LPN Or RN?! Orlando

[withluvnae]

Hello!

I hope this message finds everyone well!

I had a question as far as which to just go head and pursue. Originally, my plan was to take a LPN program at either Orland Tech, Lake Tech or TECO in Kissimmee, then once that is obtained to then do the cross over program from LPN to RN, however I am now thinking that just going straight for RN would be more feasible at a private school like Keiser, Concorde just to name a few. I know thats at least a 40k debt I will be digging myself which is making me have my doubts as well. Community Colleges such as Valencia is out of question because they wont allow me to use my pell grant because of a messed up gpa I inquired from when I was really young and made stupid desicions, basically with them I have to pay out of pocket until I raise my GPA which financially would take me one class at a time would be all I am able to do which I would be looking at a 2019 Gradution taking one class at a time.

Basically I wanted to know if I should go LPN to RN, just go head and do RN, Is private schools worth it? Any recommendations in the Orlando area ? I am even willing to drive to neighboring areas. Any part time classes anyone would recommend?

Thanks so much in advance!

[nasr69]

Hi

I am doing the LPN at a for-profit school because I need to be working. My plan is to do the LPN get working then TRY and do the bridge to RN at a Community college because it will be cheaper however if the wait list is to long I will go to the for -profit.

[mimine]

Hi I'm in an LPN program right now and though I'm just two months in I suggest you do a bridge to RN program if you are going to a tech school for LPN. Just make sure to look up reviews about the school and really inquire about the professors and their teaching style and how long they've been teaching/been a nurse. That way you'll get the best bang for your buck. I would suggest Lake tech (even though I don't attend that school) simply because at that school I believe they have higher standards and experience for the professors.

[PulmNP25, BSN, RN]

Hello I was thinking about doing things your way as well. I ended up taking my prereqs at Keiser over the last year and finished over the summer. I was accepted into their RN program for a spring 2016 start date. Since I had a gap I took comp II at Keiser and (I paid cash at Valencia for nutrition this fall). I work for a local hospital so I get a 25% discount off classes at Keiser. I also was able to obtain a scholarship for my GPA. I did take tuition assistance from my employer initially to bridge the gap because I wasn't a fl resident and couldn't get state grants (make too much for federal grants). I also had them take the books out of my tuition and bought mine on Amazon which save $1200 off tuition. I've had a great experience at Keiser classes are NOT easy professors challenge you. Classes are accelerated so you need to keep up. But it is doable. Now compared to my experience at Valencia i def prefer Keiser. At Valencia couldn't get my professor to respond to my email for 3 weeks at a time. But you get what you pay for. $300 is a lot less than $1600 for a class. Hope this helps ! (FYI even if you did your lpn and wanted to bridge you'd be back at square one possibly w the GPA at the state colleges)