Any help with a decision btwn 2 schools?

NC Girl BSN · May 5, 2008

Wow! 42g's for an LPN. If your set on getting your LPN I would apply to both and see which one let's you in. Will the data be back before you have to enroll in the college that cost 22g's? I am assuming that you have tried your local community college first? I personally would not pay 42g's for an LPN. I would gamble on the other for the sake of the cost. I received my LPN at a Community College and paid less than 2,000 but I'm sure if this was an option for you then you would be going that route. Another thing I would look at is the Job aspects in your area. If they are starting LPN's at $12-16 an hour, then it would financially strap you to pay the huge loan off. But if your area is paying $20+ and you don't have a lot of debt, then it may be beneficial to pay the large debt.

Another question. Are these schools credits transferable to Community College or University? I have researched schools like this in my area and none of them transfer. So basically if all you want to ever be is an LPN then it may be okay but it will probably come a point in you life where you want to advance in life and move up the ladder and you will be stuck. You either have to come up with another 42g's to complete their RN program or start all over at a community college. If I were you, I would really think about it. I have been a LPN for 8 months and can't wait to get my RN. I am limited to $18-20 an hour in a nursing home or $12-14 in a hospital and doctor offices. The jobs are very plentiful in nursing homes and very scarce in hospitals and doctor offices. My job is busy in the nursing home that I'm in now and they pay me $20 an hour but they have hired med techs in an effort to weed us out. An RN is the only option that I have right now to reassure me with job stability and satisfaction of applying wherever I want. The reason why I'm giving you this long spill is to give you something to think about. I currently am 1 test away from applying to the CPNE through Excelsior. It has taken me 6 months to get through the course work of their program. I pray with with a lot of effort on my part and guidance from God, I will be an RN by the end of this year.Good Luck to you, in whatever you decide.

agldragonRN · May 5, 2008

hello everyone,
i am applying for 2 different lvn/lpn programs, one being at western career college and one being at gurnink academy of medical arts in concord. wcc is $42k for 16 mo's full time and gurnick is $22k for 14mo's part time. i don't know how that is possible, but somehow it is. wcc has a 100% passing rate for the nclex and gurnick has no data available as their first graduating class is about to test. i need help deciding if the extra $20k is worth it, if anyone has any tips about these schools or having to do with the dilemma please help! also, wcc has a bridge program to the rn and gurnick is "trying to establish one at this time", which makes me nervous as well. thanks for reading!

wow!! 42 thousands for the lpn? i would not have chosen the school i graduated from if it was going to cost me that much. aren't you supposed to have a doctorate already with that kind of money?? i think some of these schools take advantage of students. :nono:

are you sure there are no more other lpn programs that are cheaper even if it is an hour away?

well, like what the above poster said, apply to both schools. i would pick the 22k if they accept me even if they don't have the bridge program yet.

and how much more money for the bridge at wcc? another 42k??

good luck and i wish the best!

cheers,

angel

bluegeegoo2, LPN · May 6, 2008

Holy cow! My program costs around $6000 with books, uniforms, supplies and everything! They average a 97% NCLEX passing rate. What state do you live in? You have to also think about what kind of salary to expect in your area compared to cost of school as well. If you're only going to be making $30,000/yr to start, you'll be working your butt off just to pay student loans. Also, I hate to be the devil's advocate here, but what if halfway through something happens and you don't graduate? Then you'd have enormous loans out not only to pay anyway, but they could also prevent you from going to school later unless you were able to keep up those payments, plus new loan payments for another program. I would certainly look some more, and look at the possibility of relocating if necessary. There are programs out there that are WAY more affordable. Please be careful!