Changing Careers at 31

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when i was a kiddo i always wanted to be a nurse... somehow when i graduated from highschool i opted to be a business major and went into the construction field... now, 10 years later i want to be a nurse!! so i have been researching the best way to go about this while still working my current job (2 mortgages and bills to pay so i can't quit and go back full time). i have been to a few "techincal schools" that want $25k up front for an lvn program which i can bridge to rn later... i went to one school that said to start with a cna and phlebotomy course which is only $1k and will cut off some of the classes in lvn training. does anyone have any advice on which way to go? pay the $25k up front for lvn? take the $1k course first? thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.....

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Specializes in None.

25K is way too much. Contact your local community or technical college. The program is only one year. If it is still too much, start out with the CNA then your employer may reimburse some classes as you ascend through the ranks.

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Thanks for the input.... Community college was A LOT cheaper but they have a wait to get in... AT this point I am just hoping to sell a few houses to pay the $25k:-)

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I was in your situation at age 34. I couldn't get into RN programs in my area with a 3.7 GPA.The schools had 900 people applying for 60 slots. I applied to a LPN program at a CC 1hr and 15 min each way from my home and got in. It was a hard year but I made it through and signed up with Excelsior 2 months after graduating. I finished the RN program in less than a year. I am now a RN getting Ready to start my new job at age 36. I can't say paying 25 grand for a LPN degree is a great idea unless you have exhausted all the CC options.

I also want to throw out that the LPN program you describe sounds like a Technical school like ECPI or something to that degree. The only problem I have with those schools is that the prerequistes that you take through them DO NOT TRANSFER to CC or Universities. The class usually last about 8 week and then you move to the next subject. This school is fine if you want to just be an LPN. If you later decide to get your RN, you have to take all the prerequsites before your local CC will let you into their program. Once you factor in the length to complete the classes and the fierce competition, it could be another 3-4 years. Good Luck to you and do your homework before paying that kind of money for your LPN degree.

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that sounds crazy. I'm 36 (btw) and looking into an LPN program through a local technical college. It's like $8K or something for the year. There are only 3 prereqs (choice of 1 semester or 2 semester A&P, nutrition, and English 101), and you have to pass some sort of adult ed test. I plan on either doing an LPN to RN after that, or something. It's 90 minutes away, and a total pain to do, but I feel it will be worth it. They even have a 2 year plan, where you go part time to get the LPN.

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i hope i am not too late, but is there an accelerated program in one of the colleges near you. i am in the same boat as you and i am now beginning to start a nursing program soon (after i finish my prerequisites). i plan on getting into the accelerated program in a college near me. what state do you live in and i will look up a program for you and post it to this site. cause paying $25k up front seems a bit much. but if you want to continue after you get a lpn degree from a tech school the credits will not transfer. now i am not sure about a community college i guess it depends on the school and their accreditation. finding the right school is hard, just make sure you do all of the research you could possibly do before you decide on a school or program. i would hate for you to get a degree that will have you stuck or have you starting from scratch just to get to the next level.

good luck:yeah:

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I know that the local tech college I am looking at, the credits do transfer to RN programs. I'm in CO, and there's this CO articulation model that's sort of a ladder to move you up to further education. Of course, each RN program may have some variation, with respect to prerequisities, etc... but from what I understand, this particular LPN program is very highly regarded and graduates go onto get their RN. (oh, btw, as far as *prereqs* transfering...I don't know. I'm taking mine through a local 4 year college. This tech college doesn't offer the prereqs.)

I've looked at an accelerated BSN program too, and the only one in our state is at Regis University-a private Jesuit college, and the program is $30Kish. I don't want that kind of loan (plus the program is 4 hours away...I'd essentially have to move away from my husband and kids for a year).

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Ok, well thats good. I am just glad you did your homework as far as credits and transfers go. I had a friend who thought her tech school credits would transfer to a regular college. I wish you luck.:nurse::up:

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Never too late, I was thirty, always wanted to do it

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