Id Like To Become An LVN But Dont Know where to start

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A few years ago I went to school for Medical Office, and well nobody seems to want to hire one unless you can do Medical Assistant as well. So I figured if I was going to go back to school I would like to go to be an LVN instead. Ive had lots of people (who arent LVNS) tell me the best way is to take a quick 5 week course CNA program we have here then enter the LVN program.

There is a couple of schools here that offer the LVN program but because of my husbands income I do not qualify for financial aid, one of the schools doesnt offer loans and the other I was told is extremely expensive. Unfortunetly his income is not enough for me to pay for full time sessions and the school wont let me take a few classes at a time soo my question is ... if I become a Medical Assistant (where I do qualify for a loan) instead is there an exam I can take in order to be qualified to become an LVN without having to go to school for it?

I know its a long shot, but financially the only thing I can do is become a CNA and take a phlebotomy course, or get my MA. What in your opinions would be better for me to find a job?

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Student loans for a state LVN school.

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Specializes in HOME HEALTH.

check out ur local technology school

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sorry all I guess my first post didnt make sense ... I did check with my local technology school and I have looked in loans BUT ...

we have only 2 schools, I do NOT qualify for financial aide which both offer, but 1 of the 2 schools does NOT offer loans and the other school that does is 3 times the price! (so ive heard Im not even sure how much the lvn program should cost.

Either way rereading it now I see my only option is pretty obvious, if the only way to enter is to pay the more expensive one but qualify for loans I guess thats how I will have to do it. They also offer a CNA program which I was told to take first but they charge $1000 for it, Ive seen other ads for like $300. Thank you to those that tried to help me out :)

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

Could you share which area of Texas you live in? That might help some us to give you more accurate advice.

I agree that some private schools charge ridiculous amounts for LVN programs. I attended one of those private schools a few years ago. It was expensive and I did not qualify for financial aid either. Federal student loans paid for most of the tuition, the rest was on a monthly payment plan while I was in school. Now I pay about $90/month for the next few years. In my first year as an LVN, I made back at least 2 1/2 times the cost of tuition. As an LVN you will be making much better money and have more job demand than CNA or MA. You are paying for the convenience of easy acceptance and no prerequisites. Just something to think about.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
if I become a Medical Assistant (where I do qualify for a loan) instead is there an exam I can take in order to be qualified to become an LVN without having to go to school for it?

To answer this question: No, not in Texas. You must graduate from an approved nursing program to be eligible to sit for boards.

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kat thanks so much you helped me decide more definite. I am really looking forward to it. I havent been in school for years so the I am really worried about the exams.

Fortunetly I wont be able to go back till next school year because my mom is going to retire and baby sit my kiddos for waaaaaaaay less than a daycare LOL.

So during this time I am going to study my buns off. Im so horrible at algebra so Ive been taking the practice tests online to see where I need the most help and maybe get a tutor or something.

Oh and I am in deep south texas, the Rio Grande Valley area in Mcallen.

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Vee, you won't need algebra for LVN. Get down fractions, percentages - it's all basic arithmetic.

:)

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Vee, you won't need algebra for LVN. Get down fractions, percentages - it's all basic arithmetic.

Really? OMG I just realized I had been practicing the NCLEX-PN thats the test for RN right? LOL! The test I will have to take is called the NCLE-PN but I cant find any practice exams or study guides online for that one.

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You don't need algebra for RN, either.

Are you trying to do medication dosages? That does not require algebra.

http://www.amazon.com/Dosage-Calculations-Made-Incredibly-Easy/dp/1605471976/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253836308&sr=8-1

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Oh, and PN stands for PRACTICAL, or in Texas, vocational, nurse.

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