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Discussion

LPN thoughts...

I am currently wrapping up my LNA program and hope to officially be licensed mid-November.

It feels good to be back in school (SAHM for 4 years, 2 kids). I'm now looking at LPN school because my only ADN nursing school option has a 2-3 year wait for admission.

The cons of LPN school are it's a one hour drive. Financially things will be very tight as well. The school, minimum, will be $16,500. I can transfer the LPN coursework to my first year of my ADN. I really want to keep myself in school.

I'm in NH, so I don't know what the LPN demand is, but would you go through with this plan if I were you? I can start the basic coursework in Jan (computer class, A&P I, and physc) and complete the LPN in probably less than 18 months. I also have already taken A&P I at the college level, but not within the proper time frame to transfer or the appropriate grade. So hopefully that will give me a boost in re-doing A&P now.

So, what are your thoughts? It's such a big step, especially financially, but I feel if I stop my education for now, it'll be very tough to go back. I also don't want to graduate as an LPN and not find a job. I'm banking on a job post-graduation!

Please, thoughts! Super confused, torn, and excited all in one!

Virginia

Future ARC LNA, Nov. 2009

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    • Featured Replies

    I wouldn't spend $16,500 on LPN school.

    You need to investigate the job availability for LPNs and the pay in your area before taking this plunge.

    Why not work and wait to get into the RN program? If its a public college it'll be more cost effective in the long run.

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    yeah, me either. IF you have an adult education system in your area, look into an LPN/LVN program through that first. In my area there is an LVN program for 15mos and it only cost $4,500.00

    IF you had to spend that much money, you might as well spend twice as that and do an accredited RN program through one of those. Otherwise I'd hold off and finish up my pre-req's, then decide.

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    • Author

    $16,000 is the avg. cost of an LPN program in this area. One school is full till spring 2011 and the other two have spots open.

    One school starts Jan., no fed. financial aid, straight through 18 months.

    The second school (where I'm applying now) is 2 years starting fall 2010, summers off, takes fed. financial aid. One hour drive, one way :(

    All nursing schools in the area have a 2-3 year wait list. Only one ADN nursing school is within an hour of me.

    I have a good handle on my pre-reqs also.

    Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

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    This is something I wish I'd known about before doing LPN school.

    Some hospitals offer their CNAs a program to become RNs. The hospital pays for the RN program, after you complete your pre-reqs. They also pay you to be in nursing classes. Then you are guaranteed a position in that hospital after you graduate RN.

    Take a look at the careers section of the hospitals websites in your area or call them and see if they offer this.

    I also think 2 years is too long to complete the LPN program. You could be working during that time while you wait to get into the RN program at another school.

    You're going to have to wait anyway to get into a bridge program.

    Do a cost-benefit analysis of going LPN then RN vs working and going straight to RN.

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    • Author

    My LNA instructor (BSN) has been saying that most hospitals in this area are no longer doing tuition reimbursement due to finances being so tight. But it is worth a phone call I assume. I haven't seen anything on the hospitals career pages.

    I have a 3 and 4 yr old and a husband who works 2nd shift, so I really need the summers off, I can't swing a full time program. As much as I'd like to cram in a LPN (or RN) program in as little time as possible, I have to be around for my family to a reasonable point.

    Thanks for the info.

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    • Author

    Ok made some quick phone calls. Seems there's tuition reimbursement based on the amount of hours you work and a possible partial loan forgiveness program. The hospitals also said they don't have LNA positions open and haven't had open positions for months, so it'd be difficult to get into the hospitals with an LNA and get the hours need to get some reimbursement.

    Basically I'd have to pay for the classwork upfront and it's on my time, not the hospitals. Doesn't help my career choice! Sigh. Why can't the heavens just open and show me what to do!?

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    • Author

    One more hospital got back to me...

    After working 1 year at 24 + hours/weekly they'll give me $2500 for a two year commitment. Doesn't seem worth it to me...

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