practical nursing program

I am in a situation where my facility gave me a full time, tuition paid, leave with pay to become an LPN. I worked there for ten years as a patient care associate, and there are pros and cons, just as others have mentioned. I knew that I had an automatic position so, I did not have to do a job search. I know the people I work with, and I still have my pension, 401k, union benefits, medical and dental benefits and seniority. Bad thing is that I know that nursing practice is horrible. I am not totally miserable, because I know how to navigate the system to get what I need done, know administrators that are supportive of me. But, we do feel as though we are doing a jail bid. I have been offered other positions that pay more, but have to remain for 3 years.

Another thing to think about is that while the job may pay your tuition, it is rare that the student will get an automatic seat in the nursing programs. This has to be done by your own effort. We have had co-workers that did not take this seriously, because essentially, we were not supervised. We had to submit signed time sheets (signed by our professors), but there were so many schools involved, that you could have gotten a librarian to sign your sheet. Therefore, many took advantage by not using the time to study (the courses for both, LPN and RN are very time consuming and can be hard), taking early classes, then going shopping, not attending classes or whatever. If they were not accepted into the nursing program, they had to return to work, and pay back the money kicked out for the tuition. Also, there were some that graduated but did not pass NCLEX...they are really in a load of trouble. People are constantly in your business, asking "When are you going to take the test..." . One guy in particular was an LPN who got accepted into an RN program, graduated close to three years ago, and failed NCLEX-RN twice. Our DON called him to the office and asked him what happened. He explained his story, they even paid for a review course. By then, so much time had passed that he is now forgetting to think and study as an RN. He is still an LPN as I type this, and is talked about as well as embarassed. He will be cited for breaking his end of the contract, because they wanted us to take NCLEX within 6 months of graduation. We had to submit a copy of our grades each semester, and they were reviewed by the top dogs of administration. One person forged his transcript and got in major trouble, as well as thrown out of the program. They require strict adherence to the program, we were not allowed to take extra courses that were not required by the school's nursing program, unless it was approved. Some got in trouble for that...taking classes going towards physical and occupatioal therapy, by changing the class once the bill was submitted and paid by the job. Oh, it was a mess!!

Bottom line is that you have to be really dedicated to this; especially if it is on the facility's dime.

Oh, and usually, if a person is out on paid leave, they have to pay back more than just tuition, they have to repay the salary paid to them as well, and for the agency person who they hired to take your place. My overall tuition for the LPN program was $5000, but, because of this stipulation, I would owe more than $75,000 if I left before the contract is up. It is really cheaper to remain there, than to have to pay back such money. One girl (a CNA ) failed the nursing program, and they took $300 per pay period. She quit, moved out of state, and became an RN wherever she went, and then made arrangements to pay back that money.

Those that had their tuition paid but went on their own time owed less, of course, but, still, the facility is placing more money than just the tuition. If a person had to leave early to attend class, someone else had to stay to complete the shift. It still amounted to a great deal of money. Most of us that did complete the program have just decided to ride it out, because they cannot take the experience or the license away from us.

I rec'd a student loan (about 4,500) and had some money from Kodak where I got laid off.

Whatever school you're looking into should have a financial aid officer that can help you apply. You may also be eligible for finanical aid that doesn't need to be paid back based on your income. Once you are accepted into a school, you can fill out the FAFSA form for both the student loans and financial aid.

this is the lpn to rn bridge, you need to go to another student forum.