what is the best path?????

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I am interested in the nursing field. I am 32 years old and have no formal college education just have my high school diploma. I would like to know what your honost recommendation would be for education. I am looking in to Riverside Community College Nursing program and Concorde Career College LVN program. I want to be working as soon as possible but I know both programs take time. What are your thoughts as to which avenue is the most successful in ultimately getting my RN license???????

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I would advise you to check out the LVN program. You said you need to be working as quickly as possible and it sounds like it has been a while since you had to do any academic work (since HS). An LVN program would enable you to move ahead more gradually since there are usually not a lot of pre requisites.

The LVN route would also enable you to get a better feel for nursing without making the larger ($ and time) investment it will take for your RN. If you decide that nursing is what you really want to do, most hospitals have tuition reimbursement and career laddeer programs that will help you toward your RN.

Check out your local community college programs before you commit to an expensive private LVN program.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Coronary Rehab Unit.

Couldn't sum it up any better :)

I would advise you to check out the LVN program. You said you need to be working as quickly as possible and it sounds like it has been a while since you had to do any academic work (since HS). An LVN program would enable you to move ahead more gradually since there are usually not a lot of pre requisites.

The LVN route would also enable you to get a better feel for nursing without making the larger ($ and time) investment it will take for your RN. If you decide that nursing is what you really want to do, most hospitals have tuition reimbursement and career laddeer programs that will help you toward your RN.

Check out your local community college programs before you commit to an expensive private LVN program.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Does the community college offer a LVN program? I'm a big fan of community colleges since their course work should transfer fairly seamlessly to most any university. Some of the technical schools don't transfer credits. Good luck!

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Specializes in Orthopedic, Corrections.

The ADN program I am in, at a community college, will only be three years by the time I am done. I did have to take 4 summer classes. I took my prereqs in one year, and am now in my first year of the nursing program. The program I am in is much more affordable than the LVN schools arround here, but it does take longer. The difference in pay between LVN and RN may not be much depending on the area of the country you live in.

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Specializes in Trauma, Neuro, M&S ICU.

don't let time be the factor!!! Get your ADN (RN). Work in a hospital as a tech and that will defiately determine if you want to keep going. That way during pre-reqs you can move ahead or back out. LVN is cool and a little faster, but RN will pay more and give you more freedom!

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