Leave college for a year to become LPN at ECPI?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Apr 10, 2013

I don't know. Sounds like a lot of debt for a degree you do not intend to use very long. As for loans, payback schedules depends on who loans you the money. Do you really want to spend 10 years paying off that loan then getting another for advancing your career? I say get a job at McDonalds till you are completely done. Find a roommate to split costs. You know your situation best, however.

BOSS man · Apr 11, 2013

Ahh $8.25 would definitely not work for 3 more years and to scared to room with strangers, especially in this economy. My gut is telling me to go to ECPI, because by this time next year I'll be better off (i hope). Do you know how tough it would be to be an LPN full time and go to college?

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 11, 2013

Moved to Pre-Nursing Student area.

UVA Grad Nursing · Apr 11, 2013

Does your local community college offer such a program? Our local CC does an LPN training program for $110/credit (12 month program). The ECPI here in our state does the LPN as part of an associate degree (charging approximately $30,000).

Some of the local counties also offer CNA and LPN programs through the vocational/technical schools for county residents and high school students. The fees for these are even lower than the community college tuition.

Look around in your area. There may be more affordable options.

niikkayx · Apr 11, 2013

I feel that going to school for your lpn when you're already on track for your rn is a step backwards. Instead of taking out 10k in loans to get your lpn and waste a year. Maybe try taking out a personal loan for 10k and use it for living expenses. Here my mom is able to get a loan out for me for 8k after my loan and grant pay my tuition. Therefore I'd get the 8k in cash. I don't plan on it because I plan on working a small amount (only have car payment). But I wanted to make sure I had a backup plan in case I end up not being able to work like planned.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Apr 12, 2013

I'm thinking of going to ECPI for the 1 year LPN course. I'm trying to become a stable as possible while being a student and trying to live on my own...
Do you guys think it would be worth taking a year off to go to a vocational school knowing 90% of the credits won't transfer?..... Main reason to become an LPN is for enough money to be fully independent by this time next year..

I am doing exactly this (but not at the school you are talking about). I was taking RN (BSN) prereqs, went through a divorce, had no real way to take care of my 3 children, so I went to a 1 yr LVN program. When I finish I plan to jump right back into taking my final year of prereqs and then entering the BSN program.

Working a few days per week as an LVN will bring me home more money than I earned as a CNA.

Plus, I'll have that license to work and if financial necessity forces it, I will be employable in a manner that can support my family if I work full time as an LVN and postpone RN/ BSN school. Not my 1st choice, but an option I feel blessed to have.

maddiem · Apr 12, 2013

LPN programs have prerequisites...so you would need to factor in that time as well. Honestly I think it may be a waste of your time and money.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Apr 12, 2013

@maddiem: in my area, there are LVN programs with the prereqs incorporated into the program.

LeeLeeTheGPN · Apr 12, 2013

I think the best person to take advice from in this situation is yourself. You are the only person that knows what's best for you. You have goals that you have set and in your heart of hearts you know exactly what you need to do to achieve them. You know that you want to be able to not stress too much about money. I don't find anything wrong with going for your LPN as a leg to stand on while you are finishing your BSN.

BOSS man · Apr 16, 2013

I am doing exactly this (but not at the school you are talking about). I was taking RN (BSN) prereqs, went through a divorce, had no real way to take care of my 3 children, so I went to a 1 yr LVN program. When I finish I plan to jump right back into taking my final year of prereqs and then entering the BSN program.
Working a few days per week as an LVN will bring me home more money than I earned as a CNA.
Plus, I'll have that license to work and if financial necessity forces it, I will be employable in a manner that can support my family if I work full time as an LVN and postpone RN/ BSN school. Not my 1st choice, but an option I feel blessed to have.

Good luck! I am almost 100% on going.

LPN programs have prerequisites...so you would need to factor in that time as well. Honestly I think it may be a waste of your time and money.

My program has everything included in 14months.

I think the best person to take advice from in this situation is yourself. You are the only person that knows what's best for you. You have goals that you have set and in your heart of hearts you know exactly what you need to do to achieve them. You know that you want to be able to not stress too much about money. I don't find anything wrong with going for your LPN as a leg to stand on while you are finishing your BSN.

Do you think being an lpn is flexible with schedules to work around school (& clinicals, if I do pursue RN). I assume I'd most likely have to become a "Weekend Warrior".

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Apr 16, 2013

I think you can find part time or on call or weekend only work as an LVN.

As for me, I'd ideally like to work weekend and breaks as an LVN if I need money while getting through RN school. My last choice, but one I'd consider are 1-2 graveyards per week.

I think I know what I can handle and this is my limit. In my area, LVNs earn $20-$26 per hour as a starting new grad wage.