Help!? Is $27,000 too much to LVN and RN school??

MsSocalRN · Oct 20, 2009

Can you afford this and what are your other options?

MsSocalRN · Oct 20, 2009

Also what state are you in?

David Offenbaker, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2009

I started the RN program at Galen, was doing well, but really did not like the program at all. I left after my 3rd quarter. The cost of just the RN program for me, even going in with pre-req's, was over 20K. Someone told you 12K? It had no structure and the class that is just now graduating did horrible on their exit exams-- I know this from a friend who is in the first graduating class and she too said she'd never recommend the program to anyone.

If I were you, I'd either go to:

Baptist

SAC

Excelsior College

I would never recommend Galen's LVN to RN program, though I hear their LVN program is good despite being expensive.

Dave

ladybugme! · Oct 21, 2009

thanks for you input...but is that a legit amount of money to pay?!?

nursemike, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2009

This is one of those questions each of us probably has to answer for ourselves, but I'm inclined to be a bit promiscuous with my advice. That sure sounds like a lot of money. Worth it? Well, tuition can be a very good investment. If you have a long career ahead of you, you could easily make it up in better pay over, say, a job in retail sales or food service. Of course, there are lots of ways to make a decent living, including some that are easier and/or pay better than nursing. But if you like nursing (I do) it's a good way to make living wages and feel useful. Better than average job security, too.

The specific course you've described has pros and cons. Getting started as an LVN could help finance the RN bridge. Some facilities even help with tuition. In my area, though, LPNs are pretty seriously underpaid, except in long-term care, where you can make ok money but earn every cent. Working as an LVN/LPN seems like great experience--nothing prepares you for being a nurse like being a nurse--but economically, going straight for your RN probably makes better sense, if you can.

In my area, you can get LPN training through the public vocational school in a year's time, for about $3000. (It was actually a good deal less, when I looked into it, but that was several years ago, and there are books and uniforms to consider.) $12,000 sounds awfully high, but I don't know what alternatives are in your area.

I went for an associate's degree at a local community college which was around 1500/semester for five semesters. Tuition tends to be a bargain in my state (WV). Our university gets students from all over the mid-Atlantic. I've heard it's less expensive to pay our out-of-state tuition than to pay in-state in NJ. Tuition at my CC was about the same as the university, per semester, but my ASN took half the time (roughly) as a BSN, and entry-level hospital RN pays the same, either way.

So, I would really, really, really recommend shopping around a bit before jumping in. I can't imagine an associate's degree from a community college costing much more that the LVN program you mention, and a good deal less is certainly possible. It's typically a year longer, but you'd be making decent money right out of school. There are lots of RN-to-BSN programs if you want to complete your bachelor's degree, later. I still intend to do that, although I am finding it's mighty nice to be out of school and I haven't been breaking my neck to get back in. If I were younger, though, I'd be looking a lot harder at eventually going for a master's program, and maybe even a doctorate.

David Offenbaker, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2009

It is a lot of money, especially to me since I only spent about 6K on my LVN schooling. It would have been around 2,500, but I was out of district and the fees added up. But, if you feel it is worth it, then that is all you need. It's all up to you, and yes some will say you overpaid, but education in the long-run will always cost more than you want it to :twocents: .

I went to Coastal Bend College (http://www.coastalbend.edu/Occu/Nursing/welcome_to_nursing_at_coastal_be.htm) just south of San Antonio in Plesanton. It was a GREAT school with small class sizes (we had 14). The lead instructor is great, as are the rest of the staff. I would say go there. It is about 30 minutes from San Antonio, but 6K vs. 12K is much better. Even though the drive is further, you'd still be saving in the long-run and would benefit from smaller class size and more individualized teaching. They also are due to start their RN program in Fall 2010.

Dave

questionsforall · Oct 21, 2009

I went to community college and got my associates degree in nursing (from about 2003-2005). Each semester was about $1,500. I went for two years. So, I spent about $6,000 on tuition. Including books and other fees (uniforms and equipment and such). To become an RN I spent under $10,000 . ( I had a previous degree in a non-nursing field at private school and I don't even want to discuss that). Anyway, then I worked as an RN and did a RN-BSN program and my hospital reinbursed me the tuition, so besides books my bsn was free as well.

So, If you really like the program than I would stick with it, but I would consider the other options that you may have as well. Maybe there is something better for you.

moviefan2000 · Oct 21, 2009

27,000 is a lot of money; you should definitely shop around! I live and work in NJ as an LPN. I graduated in 2007 from a one-year vocational school that cost 16,000. Then I paid about 8,000 going for my RN through Excelsior (rough estimate). Now I am waiting for my NCLEX-date. If I could do it over, I would still go for an LPN license first, because it gave me a chance to see if nursing was a good choice for me, and I didn't have to take out any student loans for the RN program. (After getting my first paycheck I started paying off my LPN-debt; and when it was done I started with Excelsior.) However, now I know that I should have checked out other LPN-schools, instead of signing up for the first one, because -as I found out way too late - mine was ridiculously overpriced, and I could have applied to other good, cheaper programs in the area.

Good luck with your studies!

caliotter3 · Oct 21, 2009

Since you are attending a private program, these prices are reasonable. You can do better at a community college if you want to wait or risk not being accepted. Have you looked for a ROP course for LVN? This is another good, cheap place for the LVN program.

jetsabel621 · Oct 21, 2009

$12,000 is actually on the lower end of the tuition costs I've seen and heard about for PN schools. Is there a public technical school in your area that offers a PN program? I got into one nearby and it was only $5500.

I suppose it's up to you whether or not it's worth the money - it's either money or wait for a spot in the RN program, which I've had great difficulty getting into myself.

Good luck!

Blakpepa · Oct 21, 2009

Before you even considering spending a dime, do your research. Check out the facilities and the creditials of the instructors on the schools website. If possible, get feedback from students. There is nothing worse then going to a school, spending a lot of money and getting absolutely no help from your instructors. Also, check out the exam pass rate with the BON.

If there are no waiting list for the public colleges in your area, then spending that much money on education that is comparable with a community college is just a waste of money.