ECPI?????????? Please Comment???

U.S.A. North Carolina

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I basically wanted to know if anyone has any experience with ECPI in Charlotte NC. Im going Monday to take my TEAS test and I know the LPN course is stupid high:idea: but I need to take an Lpn course. Charlotte doesnt have cc with lpn courses. Only small towns near charlotte that are completely far away from me. I really would appreciate your feedback.

Thank You for your time:heartbeat

thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

I just PM'd you with my number...

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i graduated last year from the night program.

feel free to send me a msg if you have any questions. :)

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Hey I got a question...How long did it take you to find a job? How much did your first job start you off with? What do you think about the LPN program in Raleigh at ECPI? Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.
Hey I got a question...How long did it take you to find a job? How much did your first job start you off with? What do you think about the LPN program in Raleigh at ECPI? Thanks in advance!

i had an advantage because i was a paramedic so i was already working in a health care facility and they hired me on as a LPN. my first job was on a med/surg GI unit, making $20 an hour. the job i work now is $23.50 an hour working on a telemetry/PCU (i moved out of state). however, i do get more than the average because they count my paramedic experience in my pay, and i work nights on a specialized unit. my best friend up in raleigh that is a LPN makes about $16 an hour working in an outpt day surgery center.

most of my friends that i graduated with are either just advanced at their old jobs wherever they were working before as CNA's and such, have stayed in their non nursing jobs (i guess pay is better?) or have picked up some part time jobs at SNFs/LTC's. i am not sure how great the job market for LPNs is in the raleigh/durham area right now. i know the jobs are out there, but theres alot of competition for them.

to be honest, the program is difficult but doable and you need to be very focused and disciplined to get through it, just like any other nursing program. it's all about what works best for you and your family. i couldn't afford to not work, and i was on the waiting list for so long, so thats why i went to ECPI. i am broke as a joke right now because almost a quarter of my pay goes back to those loans... but what you pay for is convenience.

nursing school is just a stepping stone, which is something you will see... no one can teach you how to be a nurse and the most important lessons are the ones you learn in the field.... but as far as laying a foundation, it's a good choice.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

The only thing I don't like about ECPI is if you want to advance in the future and become a RN, that those credits taken at ECPI will not count towards your prerequisites.So basically if you need the english, math, AP 1/2 and psych you will need to take it in the future. If you have take most of your classes at community college, then you should have nothing to worry about. I considered ECPI when I didn't get in the RN program. I instead went to Central Carolin Community College in Sanford and got my LPN for about 3k. I traveled 1hr each way to get there but it was an excellent program.They never have a wait list and they are admitting all summer. If you have taken English 111, Math 070 and Chemistry you could probably get in.My friend went to ECPI and she has to pay $500 a month for 5 yrs. That is a lot of money considering you will probably make $16-20 in LTC and $12-15 in a clinic. Most hopspitals are not hiring LPN's. If this option works best for you I wish you much success in your studies.

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NC Girl, did you also get your RN education at CC or did you go elsewhere?

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
NC Girl, did you also get your RN education at CC or did you go elsewhere?

I had to go the non traditional route to get my RN. I completed my LPN at CC and immediatley enrolled in Excelsior College in Albany NY. Its a self pace alternative online type of college for people who have a LPN, EMT or completed over 50% of RN school. It really was a stressful but great experience for me. I completed the program in 12 months. I really tried to get into a traditional RN school for 2 yrs. I actually applied to 8 local CC. It was always an excuse. Net or HOBET test not high enough, need Chem by March, Too many people and not enough slots, people living in the same county get first pick. I wanted to scream!!!! I had a BS degree in another field, 3.5 GPA. Won the 2006 Nurse Scholars scholarship for 2 year all expense paid tution and could not get into a CC to save my life. I was determined to get my RN so I applied to Central Carolina Community college RN program and missed the NET test cut off score by 5 points. They said it was too late to take it again but I could get into their LPN program. I didn't want to do it but boy am I glad I did. I was a CNA at the time and alot of my co-worker were hatin on me because I was doing the LPN vs RN. I did it anyway because I felt that it was getting me that much closer to my goal of becoming an RN. My path was truly meant to happen this way. I do not regret it at all. That is why I think that people should take hold to their destiny and acheive their dreams. ECPI is not a bad option, I think that sometimes they don't volunteer all the information needed to give you a clear picture. It just bothers me that the tuition is so expensive but so it Duke and other private schools so who an I to judge, it is what it is. I probably would have done ECPI but I had 10k in other student loans and I felt that it was not the best for my situation. Again Good Luck! Sorry to ramble on so much.

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Thank you so much for sharing this!!

Its good to know that there are many routes to the same destination...

Congrats on completing your RN so quickly..

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Cleveland Community also has an LPN program. It is only 45 minutes outside of charlotte. I would much rather drive that far then pay out the butt for the same degree

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab.

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. I am a 34 yr old divorced mom & I NEED a career change. I have been seriously considering taking the LPN course at ECPI, but the cost terrifies me. We're barely getting by now, so adding another debt like that is scary. But, I've been doing in home childcare for 10 years, and I NEED a change. I have a high school diploma and that's it. The local community college (CCPC) does not offer an LPN program. The closest to me would be the CPCC Levine campus, which is an hour away, and the program seems much more intesive than ECPI. Being a divorced mom, I need a fastrack program and NEED to make a minimum of $14/hr to get by. Are there other alternatives? I had considered medical assisting, but it looks like LPN's make more $$ for less schooling??

ECPI is the closest program to me, so that with the option of evening classes would be ideal. I'm in north Charlotte. Since I do not have ANY medical training or experiece (aside from CPR/First Aid certification), would I even qualify? Are there pre-requisites?

Thanks!!!

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HS Diploma and all your medical records up to date, shots, etc. $180. at RCC and books $85. State exam around $92. and some of this is reimbursed if employed in a meticad/medicare facility. Download the candidate handbook here from my blog if you like. http://bonesxxx.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/nc-nurse-aide-i-canidate-handbook/

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. I am a 34 yr old divorced mom & I NEED a career change. I have been seriously considering taking the LPN course at ECPI, but the cost terrifies me. We're barely getting by now, so adding another debt like that is scary. But, I've been doing in home childcare for 10 years, and I NEED a change. I have a high school diploma and that's it. The local community college (CCPC) does not offer an LPN program. The closest to me would be the CPCC Levine campus, which is an hour away, and the program seems much more intesive than ECPI. Being a divorced mom, I need a fastrack program and NEED to make a minimum of $14/hr to get by. Are there other alternatives? I had considered medical assisting, but it looks like LPN's make more $$ for less schooling??

ECPI is the closest program to me, so that with the option of evening classes would be ideal. I'm in north Charlotte. Since I do not have ANY medical training or experiece (aside from CPR/First Aid certification), would I even qualify? Are there pre-requisites?

Thanks!!!

If you only want your LPN then ECPI might be the program for you. I would definetly see how much financial aid you can get. Since you are a single parent, would probably get the max 4k for pell grant and you might qualify for some more grants. I would not do ECPI if I had to pay over 15k after financial aid. It really comes down to what the job market in you area looks like. Good Luck!

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