Okay, so here's what I'm pretty sure is my best option - I'm going to get an LPN degree first and then work two or three days a week while I take any prerequisites I need for my RN, and then I'll take an online RN course, most likely Excelsior.
I just can't afford not to work for two years straight - I would be buried under student loans by the time I graduated.
So, I just printed out the list of accredited nursing programs in Florida...and I'm looking for LPN programs that are driving distance from Lakeland. Preferably not more than an hour drive one way.
Anyone here have experience with LPN programs in this area? Recommendations, horror stories, advice?
CONGATS i'll be going there to in jan. when are you starting? Lucky for me i didn't have to wait i submitted my stuff by the due date and i got my card that said i started Jan08. Good Luck!
Hey Central Florida! I live in central florida as well (Lakeland) and I am looking up LPN schools as well. Have you found any good LPN schools near us? I want to go to a good school, not that far away, and with a high passing rate!! Are you set on anywhere?
What I did to find programs was go to the Florida Board of Nursing Web site, clicked on their education page and then clicked on the link titled "Approved Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse programs" and then printed out the list, and highlighted all the programs that were within driving distance - up to an hour. Unfortunately all I found in Polk County for LPN programs were Traviss Technical Center in Lakeland and Ridge Technical Center in Winter Haven. So there's only two options here that I know of. I plan to apply to both - application isn't until this winter, for next summer's programs - and there are many more applicants than there are slots, and no waiting list - either you get in or you don't. In Tampa, I found Brewster and Erwin, and a school called Gulf Coast College, which I couldn't find much information on.
Then in Orlando and Osceola County, there are about half a dozen, and I'm debating it but it's over an hour drive. I think the key is to appy to all the schools that you'd be willing to drive to, and accept the fact that it will probably be a year before you can start. Unless you go to Galen in St. Petersburg, which is a long drive and costs $14,400 for their tuition - you can get in there pretty quickly.
Hmm, that is good to know about TECO. If only it were closer. And if only Lakeland programs had more openings for LPNs. But I still will probably apply to TECO, and Orange Technical Education Center in Orlando as well, because they seem to let people in faster and they're way cheap compared to places like Galen and Keiser and FMU. I talked to Americare today too - $15,500, I believe, but they are accepting people for September still. And the lady said their program is only 11 months.
I personally am not financially ready to start school in September - I need to pay down my credit card over the next few months and save up some money - I'm thinking starting school either after December, or next summer. But it's good to know what my options are.
I believe TECO is about $4,000, but that is including all the entrance fees, drug testing, background, parking fee, etc. - Everything from start to finish.
I live halfway between Lakeland and Kissimmee - we could car pool :nuke:
Hey, Chanzes, sorry it took me a while to respond! I would take you up on the carpooling thing but I'm not actually trying to get into an LPN school until next summer. This upcoming year, I'm just going to take RN prerequisites at PCC, while saving up money and paying down my credit card so that when I start LPN school I'll have a financial cushion.
byrdnest
24 Posts
CONGATS i'll be going there to in jan. when are you starting? Lucky for me i didn't have to wait i submitted my stuff by the due date and i got my card that said i started Jan08. Good Luck!