Need Advice on LPN program

I think that the first things that need to be investigated are the requirements of school #1 and #2.

School #1; you say you can start in Feb, 2008. Are they requesting entrance exams? How many seats do they have? Is this program very competitive; meaning that the higher the score of the entrance exam, the better your chance is in getting in? Do you have time to register for their entrance exam? Also, try and see what sort of exam is it...are they testing in math, vocabulary, reading comprehension and science? Do you need to review anything, and if so, will you have enough time?

School #2; most of those sort of programs have limited seats, therefore, are EXTREMELY competitive, because the tuition is affordable. You would have more time to obtain study material for their exam, and to see how much you actually have to review. If you are talented in math, science and reading, that will be an advantage. If you are not, then, you need time to study and maybe even obtain a tutor to assist you.

Last consideration is to see if they have transferable credits from the LPN to RN program. From what I am guessing, these both seem to be vocational schools. If this is so, then, you will not be able to transfer credits, because they are not teaching on a college level in classes such as anatomy & physiology, english, microbiology, psychology, etc... You would still have to take those classes once attempting to go for the RN programs. You may be better off taking the pre-requisites for the RN course now, if that is your true goal. Good luck!

I went for the county vocational school. I had to wait a year but I felt it was worth it both in terms of $$$$ and the school's reputation/NCLEX pass rate.

The only drawback was the school the vocational high school! I look younger and was actually reprimanded for wearing non-regulation clothing! Not to mention fire drills! No one in our class was from the high school though, you must have a diploma or GED to apply.

If I was you, I would check into EVERY detail about both schools before making your decision. Find out their NCLEX pass rate, are the instructors the same or do they bring in a bunch of subs? What are the complete costs, books, uniforms. Where do they do clinicals? Apply to both and see how you do. Usually the application fee is minimal. Hope this was helpful.

School #1 has an entrance exam called the Teas test. They are a private accredited college that also has associates and bachelors degrees although the LPN is a diploma program. If they still have seats available, I suspect it's because the program is so expensive. Their NCLEX pass rate is 95.8%.

School #2 has an entrance exam called the Net test. They are the vocational portion of the county school system so if I were accepted, I'd have to go to school with high school students (I'm in my mid 30s). Their pass rate is 100%.

I guess I'm just being impatient. I've been thinking about nursing for many years now and have finally decided to make the move. It's frustrating to find out I'll have to wait another 1.5 to 2 years before I can even start a program if I go for the RN (if I got accepted-there's a lot of competition). I was hoping the LPN route would get me into nursing faster so that I can work as a nurse and then go into an LPN to RN program while I'm working. Anyway,thank you both!

Just an FYI...That $25,000 turns into $65000 over the term of the loan if you make minimum payments(depending on the interest)...I'd go for the less expensive program and save your student loans for when you go for your RN.....You may not be able to work in such an intense program, those loans will save you at that point.