LPN at North Shore Community College

I would suggest you go to one of their open houses, they do have a great program, but they also have a waiting list. If you're planning on going there next year, it would be a good idea to apply early. I would also consider their RN program, I know it adds an extra year but the increase in earning potential is worth it.

I graduated from NSCC this past June. Passed the boards on July 28th, currently job hunting! I loved the program, it was thorough and well organized and the clinical affiliations are wonderful. I am planning on going back to complete an associates degree in nursing to get my RN, and the reason I chose the PN program at NSCC was because I wanted to take my time. I know a lot of people want to get it done as quickly as possible, but I like that I'm not jumping right back in, it's what works for me. Anyway- it's a great program. 10 months, intense- you really have no life, but the 10 months do fly by. If there's anything in particular you're wanting to know, let me know.

This is really good advice, and it is part of the reason I personally took the PN route. As of right now, I have no plans of ever being a hospital nurse. I love working with the elderly, and my goal is to get experience in LTC - go to school part time for the RN- and then head into home care. It's really important that you recognize the limitations/opportunities for LPN's in our area. The truth is that while you may find luck in an outpatient facility associated w/ a hospital- you're not going to be in the hospital. I worked as an aide prior to going to school for practical nursing, and I knew that I loved the elderly population and wasn't a fan of acute care at all. (Even though a lot of SNF are pretty darn acute) I'm just not a hospital nurse, it's not me. Which is why nursing is great- there's something for everyone. But here I go blabbering on- but to the OP- take the advice by de2013 and do your best to kind of figure out where you want to be working as a nurse.

Have you thought about where you want to work when done? It will influence you with your choice between LPN and RN.

This is really good advice, and it is part of the reason I personally took the PN route. As of right now, I have no plans of ever being a hospital nurse. I love working with the elderly, and my goal is to get experience in LTC - go to school part time for the RN- and then head into home care. It's really important that you recognize the limitations/opportunities for LPN's in our area. The truth is that while you may find luck in an outpatient facility associated w/ a hospital- you're not going to be in the hospital. I worked as an aide prior to going to school for practical nursing, and I knew that I loved the elderly population and wasn't a fan of acute care at all. (Even though a lot of SNF are pretty darn acute) I'm just not a hospital nurse, it's not me. Which is why nursing is great- there's something for everyone. But here I go blabbering on- but to the OP- take the advice by de2013 and do your best to kind of figure out where you want to be working as a nurse.

**sorry for the double post...it won't let me delete the first one**