HELP ME PLEASE!!

NM nurse to be · Jan 27, 2010

Do the state run programs include community colleges and vocational training schools? If those are still available, they are mostly affordable. Or there aren't any in this state but in IL, the hospital system near me ran a nursing school and it was pretty affordable. Is there anything like that near you?

I ran into this difficulty when I was living in PA, which is partly why I moved 2000 miles away I couldn't afford to live and do school in that area and wanted to live somewhere else, so I picked a place where tuition is free in the community college system. Some people thought I was nuts for tossing it all up and coming here but it's been totally worth it.

lpnhopeful21 · Jan 27, 2010

Well the deal is that the state's in a serious budget deficit situation and they're looking to make cuts in just about any area they can. So they decide to start with nursing which honestly I think is just about the stupidest thing in the world! But, they cut out technical vocational centers and the community colleges in this area all have 2 year RN Programs, the only problem with those is that they offer them on a full time - day schedule which is really inconvenient as I work during the day. So right now I'll probably either need to switch my work schedule to evenings (if I can) or go to a program in another nearby state where they do have an evening LPN program. Please please please somebody help!

StudentNurse2142 · Jan 27, 2010

for $20,00-40,000 go to your state school and get a BSN! Holy ****!

ItsTheDude · Jan 27, 2010

sounds like the gov has made the decision for you, u either enter what's available (adn/bsn) or go to another state's lpn program.

i'm sure the current lpn's n your state love the move by the gov, supply and demand.

lpnhopeful21 · Jan 28, 2010

Well honestly, eventually I know I'd want to take the adn program at one of the community colleges in the area, but the problem with them is that they offer the program during the day only, they don't offer evening programs. I work during the day, so the adn is a great opportunity for someone who works evenings, but conventionally I need to find an evening program. And yes the private LPN programs around here run anywhere between 20 - 35,000 thousand bucks a pop. So that is absolutely not an option for me. Does anyone know of a closeby LPN program in this area that doesn't cost a fortune to take? Otherwise, I might have to quit my job to take the adn program....HELP!!

vanlo001 · Jan 28, 2010

We all made sacrifices to get through school. Changing your work schedule - or finding a job that will allow you to work nights or weekends seems more reasonable than paying such a crazy cost for your LPN. Go for your ADN- it will absolutely be worth it.

lpnhopeful21 · Jan 28, 2010

Yeah? Whats really the biggest difference between the adn and the bsn besides stating the obvious two different degrees. But in the workforce what seems to be the differences between the adn and the bsn in the work that they do? And how difficult would it be to actually get into the adn program? See right now I work as a CNA at a CNA school. I'm one of the school's CNA program administrators. In high school I didn't do great becuase I didn't have my head screwed on right :-P But now - I have a clear idea of where I wanna go and what I wanna do. I just need to find the path to get there ya know? It's so difficult. Everywhere you turn fake promises and broken plans. I just want a straightforward way to excell my career in nursing. I got into this field not for money, I wouldn't care if they paid me 15 bucks an hour to be an RN at some facility, I got into it because I care about people and I sincerely want to make that difference that can change a patients idea of the kind of care they're recieving. Please someone help me get on the right path to start my career off. I desperately need some good ole fashion guidance. Thank you.

vanlo001 · Jan 28, 2010

Lpnhopeful,

There us not a tremendous amount of difference between the ADN and BSN in the workplace. They are both RNs and a great deal of RN training is on the job. The BSN gives you more options in the future, more classes on ethics and public health nursing and creating change. Get a BSN if you want to advance in the future. HOWEVER there is huge difference between the LPN and the RN. To all those LPNs out there, I feel you are completely capable of doing many of the tasks of an RN but you are limited by your scope of practice, they need to be supervised by an RN, and job opportunities and pay scales are much less.

I care, I'm not in it for the money, I do this because I care and love advocating for my patient. As an LPN depending on where you work you may not be able to advocate for your patient. You will have to go to your RN- state your findings and she will reassess or go on your word or ignore your assessments. It sounds like you got your head screwed on right. Start with the prereqs at a community college. Be vocal with your college about your goals and get opinions from those around you. They will know how difficult it is to get into school. Of course this is just my viewpoint. I'm sure there are many happy LPNs out there and hopefully they will post to this thread. But you effectively said that option was taken off the table by your government. Best of luck to you whatever direction you decide to take.

caliotter3 · Jan 28, 2010

sounds like the gov has made the decision for you, u either enter what's available (adn/bsn) or go to another state's lpn program.
i'm sure the current lpn's n your state love the move by the gov, supply and demand.

Agree with this. Take what is available or travel to the next state over to get an LPN program. Awful situation. Wonder how long it will be before the jerk in the governor's seat in bankrupt CA gets this bright idea. :eek:

lpnhopeful21 · Jan 28, 2010

Well, I guess in the end it's about the sacrifices I have to make to get to my desired destination. In the end my end goal was always to become an RN whether that meant continuing for a BSN or bridging the LPN to an RN program. In reality though that means tough months up ahead. But, it looks like I'm going to have to cut my losses and do the adn program at my local community college. The only issue I know I'll have with that is finding the time do it because I live such a crazy hectic work life. But somehow I'll make it out. Thanks everyone for helping me out with this situation. I mean many people say that it's tough to go back to school when you're older and have responsibilities beyond control, but in one aspect its become easier for me - i now have a better idea of what I want to do with my life and how I want to go about doing it. The question is - where do I start? I guess the answer that question is start at the community college and do my pre-reqs for the ADN program. Thanks to everyone who lended me their opinions, thoughts and views. Sincerely, lpnhopeful21

vanlo001 · Jan 28, 2010

It's tough but not impossible LPNhopeful. I am finishing my last class for a bsn after having my adn for 18 years. Once you get connected it will become clear how you can do it all there will bumps and days you just feel like there is no way you can keep going. But think of it as an investment in yourself. You deserve this and you can do it. Icouldnt up the number of couses it took me to get my BSN and I think it was 16 courses. That's alot. But I'm almost done and as an adult learner it meant that much more and I'm coming out with a 3.63 grade point a lot higher than my original GPA. Congratulations on this new beginning.