LPN maybe...possibly...probably

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Hello,

I'm debating on going into a nursing program, and due to personal situations I don't want to play around and wait on waiting lists and appyling to programs only to compete with dozens of other students. I'm looking into a local LPN program, figuring I can always bridge later to RN. I just...I'm my own worst enemy sometimes so I'm debating with myself.

Background: I was a CNA close to ten years ago. My boyfriend got a false-positive for hep C and I made a comment to his mom that I would become a nurse (#1). I loved helping the people but HATED my co-workers on 2-11, at least the ones who were my age but seemed to have constant "baby daddy drama", or spent all Friday talking about going clubbing and drinking that weekend, then all Monday talking about the clubbing and drinking they did over the weekend.

I left and went into retail. I quickly started hating people because retail workers see the worst of the worst. I hated my job most of all and ended up going to counseling. There I was diagnosed with dysthimia and mild social anxiety, and given a job aptitude test to see what job I would be good at. That came back - Nursing (#2). I didn't want to deal with people at the time and thought going to school to be a vet tech would be a good idea...then the economy crashed.

I spent a year couch surfing because I couldn't find work. I started classes at a "career college" for medical billing, and several of my teachers told me I was wasting my time and I should go into nursing (#3 - I apparently don't listen!)...but I ended up dropping because I was couch surfing and needed to move.

Finally got some stability and went back to school, this time for veterinary technology. Busted out all my pre-reqs, got in the program and..."Your program has been canceled" a few hours before classes began. >.

One year in and I ended up dropping the program. There were issues between the schools involved and some of the instructors and I thought it would be better if I transferred to another school. Enrolled in one, and on the first day of classes I couldn't shake something felt off and I dropped...good thing I did, they never processed my financial aide.

I told this to a girl at work (Still retail, still hate it), and a customer overheard me. She said it was a good thing I dropped because her niece graduated the same program a year earlier and was currently working at WalMart because there were no LVT jobs in the area, and she felt she didn't get enough schooling for all that is required (LVTs are animal nurses, radiologists, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, dentists and only two years of school...2 semesters for regular animals, 1 for small/lab animals, and 1 for large/farm animals). "If you could do that, why don't you switch to human nursing?" (#4...bout time I listen!)

So now I've spent a month looking into local programs. I need my A&P classes no matter what program I take, but, like I said, I want to get in, and get to work. I can always bridge to RN at a later date.

Right now I'm looking at the LPN program at DBI here in southeast Michigan. I haven't found much about the school, much less the program, but what I have found is all positive. After my previous experience at a "career college" I'm not a fan of the idea of going to a for-profit place, but the closest college to me is the one I just dropped out of (The LVT program is/was headed by the same people as EMT and RN), and gets something like 100 applicants a year for a 30 seat class.

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If you want LPN, why not look at Davenport for their program. You could take non-nursing BSN classes and then continue on at Davenport or another local school for their RN program. Oakland University has an LPN program as well that is pretty good. There are also schools in the Toledo area that you could commute to and be done in a year. I am about to start classes at Davenport for non-nursing and then will switch over to the LPN in the fall. You have to write an entry TEAS exam and write an essay and have two letters of recommendation to apply.

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That school, and Schoolcraft, have been suggested to me but there's a small snag....I need a school super close to my house. I live less then a mile from DBI, and while it sounds like a stupid reason to pick a school I have good reasons. I take care of my 76 year old mom, and the car I use is hers. She has no problem with me using the car for school or work, but I don't like the idea of being to far away for to long. While it's only happened once, I want to be able to be there in a snap if needed.

...then again, I'm still not sure if this is what I want. One day I;m gung-ho, lets do this! and the next I;m second guessing myself. I know I have the smarts, and I know I can DO the work (My last semester of VetTech was "nursing skills" - if I can put a catheter in a squirming cat's leg, an arm is easy peasy!) I'm just not 100% on it yet...but that's probably because I haven't talked to people at DBI yet, and partially because I have two unfinished programs behind me (Medical Billing and Vet Tech) and I really don't want a third.

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Mt fiancée applied to the ASN program. 4.0 GPA took the TEAS twice 58 and 72/73 second go. Was placed 40 on the wait list consortium of 3 schools. So didn't want to wait wanted to be a nurse by 30 applied to the LPN program. They guarantee if you have a Bachelor's Degree and passable TEAS scores automatic entry she got in.

She works at a nursing home that guarantees she can transition over to being an LPN. Only downside is and she has to check is if her Pre reqs have expired may have to redo them prior to starting her ASN. She is considering CLEPPING, but is a horrible test taker like myself.

I have a feeling will be wait listed to. I originally planned to go to LPN school when wait listed but the programs are shut down. Only ones running are private LPN programs. Don't want to offend any LPNs the cost is around a little over $30K. I can get a BSN for the same price. If it was the only option left I do it or only wanted to do LPN I do it. The State Programs was inexpensive barely touching $15K, but $30K over is wicked expensive.

Long story short looking into ASN and BSN schools compare the cost. If the LPN program cost the same or more I say go for the ASN/BSN program.

Best of luck with your decisions.

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Yeah, I did notice the HIGH cost of LPN programs but...it's a mix of factors leading to my choice, the biggest one is time. A month ago I rushed my mom to the ER becuase she was cyanotic - she spent a week on a ventolator and for a little while we didn't know which way she would go. If she has another issue like that, and doesn't make it...I won't be able to afford to go to classes. It's more expensive, but if I do a short term LPN program then I can start working as quickly as possible and bridge when things settle down.

PLus the closest school to me is WCCCD and...NO. That school has screwed me over twice already, (including a complete major change), and I;m currently dealing with a nutters instructor who is pushing his harmful views into the classroom.

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How about Dorsey in Madison Heights or Roseville? It's a one yr program

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Because DBI is literally a mile from my house so I don't have to wrry about traffic and weather so much when it comes to getting to/from class

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