[hellokittyscrubs86]

I'm finally focused on becoming a lpn/lvn. I have a few options... one is taking out a loan and starting an lpn/lvn program at a private program for 24,000 right away. The other is taking pre-requisite classes of anatomy and bio at my local comm college then waiting till next JANUARY to appy for their 3,000 program. What did you do?? Thanks in advance

[Woodenpug]

Congratulations!
I, personally, would save the money and wait a little longer.

[PNCC2001]

I would go the cheaper route. After you have your LPN, you may decide you want further school; and you will have used up $ 21,000 that wasn't necessary. Besides all money has to be paid back eventually, therefore less money that you will be making to live on, etc.

[sailornurse]

You are better off waiting. 24K is very expensive for an LPN program. Lpns here in NM make about $16-19 hr, so it will take you a long time to pay back 24 grand. Consider going for you AD/RN if you can. Community colleges are a great value for your bucks.

[caliotter3]

I wouldn't pay that kind of money unless it were for an RN program. Wait it out and go the CC route if you can possibly drum up the patience. Another route is to look into regional occupational programs that offer vocational nursing for about the same amount as community colleges. There was one in San Jose that used to cost about $2000 and it had an excellent reputation. Look for these programs.

[jelorde37]

i went through a private tech school for my lvn. cost was also 24000 but i took out a loan of 16000 and paid the rest myself. the school i attended also offered an lvn-rn program that would cost 30 duckets but i decided that that was way too much. anyways, after i graduated and got my license, i work for 6 month full time(56+ hours/week) and made back the 16000 i took out for my loan. after the 6 months of working, i decided to go back for my rn. now i currently work only 2 days a week and i am in my last semester of prereqs. soooo... i guess its up to you. 24000 is a big investment, and you have to be willing to make sacrafices in order to succeed cause the lvn program that i attended was difficult. anyways, good luck.