wasted-enough-time

Wow... Cause the friend I was talking about just got in at WCC. She applied to both programs ( LPN /RN) got accepted into LPN right away and the RN,( but only as an alternate..) Now she had already taken a long time ago, Phlebotomy and EKG via continuing Ed courses, and I honestly don't recall if she actually worked in either??? Nonetheless, I'm sure just having those, helped her chances of getting in too...WCC uses the point system... Now Barton College does not require CNA for their RN/BSN program. Things may change in the future though...

That may be true for some places and schools, and I totally understand the reasoning behind it...I mean anyone can read a book and pass a test, but I think if I recall correctly, you also have to take some kind of skills assessment..right? I know at WCC you have to submit either your CNA license or show proof that you completed the actual class. I have a friend that just got in ( LPN program) and all she did was challenge the exam...She did have a medical background though..

You can also Challenge the state exam!! Go to the NCDFS ?? I think...Anyway go to the website that licenses all CNA's and there is a link explaining how to go about it. Cost?? if I recall, I think was around $92.00, not completely sure tho. Naturally, you would have to have a strong knowledge or medical background...

Just my two cents... Sounds like you would fair better as a CMA, mainly because of the areas of employment you are seeking. This is NOT to say that LPN is not a great choice, cause it is!!, just basing my advice from what you said... Best wishes no matter which you choose... Keep us posted OK?

I think the new max Pell grant has gone up to around 7k. I don't know if the type of school attended matters though... In any event I wish you the BEST!!....I'm still kinda spinning in circles myself...

Thank you so much for sharing this!! Its good to know that there are many routes to the same destination... Congrats on completing your RN so quickly..

thanks!!!!!!!!!!! I just PM'd you with my number...

Thanks!! Can you pm me now? I think you can since i added you as a friend...

Thank you for responding!! Well here is my situation... I got accepted TWICE into the RN program at WCC...However, BOTH times it was as an alternate. This last time I was alternate #3....I was told by my advisor that i should be proud to have been chosen because they had well over 300 students apply each time and only choose 24 plus the 8 alternates... I have taken EVERY class required and even some extra electives over the past two and a half years...I completed A & P I & II, all my maths, Englishes, and so on... Right now there is actually nothing left for me to take... Classes start here on 8/20/09 and since I've yet to be called, i can safely assume that all of the original 24 students chosen have met all the dead lines, turned in their paper work, physicals, CPR certifications and so on... By the way, a friend of mine was chosen as ALT #1, and as of Friday, she too has heard nothing... Yeah, the cost of EPCI plus the distance was a big concern for me, as i had considered attending there a while ago...Nonetheless, i AM happy for all of you that are offically on your way... For me, well I guess I'm back to square one...Not knowing what to do...

CONGRATULATIONS!! That is awesome...I'm excited for you too!! ps: you have a private message...

Financial aide,...as in "HOW" is the school going to get paid... If you pass the TEAS, Do good on the interview,...you are basically in!!...The rest unfortunately is all about money...its a GOOD school though...

Hello everyone... I wanted to jump in here and say... Yes!! there are some schools that are way more expensive than others; however, I kinda look at it this way... You go out and pay xxxxx dollars for a new vehicle and most likely finance it over several years. After you pay ( lets just say $22,000 with interest and all..naturally it could be much higher, but for now lets just go with that..) Anyway after 5, 6, 10 years...all you have is a piece if metal!! BUT after you make the same investment in yourself, you STILL have something to show for it, better employment opportunities, options for education advancement, and so on..!!!!!!! Investing in yourself is never wrong no matter the cost!

StudentLPN32... You have a PM!!

anyone attending EPCI Raleigh ?

Thank you NC girl 35!! Congrats to you for enrolling in the Excelsior track!! Wow thats exciting!!!!! Girl I was just thumbing thru one of my text books...a biggie..cause its 1340 pages..wosza...and talk about heavy..I can't believe that we will actually get to cover everything ( page by page) during this one semester... Anyway thanks for your support and best wishes...I'm pulling for you TOO!! ((Hugs)) Anna

Hello everyone!! Sorry that its been a while since I've posted ( with the holidays,family, work and all else..I've been extra busy these days ..),however I wanted to make sure that I did pop back in with an update on my school situation... OK, DRUM ROLL~~~~~,..as of January,7th, 2008~~~~I will be attending WCC working towards my RN!! I have to first complete several pre-reqs ( only 6 classes actually) These are different from the pre-reqs already completed ( which were specifically slated for the PN program,).. So in essence, I'm kinda having to take 3 steps backwards to go 2 steps forward... a real bummer for sure, and a tad crazy if ya ask me :uhoh3:,... but at least I'm on my way!! I'll be taking 14 credits this spring and perhaps 9-12 credits during the summer.. I'm working closely with my advisor who"s been a fantastic help!!.. She informed me that in total to complete the RN /AS degree,would run aprox $6-7K ( this includes tuition books and supplies etc) Also on that note, here is another wonderful blessing,..I was able to get financial aide in the form of a grant ( did not think I would, income wise, given that I work full time ) which will now cover my tuition and books for both the Spring and Summer semesters... now How cool is that!! ( I will have to re-apply for the Fall & Spring tho..) Once I start classes, I will drop back to PT employment and of course once actual clinicals begin ~~~~ way down the road, I will not work at all~~~ hopefully,..as right now that is the plan... Right now I am excited and even somewhat scared all at the same time,LOL...mostly excited tho...This past Monday,I picked up all my books and will begin going thru them this weekend... OK enough about me....How's everyone doing? MAGOR CONGRATS ~~~2007LPN2BE~~~:balloons::balloons::balloons: ICEIS and Allison,..how are you guys doing? NC girl35...you too? Anna

2007LPN2BE, Just reading your post, has brought tears to my eyes!! YES,..you are so right as I too believe strongly that whatever is "meant for me" is how things will work out!! Many times in life what we "think" we want or need is not always whats best for us!! Just knowing this deep inside gives me an aura of calm....I can look back on the course and events of my life and clearly see that things truly became what they were supposed to be...In other words.."the Dots always connected"...Weather I even understood it at the time or not... So,...if I get in at one of the CC then Great!! and if I don't then oddly enough ...thats great too, cause I'll be lead to the exact pathway meant for me!! Thanks SO much for your support .... Ok,..back to YOU...WOW..wow..wow...almost done!!!! I can actually feel your excitement thru your words!! I KNOW your sense of accomplishment and appreciation in all that you have experienced and learned is amazing and in my opinion, well worthy of Gloating...so gloat on my friend...I applaud you!! :balloons::balloons::balloons: Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.... Anna

Hello everyone!! Well...as promised...I am back to update, meaning share with you my decision... After thinking about things heavily, talking it over with hubby and also re-visiting the school and speaking to ***** one of the Reps at EPCI ...who by the way was actually VERY helpful ( not supposed to use names..) Anyway, I decided not to attend in Feb. as planned ( for Now that is..) I will explore ALL other options first and in the mean time...My seat will be given to someone else....I will no doubt go thru periods of regret. I was told that I can come back any time and will still have a seat in either of the next upcoming classes ( June & Oct. 08) if I choose... I once again will face the whole CC route...I already went back to WTCC and met with one of the advisors there. she pulled all my records, gpa, credits and so on...and asked me .."Why had I not applied to the RN- program?..I sat there dumb founded.......cause all i heard from day one was how hard it was to get in....So thinking it was easier, i applied for the PN program instead ( WTCC offers the two separate from each other RN / AS degree and PN / Diploma)..I was also told by one of the instructors there in 2005 that i could only apply for ONE program or the other..but not both...turns out that that was not true either.. Anyway, I now have an appointment with another advisor scheduled for after Thanksgiving. I will also go on and apply at JCC, NASH, PITT and so on..I may even look into Barton College.....I am NOT putting epci down by any means, as i may very well end up full circle and attend there after-all. I feel good knowing its an option if need be... I made this decisions for several reasons including the $$$ part....oh and by the way they will be once again Raising the tuition at epci in 08 . Before I totally commit myself financially and other-wise, I just want to make sure.... On the bright side I did learn that they (WTCC) will be changing part of their "Choosing" procedure and your assigned advisor can now give you a realistic "Time line" as to when to expect to actually get in ( based on if you have already completed all your pre-reqs etc) It sounds very hopeful..so we'll see...They are holding an informative meeting regarding all the changes in December...and you can bet I'll be there.. Thanks!! to everyone for all your wonderful advice and also sharing your "real" experience. I will still be around and cheering each of you on as you complete your goals :balloons: Anna

2007LPN2BE....THANKS!!...for sharing your thoughts and opinion on this matter...right now I am really :uhoh3:, cause I am not 100% sure of what to do...You see I am supposed to begin in the Feb 08 class, full times / days... ( by the way I have not yet tied myself up with them financially), matter of fact I go 11/14 to see the FA person... I have been in contact with another student here who has been very helpful, honest and open regarding her experience with EPCI's PN program as well. she is going to make an excellent Nurse, for many reasons including the fact that she already has a medical background ( as I do myself), and most importantly, she knows how to make the best of a bad situation..school wise... I value her advice as i do yours...I too applied at WTCC, but as expected,..was not one of those chosen....I have friends here that have applied ( and reapplied, since there is no actual "waiting list"), for the past 2, 3 years and such....and..nada.. I have completed all my pre-reqs, have a good GPA, scored fairly high on the TEAS, and already been a CNA ( for 12+ years), however with the large number of applicants yearly and so few slots ........The furthest i got was to be chosen as an alternate ..... I was really bummed, but they went over the "Numbers" with me and with 376 applicants and only 30/40 slots ( alternates included) ...Kinda help put things in perspective... I was told that the number of applicants applying was growing yearly..I was told my chances "were still Good" and to keep reapplying... Oh and they also tried to convince me to take the surg-tech, or one of the other allied health programs while waiting.... I was told by one of the advisors there that If I already had my LPN, (given my situation, meaning the # of credits and classes I already completed ) that getting in the RN program would be no problem. She said that I would have to complete a "Nursing Transition course" and I ( think??) a pharmacology calculation exam.... Anyway, thats why I wanted to go the EPCI route...instead sitting and waiting another year or two, or three.. in the "hopes" of getting in... I could do the 12 months, obtain my LPN and move on towards my ultimate goal........I am going to give everything much thought and look at things from every possible angle..then make my decision from there... Again thanks and Best wishes to you!! Anna

Allison & Iceis...how very Cool that you two have met!!!! Allison I LOVE how you "Know" exactly what it is you want to do!! No doubt you will reach those goals and will make a wonderful Nurse ( LPN thru future.. RN):balloons: Best wishes to the both of you!! Anna

Thank you NC Girl 35 for responding!! I actually have a friend who' s sister is currently attending the RN program in VA. (The Newport news campus, I think.) she married and moved from NC to VA two years ago..which is her hubby's home state. Anyway she told me that they were told that the actual works are in progress for an RN program to begin here ( meaning Raleigh campus) sometime in 09... ( they were told this in confidence..I guess its kinda hush-hush till all the kinks and other required stuff is worked out..) I am sure it would be very costly,..however, I think it will also be a wonderful option for many....:monkeydance: By the way she attends the Newport News campus Allison, (( HUGS)), just read your pm,..about to respond..in a sec....

Hi Icis & Allison!!! Thank you both for responding!!! Thank you Icis for taking the time to answer my questions!!, that means a lot to me....I know you must be fairly busy and I appreciate your kindness in doing so.. Allison I just pm'd you ...But I will say again...Thank you for your total openness and honesty!!! I will no doubt be taking you up on your kind offer for help at a future date ~~smile~~ Oh and if I am ever at the school during your class hours, i will look for the "Blond" among everyone, LOL... On a serious note:, I feel really bad that your experience has not been all that you expected or deserved. I hope that the day program is better run!! I very much admire you for hanging in there and making the best of it!! I can clearly see that you are a determined person and will do well no matter what path you choose!! Just remember too that once you finish and have that LPN License in hand....It would have all been worth it,..I'm sure... Now That goes for you too Icis as You both are where I want to be....... take care and Please Do pop in here and post often so I can live vicariously .....thru all your PN student adventures..,,,as i await my own~~smile~~ (( Hugs and best wishes)) Anna

Hi Ices!! I will be going full time. I just want to go on and get it over with!! Hubby is behind me 100%, but in all honesty I admit that $$$ I am a little worried. I'm so used to working and my not doing so, is certainly going to take some adjusting on my part, plus our budget will be tight and I also have to factor the extra $$ I'll be spending in gas to and from school etc.. so much to worry about.. I "may" work a little here and there , meaning perhaps 4 to 8 times per month, or if I could swing it, I may work say every Friday & Sat ( 8 hours each doing private duty) but again all thats a big "IF", cause I expect the program to be hard and time consuming. Going PT sounds great especially when also working FT. Since I have to commute an hour+ each way, coming home in the late evenings was a concern...CONGRATS!! to YOU for starting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, the school is $$$, but the flip side is having to wait 2, 3, years or more to get into a traditional PN program. I did some "Asking" and one of the LPN's here in my town shared with me that she is making $18.00 per hour ( W/one year experience...LTC) I'm currently making $10.00-$12.00 per hour doing private duty ( agency) however there is not really any job stability...and NO benefits..... Have they told you where you will be doing your clinicals? Are the instructors nice? ( PM me if ya have to..) Also when will you begin your clinicals?, what subject are you studying first?, How many in your class?, What about books?, Any students having a long distance ( like me)? You said that some of the students already have advance degrees..Wow..., whats the average age of students?, how about the oldest? Sorry that i am full of questions, LOL Just that I am so very excited for the both of us!! Anna

wanted to also add... will be starting Feb 08, days full time.....Was So hoping for that October class, but it was already filled,,....Anything at all that you could share would really be appreciated!! ((( HUGS )))

Hi Iceis!! Thanks for responding!!! Please share what the PN program is like for you. Are you FT or PT? Did you start in the October class? Thanks