Future LPN in Florida

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Hello all. I am on a waiting list for a tech school here in the Tampabay area. I am only 22 on the list so I should get in either in Oct or Jan. I just wanted to say a quick hello to everyone and ask if anyone here is from the Tampabay area and if so, how's the job market and pay scale. Although I am scared about going back to school at 38 years old, I am thrilled about the future. Wish me luck

Our hospital uses many LPNs, but most come from our Earn-As-You-Learn program, so you don't really see the jobs posted.

For those of you who don't mind waiting a little bit, get into a hospital job, get your feet wet, and then try one of these programs. I think it's a great way to get into nursing.

How do you get into a hospital with no medical skills? I have management experience, receptionist experience but nothing medical. Do they hire CNA's?

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
How do you get into a hospital with no medical skills? I have management experience, receptionist experience but nothing medical. Do they hire CNA's?

I have a friend who was recently hired as a Unit Secretary. She makes money equivalent to the CNA and is eligible for the Earn-as-you-learn program and benefits after six months. I believe she will get her CNA training while a student and then she will be cross-trained as a Patient Care Tech (which means she gets more money.)

I recommend this route because it will familiarize you with looking at and checking orders--something every nurse must learn to do.

PS I think our program is in conjunction with P-Tech.

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I have a friend who was recently hired as a Unit Secretary. She makes money equivalent to the CNA and is eligible for the Earn-as-you-learn program and benefits after six months. I believe she will get her CNA training while a student and then she will be cross-trained as a Patient Care Tech (which means she gets more money.)

I recommend this route because it will familiarize you with looking at and checking orders--something every nurse must learn to do.

PS I think our program is in conjunction with P-Tech.

That is a great idea. Although I make good money at my current job, my dream is to be a nurse in a hospital setting. I don't mind taking a pay cut. I was going to quit work when I started school anyway. Thank you for the advice.

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I have heard from several people that Erwin is a very good school. Did you have a chance to meet with the instructors when they had open house? I was given alot of information when I went. I have discovered that going to LPN school first is the only way of getting into the RN transitional program at HCC. There is a waiting list that is atleast 2 - 3 years for the basic RN program. It seems your chances are better if you are an LPN and can go the transitional route. Are there no vacational schools in St. Pete? seems like such a long drive for you to come to Tampa. Please keep us posted as to what class you get into.

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I have heard from several people that Erwin is a very good school. Did you have a chance to meet with the instructors when they had open house? I was given alot of information when I went. I have discovered that going to LPN school first is the only way of getting into the RN transitional program at HCC. There is a waiting list that is atleast 2 - 3 years for the basic RN program. It seems your chances are better if you are an LPN and can go the transitional route. Are there no vacational schools in St. Pete? seems like such a long drive for you to come to Tampa. Please keep us posted as to what class you get into.

P-Tech is actually not to far from my house. I wasn't real impressed with the attitude of one of the conselors and it seemed to have more of a waiting list. Erwin offers a lottery which made it easier to get in and they transfer credits. Some of the private LPN classes here in St. Pete are easy to get into but the prices run around 10K. I will keep you posted as to if and when I get in. You keep me posted as well.

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Our hospital uses many LPNs, but most come from our Earn-As-You-Learn program, so you don't really see the jobs posted.

For those of you who don't mind waiting a little bit, get into a hospital job, get your feet wet, and then try one of these programs. I think it's a great way to get into nursing.

Actually, this is the hospital "scholorship" program that I was speaking of earlier, except that I am going after the RN earn as you learn instead of the LPN. You do not need to be a hospital employee to apply, although employees do have preference and seniority also has it's privileges. The LPN and radiograher earn as you learn programs typically DO get filled by employees. The RN program is another matter. I spoke with the hospital's earn as you learn coordinator recently and she told me that of the last group of 12, 6 were employees and six were from outside the organization. This is because not only do you have to have completed all of the pre-requisites for St. Pete College's RN program, but they want you to have most if not ALL of the co-req's completed as well. (This is me! :p ) This is not the case for the LPN program. Therefore, they can get enough "qualified" applicants in-house for that program.

The biggest benefit for me would be that I would get right into the January RN class. The fact that they would pay me to go and also for school is just gravy. Actually, that's another thing in my favor that they look for in a candidate....someone who can still afford to live and not need to work fulltime while going to school. They've lost too many people thinking they could make it living on the stipend the hospital pays.

flwannaB,

Did you talk to the St. Pete or Clearwater campus for P-tech? I'm on the list at Clearwater. I thought they were sufficiently helpful. (Although I did feel a little like every student is thought of as an inept drop-out until proven otherwise.) The whole 9 yards including books and supplies is around $3600 at P-tech.

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Erwin offers a lottery which made it easier to get in and they transfer credits.

What exactly do you mean transfers credits? Do you mean like P-tech won't accept my A&P 1 and 2 credits because their program is just one continuous program? (Bummer!) Or did you mean something else?

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What exactly do you mean transfers credits? Do you mean like P-tech won't accept my A&P 1 and 2 credits because their program is just one continuous program? (Bummer!) Or did you mean something else?[/QU

This is from the FAQ from P-Tech that was emailed to me

Q.I have completed all my pre-requisites for the RN program at SPC, can I receive credit for Anatomy or other classes? How does that work, do I still have to be here and pay tuition?

A.Because the Practical Nursing program is considered one continuous course, no credit is accepted from other institutions with the exception of CNA (as described above).

I hope this didn't mess you up. It may have changed. This was for the 04-05 sessions.

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I hope this didn't mess you up. It may have changed. This was for the 04-05 sessions.

No, it doesn't mess me up. I already knew that about P-tech. But I didn't know that other LPN programs would take those credits.

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