Declining my spot in the LPN Program...

[DelanaRN, MSN, APRN, NP]

...that begins next week at the technical college. I have given it alot of thought, and I am just too worried about investing over 23,000 in an LPN Program. There is an alternates list so I am sure they will fill the position. I am terrified to send the email and letter stating that I am giving up my slot for fear of regret. Once I send it, there is no turning back.

On a good note, I found a program closer to my home that is only $8,000 for the entire cost of the LPN Program. They are accepting applications for next August. They only accept 24 students a year, so this is a chance I am taking, but I talked to the director of the program today and she said 87 percent of the scoring to get into the program is based on the NET scores and we went over my scores and said that based on history of applicants, I would be in the top 10 percent and I would have a decent shot of getting accepted to it next August. I pray that happens.

In the meantime, I am going to take a few "fun" night classes at the VoTech school. Conversational Spanish, CPR, and Beginning Stained Glass. I am also planning on having an open Roux N Y Gastric Bypass Surgery this winter so I will have time to recover from that. I plan to have all my references, applications, etc in before Christmas so I can be a strong contingent in this program. Please pray I am making the right decision. I feel that by declining this slot for the classes that start next week, I may be throwing away an opportunity.

Thanks for listening.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

While I'm glad that you are at peace with your decision, I'm sorry to see you sit out a year. However, I agree that is one expensive college. I hope you will be happy with your decision.

[DelanaRN, MSN, APRN, NP]

I am not at peace...I am a nervous wreck. I put so much time and effort into getting into the program I am declining and all my financial aid, everything is already processed and ready to go. I have daycare lined up for my sons and have done everything necessary to begin.

However, by the time this new program starts (pending acceptance) my baby will be 2 and I will be able to put him in a preschool or child care center cheaper than what it will be if I started now. (Now it is 166-183 each week, then it will be about 125 each week)

I just hope and pray I am making the right decision for me and my family.

[lindseylpn]

I live in tennesse and i only paid around $3500 for my lpn program, we had students that moved here for a year just to take our nursing program. If you are interested in relocating for a while there are Tennessee Technology Centers throughout the state.

[flwannaB]

It must have been a very difficult decision to make for you. But as I said before, trust your heart. If you feel that it is not the right time for you, then you know best. I wish you good luck.

[NaomieRN]

Dconnors, since you going to have a surgery, I think you made the right decision. Can you also ask them to save you a spot for next year, just in case the school that is close to you does not except you? See if you can do that, postpone your acceptance. Good luck to you

[midcom]

I think you're making a very good choice, especially since your having an RNY. You will need time to recover & that doesn't seem to jive with nursing school. It will require about 6 weeks without lifting over 10 lbs. you'll also need time to get used to your new way of eating. It's so much easier to do it without having to worry about school.

I guess you can assume that I speak from experience. I had mine done laporscopically in Dec 2003. Have dropped from 350lbs to around 185 lbs. I'm still hoping to get smaller but the important part is I am now healthy & am physically able to start nursing school. There is no way I could have done it at my former weight or size.

Feel free to write.

Dixie

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Best wishes to you. I had to make a similar decision about 4 years ago. I started a 2 year college that had an LPN program that was too far for me to deal with via public transportation. I went to anatomy class the first day, and I already knew that I could not handle the travel time from work to school, then home to study. I dropped the class the first night, and I was DEVASTATED!! I cried and cried, and then, a friend of mine told me that an even better opportunity would arrive. I didn't believe it at all. Then, 2 1/2 years ago, my job offered the opportunity of a lifetime! I was accepted into a program where I was on a paid leave of absence for 2 years along with tuition pay to become an LPN. I had such a stellar reputation at my job that I was accepted immediately. I completed the program in March 2006 (graduated the top of the class), took my state boards in June, 2006, passed the first time at 85 questions, and I am now back at my job working as a nurse. Good things do happen to those that wait. Take care of your health first, because nursing school will need ALL of your time, strength and energy. And, the patients will need it, too.

[smiles04]

...that begins next week at the technical college. I have given it alot of thought, and I am just too worried about investing over 23,000 in an LPN Program. There is an alternates list so I am sure they will fill the position. I am terrified to send the email and letter stating that I am giving up my slot for fear of regret. Once I send it, there is no turning back.

On a good note, I found a program closer to my home that is only $8,000 for the entire cost of the LPN Program. They are accepting applications for next August. They only accept 24 students a year, so this is a chance I am taking, but I talked to the director of the program today and she said 87 percent of the scoring to get into the program is based on the NET scores and we went over my scores and said that based on history of applicants, I would be in the top 10 percent and I would have a decent shot of getting accepted to it next August. I pray that happens.

In the meantime, I am going to take a few "fun" night classes at the VoTech school. Conversational Spanish, CPR, and Beginning Stained Glass. I am also planning on having an open Roux N Y Gastric Bypass Surgery this winter so I will have time to recover from that. I plan to have all my references, applications, etc in before Christmas so I can be a strong contingent in this program. Please pray I am making the right decision. I feel that by declining this slot for the classes that start next week, I may be throwing away an opportunity.

Thanks for listening.

Hey there you made a wise decision in my mind. You have a lot on your plate thinking of bypass etc. If you are going to a college to take stained glass then your heart still needs to think about nursing. Im not saying that thats not okay its just that you really need to be focused to succeed in nursing school and its hard. If your not ready to take that responsibility yet and commit than thats okay. It took me a couple of years to figure out I want this bad. I also had some housekeeping in my life (learning about who I am what I want and that I am important) before I could go out and be a awesome nurse.

Ill pray for you and trust yourself you know whats right believe in that and in prayer.

Smiles 04

[Jules A, MSN]

I can tell you have given this much thought and I think you are making a sound decision. LPN school can be quite a stressful time and not having 100% of your head or heart in it is asking for failure, imo. Best wishes!

[DelanaRN, MSN, APRN, NP]

An update:

I had Gastric Bypass Surgery on December 11th. I've lost almost 100 pounds. I was accepted into an LPN Program that is closer to my home, more affordable, and classes begin Monday!! (Yippee!!)

Life is good, and I am well. I know I made the right decision at the time!! Woot woot!!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Congrats on the weight loss and good luck in school!