Advice: Nursing School/Relocation

[WayneStateKatie]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone here has some helpful advice on schools in the area.

My uncle grew up in Huntington and worked for several years as a paramedic there. He has since moved out of state but is moving back to the area because he can get a job there.

What are the options in the area for someone like him who is a paramedic for schooling? He always wanted to be a nurse and I think regrets that he did not stay in school for it. Are there options around there for someone like him who would be working as a paramedic to get into a RN program?

I am not familiar with the area or requirements. I know up here in Michigan we have several community colleges geared towards working adults and I'm having a hard time finding any info for schools down there.... I know up here in metro Detroit there are some schools that let you get your LPN pretty quickly with previous experience (like a medical assistant or certified nursing assistant and I'm pretty sure paramedic would count in there too) and he could then do a LPN to RN bridge program all while still working. Are things like that available in the Huntington area? Where did all of you go to school-- did it offer a program like that?

He mentioned something about the only school near him would cost $17,000 and take 2 years to do respiratory therapy as an alternative. That seemed excessive to me. Around here community colleges cost $58.25 a credit hour for in district and can't fathom that a two year degree from a community college will cost that much ....

Are there any community colleges in the tri-state area in other states (KY, OH) that would have a nursing program somewhat similar to what I mentioned above?

Any info on LPN or RN programs (including LPN to RN bridge) in that area would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for your help.

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

If he has those type of options there, then I would think twice before coming back here for schooling. We really do not have that type of system. I can honestly say that if he can get into an LPN program and use that to bridge into a RN program there, that is the way to go.

I wish him luck.

[cpnegrad07]

I worked here as a Paramedic for 23 years and then got a 2-year through Excelsior College. I can't recommend that route because it is hard and uncertain (see my other posts). But i heard that there is a bridge Paramedic-Nurse program in S.E Ohio (can't remember the town but close to Huntington) and a possible one at W.Va. Tech or State. He'll have to ferret out that stuff.