Looking for LPNs who's programs was at least $18k or more?

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I know $18K for an LPN isn't ideal to most but I know there are some who have done it and are successful. Im curious to hear from them.

Rather then wait 2-3 yrs on a wait list at the local CC. I can knock out a lpn program in 15 months and bridge at the same CC and still be done before many even get off the waitlist however im not the only one thinking like that and the 2-3 $6k lpn programs are super competitive and only select a few 2 times a yr out of hundreds. Now the for profit schools are super expensive but offer the same thing.

Needless to say im getting cold feet. Im accepted and at a whooping all inclusive $21k in tuition i will walk away with $10k in debt. Orientation is Jan 10th. Am I insane or should I run away?!!

I recently got lucky on a cruise and won $3500 on a slot machine and dropped $3k on my previous loans which is now down to $7k.

BsN is the goal and once i complete this the CC is about $9k total for the ASN and 1 semester later ill complete my BSN both will be covered with Grants and maybe a small add on to my student loans. (Tons of previous college credits) im 26 mother of a 6 month old, and barely make enough to get by (travel agent) and feel like im running of out time to get my life together. Any encouragement is needed. This program fits my needs perfectly but im beginning to have doubts on if I should just wait out the list for RN.

Please please dont bash me because my option is different from most. But I know im not the only one. Please share your success stories.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The tuition was $19,995 for the LVN program that I attended in southern CA in 2005.

You'll need to take some important points into consideration, such as the availability of LPN positions in your area, how much they pay, how much your monthly student loan payment will be, and how easy / difficult it will be to bridge to RN.

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I'm a new grad LVN. My school cost $31k. I received a "tuition discount" of 10k. I also received a grant for another $10k. So I took out about $12k in loans.

I already had lots of credits from the community college and state university, as well as student loan debt, so I graduated with my LVN degree and $44k in debt, which is about $450. I found a full time job within 45 days at $16/hr. (Started yesterday! Yeahhhh!!!)

I can definitely make my loan payments on that. But I won't be paying right away because I'm continuing in school to finish my last semester if RN prereqs.

I will not have enough loan money left to afford the Public State University tuition for RN school and will have to pay cash unless I can, prayerfully, get an SEOG grant. HTH!

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The tuition was $19,995 for the LVN program that I attended in southern CA in 2005.

You'll need to take some important points into consideration, such as the availability of LPN positions in your area, how much they pay, how much your monthly student loan payment will be, and how easy / difficult it will be to bridge to RN.

Good luck to you.

Thank you for your insite. Looks like i thought of the diffcult parts. I have definitely looked at job posts and im fairly certain I can land a job. Starting is about $16 which is better then what I make now. I know I can try to pick up extra shifts and stuff. The bridge part is open and even if its a 1 semester wait its better then 2 years wait.

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I'm a new grad LVN. My school cost $31k. I received a "tuition discount" of 10k. I also received a grant for another $10k. So I took out about $12k in loans.

I already had lots of credits from the community college and state university, as well as student loan debt, so I graduated with my LVN degree and $44k in debt, which is about $450. I found a full time job within 45 days at $16/hr. (Started yesterday! Yeahhhh!!!)

I can definitely make my loan payments on that. But I won't be paying right away because I'm continuing in school to finish my last semester if RN prereqs.

I will not have enough loan money left to afford the Public State University tuition for RN school and will have to pay cash unless I can, prayerfully, get an SEOG grant. HTH!

Yes so sounds like its working for you. Once im done ill have about 2.5 years of grants eligibility left. I think its enough to complete a and to bsn concurrent program. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy.

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Hi Cynt! I graduated from an LPN program that was 21k and took 15 months. (I still need a barf bag when I view my student loans afterwards.) I was in a position much like yours! Had a two year old, wanted to get my life together, changed from bookkeeping to LPN in hopes of a secure job market and better pay. If I could go back in time and just wait out my position in line for a cheaper school, I probably would, only because of a few unique instances in my case. It took me a few months to find a job, but I landed one in a rural hospital on the Med/Surg floor for 15/hr. Nowhere near enough to start paying off that loan debt, so I just hopped right back into school haha.

I would definitely check and make absolutely positively sure that your community college will accept the credits from the school you will get your LPN from. A lot of schools will refuse to transfer credits from a vocational school, and that can make your wait till RN even longer. Be sure to talk to the advisors at both schools before you get involved or you'll be taking that anatomy course twice, -and- have to pay for it twice.

The bridge program may also have a waitlist, so make sure you double check.

It is also worth mentioning that certain employers do look at the school you attended. I was told in nursing, you just need a pulse and a license to get hired, but it's not entirely true. Waiting could be beneficial for that reason too.

Also, nursing school is notoriously stressful, no matter what the program. As long as you have a good support system to help you emotionally and with childcare, you'll be fine, but it's a good idea to have a reliable shoulder to scream silently on.

Otherwise, from my point of view, any 26 year old responsible enough to pay off their student loans certainly sounds like they have their life together, ha! You're awesome, and your kid is as cute as a button. Whatever you decide to do, try to remember that it's ok to be young and not have it all figured out yet.

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Wow, I can't believe some of the prices of these LPN schools that some of you went to. I became an LPN through my local community college. After paying for the pre-req classes and completing them, I then enrolled in the LPN college classes. My nursing classes were only around $1,800.00 a semester. I took Nursing-101 first semester, then Nursing-102 second semester, then graduated as an LPN. I feel blessed that my LPN classes weren't that expensive. I feel that I went to a good school and passed my LPN boards in '08.

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Hi Cynt! I graduated from an LPN program that was 21k and took 15 months. (I still need a barf bag when I view my student loans afterwards.) I was in a position much like yours! Had a two year old, wanted to get my life together, changed from bookkeeping to LPN in hopes of a secure job market and better pay. If I could go back in time and just wait out my position in line for a cheaper school, I probably would, only because of a few unique instances in my case. It took me a few months to find a job, but I landed one in a rural hospital on the Med/Surg floor for 15/hr. Nowhere near enough to start paying off that loan debt, so I just hopped right back into school haha.

I would definitely check and make absolutely positively sure that your community college will accept the credits from the school you will get your LPN from. A lot of schools will refuse to transfer credits from a vocational school, and that can make your wait till RN even longer. Be sure to talk to the advisors at both schools before you get involved or you'll be taking that anatomy course twice, -and- have to pay for it twice.

The bridge program may also have a waitlist, so make sure you double check.

It is also worth mentioning that certain employers do look at the school you attended. I was told in nursing, you just need a pulse and a license to get hired, but it's not entirely true. Waiting could be beneficial for that reason too.

Also, nursing school is notoriously stressful, no matter what the program. As long as you have a good support system to help you emotionally and with childcare, you'll be fine, but it's a good idea to have a reliable shoulder to scream silently on.

Otherwise, from my point of view, any 26 year old responsible enough to pay off their student loans certainly sounds like they have their life together, ha! You're awesome, and your kid is as cute as a button. Whatever you decide to do, try to remember that it's ok to be young and not have it all figured out yet.

Yes Flux this is exactly the kind of story and advice I was looking for.

The wait period for RN at the local CC is after I do all the pre reqs. I need to repeat AP and I need Microbiology. I have everything else. I can do it all and still not get accepted lol. So im like gosh why is this sooo hard

The LPN school I checked 3 times and the director said they transfered to the CC. I will check with the CC to confirm which I honestly wouldn't of thought about if you hadn't of mentioned it. The bridge may have about 1 semester wait depending on when I apply for it.

I've lurked about and found that starting LPN pay is about 16 - 20 a hr in my area. (No hospitals) Which is way better then what I make now. Ideally you can walk in with license and walk out with a job. The school also offers "job placement" as well but we know how that can go.

I hope my support system is strong. Lol I have my boyfriend and my baby sister helping.

Did you bridge all the way to BSN or just AS?

Thanks sooooo very much

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

To piggy-back on what the OP said, it's not likely your "prereqs" at the trade school will transfer to a cheaper state or community college. You will likely have to "re-take" them to apply to the public and community college RN programs. And, as has been said on AN before, the courses may be quite a bit more difficult when you do take them again.

Knowing this I still chose to attend an expensive trade school for my LVN. I had classmates who applied 5 times for RN programs and 2 times for the LVN programs at community college. I was in and out in 12 months. It was worth it to me in my situation.

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To piggy-back on what the OP said, it's not likely your "prereqs" at the trade school will transfer to a cheaper state or community college. You will likely have to "re-take" them to apply to the public and community college RN programs. And, as has been said on AN before, the courses may be quite a bit more difficult when you do take them again.

Knowing this I still chose to attend an expensive trade school for my LVN. I had classmates who applied 5 times for RN programs and 2 times for the LVN programs at community college. I was in and out in 12 months. It was worth it to me in my situation.

Yep Vintage exactly. im not all to worried about the pre reqs situation. I dont mind taking the classes again its just taking them again waiting 2-3 yrs or not getting accepted like you pointed out. To be in the exact same place. Its a plus that the school has the credit transfer policy but not necessarily the main thing I need as I have all of my pre reqs done 7 yrs ago. I reached the 5 yrs retake mark.

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