Is a $13,000 LPN program worth it?

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Before I potentially put myself into debt, is LPN school even worth it? I'm set to start a vocational LPN program in September that will cost almost $13,000. That amount doesn't even include loans I may have to take out to cover living expenses, since it was suggested we not work at all during the 10 months of the program. I also did a job search for LPN positions in my area, as well as most of the state, and I must say I'm rather disappointed. Not one hospital, that I looked at is hiring an LPN for anything other than home health care. I couldn't find any openings at all in anything other than home health and a few nursing homes and there seems to be almost no openings for those with less than 3 years experience as an LPN. Is the money and stress worth it?

Am I better off doing a CNA or PCT course that costs $2,000 and going back to the community college and getting my RN? Of course there's a two year wait list for the RN program , but I have tons of pre-reqs to do. The hospital in my town has tons of openings for PCT's and CNA's without experience. So it should be fairly easy to get a job.

I'm so confused on what to do, my ultimate goal is to be an RN. I just figured that going the LPN route would land me a good job so I could work my way through the RN program. If LPN jobs are hard to come by, then I'm just essentially wasting money that could be used on the RN program and a degree. I just can't seem to justify spending $13,000, of my own money, when there's a good chance I won't be able to find a job after I finish.

If anyone has any advice it would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank You! =]

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Sometimes one can use the LPN license to get into an RN program by way of a LPN to RN transition program. Look into this possibility as another reason to justify the effort.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

most make a salary of 30k-40k.. I think it may be worth it(depending on how much you have to take out in loans).. my lpn didn't cost that much but we are in different areas.. it depends on how research you are willing to do and how much you are willing to sacrifice

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A couple of things. Hospitals don't hire LPNs, and they especially don't hire new grad LPNs. So you would be looking at nursing homes, doctors offices, home health, and corrections mainly.

The job market is tight, there are a lot of experienced LPNs out there looking for work, so your best bet if you want to secure a future job is to get your foot in the door working as a CNA or PCT. No matter whether you decide to go for your LPN or RN diploma.

Thirteen thousand dollars for tuition, plus living expenses will realistically be about $25-30,000 in debt by the time you finish school, possibly more depending on your needs. If you are going to be taking out private student loans, which will be likely to cover those kinds of expenses, you will need to start paying them off right away. Unlike the federal loans that you don't have to pay while in school.

It can be very stressful coming into a bad job market with that kind of debt because you are going to have to take any job that will hire you, and then work your rear end off, and some of those jobs are just horrible. Also, going back to school for your RN will be really hard, you will need to work full time and study full time. And accrue more debt.

I'm not sure why a CNA or PCT course would cost so much. $2000 is really a lot. Have you done more research? You might be able to get some government/job corp type of assistance with your tuition, at least part of it, but I really hope you can find something cheaper.

My take, for what it's worth, is that if you really want to become an RN, you should work on getting a certification as a CNA or PCT (find out which one will get you into a hospital job easier) and take your time getting your RN. That way, hopefully the job market will be better, because it's horrible right now, you'll have some experience and contacts, and you won't take such a huge hit financially.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

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That seems extremely expensive to me, but maybe you live in a more expensive market. I'd expect an LPN program to cost maybe $5000 total. MY ADN program cost less than 5000 total for all semesters.

Up until very recently I didn't believe all the hype about phasing out LPNs and even ADNs but about a year ago my hospital started laying off LPNs (not just not hiring them but actively getting rid of them).

The only LPNs we have now work as ER techs/greeters.

And now they're starting to not hire ADNs at my hospital because they want the nursing staff to have more advanced degrees because we've recently been upgraded to a trauma center. I talked to my supervisor about all the changes and she said that when I finish my ADN they'll take me on as an RN like planned but I should seriously consider going straight through to a BSN program while the hospital is being generous about paying for ADN to BSN programs for staff.

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I would definitely persue becoming an LPN, however 13K is way too much for it.

There are many "schools" that prey on people trying to achieve a goal of licensure.

Shop carefully and good luck.

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Thanks for the advice guys!

I've looked into LPN-RN bridge programs and my community college doesn't have one nor do they accept the credits from the vocational school. So I would have to do the whole RN program there anyway, even if I did do the LPN program. There are other colleges in the area that do have bridge programs, but have extremely long wait lists.

I understand that LPN's can make a good salary, I have no doubt about that. I'm just concerned about finding a job as an LPN once I graduate, in order to pay back loans and such. I'm not concerned about the salary they make.

I've filled out the FASFA for financial aid, the problem is I'm considered a dependent student because I'm under 24. So even though I live on my own, pay my own bills, and take care of myself it's based on my parents income. My parents make good money, but they no longer support me and the FASFA doesn't seem to take all they debt they have into consideration. I don't know how to get around this?

Yeah, I agree that $13,000 is too much. That's why I was concerned. Actual tuition is $10,000. Everything else admissions fees, books, uniforms, supplies/tools, insurance, and physical/immunizations totals $3,000. It's actually one of the cheaper LPN programs. I don't really feel like they're preying on people being it's a county vocational school, but you never know. Everything in New Jersey tends to be more expensive, I guess schooling is no different. I've done my research on CNA and PCT programs in the area, they really are close to $2,000.

I just went on the college website and it's 71 credits for the RN program at $122 a credit(for in-county residents), that's $8,662. So it would probably come close to $13,000 as well with books and everything. Plus, I'd be easier to work and not have to take out loans. The only advantage to the LPN is it's quicker, but I guess quicker isn't always better.

So if it's basically the same price I assume I should just go for the ADN, even though it may take longer, right? Sorry, I just want to make the best decision I can...

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The ADN will open more doors for you and provide for more money than the LPN will, no doubt.

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Yeah, I think it definitely seems like the better choice. Thank You!

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I think I paid about 8-9K (Canadian) to do my RPN/LPN program and now I'm set to make about 41K as a new grad (just graduated in Dec). Most of my classmates worked during the program and were still able to complete it. But thats here in Canada....not sure how it is where you are.

Do your research and if it's your only option and you really want it do it.

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Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

Only you can answer if it's worth it to YOU, so I will refrain!:twocents:

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
everything in new jersey tends to be more expensive, i guess schooling is no different.

i am from central new jersey and i made 60k my first year of being an lpn (2008).

i paid $3500 for my whole lpn program from a vo-tech school. my sister in law paid 18k for her lpn and she made about 50k last year.

i know two people who has bachelor's in something and one has no job and the other making 10 bucks an hour in a mall.

was the lpn worth it? definitely!

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