MA or LVN?? help

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hello everyone I am being very undecided on what route to take. I know I want to become something in the medical field in the future. I am 20 years old and have two children I want to become a working mom. I went to Glendale career college and i had decided on doing their MA program which is $15,000 (rounding the number) but the lve been searching things about lvns. I would love to work in the labor and delivery department or post partum but the only thing that is holding me back is the program is $30,000! I dont want to have all these loans in the future, i know that i will have a loan with the ma program but its half the price. so i would love to hear what you think is the best route for me to take.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, Neuro/Trauma, Dialysis.

In my area there aren't any positions for LVN/LPNs to work within L&D or Postpartum. You have to have a minimum of an ADN and many places prefer BSN. In fact in many states there are little to no jobs offered to LVN/LPNs except maybe in nursing homes. Look at the hiring market before making an investment.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I urge you to reconsider going to that school. No MA program is worth $15,000 in tuition and no LVN program is worth $30,000 in tuition.

North Valley Regional Occupational Program (ROP) has the same training programs for less than $5,000 in tuition. But let me guess? The "nice people" at Glendale Career College say you're "covered" by grants and loans that reduce the amount you have to pay, right?

It still is not worth it. Look into a cheaper school.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Skip the ma route. I'm a MA and it was not worth the 10 grand. Pay is Crappy, no room for advancement, and you will not get much respect especially from nurses. If you decide to become a nurse none of the credits will transfer. You will have to completely start over. At least with lpn your credits will transfer and you can bridge to RN some day. I had to start over because I chose the ma route. I'm currently in a RN program.

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If you are considering MA, then I would check to see if your local Community college has a program. A friend of mine is a MA and trained through our local community college. She is now considering going back for her RN and can use her prereqs towards her nursing education.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I agree about the cost of those programs- those are astronomical. Look elsewhere. Those "career colleges" are a big fat rip off. Their units don't usually transfer, meaning that if you wanted to further your education later, you would have to start from scratch, and they prey on young people who are already broke and make them rack up debt. Run far and fast!

Next, few hospitals in CA use LVNs anymore, let alone in L&D. You'll need your BSN and a few years' experience before you can get into L&D. However, you might also research what it takes to be an OB tech, which I DO see in the hospitals.

Look at community colleges in your area, and work on your prerequisites if you want to go into nursing. LVNs can work in skilled nursing (aka nursing homes) and home health, for the most part, in CA. Even ADN-prepared nurses are having more challenges working in acute care (hospital) settings. Look at job listings for area hospitals. You'll see what I mean. Look at the positions in L&D- every single one wants a BSN with experience.

Do your homework and look at the job market in your area. If you're looking at Glendale, I can guarantee you the market is like I said.

ETA: Talk to a counselor at your nearby community college about what you need if you want to pursue nursing. Your GPA is EVERYTHING when it comes to nursing, so you need to do everything in your power to get As. Start one class at a time and work your way up to full time. Going back to school as a mom is challenging, and this will help you learn how to manage your time and your family. It helped me a lot to take this approach.

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Specializes in ICU.

30k for an LPN program? That's way too much. The LPN program in my area is less than 3k for the entire program!

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If I were you I would just attend classes at your community college and get your associate's. At my nearby community college, they have a fairly inexpensive ADN program, then they have an agreement with the state college in which you can transfer automatically and start your BSN. I'm sure there's something like that you could look into.

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Specializes in LTC.

My LVN in California is only 6k. It is totally covered over 3 semesters by Pell grants. I'm doing LVN because I can bridge to RN. Being an MA doesn't give you that option. I am in school with A LOT of dissatisfied MA'S.

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hello everyone all your comments have been very helpful!! although I do wish to become an LVN due to my whole scheduling with our kids it will only work out if i do MA. Although in the future i hope to continue onto something bigger. I found a school in Burbank, CA. called CES college and financial aid will cover the MA program.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, eflores06:

Check out community colleges and vocational schools in your area. LPN should be a 12 to 18 month program that runs under $10,000 (and LPN's typically make more than MA's; LPN's have the option of LPN to RN bridges where I'm not sure if there are any MA to RN bridge routes).

Thank you.

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