A bit confused about Nursing School

[JoshuaDallasGPArling]

I am still in High School and I graduate this year I got to South Grand Prairie High and live in South Arlington. I'm wanting to go in to Nursing and my Dad who was once a nurse told me to go to TCC Get basics done - Go to a School to become a LVN.

All in all I don't mind being a LVN in fact it's what I was originally planning. But there are no schools in my Area that offer a LVN only RN. I looked at Concorde Arlington which looks great but the time it takes to be a nurse going to school everyday and the outrageous price is keeping me away from that.

So I'm thinking of doing a RN but I have some questions.

Are there any LVN schools in my area that aren't too far ?

If I started a RN program at TCC they say it is 2 years but does that include basics also they say it's 72 hours is that like a class everyday or what?

How many years does it take to get the basics out of the way?

What are ways to pay for school? Like what kind of jobs are good to work during college?

Thank you.

[RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN]

I am still in High School and I graduate this year I got to South Grand Prairie High and live in South Arlington. I'm wanting to go in to Nursing and my Dad who was once a nurse told me to go to TCC Get basics done - Go to a School to become a LVN.

All in all I don't mind being a LVN in fact it's what I was originally planning. But there are no schools in my Area that offer a LVN only RN. I looked at Concorde Arlington which looks great but the time it takes to be a nurse going to school everyday and the outrageous price is keeping me away from that.

So I'm thinking of doing a RN but I have some questions.

Are there any LVN schools in my area that aren't too far ?

If I started a RN program at TCC they say it is 2 years but does that include basics also they say it's 72 hours is that like a class everyday or what?

How many years does it take to get the basics out of the way?

What are ways to pay for school? Like what kind of jobs are good to work during college?

Thank you.

If I were you, I would not go the LVN route. I see so many LVNs (that have worked there for years) where I work that are trying to get their RNs. It's like going to school all over again. Science classes are only good for 5 yrs, so for some of these LVNs, they're having to re-take a boat load of courses. Bridge programs from LVN to RN is practically like going through the whole RN program again. Like at TCC, if you're an LVN and bridging to RN, you only get to clep out of the first semester and then have 4 more just like all the other students.

Plus if you go the LVN route, you will most likely have to settle for a job in a nursing home or at some rehab type hospital. Your job opportunities will be very few. I graduated TCC in 2008 and work at a major hospital in Ft Worth and they no longer hire LVNs. I don't know of any hospitals that are hiring LVNs any more.

I spent two yrs doing pre-reqs at TCC, then it was two yrs to get through the RN program. You can get through the pre-reqs quicker if you want, but TCC is very competitive. I have small children, so I took only a couple of classes per semester so that I could have a better chance of making an A. I had very good GPA and got into nursing on my first application.

There are several grants and other goverentment programs to pay for your schooling. I have a friend that just got a huge grant and doesn't have to pay it back.

You need to go to TCC offices and talk to them to find out what's available.

There is Hill College in Cleburne that offers and LVN program, it's a Mon-Fri 8-5 year long program. Concorde in Arlington, you'll end up paying approx 25K if you go there. I got my RN at TCC for less than 10K. You sound smart about not wanting to pay for Concorde. That is a major ripoff in my opinion.

You need to work a very part-time job while your going to school and hopefully you'll be able to live with family or something so you won't have bills to pay. You'll best succeed if you don't have to work, or at least, don't work much. You have to put a lot of time and effort to be successful at TCC. It's a great school. Just start taking pre-reqs a little at a time and start working on it and you'll be there before you know it. Just try to make as many As as you possibly can.

Good luck and go for it.

[MissBrahmsRN]

if you want to work in a nursing home or other LTC facility then be an LVN. otherwise go for the RN. many of the hospitals in my area that have LVNs are phasing them out, the LVNs that are on staff are being "encouraged" to get their RNs...

the "Registered Nurse" title opens sooo many more doors. trust me. besides, it's all the same prereqs..the LVNs i know spent 3 years in college, i spent nearly 4 for my RN.

good luck to you!