Paying cash for lpn school?

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There are several programs in my area offering LPN programs for cash. They are the same as other LPN schools only that they are cheaper. This one is offeriing LPN for $10.000 another for $12.000 and another for $8.000. They are fast to get into as well as way cheaper than other institutions that ask for $18.000-24.000. Their associates are also cheaper than the harder to get into schools that have FAFSA etc. I do not want debt after school or if I fail to complete (which happens with a lot of nursing students) at least I will be owing less than $10.000! I would like any advice from anyone who knows of such schools or who graduated from such a school. They ask for about $2000 dollars down and the rest is on a monthly basis. Student cannot sit for final exams for each subject till the monthly money is paid. Your name will be submitted to the board of nursing for NCLEX When you are paid in full. Advise me pleeeaaassse!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Do you have the money to cover your monthly fees without having to stress about it?

If so, it doesn't sound like a bad route to go.

I would check with the Board of Nursing for your state and make sure the school is accredited and has a decent track record (meaning they're not likely to suddenly close and cause students to be stuck financially and need to find a new school-- this has happened)

Best wishes to you!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

It would be helpful if you gave us the name/ location of these schools. We have several members (myself included) who are knowledgeable about accreditation and quality of programs. We would be happy to help you if you can provide more specific detail.

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Nobody can give you any advice without specifics as to which programs you are talking about. One such program could be an excellent choice, while the next a total fraud. We don't know if you don't tell us where you are considering attending. Also, if these programs are fairly new, there could be no recent graduates to speak about their experience.

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There is Medical Prep institute in Tampa (very established), and Suncoast College of Health in Bradenton fl (fairly established), there is another one I forgot in Orlando, there is also

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FLORIDA COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE TAMPA (newish?)

Thanks a bunch

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

I'm going to guess that they can't take student loan money. The feds are restricting funding to institutions that are for profit and don't meet specific standards. I understand wanting to get through with minimal debt, but you're right to be cautious. Check out the pass rate and ask to talk to an alum. Do your due diligence here or you may end up with less money and nothing to show.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
There is Medical Prep institute in Tampa (very established), and Suncoast College of Health in Bradenton fl (fairly established), there is another one I forgot in Orlando, there is also

Untitled

FLORIDA COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE TAMPA (newish?)

Thanks a bunch

Medical Prep Institute is not accredited by a reputable nursing accreditation agency.

Ditto for Suncoast.

Ditto Florida College of Health Science

Please use the search feature here to learn more about the critical importance of accreditation when selecting a nursing program.

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

So all that being said. I want with a diploma program through my local county's VoTech. It was $10000 not accredited. The difference is it was well established and had a 98% pass rate. It was right for me, I was debt free in a year. If I had a time machine I might do things differently though as going back for my RN is like starting from zero.

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Thanks for the responses

Accreditation is not my main worry. There were and are many great schools like Galen that was not accredited for many years till now but is one heck of a school. There are those who are accredited that worth squat too. LPN...I do not worry about it, ASN and BSN I will because it is like starting over though when you go for the higher degrees ...No? I would like a chance to earn a decent living in less than a year without a loan of $24000 or more. Then when I go for my ASN That will be another $54000 then my BSN will be roughly $2400-28000 (using cheap estimates here). Not counting MSN which is another $54000 or so. At the end of the day I am almost spending as much money as to become a doctor! The local tech schools take 2 or more years to get into. The waiting period is ridiculous. I know 2 nurses that went to both schools, Med Prep Institute and suncoast for their RN and they say that they suffered paying for their RNs but are happy now being RNs. They just wanted anyone to give the an opportunity to get to the board of nursing for NCLEX and these 2 institutions did. I think if I get to the NCLEX i can do it. NCLEX is an equal playing field though. These schools ofcourse do not have FAFSA, Salimae etc etc hence cash option for those that are asking. Is there anyone who has gone to these cash paying schools and how did they do it. Was it worth it? Is it doable?

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Caution - you DO need to worry about accreditation!!! Classes taken at unaccredited institutions may NOT transfers over to other schools should you seek to advance your degrees. (Read PP Alex' last sentence!) Don't set yourself up for future failure even if your future goal for an RN, BSN or advanced graduate degrees/licenses may not be in your immediate plans.

You could also be limiting yourself to potential job opportunities with facilities/agencies that require accredited educational preparation. I'm a bit fuzzy about this but I believe that I've read of folk having problems applying to VA institutions and admission to military branches (military I would DEFINITELY check this one out, seriously, if I were thinking of service).

And there must be some real reasons why the BIG financial lenders DO NOT provide financing for the schools you're looking at.

Yes, there are some folk out there who have not had problematic school issues. But I would guess that they're prob early in their post-school careers and/or had some wiggle room financially.

Proceed cautiously!

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Thanks amoLucia

Caution is the word. They are accredited by the board of nursing and department of education. They are not accredited by the bigger bodies like NLAC and CCNE that require so much money to accredit these institutions that are not nearly big as the big boys. They are still under to the board of nursing and department of education oversight and are closed if they do not meet minimal standards of operation. They have to teach out students or are susceptible to heavy heavy fines if they do not do so. I have done my research in these areas and have called the board of nursing to learn some of this. They have to be accreditated in 2 years or something like that or face closure by the board of nursing at which time they will have to teach out. Ugghhh. I am less confident I can start my LPN this year now. Thanks though. Good looking out

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It is always better to go to a state educational institution. Less expensive, almost always of good quality, a community college LPN program can yield an associate's degree, and most, if not all, of the courses offer transferability to a four year degree granting institution. Also, these schools often have very acceptable transfer articulations set up with four year institutions for those who want to progress to a BSN and RN license. I would always look to these schools before settling for profit driven proprietary programs.

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