NIT in Cuyahoga Falls for LPN or RN?? or somewhere else??

Hi, I was looking in to this program as well, however they never called me back. Do you know what the tuition is? I am waiting to get in to LCCC, but may do Chamberlain's online program instead....

I am in my first semester at NIT in Cuyahoga Falls. The next start date is in April. They start new classes every 15 weeks. They are a little expensive, but the cost includes books, scrubs, equipment and the cost of the NCLEX. PM me if you have any more questions. I can give you the name and number of the admission's rep I dealt with. She is great.

If you are even semi-considering RN, don't even waste your time with LPN. I am kicking myself for not just doing the RN program. Start your pre-reqs and do RN. I'm 36 and didn't think I could do it,,It's way too easy and not to mention, not real excited about passing meds in a nursing home. RN all the way!!

Considering the economy and the fact that most schools have a wait list for their RN programs, there isn't much of a reason to not go the LPN route first. I am doing it because I want to make some money and gain experience while earning an RN. There was no wait list for the program at NIT, so I got right in. Not to mention, you don't have pre-req's you absolutely have to have before you can start taking nursing classes.

I decided to get my LPN first because I wanted to get working soon. I can make money, LPN's around here make between $15 and $20/hr to start. My ultimate goal is a BSN as well. This way I can be earning money working as a nurse while I work on my RN/BSN. I don't know if I want to go through UA or what yet.

I was an LPN before getting my BSN, and looking back on it I am glad I did it that way. Some of the experiences I had working as an LPN in nursing homes I never had as an RN in the hospital setting. Of course the pay is different and I would encourage ANY nurse to get her BSN if at all possible but I do not think becoming an LPN is a waste of anyone's time.
Good luck to all of you!

Please don't be swayed by the discouraging "don't bother with the LPN" posts....you have to choose your own course, and if taking steps toward your ultimate goal of the RN is what is right for you, then do it that way.

I have a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field and EVERYONE told me not to bother with the LPN as well, but I just turned 30 and didn't want to sit on a waiting list - I wanted to be working and earning a good wage. I did my LPN in a year and worked my way thru school - I could not have worked my very necessary job AND handled an RN program at the same time. Now, I'm working as an LPN in cleveland and making $23/hour. Salaries will vary, especially based on shift, but I've not heard of any of my classmates starting for less than $18/hour. I work three days a week and have benefits and full-time pay. I'm gaining INVALUABLE experience as a nurse, and really feeling confident that nursing is a good fit for me rather than taking a chance on doing all the work for the RN without any experience in the "real" world of healthcare. My employer, as well as MANY others will also provide tuition assistance for continuing to RN - loan-based aid AND grants that don't need to be paid back. It was not at all difficult to find a job after graduation - I was working two days after my license # posted. I'm perfectly poised to go back and get my RN with my work schedule, I'm making the money to be able to support myself while I'm in school, I'm feeling great about the work that i'm doing, and I'm more secure in devoting the time to pursuing nursing now that I've experienced it. There are bridge programs that insure that much of your time spent in LPN school will be applicable to your RN, so it's not time wasted by any means. Some very good traditional 4-year colleges (like Ursuline in Cleveland) even offer a bridge from LPN directly to BSN.

The scope of the LPN's practice CAN be a little restrictive, and may frustrate you if you have your eyes set on your RN. But LPN's ARE nurses, and provide SUCH crucial care. A good LPN that UNDERSTANDS and works WITHIN their scope is an asset to any facility, especially if supported by good scheduling and staffing policies and used to their fullest potential in facilities. I look at it as a stepping stone and am anxious to get my RN, but content with the work that I do as an LPN right now.

If you don't mind the drive, look into Central School of Practical Nursing in Cleveland. It's a little bit of a haul, but it might be worth it. There is no waiting list, tuition is MUCH more affordable than most of the "chain" schools, and it's a FIRST RATE program. Classes start in september and March (i think, don't quote me). Central is the oldest PN school in the state and I believe the only privately run one. It has a STELLAR reputation in the cleveland area - I've gotten interviews and job offers based on the reputation of the school and ALL of our clinical sites (Cleveland Metro, St. Vincent's Charity, Hillcrest hospital, fairview, etc) have told us time and again that they will take central grads over just about anyone. Thusfar my class has a 100% 1st time NCLEX pass rate and I think everyone has tested except one or two people. We're all working, some of us even got hired on specialty floors at Cleveland Clinic. It's a very intense program, but you will graduate with EXCELLENT preparation. We had several students make the drive from akron, canton, cuy falls - they all said it was well worth it.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to balance out the nay-sayers with a POSITIVE opinion about going the LPN route. YOU must decide what is best for YOU personally by weighing YOUR needs with the pro's and con's of that route. I couldn't be happier with the route that I chose - it has opened SO many doors for me, and i'm thrilled. Let me know if you have any questions, and i hope the above info helped! Best of luck.

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! I am 29 and have a ten month old son. I am active duty Air Force and I will be separating from the military and relocating to GA. I have been trying to get as many prereqs done as I can, but being a single parent and trying to go to school gets complicated with no support system. My husband and I are geographically separated because I will not get out of the military for a couple of months and he is already in GA working. I have decided that because I cant get the rest of my science completed for a ADN or BSN program right away, I am going to pursue an LPN program as a stepping stone to my BSN. Thanks for your post!!! It was very inspirational. I have heard a lot of negative comments, but I am 29 and I am looking to get in the work force and begin building my nursing resume! THANKS AGAIN AND MUCH SUCCESS!!!