Is it okay to go to a not accredited LPN program if it is approved by the state BON?

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There are only 3 accredited LPN programs in my state (Georgia) and they are all many hours from me. I plan on bridging up to a BSN eventually and also moving states in 2-3ish years. I'm scared to go to a not accredited school in case it doesn't end up transferring to bridge programs / other states, but I also don't know what other choice I have. I could try to do an ADN, but I don't know if I have enough time to dedicate to that before I have to start working/moving.

If one of the approved-only schools near me were an option it would be perfect, but I just don't know if it will bite me in the *** later ?

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As long as it's approved, it's fine. that's what I've learned from researching. I've found that the classes they say won't transfer are things like A&P and other college credit courses. There's only 1 accredited program near me. 

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29 minutes ago, Emptymain said:

As long as it's approved, it's fine. that's what I've learned from researching. I've found that the classes they say won't transfer are things like A&P and other college credit courses. There's only 1 accredited program near me. 

Interesting, where did you find that info? It's been hard for me to find info on. But when people say that it's going to be a waste of time/money or that I won't be able to bridge to ADN/BSN it seems like too much of a risk to take for me. I need to graduate within the next few years so I can't risk wasting time:/

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You can start by looking at the LPN to RN that you eventually want to go to. Look and see their requirements. Mines required a valid LPN license. Doesn't mention approved vs accredited. To apply for an LPN license , you need to graduate from an approved program. There are LPN programs out there that aren't approved or accredited and you won't be able to sit for the NCLEX if you go to one of those. ( I think those are mostly those for-profit schools).  

this is directly from my state:

An “approved” nursing education program is a program for the prelicensure education of professional or practical nurses that is conducted in Florida at an educational institution that is approved and regulated under s.464.019, Florida Statutes. Approved nursing education programs are not required to be accredited; however, many programs are regionally or nationally accredited through educational or vocational accrediting agencies.

An “accredited” nursing education program, as defined by s. 464.003, Florida Statutes, is a program for the prelicensure education of professional or practical nurses that is conducted in the United States at an educational institution, whether in Florida, another state, or the District of Columbia, and that is accredited by a specialized nursing accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the United States Secretary of Education to accredit nursing education programs Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)) or National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).

Let me know if that helps. 

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Hey @AylaRose I am in GA too! And this is also my issue right now. Which schools were u considering? I eventually decided to try Chattahoochee Tech for LPN because they have several campuses throughout GA, but I was looking into South College in Atlanta for LPN but wasn't sure if they were accredited but seemed like a good option also.

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2 hours ago, AS12 said:

Hey @AylaRose I am in GA too! And this is also my issue right now. Which schools were u considering? I eventually decided to try Chattahoochee Tech for LPN because they have several campuses throughout GA, but I was looking into South College in Atlanta for LPN but wasn't sure if they were accredited but seemed like a good option also.

Hey! I used this search tool to find accredited schools. http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm 

I actually just got accepted to an accredited ADN program (GSU Perimeter) so that what I'm going to do instead!

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I am an LPN. I was under the impression that my program was an accredited one. I found out recently it was not. I passed my NCLEX. I have an LPN license in 2 states. No one will hire me except nursing homes because my program wasn't accredited. I want to leave bedside care. I guess I need to become an RN to move my career forward?? There are no jobs except LTC and they pay horribly. I don't know what to do now. I will have to leave nursing to find a job until I can find a bridge program? Is that my only option?

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