Please Help!!!!!

WayneStateKatie · Jul 22, 2008

If you're going to go to a LPN program be aware that your job opportunities will be far fewer than with a RN degree. Most hospitals are phasing out LPNs-- most job opportunities for LPNs are in long term care facilities so if that's where you'd like to work a LPN program could be a good opportunity for you.

One thing I will tell you about Everest-- they charge a ridiculous amount of tuition (you will end up paying at least 5 times as much as you would to get your same LPN license from a community college). Everest institute is a FOR PROFIT college (as is anything else that advertises on daytime TV-- how do you think they get money to pay for all that airtime? Overcharging students.....) If you took classes at a community college they would transfer to any institution if you wanted to further your education. Pretty much no other schools accept credits from everest so all those classes you paid a ridiculous rate for are worthless because no other institution will take them....

You will be like 15,000+ in debt by going to everest which can be a huge sum to pay off with LPN hospital wages (14 something an hour at U of M hospital..... Long term care facilities will pay a little more)

Community colleges and universities are regionally accredited-- if you move you should have no problem with transferring your license. REALLY look hard into Everest's accreditation before doing anything.

I would highly suggest you look into the LPN and RN programs at your local community college. Even more strongly I suggest you shadow LPNs and RNs. You mentioned you want to get into nursing for a stable job/ money. That mindset does not go over well on this board (flames may be coming your way.....) Nursing is a difficult job-- it is hard to get into a program, complete the program, and it requires a special type of person. If you're not the type of person who has the capacity to be a nurse (and that's ok) it would be better to find that out BEFORE having spent time, effort, and money on school.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Please shadow nurses on the job and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE think very long and hard before signing anything with Everest.

kirstin06 · Jul 22, 2008

thanks for your advice. I guess i didnt really word what i posted the right way,I'm not just trying to get into nursing just to do it I have actually wanted to be a nurse since high school and im confident that i would be good at it. i would much rather spend my time helping people and making a difference in their lives than sitting in an office chair all day long not doing anything rewarding. after graduation i just kind of fell into my current job and have been doing it for 2 years now and have realized its time to go back to school to do what i really want. for stability, i was refering to my job not exactly being set hours, if we dont have work to do then i dont come in and lately it has been happening more and more due to michigans declining market and i cant afford that anymore especially with a 5 month old and i know i will be paid more than what i am being paid now. i would not want to work in a hopsital i would prefer a nursing home or something like that and i think being an LPN would be right for me.

the person i talked to at everst said that without financial assistance (which i have not applied for but am almost positive i will qualify) it would be just over $28,000. i was a little shocked at that amount considering its for 11 months of classes. i have looked at my community college and there is a year minimum waiting list, usually longer, and i really dont know if i can or want to wait that long to get in.

how would i go about shadowing an LPN? i don't really know anybody working in this field at all to help me out with these things. basically i dont want to be screwed over so am just trying to get as much info as i can from people.

AuntNana · Jul 22, 2008

basically i dont want to be screwed over so am just trying to get as much info as i can from people.

$28K in school loans is getting screwed over--LPN or RN. Don't forget, those loans are not the low interest loans offered through the CCs. I agree, go the community college route. What if you want to continue your education? You're going to want/need credits that transfer.

Again, think VERY carefully before you sign the umpteen million forms they will get you to sign.

Good luck!

SnowStar4 · Jul 22, 2008

Would Everest be a BSN or ADN? I am not familiar with them. Either way, I agree that that is way too much to pay for this field. It would be tough to pay off those loans. Go to a community college that will cost a few thousand.

Have you finished your prereqs? You can be finishing those up while you wait your year to get in. Also, if you have good grades try places like Macomb that have no waitlist. It still takes almost a year though, by the time you apply, get in, and actually start. I decided in November to go to nursing school, applied and start in a couple months. Not too shabby!

NoviceRN10 · Jul 22, 2008

You are young, I would start taking your pre-reqs and get on a waiting list for an ADN program. I couldn't imagine paying $28,000 for an LPN (or being in debt for that much trying to work it off afterwards). I go to a community college and will be paying less than $7,000 (including books, uniforms, tuition, etc.) for my ADN.

SmackerNurse · Jul 22, 2008

You are young, I would start taking your pre-reqs and get on a waiting list for an ADN program. I couldn't imagine paying $28,000 for an LPN (or being in debt for that much trying to work it off afterwards). I go to a community college and will be paying less than $7,000 (including books, uniforms, tuition, etc.) for my ADN.

I second what anurse2be09 suggested. For my entire ADN (not including all the classes I have taken towards my BSN) my total cost is about $7,000 as well. $28,000 is a lot of money to spend on an LPN program and an even more amount of money just to get it finished sooner. I wish you well on your decision, but definitely weigh all the pros and cons before making your decision.

rainorshine978 · Jul 23, 2008

$28,000 is an insane amount of money to spend to be an LPN. If I'm not mistaken that's not even an associates degree, I believe it's a certificate.

It seems as though you want this to happen rather quickly, as much as we all want that, you have to understand that whether you want to be an LPN or an RN, it's not going to happen in a couple months.

You said you've wanted to be a Nurse for a while. Well if I were you I would check into Henry Ford Community College. They have a waiting list and there are only 6 pre-req's you have to take in order to get on the list. If you buckle down and take 3 a semister you can be on that list by Spring 09. If you're going to go for your dream then go for the RN. If you need something immediatly to bring in some money, I suggest taking a Health Unit Coordinator course, it's only a couple months long and will get your foot in the door at a hospital, then you can have them pay for your RN degree. You'll have a job (with health ins) and be going to school at the same time.

OnlyByHisGrace · Jul 23, 2008

Hi Typhanie78,

where does one take the Health Unit Coordinator course? i am interested in taking it. I will be going to Oakland next fall and i have some time as i take the three nursing classes they require of us.

would appreciate hearing from you.

rainorshine978 · Jul 23, 2008

Hi Typhanie78,
where does one take the Health Unit Coordinator course? i am interested in taking it. I will be going to Oakland next fall and i have some time as i take the three nursing classes they require of us.
would appreciate hearing from you.

Hi, the next class starts in January 09. It's through Macomb Community College. The fall course is already full. :) Just go to Macomb.edu and type in Health Unit Coordinator in the search box and it should pull up all the information you would need.

RN1982 · Jul 25, 2008

I didnt spend 28k getting my ADN. Thats insane.