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When I said GRE above, that was a typo. I meant "GED".

Well the answer is that it depends on how smart you are. I don't mean that in an offensive way. You can be a generally intelligent person, but lack knowledge in certain areas. I thought the first section on vocabularly was particularly easy. However, when I put my pencil down, I heard some other people remark about how difficult they thought it was. It was an accumulation of lifetime as well as school experience that prepared me for that. I thought that the last section on reading comprehension was difficult because the passages were boring and technical. However, they give you plenty of time so that you can go back and re-read stuff and make sure you are answering the question right. I found that I had enough time in each section to go back and review my answers before the time was up. The science part drew from what I learned mostly in high school chemistry and college biology. For example, I remember a number of questions relating to different parts of the cell: mitochondria, etc. Perhaps the study guides will help you freshen up on that. If you do not already know this, you should be clear that these exams are partly testing your skill in taking these kinds of exams. It is not just about your basic subject knowledge. This is especially important in the math section. When you study, you should learn how to recognize types of questions. There are strategies for analyzing and addressing certain types of questions. That makes a difference so you don't end of spending a lot of time doing unnecessary calculations. This is why students are able to answer so quickly in the It's Academic TV quiz show. Also, there are strategies to approach multiple choice questions -- for example where you toss out the oddball answers and see what you have left. By the way, I was not impressed by the number of students who did not bring their own pencils to use in taking the test. And a couple of them actually left their cell phones on and answered them during the test!

Hi. You should contact the nursing department directly for advising. Don't guess. You can do this far in advance so you feel confident about your plan. Also, let's be clear that you are asking about the LPN program and not their RN program. The RN program has academic prerequisites. However, for the LPN program -- I think you just have to have a high school education or GRE. So I am not sure which prereqs you meant. If you meant the other items of their admissions checklist, such as security clearance, medical, etc -- then I would recommend that you get the entrance exam out of the way first. I knew the moment I took it that I would do well and immediately proceeded to get my letters of recommendation, etc. But if you are uncertain about whether you will score high, you should wait for your scores before investing in anything else, such as paying for a CPR class. By the way, I learned the hard way that the CPR class must be taught by someone qualified as an American Heart Association instructor. I paid for a Red Cross professional rescuer class and had to get a refund because Red Cross certification is not accepted by UDC.

With regard to the LPN program -- it is only 7,000 dollars. From my comparative research regarding LPN programs in the DC metropolitan area, that is the best deal in town. Most other schools are 10 thousand or more. Their tuition is flat rate regardless of whether you are out of state, such as a Maryland resident. This is because it is technically part of the UDC community college and not the UDC flagship university. You can pay it off in 4 installments -- one installment for each of the 4 quarters. Books and supplies are additional. There are interesting articles about how the university divided itself. The tuition for the UDC community college went DOWN, while the tuition for the flagship portion of the university is rising. The LPN program has 2 tracks: either day classes or night classes. The day class program is 12 months and the night class program is 15 months -- longer because of the fewer hours in class at night. It is a rigorous 5 day a week program and you can plan on studying 3 hours each night. Now comes the hard part because I work a full time government job during the day. This will be like a second job. Incidentally, at this moment, their classes are located in a rented building right next to the Archives Metro station. That is very convenient for me since I work downtown anyhow and can actually walk to class, but I hear that if you have to drive, parking can be expensive. I just interviewed and was accepted. It took a while to pull all the papers together for the application packet: take their admissions exam, get security clearance, get my physical with their recommended agency (that cost me over $400), get 3 letters of recommendation, get my unopened college transcript, etc. I learned some interesting things when I spoke to the director. One is that this program has a national and international reputation. There are people from Canada and Oregon for example, who flew here to interview for this and will actually relocate here to be a student in this program. I thought they would accept almost anyone who met their qualifications, but it is actually competitive and she said they were setting limits as to the number of people they will accept. I also found out that my profile of a typical student was way off. I had this stereotype of a low income single mother looking to progress from nursing assistant to LPN. Actually, 85 percent of their student body already have college degrees. They have even admitted retired people. I am relieved to know that I will be surrounded by other adult learners. I am 48 years old and took an EMT course at GW the other year where all the students were about 20 years of age and that does make a difference. When you are in very different stage of life, you have different things to talk about during social time. They were talking about social events in their dorms and which sports bars they like to go drinking at. I am looking forward to the diversity and the international pot luck parties the LPN students often organize. One other comment: if you miss more than two classes (excused) during a quarter, you will be failed and will not be able to continue. You must also pass at a level above 75% for all of your academic work or you will be failed.

If you go to the manufacturer's website, you can find referrals to local stores that sell crocs. Or maybe it would be easier to call local stores that you are already aware of that sell comfort shoes. Perhaps when you have a chance you can walk in and try a pair to get a sense of the right size. Then you can order them from wherever you feel comfortable. I originally ordered from crocs.com. However, if you go to Amazon.com and enter crocs in the search feature, you will find other vendors. Perhaps the other vendors can save you money, since crocs charged me $10 shipping. Consider that there are many styles online not offered through local stores. Nurses may need a shoe that is completely closed with no holes and those are not as popular through regular retail stores. Also note that the models in local stores may not offer the specific sizing you can get with models that you will find online. For example you will see the Beach model in general sizes like s, m, and L. You will find the Endeavor model in specific numbered sizes 4 through 12.

I recently took a local university course where I was 45 years old and everyone else in the class was 18-20 years old. I only needed the one course so I dealt with it. Other than my personal discomfort, there were no problems from others. However, if you are in a position to advise anyone on this subject, I strongly encourage you to tell them that there are schools that cater specifically to "adult learners" or "mid career professionals". We really have some very different things to discuss due to being at very different stages of life. One example is Walden U: http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Schools/Schools_7447.htm. If you have not completed your BSN yet, then consider their RN to MSN program and bypass the BSN altogether! They are accredited and affordable in my opinion.

Well there is getting hired as an educator and then getting an MSN in nuring education. Two different things. Look at Walden University for example. There you can go straight from a 2-year degree (AASN) to the MSN and bypass the BSN altogether! Waiting to get the graduate degree is not necessary. http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Schools/Schools_7447.htm Depending on where you are willing to work, there are places that might snatch you up right away, if you are willing to accept their salary. Examples might include CNA/LPN schools. As you may know, there are lots of them. In fact, they would love to have RNs period, even without an MSN credential.

Thanks. Good to know new resources. This is not completely distance learning, though, as there are a few weeks of short residency that you would need to be able to pull off. Also, note that there are eligibility requirements, so this is not suitable for anyone. I quote from their website: "An applicant to the transitional Doctor of Nursing Practice program must be an Advanced Practice Nurse functioning in the role of Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Midwife, or Clinical Nurse Specialist. All applicants must possess a master's degree. Nurses with an master's degree who did not graduate from one of these programs are not eligible for this program."

Consider that you may be able to test out of statistics. CLEP and DANTES exams can help accelerate getting the core education requirements out of the way.

there are a lot of msn online programs. consider what you want to specialize in. if you are interested in becoming a nurse educator or nurse administrator, then it is feasible. if you want a more clinically oriented msn then you may need a higher degree of clinical supervision and it may not be as convenient. i think walden’s msn is affordable: http://www.waldenu.edu/c/schools/schools_7447.htm. it seems like it would be easy to get in. some schools, such as university of new mexico, are also affordable but they have a limited number of slots and prefer to give them to in-state residents. university of south alabama has also received much attention. that unisa is not to be confused with the unisa in the next paragraph. now let’s talk about distance learning doctoral degrees. one option is to get one from unisa (university of south africa). it is my understanding that since that government recognizes the university, that our country will also recognize the degree. it seems to be a fast, cheap and simple degree. here is an organization in canada that seems to understand unisa and can explain matters that are not so clearly laid out in the unisa website: http://www.iaci-canada.com/. also, check out: http://www.umich.edu/~inden/

I found two distance learning schools that offer the LPN to BSN track. Indiana State University was already mentioned. The other is Deaconness based out of Missouri. I found their website less informative. Nevertheless, both programs are listed as accredited by NLN. I have no personal experience with either. For clinical skills, my recommendation is to have supervised clinical practice in a face-to-face situation (i.e., brick and morter school). That is the foundation for being a nurse and I don't see cutting corners on that and being competent. However, their are courses that apply toward an associates degree nursing that can be tested out through CLEP and DANTES exams, which can speed things up. In addition, I would only consider an AASN program that provides credit for the LPN training. In my neighborhood, University of DC calls that an accelerated LPN to RN program. Then once you get complete the AASN and get your RN license, instead of going for the BSN, which is what most people consider, you can go straight for an MSN at Walden University. They call it the RN to MSN track and you bypass the BSN. I estimate tuition for that 3 year distance learning program to be about 21K which is not bad. http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Schools/Schools_7367.htm

Does anyone have feedback on the new Walden University program? You can go straight from your RN 2-year degree to an MSN and bypass the BSN along the way. I estimate the tuition (RN to MSN without a BSN) to be about 21K. http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Schools/Schools_7367.htm

Before getting too serious about HMI, read this letter of complaint: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/7049/gripes.htm

Before considering HMI in Silver Spring, read this complaint: Deleting private website link re school due to legal reasons.Karen

Don't overlook the new Walden MSN program: http://www.waldenu.edu/. They specialize in distance learning. I am especially fascinated by their program for RNs who only have a two year degree. They can bypass the BSN and go straight for the MSN in a sort of combined program.

I am actually helping someone planning to embark on this path. My plan is to pay for a consult with an "attorney nurse" to get some advice on the feasibility of doing this.

I agree about not looking just at salary. As a federal employee, I get excellent health insurance that I pay extra into for good dental plan; opportunity to pay for long term care insurance which I do because you want lock in low rates at a young age; good life insurance that I pay extra into; great retirement savings plan that is matched to an extent; adequate sick leave and holiday benefits; and more. Like someone else said, a university affiliated hospital may have tuition benefits. And it can vary by the specific department you work in. For example, I often get to leave early from work, the day before a major holiday -- an unspoken benefit. I get a lot of free meals on the job. When I take time off for job training, my employer covers my salary so I don't use my annual leave for that. I am entitled to a special discount when purchasing a Dell computer for my home. I ride the Metro subway for free -- a savings of about $100 per month. There are other things, perhaps more superficial, that make a difference. For example, I have my own office instead of being herded into a cubicle. In 6 years, my salary rose from 45k to about 90K. We get our cost of living increases and step increases and sometimes promotions to higher grades with greater responsibility. I also take full advantage of our flexible spending account so that most everything I spend on healthcare is tax free and that includes over the counter stuff (alka seltzer, tylenol, peptobismol, band aids, cough drops, lip balm, antihistamine, etc) that insurance won't pay for and is not tax deductible either. In fact, I could use FSA money to pay for a CPR class!

With regard to CNA, see 24K at salary Wizard (not specific to this region of the country): http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_HC07000119.html

You may want to consider the accelerated LPN to RN program at UDC.

Does anyone know of local health care facilities that have given a chance to a former felon who went on to become a nurse? To start with, would anyone care to share experience with trying to sit for a license exam. Let's begin with a few assumptions: this person is willing to be honest about past convictions; the conviction occurred prior to beginning a nursing career and is not related to performance as a nurse; the conviction was not for something violent like murder, sexual assault or robbery. The crime was drug possession. The person had no prior criminal history and the person is mature and has turned her life around - new city, new relationship, going to college for the first time, etc. The answers I get (aside from personal opinions of judgement people) is that the nursing board determines these on a case by case basis. I believe that there are nursing care facilities that will give her a chance. Even though her intention is to be forthcoming, it is interesting how many places reportedly do not do thorough background checks for out of state history. The information I read about this on the Internet is unfortunate though because there are a lot of bad apples that spoil opportunities for those who have turned their lives around. There are thousands of women in prison and they are not all the same. Many of them could serve well in this helping profession. And from what I hear, the nursing field could use more help. Again, we are starting with the presumption that the person will not cause further problems, and this one person I know well and she will never do drugs again.

Depending on which courses you are talking about, it is possible to study on your own and "test out" some courses. Learn about CLEP and DANTES subject standardized tests. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/examinations/DSST.htm This is not for everyone because you have to know the material to pass. But some people know subject matter, such as chemistry, from taking it in high school. Paying a small fee to take a test is a lot less expensive than taking a course. And of course, it can speed up accumulating your credits. In addition, if you really want to take a full class on a subject, such as psychology, sociology or statistics, there are a lot of accredited distance learning programs. See: www.degree.net to learn more. You may be able to begin at any time. You may choose to overlap those courses with other course work you are taking. And some of those online courses may be short -- like only a couple months. Let me change the subject slightly. I dont know exactly which courses or degrees you are talking about. Let's say you have a 2-year AASN degree and want to proceed. If you are an RN already, I suggest that you consider the Walden university program. You can then proceed directly to an MSN, without a BSN! It is a three year program (accredited by both NLN and the federal government) and is faster than completing a BSN and MSN separately. I estimate that the Walden tuition (RN to MSN for nurses without a BSN) would be about $21K, not bad (excluding books, etc). Walden is a distance learning University. They help you arrange your clinical supervision with a local clinical preceptor. I don't work for them, but I advocate distance learning because it can be much more convenient. See: http://www.waldenu.edu/

Why limit yourself to a private school. UDC will also train students with no prior experience to become CNAs and to become LPNs. Then you can proceed to earn an AASN degree (in their accelerated program for LPNs) to prepare you for the RN licensure exam. I just called them today to confirm this. 8-29-06. I believe you will find UDC much less expensive.

You can rule out YWCA/Harrison. Their website says they are going to close. They stopped taking new students. They could not afford to sustain the program.

I just called UDC 8-29-06. I did not realize at first that they had an LPN program because it is not clear from their website. Their website describes the LPN to AASN program to prepare an LPN to site for the RN exam. It also describes the RN to BSN program. However, the good news is that UDC offers both a CNA program as well as LPN program. If you call them, they can send you a factsheet. FYI -- The DC Department of Health posts a list of approved nursing schools: http://dchealth.dc.gov/doh/cwp/view,a,1371,q,600316,dohNav_GID,1808,dohNav,|34480|34485|.asp In addition, as a wise consumer, you should read about the pass rates of students who graduate from the various school programs and sit for the licensing exam: http://hpla.doh.dc.gov/hpla/lib/hpla/news/DCNurseV3N2-3.pdf#search=%22VMT%20harrison%20dc%20doh%20LPN%22

Harrison/YWCA just posted an announcement on their site that they could not afford to continue the program and are not taking any more students.