Interesting LPN Program: Thoughts

[Donald11]

I was just researching LPN programs in my area and came across this program from a private for profit school. (I'm leaning toward private programs since the traditional schools are just very competitive to get into)

What I found interesting about the program is that there are only 4 nursing classes (assuming pharamacology is a nursing class and not a pre-requ). The other 2 schools I checked out recently had 8 and 10 nursing class. Why do you think the program is set up this way? Is there less content or did they combine classes? Do you recommend a program with only 4 nursing classes?

For reference, here is the program:

Pharmacology: PHARM 102

Term 2: Introduction to Client Centered Care LPN 101

Term 3:Care of the Client with Self-Care Deficits I LPN 102

Term 4: Care of the Client with Self-Care Deficits II LPN 103

Completion Time Day Program:Four Terms at 15 weeks each (1440 Clock Hours, 60 weeks) Evening Program : Four Terms at 15 weeks each (1440 Clock Hours, 60 weeks)

LPN 101 focuses on all aspects of Fundamentals of Nursing and introductory Geriatric concepts applicable to all clinical areas in practical nursing. LPN 102 addresses all aspects of Medical-Surgical Nursing and LPN 103 focuses on Childbearing/Childrearing, Mental Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Emergency Nursing and Leadership concepts. Theoretical concepts learned in the classroom are applied thru hands-on supervised practice in the nursing skills laboratory and clinical areas. The school affiliates with hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, out-patient clinics, doctor's offices, residential centers, home care, and other community agencies to provide real-life experiences preparatory to graduation.

I plan on visiting the school this week and wil get more info.. Any thoughts? Thank you!

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

It may just be the way they set up their classes. Plus, the for-profit schools tend to have accelerated programs. I went to a state school and had 2 semesters of med-surg, but it could be done in fewer weeks. Just would mean either more class time/week or more independent study on your part.

Make sure you check their accreditation, though. I have talked to some for-profit schools in the past that are (I think) kind of tricky in the way they present themselves. Like if I call and ask if they are accredited, they will tell me yes, they are accredited to give degrees (usually either ADN or BSN). BUT if I ask if they are accredited by a nursing accrediting body (such as NLN), the answer is sometimes either "No" or "Not yet, but we are in the process." Be careful.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I applaud your efforts, but find it difficult to justify paying so much more for a program at a commercial school. To each their own, right?

From the information provided, I doubt whether any of this program would be transferable to an RN program if the OP wishes to go that route in the future. That's another advantage of CC programs - they are based on credit hours which are accepted towards a future degree.

[Donald11]

Thanks for the advice. However, in order to sit for the NCLEX, all that is required is accredidation from the Board of Nursing, so non NLN accredited schools would still allow me to become a nurse. In fact, many community colleges I researched are NOT NLN accredited either. Also, based on my research, many LPN-RN programs only require you to have your LPN license regardless of your school's accredidation, such as Excelsior.

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the advice. However, in order to sit for the NCLEX, all that is required is accredidation from the Board of Nursing, so non NLN accredited schools would still allow me to become a nurse. In fact, many community colleges I researched are NOT NLN accredited either. Also, based on my research, many LPN-RN programs only require you to have your LPN license regardless of your school's accredidation, such as Excelsior.

That is true that the school only need be accredited by the Board of Nursing in order to sit for NCLEX. However, NLN is not the only accrediting agency. Another common one is CCNE. I would be surprised if the community colleges are not accredited by either one. All of the colleges in my area are accredited one way or the other, but maybe it's different in other areas of the country.

Even if a school accepts the LPN license rather than a transferring the individual credits, if you ever plan on getting a Masters or higher then accreditation may become important again. Also, it might be a good idea to call some local hospitals to ask if they have a preference for hiring graduates of accredited vs unaccredited programs.

I'm not saying definitely don't do a program like this, I'm just saying make sure you tread carefully and do a thorough job of researching it. I've heard too many horror stories from students who go to for-profit schools with bad results. But that being said, there are still some good for-profit programs out there too.

And Excelsior happens to be accredited by NLN, just as an fyi.

[nursel56]

Thanks for the advice. However, in order to sit for the NCLEX, all that is required is accredidation from the Board of Nursing, so non NLN accredited schools would still allow me to become a nurse. In fact, many community colleges I researched are NOT NLN accredited either. Also, based on my research, many LPN-RN programs only require you to have your LPN license regardless of your school's accredidation, such as Excelsior.

This is true in California, also. They don't accept Excelsior as most other states do, but for the others if you have a current LVN license, they don't delve further back than that.

[Donald11]

CCNE only accredits bachelors degrees and up, so a CC would not be accredited by them. Most CCs in my area do not have any nursing specific accredidation, just the regional accredidation that most U.S. colleges have. I have also never heard of states not accepting Excelsior. My mother is an RN in NYC and she got her certification in hospice and pallative care through Excelsior (all paid by her employer). She liked the school and that is why I would put them at the top of my list for going from LPN to RN.

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

CCNE only accredits bachelors degrees and up, so a CC would not be accredited by them. Most CCs in my area do not have any nursing specific accredidation, just the regional accredidation that most U.S. colleges have. I have also never heard of states not accepting Excelsior. My mother is an RN in NYC and she got her certification in hospice and pallative care through Excelsior (all paid by her employer). She liked the school and that is why I would put them at the top of my list for going from LPN to RN.

I didn't realize that about CCNE, so I learned something new! That makes sense, though, when I was researching about CCNE earlier I read people saying that their profs were saying that the CCNE accreditation is better than NLN, but nobody seemed to know why. I guess it probably has to do with CCNE only accrediting higher level degrees...

It sounds like you're pretty much decided, and it also sounds like you've been pretty thorough in your research. I bet you'll do fine in nursing no matter which path you take. Good luck!

[Donald11]

Thanks. Although I am not completely decided. Although I am leaning toward a specific LPN program, I honestly have no clue where I will do my RN. But I am not concenred about that because first I want to get my LPN done. After doing my LPN, I would like to leave the NYC metro area and move someplace cheaper like New England.

The only thing I dislike about the LPN program I am leaning toward is that in the day program the classes start at 7 AM, so I would need to wake up at 5:45. But they do have an 18 month evening program where classes start at 4:30. I don't work and don't need to attend the night program for that reason, but waking up at a quarter to 6 everyday is not fun. Is this common for nursing schools?

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

Thanks. Although I am not completely decided. Although I am leaning toward a specific LPN program, I honestly have no clue where I will do my RN. But I am not concenred about that because first I want to get my LPN done. After doing my LPN, I would like to leave the NYC metro area and move someplace cheaper like New England.

The only thing I dislike about the LPN program I am leaning toward is that in the day program the classes start at 7 AM, so I would need to wake up at 5:45. But they do have an 18 month evening program where classes start at 4:30. I don't work and don't need to attend the night program for that reason, but waking up at a quarter to 6 everyday is not fun. Is this common for nursing schools?

Yes, unfortunately. When I was in nursing school, I had to wake up at 4:30 AM so that I could get ready and drive an hour to my clinical site across town and be there and ready by 6:30 AM. Yuck. My classes varied, I think the earliest lecture was probably at 9am. In the night program where you're looking, are all the clinicals also at night? I only ever had 1 afternoon/evening clinical, and that was because it was the only time the hospital offered us.

Just curious now, but is there a particular reason why you want to get your LPN first instead of going straight to RN?

[Faith213]

The only thing I dislike about the LPN program I am leaning toward is that in the day program the classes start at 7 AM, so I would need to wake up at 5:45. But they do have an 18 month evening program where classes start at 4:30. I don't work and don't need to attend the night program for that reason, but waking up at a quarter to 6 everyday is not fun. Is this common for nursing schools?

Many of the clinical groups in my program have to be at their clinical site and ready to take report at 5:15AM to 5:30AM. It's not uncommon to have to be at the clinical site around these times. For one of my friends that meant leaving her house at 3:15AM to get to the hospital she was assigned. The evening option might suit you better if you aren't a morning person. Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Donald11]

I want to do everythign in baby steps rather than all at once. Plus I think an RN program wil be much easier if I already have experience working as an LPn and I would therefore be less likely to drop out (which I am fearful of after reading many posts here on the topic).