California student: is a $30k LPN "worth it"

Published

Hi everyone!

I am 27 years old. After working retail/sales for a decade I have decided to give college another shot. I have an appointment with Concorde college in North hollywood. So far I am considering Concorde's LPN vs their AS in dental hygiene. If I can't convince myself either one is worth the money I will try for a community college LPN or RN program.

My reservations lie in my education. I was "home schooled" on paper only. My mom basically forged paperwork but I didn't learn anything beyond PBS and religious curriculum. The gap in my knowledge has proven motivational in studying hard. But still today I lack mathematical ability beyond elementary algebra, pre college math and have zero science knowledge.

My reason for sharing that bit of background is in hopes that maybe someone started out as a longshot and persevered. Anybody have a similar experience or words of advice for a getting out of retail hell?

(side note: I have completed 36 units at community college with A's, B's and 1 C my first semester.)

If that is your only option, and you can get financial aid, then yes.

For me, I cannot get financial aid. The affordable programs are highly competitive(I'm waiting to see if I get in), and if you are having time constraints and want to get in asap, then 30,000 program is worth it...they range from 25,000-32,000, the ones I checked out that were private.

I have spoke to lvn's(I'm a CNA and caregiver) and a lot have went that route...a private school due to the above reasons I stated. All that I talked to say it's worth it. One girl, was out as an LVN for one year and is almost finished paying off her loan(She did have some financial aid that helped pay. Not sure the exact tuition she was left with. I was a little shocked that she said she was almost finished paying it off..lol...). She makes 22 an hour and works a lot. Where I am at in OC CA, the LVN's I have talked to say they start off at around 20 an hour. The one who works in Home Health care makes 18-25 an hour, depending on visit. I'm sure it varies but seems to be the norm from the lvns I have spoke with.

So basically, it is all up to you and if you can wait to get in a program or if you are seeking to get in now or have time constraints.

If I could get financial aid, and couldn't get into a lower cost option, such as adult school, community college, I would definitely do it. For me, I'm in my late 30's and have responsibilities, so I really would rather go to lvn school sooner, rather than later.

In am in the SGV. At the Community college level one yr of pre requisites needed to apply with a B level grade then you need to apply and be on a waiting list or lottery until an opening.

Local adult school and ROP programs are also full and have waiting list and this due to the low cost. The highest I found was $12000. With financial aid. Vocational schools also have waiting list. I choose northwest college in west Covina because of the evening program and 15 Mon. Long program the test was not to hard 60/40/vocab. Math. Science

.

Hope this helped.

Specializes in ER.

Everybody has their own unique situation. If you just can't get into a community college due to competition and it's your last resort I'd say follow your heart. Then bridge to RN/BSN cheaper. You'd be better off going somewhere like Chamberlain for 3 years and getting the BSN. if you dont already have a degree, you would more than likely get the Pell Grant and scholarships along with a few loans to cover everything. Take all of the humanities at a community college as a nondegree student and transfer them over to Chamberlain. Your total cost would come to less than about 45K. The only reason I know this is because Chamberlain was one of my options. For me the total cost came to 30K with ex military rate.

Did you have to get on a waiting list for this program? Or were you accepted right away? I want to apply

Specializes in LTC.

Go to a community college if you can. I wish I'd done that instead of forking over 27 grand. The only thing they prepared us for was the NCLEX, their clinicals sucked. One group got to go to the hospital but mine didn't because the school didn't wanna pay for another clinical instructor that would have allowed us to go to the hospital. My group ended up stuck in LTC facilities with very little to do/learn except pass meds and take vitals. There were never any treatments for us to do either!

+ Join the Discussion