why? It's true what most stated that pass rates are based on the individual person. But at the sametime schools that are highly selective tend to have better pass rates because those students are more serious about nursing schools. I've noticed that the scools that don't have a highly selective process tend to have lower pass rates. But overall everyone is right, it does depend on the person. So which ever school you choose, which ever program you decide to go through just make sure that you study hard and learn all you can learn because it will help you pass your NCLEX. Good Luck

CAwant2be · Feb 21, 2010

Hi, I have my AA degree already and have done all my science classes done and complete. I'm on the wait list here in CA at a few colleges that's why I have decided to do the LVN school. I'm tried of waiting since 08/2008 and with the state cut programs in school it seems impossiable to get into the RN program at my local college. That's why I chose the other path to pay for my school to get my LVN. My have two friends who recieved their LVN license and they are working either parttime or fulltime and they are happy. I want to be nurse and help, care for the sick.....I believe I'm on the right path even thou I have to pay for the LVN school and contiue to wait on the RN wait list at the local colleges here in CA. Thank you for all your responses very helpful and great to hear other suggestions and ideas!

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2010

I'm working as a LVN right now after months of looking for a job. I'm able to use my license and I'm referred to as "the nurse". I am a nurse! Most importantly I love my job and I enjoy helping people. I've already applied to the LVN-RN bridge programs here in several areas of California, I'm just waiting for my acceptance letter.

You are choosing the path for your personal reasons, and they're right for you! That's what's important, what's right for you. Keep us posted on how you're doing! Good Luck