[Fallon]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently investigating LPN programs in Florida and have narrowed it down to Sheridan Tech. Does anyone have any valuable information to share regarding this program? I am looking to begin this summer.

[BumblebeeRN]

Originally Posted by Fallon

Hello Everyone,

I am currently investigating LPN programs in Florida and have narrowed it down to Sheridan Tech. Does anyone have any valuable information to share regarding this program? I am looking to begin this summer.

Why do you want to do LPN program?

[Fallon]

Originally Posted by BumblebeeRN

Why do you want to do LPN program?

My ultimate goal is to become an RN, but due to financial concerns, I think it would be better for me to complete the LPN program, start working and then enter an LPN-RN program. At least that way I will be earning money while I am in school.

[BumblebeeRN]

I'm asking because, before I was an RN I too was looking into the LPN program- the cheapest program I found was $5K mercy LPN program in miami.
But the RN program at BCC and MDC cost was $6K for the entire program, including pre-reqs and I already had the pre-reqs completed, so since I do not have great income- I applied to both and thankfully attended BCC- and it cost about $2K that financial aid helped me pay.

[BumblebeeRN]

to me- LPN pay was not worth the money- in my hospital where I work- I love that place- they pay the LPN's $13/hr and the nursing assistants $10/hr - so definitely that was not for me- and they only take LPN's in the ER- and ER was not a place where I wanted to be-

The pay is not that great- and you work so hard as LPN- your schooling is very similar to our RN program. Sometimes when I couldn't find an RN nclex book at the library when I was in school, I would grab the LPN version an it was extremely similar to the RN book- infact the lippincott had almost exact questions as RN and LPN books.

I would not discourage anyone from becomming an LPN. Because I think that LPN's are phenomenal. I know one who has been working there a long time, and she even helped me to ask about some blood test that was not ordered for my kid because my kid was on a certain med! LPN's are such great asset to have, and I miss them dearly when they are not around.

But for me personally, I did not want to be in an LPN school- that was like high school being there at 7:30am-3 pm mon-fri for a year, then studying for the nclex-pn exam- for 3 months- then working in a nursing home passing meds all day- (my first semester clinicals were at a nursing home and that is what LPN's did).

so, I ended up staying as a nursing assistant and taking pre-reqs for my future BSN- kept on the waiting list at schools, applied and applied and finally 4 years from the date that I started my pre-reqs for nursing I am an RN.

I have to tell you it was hard, but extremely doable. It can be done. I know an LPN that used to be a nursing assistant- and she even told me to go with her to LPN school- and she was having a hard time getting in to MDC because they wanted her to take certain classes- and some classes from the LPN did not transfer over so she had to take some classes over again- and today she is still an LPN and she is working as a nursing assistant at an adult hospital. she says that as a nursing assistant is less stress so she can focus on school- she started nursing school in 2007 part time program.

so, that is just my story- in no way and means am I discouraging anyone who reads this into becoming an LPN. Again LPN's are great, phenomenal, super-
but before you settle on LPN idea, and if you want to be an RN, think of the other possibilities that they have out there. perhaps being an RN is not as hard or as far away as you may think.

[Fallon]

Originally Posted by BumblebeeRN

I'm asking because, before I was an RN I too was looking into the LPN program- the cheapest program I found was $5K mercy LPN program in miami.
But the RN program at BCC and MDC cost was $6K for the entire program, including pre-reqs and I already had the pre-reqs completed, so since I do not have great income- I applied to both and thankfully attended BCC- and it cost about $2K that financial aid helped me pay.

Thanks BumblebeeRN! This is my situation, I am currently a Real Estate Agent and as you know that industry is on a major decline. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and decided last fall that I wanted to become an RN. I went to the community college last semester and completed Microbiology and received a B. I now have to take A&P I before I can apply for the nursing program. I would not have a chance to be admitted until Fall 2009 and would not graduate until Spring 2011 and that is if I am accepted. So I figured entering an LPN program would give me a headstart in nursing. I could begin this August 2008 and graduate August 2009. And then move on to either an LPN to RN program or an LPN to BSN Program. But I do understand what you are saying about the schedule, Monday thru Thursday 7:15- 3:00, does seem very intense.

[BumblebeeRN]

Originally Posted by Fallon

Thanks BumblebeeRN! This is my situation, I am currently a Real Estate Agent and as you know that industry is on a major decline. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and decided last fall that I wanted to become an RN. I went to the community college last semester and completed Microbiology and received a B. I now have to take A&P I before I can apply for the nursing program. I would not have a chance to be admitted until Fall 2009 and would not graduate until Spring 2011 and that is if I am accepted. So I figured entering an LPN program would give me a headstart in nursing. I could begin this August 2008 and graduate August 2009. And then move on to either an LPN to RN program or an LPN to BSN Program. But I do understand what you are saying about the schedule, Monday thru Thursday 7:15- 3:00, does seem very intense.

With a Bachelor's already you definitely can get in to FIU or FAU nursing program!!
I am sure that you will be able to get into any program because you already have proven that you can complete a university level degree!!!

Look into the universities- the program is tough because it's condensed in one year- but people do it all the time!!

UM has a program too- Barry- all the other schools- you just have to take the pre-reqs.

Don't settle for a vocational degree when you can actually go to a university for a year and get your RN degree in a year!!

FIU has an info session next june 19- for their programs so look into that.

(I don't mean to tell you what to do- but its a good idea with your resume to apply to universities- and for sure you can get in!!)

[erenamonichka]

Originally Posted by BumblebeeRN

I'm asking because, before I was an RN I too was looking into the LPN program- the cheapest program I found was $5K mercy LPN program in miami.
But the RN program at BCC and MDC cost was $6K for the entire program, including pre-reqs and I already had the pre-reqs completed, so since I do not have great income- I applied to both and thankfully attended BCC- and it cost about $2K that financial aid helped me pay.

If not secret, what name of the school BCC for RN that you attend with low cost tuition?I red your post and i would like to try same way like you did, without LPN courses, thanks in advance.

[BumblebeeRN]

Originally Posted by erenamonichka

If not secret, what name of the school BCC for RN that you attend with low cost tuition?I red your post and i would like to try same way like you did, without LPN courses, thanks in advance.

BCC is broward community college, they have 3 campuses.
you can go to www.broward.edu

I am not advertising for them, because honest, I don't think that they are a great school.
but you gotta do what you gotta do- so that's what I did and I am thankful to them that they gave me a chance to get in and finish and get my RN license.

To me, going to RN is better- just study hard- because even at other schools once you fail a 2nd time in any class, you will have to drop out and go to LPN school and come back with your LPN license. If you end up failing again after that. you can't come back to any RN program in FL and you will have to go out of state.

[MissMila]

Hi there,
I'm an LPN student at Atlantic Technical in Coconut Creek. I think with your current education you'd be better off getting any general job or applying for financial aid and going with an RN program. The LPN program is very fast paced with too much info in too little time and you have to rearrange your life to suit the school's schedue and locations for clinicals. I am almost done with the program and worried because it seems like no one wants to hire a new LPN without work experience. You might as well use the 1 year toward RN since you're through with most of your pre-reqs instead of doing LPN since it's the same time. I regret not going straight to the RN program. I worked part time while in school but I also have a f/t working husband.
Besides that the time will fly by, you'll find a job faster, and make more money in the end.