Which school would you choose?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Specializes in RN: L&D, LPN: Med/Surg, CNA: MedSurg/LTC.

Both are LPN schools.

A: $30,000, majority to be taken out in loans. Would start this Monday and I believe it's an 11 month long program so maybe a grad date of April 2011. If suddenly they became full (they weren't a week ago but things can change) then I would start this August.

B: $2,000 (not including books or other fees, but still substanially different). It has a waiting list so I would not start until possibly Sept. 2011 with a grad date of Sept. 2012.

Basically, would you choose time or money? I am 22 yrs old and I know I'm young but I have a 6 yr old daughter so I would like to be stable quickly. I have the long term goal of becoming an NP.

I need to make this decision by tomorrow to start the Monday class so fast responses would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I am going to a Tech school, the cost was a little over $3,000 and I was on the waiting list

for a year; I don't regret my decision for a minute. I will be graduating in 74 days and my how the

time has flown by, and the best part is, I paid as I went so no loans to pay back.

That said, do what is best for you and your situation. Just thought I'd give my 2 cents!:)

Time really does fly by.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

It depends on the local job market for LPNs in your area. If LPNs can easily find jobs in the area in which you live, then you could easily repay the $30,000 loan. However, if jobs are hard to find, you would be wise to select the school with the significantly cheaper tuition. After all, you'll end up with the exact same LPN license whether you attend the $30,000 school or the $2,000 school.

Also, let's crunch some numbers. If you take out a $30,000 loan at 6.875% interest to be financed over 10 years, you would end up with a payment of $346.40 per month. If you use private student loans with higher interest rates, your payments would likely be higher. I don't know how much LPNs earn in your area, but do you think you can realistically handle repaying this type of loan for 10 or more years of your life?

Specializes in RN: L&D, LPN: Med/Surg, CNA: MedSurg/LTC.

TheCommuter,

LPN jobs are readily available in my area (Oklahoma City). There may be the possibility of tuition assistance from Manpower as well as my employer but I have to find out more specifics. I've decided to wait until the August class of the expensive school to decide because either way I would get done before I started the cheaper school. I just started a new job on Monday and I don't want to jeopardize that as I got it to get my foot in the door to work there when I become an RN.

Thank you for the insight on the loans. I'm still at a loss of which one to choose but maybe I will get that lightbulb above my head one day!

ETA: BTW, congrats on becoming an RN! :)

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
ETA: BTW, congrats on becoming an RN! :)
Thanks!

I spent the past year in OKC attending a local trade school, and I noticed that LPNs are paid relatively low wages in that area due to the lower cost of living. Most places were paying between $14 and $18 hourly, with the average being about $16 per hour at most places. Even if you were earning $18 hourly, it would still be hard to repay a huge student loan in addition to bills such as rent, food, utilities, savings, car payment, child care, etc. This is just some food for thought.

Specializes in RN: L&D, LPN: Med/Surg, CNA: MedSurg/LTC.

That is something to think about, however my husband is in the cheaper school now so he won't have those loans to pay off and his employer is starting him off at $18/hr and I won't settle for less than $16. It is something that is weighing heavily on my mind though which is why I'm in this predicament! Though I feel like I've wasted enough time already and I want to have my LPN license!

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Thanks!

I spent the past year in OKC attending a local trade school, and I noticed that LPNs are paid relatively low wages in that area due to the lower cost of living. Most places were paying between $14 and $18 hourly, with the average being about $16 per hour at most places. Even if you were earning $18 hourly, it would still be hard to repay a huge student loan in addition to bills such as rent, food, utilities, savings, car payment, child care, etc. This is just some food for thought.

You are an RN, now? WAY TO GO, COMMUTER!! I know you are glad all of that is overwith!

Specializes in RN: L&D, LPN: Med/Surg, CNA: MedSurg/LTC.

I just called the expensive school and they said they have 55 spots for the daytime program and over 150 apply! Kinda surprised! I scheduled to meet with them on June 1st (can't do it before then as my orientation for my new job is during the day shift). You have to take an entrance exam as well. I will keep y'all updated! Thanks for the help and I welcome any more responses!

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