Caught in a jam in deciding between LVN and completing Bachelors program

Published

I was recently accepted in an LVN program while concurrently completing my Bachelors degree. I did not graduate yet I am 30 credits shy and can hold off graduation for another year. My dream/goal the last couple of years was to always be a nurse. I want to get all my education out the way before I put down roots and decide to have children. The LVN nursing program is easier to get in then the RN program which are very competitive in my area. I am trying to evaluate what I should do know, the LVN program has rolling admissions so I can enroll the next month etc. However graduating with a bachelors is worth it but I am afraid that a bachelors degree won't take you far like a LVN skills would. I know people who have bachelors and they have $13 jobs. I know LVN's getting $20 hours job and their sky is the limit

What advice would you guys give, any input is appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You do not mention what your bachelors degree would be in, which is a big part of the equation.

RN programs are difficult to get into everywhere, not just in your area.

You say that you can join a particular LVN program any month, which makes me worried that it is a private school that is going to put you into a load of debt. In my opinion, an LVN program is not worth tons of student loans.

If you don't have any health care experience, you may want to look into a CNA course to get your feet wet and learn some nursing basics.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

LVN program is private, not many community colleges carry LVN's in my area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
10 minutes ago, Golden_RN said:

You do not mention what your bachelors degree would be in, which is a big part of the equation.

RN programs are difficult to get into everywhere, not just in your area.

You say that you can join a particular LVN program any month, which makes me worried that it is a private school that is going to put you into a load of debt. In my opinion, an LVN program is not worth tons of student loans.

If you don't have any health care experience, you may want to look into a CNA course to get your feet wet and learn some nursing basics.

Political Science/Cybersecurity however I need to pay for certifications to be employable.

CNA program in my area is also expensive, they have an industry of CNA schools where they charge 13,000 in tuition.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just now, Blue Robin said:

Political Science/Cybersecurity however I need to pay for certifications to be employable.

CNA program in my area is also expensive, they have an industry of CNA schools where they charge 13,000 in tuition.

Be sure to check with community colleges. They may have CNA and LVN programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
2 minutes ago, Golden_RN said:

Be sure to check with community colleges. They may have CNA and LVN programs.

Not many have LVN community college programs in my area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

The problem people often run into with private schools is that their credits do not transfer, so when you go to advance your degree, you have to repeat some or all of the content. Here are a few questions you will want the answers to before you go the LVN route.

Is the school accredited?

What is their NCLEX pass rate?

How many were admitted to the last five rounds of the whole program and of those how many went on to actually graduate? One way schools keep falsely elevated NCLEX pass rates is by forcing out anyone they suspect may not pass the NCLEX.

How much is the program? Does the cost to income you will earn ratio make sense? Predatory private schools are stupid expensive and require massive debt load. $20/hr sounds like a lot of money until half of it must go to student loan payments for a very long time.

Will your local employers hire people from that school?

With the answers to these questions you can make a sound decision based on facts. Good luck whatever you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion