Community College vs. Private College

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Hi,

I'm very new to this forum and I'm looking for as many responses as possible:

I am currently attending a community college in Florida and I am so shocked about the waiting lists for nursing school. Even when I finish my pre-reqs...I have to wait and see if I'm good enough to be accepted...It's so frustrating because I really do want to be a nurse....

I went to visit Keiser University in Orlando yesterday for information and they made things sound so tempting.....They have a class starting in May '09....It's 26 months and that includes all of the pre-reqs. It's so expensive: 38K for an Associate Degree. What should I do??? Does anyone know about Keiser University??? Should I wait and go to a community college or should I take the LPN route and bridge into RN???? I keep hearing rumors that LPN's are being phased out.....I know I have alot of questions and I would really appreciate any feedback.

Thank you for your time...

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

What you need to do, is weigh it out.

Let's say the cost of the tuition for a year at the public school was $10,000 and the one at the private school was $40,000...that is a $30,000 difference.

If the waiting list was, let's say two years, if when you graduate, if you can pay, $15,000 back in loans per year without struggling, then yes, sign up for the private school.

But if that would financially cripple you, then wait the two years.

You see what I'm saying?

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For a private school, that cost is reasonable for an RN program. Some people pay near that amount for an LPN program. One thing you should consider is whether or not the courses will transfer should you decide to continue your education. You don't want to have to repeat everything because courses won't transfer.

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You're right callioter3, I will definitely find out if Keiser University is regionally accredited.....I need to hurry and make a decision soon!!! Thank you!!!

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Keiser is not only SACS accredited but also has NLN (national) accreditation. I go to Keiser campus in Melbourne and will graduate in July of this year.

I opted for Keiser for two reasons, its reputation with the local medical community and because I didn't have to wait years on a waiting list. The cost made me nervous, but it will be manageable once I am out of school and working.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU

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Yes, they are phasing out LPNs at hospitals. They can get new jobs at nursing homes though.

My school is 25k per year..but I didnt have to wait all that time for the CC waiting list. The $$ you can make as an RN will easily make up for the extra $$ from school. Their are so many ppl trying to get into CC, that even after all that time with prereqs, even if your an excellent student (I had a 3.5), you may not get in to clinical. I live in PA tho.

Consider this...im 50k in debt, ill pay about 500 per month in loans. But, even if im only making 21-22 per hr as an rn, that wont be a prob. Some hospitals have weekend programs where you work 2 12 hour shifts on sat and sun, but get paid for 40hrs with benefits. You can go get another POOL job somewhere else and work on a few of other 5 days u have off then, and make like 100k per year. Doesnt that make that 500$, and all the time u save on waiting lists for a long shot worth it?

Plus, even better then money, you have a job that you love, with limitless growth potentional and specialtys!

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