I need to make money

U.S.A. Missouri

Published

Sorry Im posting like a crazed nut. But I have a question regarding becoming a LPN or CNA in st.louis. I have two kids I need to support and I need to work at least part time. where do you get licenesed to be a LPN or CNA in st.louis? Can anyone reccommend where I can look for a part time job in this field. I have called several hospitals one st.Johns Mercy has a PCA program but you have to train and pass exams and then I think you get paid, well I need to reverse that I need to work part time and make a small income to cover some college cost like my SUV and $4 a gallon gas. So please Some advice and I promise I will lay back on all the questions!!!

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I probably won't be able to help much, but there aren't any other posts so I wanted to offer you what I'm aware of. I know that University of Pheonix has an LPN program, but my general understanding is that in this area LPNs are being phased out a bit. I have double checked some of the websites for schools in the area for you, but I can only find ones that offer a bridge program for LPNs. However, my information should by no means be taken as gospel, and there may be one out there with an LPN program that I just haven't thought of.

HTH

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If you want to work as a LPN or a CNA, you still have to complete some type of training program at the a Sanford Brown College. If you really want to pursue your RN, this is not the way to go.

The PCA program at St. John's is the best way to get your foot in the door. You are not going to make a lot of money in entry level healthcare no matter where you work, but you have to start somewhere. But you have to take St. John's 5 week course, (and YES, you get paid the entire 5 weeks), then take an exam to pass (which I was told is a piece of cake.) And that is it. The course is like Mon-Fri 7:30-4 or something like that. And then after you pass, you are placed on a floor that works for them and you. However, if you do not pass the final test, you are terminated. But, the test I was told, is not that hard.

Good Luck, and relax. It will all work out.:nurse:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Jefferson Comm. College has an LPN program; I'm not sure who else does -- St.Charles?

But you don't get paid to attend those. And I would steer so far away from Standford Brown if you've got money issues. The prices you will pay for classes there could feed a small city for a year and very few places here hire LPNs anymore anyway as noted above.

Your best bet is to get on with a hospital like St. John's or Barnes and working as an Patient Care Tech/Aide. While you're doing that, you can begin your quest for your RN either through a community college or a university or Barnes' progam.

There really are no shortcuts to this career. The advantage of working as a tech in a hospital around here is that once you graduate from a program you have preference in the hiring process.

Best wishes!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Research, ER, PACU, Pheresis.

if you want to do LPN first, i say go for it---i also needed to make money fast and support my three children after a divorce. i attended the LPN program at West County Tech 98-99 (cost approx $7500) at that time--i think the program has moved, but they can give you information about it if you call the school---i made more money as an LPN than I made the first 2 years of being an RN--it can work--i also worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday at St. John's as a medical asst at a psychiatry office while i was in school. I am glad I went on to RN school, but i had to do what i had to do at the time--the course was 1 year, wasn't easy and you have to dedicate a lot of time to it, but it can be done

btw, i've heard the tale that "they are phasing out lpn's" since i went to lpn school--hasn't happened yet--i was an lpn for 5 years before completing rn school and worked full time doing all sorts of things from research nurse to med surg to psych--good luck

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I would just like to make some suggestions. If you would like to get some quick education, I would suggest going to get your CNA. I was a CNA for four years and it paid my bills. I would suggest, depending on where you live, going to the Cedars At the JCA and applying for a feeder position with them and then they'll pay for your CNA course. And if you decide that you want to go back to school, go back for LPN or RN whatever you want to do. I would also like to comment on everyone's OPINION about Sanford Brown College. I went there for my LPN and I'm very happy that I did. I make very good money and I will ALWAYS have a job. LPN's run the nursing homes. And I will be going back to Sanford Brown in January for the RN 12 mth bridge program! Your education is what you make of it. Take into consideration everyones advise and follow your heart.:wink2:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
I would just like to make some suggestions. If you would like to get some quick education, I would suggest going to get your CNA. I was a CNA for four years and it paid my bills. I would suggest, depending on where you live, going to the Cedars At the JCA and applying for a feeder position with them and then they'll pay for your CNA course. And if you decide that you want to go back to school, go back for LPN or RN whatever you want to do. I would also like to comment on everyone's OPINION about Sanford Brown College. I went there for my LPN and I'm very happy that I did. I make very good money and I will ALWAYS have a job. LPN's run the nursing homes. And I will be going back to Sanford Brown in January for the RN 12 mth bridge program! Your education is what you make of it. Take into consideration everyones advise and follow your heart.:wink2:

Just compare the cost of that program and also the willingness of local hospitals to hire RNs who were educated there. Also, check with local universities to ensure that the courses -- time and money -- that you spend at SB are transferable should one chose to go on for BSN or beyond.

That would be a true shame to spend thousands of dollars for an education that would limit one's future. Particularly when one can spend a little more time doing prereqs and then ultimately the nursing course at one of the community colleges for less than a $1000/semester.

And unless someone is earning more than $10-12/hour after taking a CNA course, I don't know the merits of doing that v. taking a tech position in any of the local hospitals.

Just my :twocents: worth....

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Yes I agree. I plan to become a Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Practioner and you have to be very careful even some of the local community colleges are not accreditted to where you can transfer to a university, Sanford Brown is NOT one of them. $20,000.00 down the drain. I have a friend who attended there and she wants to get her BSN guess what she found out she cant transfer anything and she makes $12 and hr. and she is stuck paying back a HUGE loan, low pay and her dreams for now are just that dreams. Im going to attend a community college that have transfer aggrements with University of Missouri st.Louis, and I have an advisor at UMSl she gave me the heads up. Even Mineral Area College has a RN program but thats all you'll be a RN forget the BSN unless your wanting to come out of pocket and start from scratch. I have another friend who is a RN through Mineral Area college and she makes $50,000 a year has four kids a husband who makes a good living as well and she is totally happy, they live in a small town and the living cost is very low. she would be fine financially making what she does living there and has no intention going for a BSN. She says she very happy and the have a comfy life but she admits it does bother her a little that the college limits peoples option. I think it's all about where you wantt o go with this career. I want to move up the ladder so BSN s a must for me.

Just compare the cost of that program and also the willingness of local hospitals to hire RNs who were educated there. Also, check with local universities to ensure that the courses -- time and money -- that you spend at SB are transferable should one chose to go on for BSN or beyond.

That would be a true shame to spend thousands of dollars for an education that would limit one's future. Particularly when one can spend a little more time doing prereqs and then ultimately the nursing course at one of the community colleges for less than a $1000/semester.

And unless someone is earning more than $10-12/hour after taking a CNA course, I don't know the merits of doing that v. taking a tech position in any of the local hospitals.

Just my :twocents: worth....

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Specializes in Emergency.
Just compare the cost of that program and also the willingness of local hospitals to hire RNs who were educated there. Also, check with local universities to ensure that the courses -- time and money -- that you spend at SB are transferable should one chose to go on for BSN or beyond.

That would be a true shame to spend thousands of dollars for an education that would limit one's future. Particularly when one can spend a little more time doing prereqs and then ultimately the nursing course at one of the community colleges for less than a $1000/semester.

And unless someone is earning more than $10-12/hour after taking a CNA course, I don't know the merits of doing that v. taking a tech position in any of the local hospitals.

Just my :twocents: worth....

WDW...CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a nurse!! YOU DID IT!!! :) YAAY !!! :) :yeah:

*SORRY everyone that was WAY off topic, but she deserves applause!*

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
WDW...CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a nurse!! YOU DID IT!!! YAAY !!!

*SORRY everyone that was WAY off topic, but she deserves applause!*

I did it!! I did it!! I'm so pleased with myself!! It CAN be done, lol!!!

Now, comes the REAL work -- learning how to be a REAL nurse!!:chuckle :( :chuckle

Thanks for the congrats!!

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