Mom of 2 looking into becoming Lvn put down by recruiter at kaplan

turtlesRcool · Sep 18, 2015

Having two children will make it harder to do well in the program because you won't have as much time to study. As a mom myself during nursing school, I had to carve out specific uninterrupted study time for myself. You might need to get a babysitter or have a family member watch them for a few hours at a time so you can get your work done. Or else be prepared to stay up late and work when the kids are asleep.

On the other hand, having two kids can be a great motivator. You will want to do well both to get a good job to provide for them financially (nursing pays MUCH better than being a PCT) and to provide a good example of the importance of education.

If you want to do this, make the choice to go for it, and don't look back.

Also, stay far away from Kaplan and other for-profit schools. My BSN cost less than the tuition the Kaplan recruiter quoted you. Go with a local public college. LVNs don't make THAT much, so taking on tens of thousands of dollars in debt is crazy.

AJJKRN · Sep 18, 2015

I know! I just looked into my community college its 1,800 !!!!!!!!! Know im just wondering if hes right about not being able to handle the work load :/

Look at the schools NCLEX pass rate and if it's accredited. After you earn your degree from a respectable not-for-profit nursing school then you can use Kaplans study resources to pass the NCLEX! I would never go to school through them but I would 100% recommend their studying resources :yes:

PS: Where there's a will there's a way!

morte, LPN, LVN · Sep 18, 2015

I don't know if you can or not. But i can tell you it won't be easy. Plan, plan, plan. you will need multiple childcare helpers. if one can't, another can pitch in. discipline is an absolute necessity. the LPN is a shorter course, but usually more time consuming at the time. perhaps looking into ADN course if there is one locally. will take you several years though.

johsonmichelle · Sep 18, 2015

You can definitely go to school with kids if you are motivated enough. The smartest individual in my class has maintained a 4.0 gpa since prerequisites and nursing school, has a spouse and kids. My word of advise , don't spend too much money on your education, $34,000 is a lot of money for a school of that caliber. Look in to cheaper my reputable schools, there is a misconception that you will be making a lot of money when you graduate. I would research the average new grad pay in your area.

NurslingNicole · Sep 18, 2015

I know! I just looked into my community college its 1,800 !!!!!!!!! Know im just wondering if hes right about not being able to handle the work load :/

Listen, it sounds like this guy put a negative thought in your head and now you're starting to believe it. Don't. Your kids are worth you pursuing your goal of becoming a nurse. Do not ever let anyone plant that seed of doubt in your head. That is partially why I am just now going to nursing school at the age of 29 with a 1- and 3-year-old, but they are also the reason I worked my butt off in my prerequisites and got accepted to the RN program. If you want it bad enough, you'll figure out the best way to make it work for you! I'm rooting for you!

Missingyou, CNA · Sep 18, 2015

You can do it. Do NOT let someone who has NO CLUE about you or your life squash your dreams!

If an admissions counselor discourages you from the get go, then that clearly isn't the college you should choose!

You can do this. It won't be easy, but you already know that!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Sep 18, 2015

First of all, I'm going to ask you what motivated you to choose Kaplan for your school of choice? Is your decision to go to school a well though out one? I know exactly why that advisor told you that and then you will better understand why he made that comment to you and why I am asking you those questions. I see this in life all of the time. I want you to honestly think about those two questions I have asked you so you can give some real thought and have some good insight into your decisions. I already know the answers to those questions, but I want you to think and know so hopefully you can make some good decisions here.

Kaplan is a for profit college. They are extremely expensive and are not respected in the medical community. Many of these schools are facing class action lawsuits right now. These schools have commercials on shows like Jerry Springer, Maury, Judge Judy. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Judge Judy every now and again, but there are people who sit on the couch and watch these shows daily. They market to a certain demographic. They market to the single mom who is not educated about making good choices when going to college. They market this as if you come to our school your entire life will change. We will make your life better for you and your children. You will immediately get this high paying wonderful job. All of this is not true if you attend one of these colleges. For nursing, your resume will be thrown in the trash, as most of the time these schools are not accredited. You will owe lots and lots of money in student loans which will be hard to pay with no job. Many have terrible NCLEX pass rates, and it will be difficult to even obtain a LPN license. Please run far away from these schools.

The reason this guy said this to you, is because of the demographic that is attracted to these schools. These single moms many times do not have the proper support that is needed to attend nursing school. They don't understand the work that is involved, therefore, many of these people end up dropping out for one reason or another. Then they are stuck with tons of money that they owe and can't pay it because if they have a job, it's low paying one. Many don't realize the amount of debt they are taking on. But the commercial makes it seems like everything will be better by going to these type of schools. It's a vicious circle. I wish these schools would be shut down. This guy was trying to do you a favor, nothing more. He probably thought with children as young as yours you would not make it through the program because he has seen it time and time again.

You have other questions to ask yourself. Do you have the outside support needed to take on school? At a community college, you will have prereqs to take. You will need to do well in those. Then you apply to a the nursing program after taking and entrance exam. Most likely the Teas. They will look at your GPA and Teas score and decide whether you get into the program or not. You will have a background check and drug test. You will have to have immunizations and TB test and a flu shot every year. This all costs a good chunk of money. This is before the program. The LPN program is rigorous. You will have odd clinical hours and lots of studying. It is imperative that you have outside help and are extremely organized. You will not make it if you do not have these things in order before the program.

This all comes from a single mom herself. I was going through my divorce during my first semester of prereqs. My son was 7 when I started school. So he was in school all day and I did my prereqs while he was in school. I could still take him to the bus stop in the morning and pick him up in the afternoon. That was important to me because it was extremely difficult for him during my divorce. I did prereqs for 3 semesters and entered the RN program in my fourth semester. My son is very active in martial arts and we travel the country for it. I studied in the dojo most nights and in many Courtyard Marriotts across the country. But it was important to me that I did not miss time in his life. He needed me also. He was also old enough to understand that mom needed study time. He had just started doing studying of his own. There were days that I was so frustrated trying to help him with homework, do my homework, and trying to go to a 12 hour clinical the next day, to come home and do it all again. There have been hiccups along the way, but I am now in my 6th semester. I will graduate in May with an associate's degree in nursing. I will be eligible to take NCLEX-RN. Two of my friends who graduated the LPN program this past August had job offers before they graduated and passed on their first try. My school is highly respected and it is a community college.

I don't know if you are a single mom or not or what your resources are financially. I do not work. I am very fortunate that I do not. There is a lot that goes on and our clinical hours can be wonky. I would have even been able to think about going back to school without wonderful friends who can help me out at a moments notice. My ex and I are on amicable terms (most days) so he does help out. I have also met a wonderful man. He is my soulmate and drives the whole way up here at a moment's notice and will help out with my son. He is wonderful and I love his support. But realize, I could not have done this without other people supporting me. I make presents for people who help me. Or I do something special for them. I may watch my friend's kids on an off day so she can do something for herself.

As much as I need to study and do care plans, I make time for my child every day. We talk and he tells me about his day. We may go out and shoot hoops or watch a tv show. We may just sit on my bed and talk. The point is, I make time for him every day. There was a time last semester where I missed him so much. I felt like my ex had him more than me for the first time since he was born. I was a SAHM mom and even in the divorce, I have had him about 80% of the time. But last semester was so busy and crazy, I had that mom guilt slipping in all the time. Many tears were shed last semester. Some days I would walk into school in tears and one of my instructors would sit me down to tell me it's ok. I love the support of my instructors. They are all truly wonderful people. That is something else you need to look at when choosing a school.

I know this is lengthy. There are things you need to think about though and choose your school wisely. Don't make impulse decisions when it comes to spending this kind of money and changing your life. Would you buy a car by just looking on the internet or talking to a salesman on the phone. Because that is how much you are spending here. You would look at the car in person and test drive it to make sure you like it and the car works. For profit schools are like lemon cars. They look fancy on the outside, but the engine or transmission on the inside stops working either the minute you drive it or a few miles down the road. That is a for profit school. Think about your life and if you can do this. It will be worth it in the end, but it's a hard road. Be ready for that.

Dranger · Sep 18, 2015

Switch and bait as another poster said to steer you towards a less filled program. 37K IMO is ridiculous for a LPN program and this is coming from someone who had their RN school cost 185k when it was all said and done.

That being said if I had a dime for every single mom saying they want to be an RN I would be rich. Nursing seems to attract a lot of non-traditional students for it's surplus of jobs, many education pathways and visibility as a profession. Many many do fail or opt for the PCT route. I am not saying you'll fail but the reality is many people do not have the time or educational gifts to be able to get in and pass.

Either way, look into CC programs as they are reputable and a lot cheaper.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2015

Switch and bait as another poster said to steer you towards a less filled program. QUOTE]
It's more like a bait and switch. Bait (draw you in) with a promise of an easier program that doesn't pay near enough to repay your student loans then switch to another more expensive program while you're drowning in debt and more desperate to find an easy way out.
These "investor owned" money machines don't invest in students. They invest in student loans. They get the money up front and you get a debt that can last a lifetime. (Not even bankruptcy can relieve you of this debt)

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 18, 2015

I attended Kaplan as a single mom. My son was older than your kids. It was hard work. But it was worth it. I secured a job within 60 days of graduating. When my loans came due, I was able to afford the $350 payments (I signed up for a extended payment plan thru the U.S. Dept of Ed) I was able to afford childcare and rent and other things for my son.

Im not saying this route is for everyone, but do your research and if you're passionate about becoming a nurse, research the field more. Then go for it if you find that you would like the work and can afford to live on the salary after paying student loans.

Dranger · Sep 18, 2015

Switch and bait as another poster said to steer you towards a less filled program. QUOTE]
It's more like a bait and switch. Bait (draw you in) with a promise of an easier program that doesn't pay near enough to repay your student loans then switch to another more expensive program while you're drowning in debt and more desperate to find an easy way out.
These "investor owned" money machines don't invest in students. They invest in student loans. They get the money up front and you get a debt that can last a lifetime. (Not even bankruptcy can relieve you of this debt)
Haha I was tired cut me some slack!

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2015

Haha I was tired cut me some slack!
Cut bait or fish?
All you want slacker, I'm just that much of a nice guy.