Orlando Tech LPN January 2009

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I'm slated to begin the LPN program at Orlando Tech in January.. anyone else?

Thank you for your help

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You're welcome. Yeah, I thought a dental checkup was kind of unnecessary but you're required to get one.

Now I just have to worry about how to pay for the program. I spoke with financial aid on Monday.. they don't do Stafford loans, my father makes too much for me to receive a pell grant, but the lady had me fill out some forms and put me on a waiting list to get money from the Student Financial Aid Fund http://www.orlandotech.ocps.net/financial_aid/student_financial_aid_fund.html

Said that it was too early to tell, but if there were still funds available I could possibly get my tuition (sans books and uniform) totally paid for from that. Since I'm 22+ she also recommended I try to sign up for Workforce Central Florida, they'll pay for your tuition too if you qualify. So hopefully between those two I can get at least SOME of my tuition paid for without having to borrow it from someone or take out a loan..

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Hi! I have to agree with you... it is pretty cool that there are a few of us on this site who will be in the program together. I'm also pretty excited that it is only 12 months until graduation. I am returning to school and need o earn more to survive! I work as a PCT at Florida Hospital, love my job, but it is not the most money!!! I am going to take the test for the core portion, the cna portion, so the length of the program will only be about 10 1/2 months for me!

Good luck with your financial aid... I have to come up with some of my money too. I'll worry about it once it is a little closer.

The letter does come out in November with the mandatory informational meeting in December. Everyone has to attend or you will lose your place. I can't believe it is almost here!!! Yippee!!!

I'll see you there... btw my name is Leslie!

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My name is Gina. :) Yeah, I'm just worried about class time rolling around and not having the funds to pay for school. I asked the lady at financial aid when tuition is due and she said it wasn't due until you "register".. which is the first day of class. You really have to pry for information at this school, I've noticed..

I spoke with a girl who is already doing the LPN day program who was waiting to see financial aid as well.. she told me it's a very fast-paced program, really intense. Exams every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Anything below 80% is failing. Get ready to not have much of a life for the next year, lol. It'll be worth it in the end though. :D

If anyone who's going to be in my class wants to add me to messenger, my MSN is [email protected]

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Hi Gina! Thanks for the info regarding the program and exams. I have to continue working fulltime nights so I'm going to be living on energy drinks and caffeine for a year! I work with 2 girls who are in the LPN program @ Americare and Centura I believe it is. One works fulltime too but gets a lot of help from her instructor and the other can only work parttime. She said it was too much.

You are correct about trying to get any info in advance regarding the tuition, when it is due, how it is split, what happens if you have a scholarship, etc... I was told that you pay half the tuition in January and the other half in July. I am receiving the Pell grant and will only get half in January and then have to apply in July again so that might only be the procedure for recipients of the Pell. The website now states the tuition and lab cost is $4500. There is still books, uniforms, and supplies left to pay. The info that I had before was that the whole program was $4500 so it would be nice if everything was easy to find and costs outlined with deadlines and procedures.

I have been trying to find ways to pay the rest and I think that the state financial aid application for next year begins 12/1. You can check out their site and read about the programs they have. Maybe you would qualify.

TTYS!:yeah:

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Hi Gina! Thanks for the info regarding the program and exams. I have to continue working fulltime nights so I'm going to be living on energy drinks and caffeine for a year! I work with 2 girls who are in the LPN program @ Americare and Centura I believe it is. One works fulltime too but gets a lot of help from her instructor and the other can only work parttime. She said it was too much.

You are correct about trying to get any info in advance regarding the tuition, when it is due, how it is split, what happens if you have a scholarship, etc... I was told that you pay half the tuition in January and the other half in July. I am receiving the Pell grant and will only get half in January and then have to apply in July again so that might only be the procedure for recipients of the Pell. The website now states the tuition and lab cost is $4500. There is still books, uniforms, and supplies left to pay. The info that I had before was that the whole program was $4500 so it would be nice if everything was easy to find and costs outlined with deadlines and procedures.

I have been trying to find ways to pay the rest and I think that the state financial aid application for next year begins 12/1. You can check out their site and read about the programs they have. Maybe you would qualify.

TTYS!:yeah:

Oh man. :( I don't think I could do that. That's going to be hell on you. I plan on trying to work only on the weekends to ensure I have enough time to study and focus on school during the week. Meaning I'll be even more dirt poor than I am now.. but I live with my parents and don't have any expenses other than car loan/insurance and a credit card bill. But I know a lot of people have households and children and can't afford to quit their jobs or cut back to part-time.

State financial aid? I didn't realize there was such a thing.

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Hi everyone,

My name is Diana and i am also going for the lPN program on January! =D I was kind of confused at first because i am changing careers and I am trying to pursue a Master later on... therefore I am doing my best to accelerate the entrance to the RN programs.. I feel lucky that I was able to get into the program, since I did everything in week! .. but now that I see all of you so excited, I am thinking twice to do the program and then continue with my RN.. I am currently working full-time, temporary, but already have the appointment to get my CNA License.. Therefore I have tons of questions.. do you think this will be the best way to connect directly to RN program?.. I know we are buying time and a license under our belts... Somebody mentioned she will do only 10 and a half weeks instead of 12 months.. how can you do that?? if we take the exam, will they be able to shorten the course?? That will be great for me, since I am trying to apply for the bridge program to Valencia, and I will have my pre-reqs done on May (if I do the LPn plus the rest of requirements =! )

Other questions I have, is how were you able to get a job as a nurse tech? Please any tips will be great...

Hope to see you guys in December!!!

Last but not least...how can I find about the states finAid? how are they able to pay for books and the school.. I am not sure if I ill be able to qualify for financial aid.. Please let me know!

Thank You!

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Hi everyone,

My name is Diana and i am also going for the lPN program on January! =D I was kind of confused at first because i am changing careers and I am trying to pursue a Master later on... therefore I am doing my best to accelerate the entrance to the RN programs.. I feel lucky that I was able to get into the program, since I did everything in week! .. but now that I see all of you so excited, I am thinking twice to do the program and then continue with my RN.. I am currently working full-time, temporary, but already have the appointment to get my CNA License.. Therefore I have tons of questions.. do you think this will be the best way to connect directly to RN program?.. I know we are buying time and a license under our belts... Somebody mentioned she will do only 10 and a half weeks instead of 12 months.. how can you do that?? if we take the exam, will they be able to shorten the course?? That will be great for me, since I am trying to apply for the bridge program to Valencia, and I will have my pre-reqs done on May (if I do the LPn plus the rest of requirements =! )

Other questions I have, is how were you able to get a job as a nurse tech? Please any tips will be great...

Hope to see you guys in December!!!

Last but not least...how can I find about the states finAid? how are they able to pay for books and the school.. I am not sure if I ill be able to qualify for financial aid.. Please let me know!

Thank You!

LPN program in 10 1/2 weeks? I don't think that's possible anywhere.. lol. I do know you can test out of some of the basic classes if you hold a CNA license, or so I've heard.

Are you planning on taking RN pre-reqs AND going to Orlando Tech full-time at the same time? :no: I wouldn't recommend doing that.

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Hi Gina,

Well I just read the post so thta is why I was asking, so if I hold the license I can test out some of the classes??.. that will be great! =D Do you know where and how should I do that??..

Regarding the pre-reqs while doing my LPn...is only the lab for micro and A&P II.. those are the only classes I need for the bridge program at Valencia... I was also thinkin in FHCHS.. but I am not sure how strict they are to get into the program.. and those are only two religion classes, I can do them online and do not seem to be difficult...you definitely do not reccomend me taking them??.. I just want to get into RN as fast as possible.. I was going to apply straight to FHCHS.. but I am leaning more towards the LPn.. then the last option over there..since is expensive for me... What do you suggest I should do?

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Has anyone received their orientation invitation letters in the mail yet? I'm pretty sure when I turned in my packet the receptionist said they'd be mailing out letters in October but I haven't received one yet.. and I'm kind of worried about it since orientation is supposed to be held sometime in November.

Carolina, I'm not sure where you would go to test out of classes. Hopefully they will give us all that information during orientation.

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Hi! I might have typed "weeks" instead of months. I am going to test out of the CNA portion since I do that as my job. I believe it is about 165 hours that I would not have to do but they haven't told me much of anything and I'm assuming we will learn it all at our orientation meeting. The letter is supposed to be sent sometime in November and the mandatory meeting is in December. I scheduled my vacation in Novemeber due to not knowing exactly when!

I work as a patient care tech at Florida Hospital and from what I understand you cannot get a job as a nurse tech (same job basically but a little more pay) until you have finished your first clinical rotation in RN program. You would be in the float pool. I also have been hearing that even new grad RN's are having a very, very hard time finding work. They only want experienced rn"s so I've been wondering how tough it will be for new grad LPN's. If I could swing it and wanted to stay hear in FL, I would definitely go the route of an RN program. And the Florida Hospital program is pretty good and they work with you on hours for work etc... I just don't know how long I want to stay here. I know no one besides work and my boyfriend that I just broke up with and if it is going to be hard to find work I'd rather go back to RI where they pay more.

Hope this helps! Gotta go to work!

Leslie

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Thanks for the info Onmyway. I've heard the same thing about new grad RN's having a tough time finding work in FL. Honestly, I think an LPN may have a better chance of getting a job and getting their foot in the door somewhere.. due to all of the retirees that migrate down here, there's TONS of LTC facilities. My uncle's wife was an LPN for like 10 years, and finally got her RN license in about 2005 and she's now the head nurse at a nearby LTC/assisted living facility. Makes pretty decent money too.

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