Is this crazy?

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I would love to get into a nursing program but the community colleges around me make it so incredibly difficult to even be consisdered. I could enroll into a private lpn program and be guaranteed a seat in their next class but their tuitions are at least 20k.

I did find one lpn school that is only 7k and I could start this Jan. However, the drive to and from the school is 2 hours and 20 min each way. I would have to attend 4 days a week. Do you think the drive is doable? That would be 4hrs and 40min of driving each day. I just dont know... I would love to enroll but im not sure if the drive would end up being just too much. What do you guys think? This paticular lpn program is a year long.

thanks

stacey

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That is a lot of driving and a lot of gas money but there is no way that I would pay 20k for a LPN program (or an RN program for that matter). I don't know where you live but have you checked into hospital based nursing programs? They offer a great way to get you LPN and they are usually between 5k and 8k depending on the area. Plus if you work for them they will normally pay for your tuition or reimburse you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

That's a lot of study time you're missing by driving that much. Do you have any responsibilities at home?

Good luck in whatever you do.

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Specializes in geriatric LTC and loving it.

Stacey:

I walked into my little community college counselor's office last spring and asked what I needed to do to become a nurse. She advised that the fall, 2006 program was filled. However, recommended that I work this year to get my generals/pre-req's done, apply for the 2007 school year and see what happens. I'm jumping thru a few hoops, but nothing too intimidating and it appears as though I'll be in that class that begins next fall. So I recommend taking some pre-reqs or generals and apply for the actual program. In the meantime, you can get your financial aid ducks in a row and just plain feel more ready for the rigors of a nursing program. Oh, and note this: age 52 here and doing it! You can too!

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Specializes in LDRP.
I would love to get into a nursing program but the community colleges around me make it so incredibly difficult to even be consisdered. I could enroll into a private lpn program and be guaranteed a seat in their next class but their tuitions are at least 20k.

I did find one lpn school that is only 7k and I could start this Jan. However, the drive to and from the school is 2 hours and 20 min each way. I would have to attend 4 days a week. Do you think the drive is doable? That would be 4hrs and 40min of driving each day. I just dont know... I would love to enroll but im not sure if the drive would end up being just too much. What do you guys think? This paticular lpn program is a year long.

thanks

stacey

No, I don't think that kind of drive is doable for nursing school. You will burn out so quickly!!!!! Trust me, as someone in a nursing program now, if I had to drive 4 hrs a day I would not be able to pull the grades I need, get the sleep I need, or be alert for clinicals. You will probably have to be at your clinical facitlity at 0630 AM! You are going to get up at 3AM and drive to get there?? That is just ridiculous!!! And think about gas prices! YIKES!

Seriously, I just don't think that sounds like a viable, wise option, IMHO!

What about local BSN programs? What makes the CC programs so hard to get into? What about moving closer the the LPN school? Ya know, by the time all is said and done, the private school might be a great option.

GL!

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

Oh, no way. I drive about an hour to school and even that seems like a lot. Is there any way you could move closer to the school?

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I would love to get into a nursing program but the community colleges around me make it so incredibly difficult to even be consisdered. I could enroll into a private lpn program and be guaranteed a seat in their next class but their tuitions are at least 20k.

I did find one lpn school that is only 7k and I could start this Jan. However, the drive to and from the school is 2 hours and 20 min each way. I would have to attend 4 days a week. Do you think the drive is doable? That would be 4hrs and 40min of driving each day. I just dont know... I would love to enroll but im not sure if the drive would end up being just too much. What do you guys think? This paticular lpn program is a year long.

thanks

stacey

Stacey,

Do you have all the pre reqs you need for RN? That would be my first question if you don't, I would go to the CC and do those it might take a couple years to bang those out and in the mean time who knows what will change at school, in your life etc...

I applied to my CC in 2004 it seemed the same way really hard to get into the rn program I have been to a couple workshops changed from LPN back to RN I think they defenitely try to weed out a lot of not so serious people. After going to school for 2 years getting my pre reqs out of the way, I am on my last year of them and can finally apply to the RN program fall of 07 for spring of 08 entry it seems far away but these past 3 years flew by and the time is going anyway, I am keeping busy with school still but looks like I have a pretty darn good chance of getting in, and I remember a couple years ago thinking it was going to be hopeless. So in my opinion I would do the CC jump thru their hoops and if not for anything else then getting pre reqs done and then you will have more options of other schools to go to.

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