mshep12

You might find these two articles helpful. They outline all the duties, requirements, preparation of LPNs and RNs. I found it helpful, I'm going for my BSN to be an RN. Good luck with your decision! http://nursingprograms.com/licensed-practical-nurse-vocational-practical-nurse http://nursingprograms.com/rn-registered-nurse

Hey, most of what I have to contribute goes along with what the post above me mentions. Mainly, wait for awhile once you're in school and find an understanding employer (easier said than done, I know). If your schedule has to be changed for school maybe b/c of a lab or clinical (later on) your employer will accept that it's something you can't avoid. And the most important thing is that you keep yourself on schedule obviously. Schedule everything down to the half hour if you need to. I know if I don't say before I sit down to study that I'll only take a break at this time and for this long I'll negotiate with myself and waste a ton of time just saying 'five more minutes' of tv or reading or whatever it is. if you manage your time wisely you'll have time to get the hours in for work and then even just get back to your normal life. lol, your 'normal' life will still exist! it just might be less active than before, but it's there if you work to keep it.

My impression is that most nursing programs want to see the lab time. For other pre reqs, I'm thinking mostly of math, I'm sure some programs do accept credits from online courses. But you should check with someone in the program's department of admissions.

Like someone else said, the Stafford unsubsidized loans might be good. Or just look around for tons of scholarships, however small they may be. I understand that can be time consuming, but if you spend one hour working on an application for a scholarship and then get the $1000 award, that's the most worthwhile hour of work you've ever done! :wink2:

Most of the schools I heard of often use waiting lists... but you can check out this site, they have an index of nursing programs organized by state. http://nursingprograms.com/. good luck!

I'd suggest taking anatomy first. I took anatomy in high school. Physiology definitely has more to do with chemistry, but anatomy sometimes covers a little of that too. Anatomy seems like a good transition into physiology, especially for people who have had the bare minimum of science courses. It's easier to relate to anatomy because the subject matter is usually on a larger scale.

This is by no means a permanent solution, but it sounds like you're desperate at this point. Have you tried consolidating your loans? It might not be possible depending on where you got your loans, but sometimes you can do it, and it just puts all your debt into one loan. It doesn't sound so good, I know, but it means you lower monthly payments at a set interest rate usually. I don't know, good luck though.

Someone may have mentioned this already, but the biggest difference between ADN and BSN is what you're looking to do with your career. The ADN is great for training hospital-ready RNs. The BSN is for those nurses who someday want to oversee a nursing unit or get more into the management side, although of course if BSNs often decide to stay on the floor and get a pay raise. There's more about the BSN in this article: http://www.nursingprograms.com/bsn-bachelor-of-science-in-nursing. I think that will really help anyone with a similar concern.

If it's something you're seriously considering, there's no harm in doing some research. It's probably good to check if your area has strong job market. Hospitals are hiring fewer LPNs to begin with, but as long as your confident in job availability and your desire to do it, go for it! If you want some good general info on the job, this might help: http://www.nursingprograms.com/licensed-practical-nurse-vocational-practical-nurse Good luck with your decision.

The Pell Grants are a good place to start. If you don't qualify for those you can try the Stafford and Perkins federal loans. They're specifically for students and some of the Stafford ones are actually subsidized (the gov't will pay any interest accumulated on the loan, so you only pay the original amount back later). Good luck!

I agree with the other posters here, it mostly depends on job opportunities in your specific location. But, if you would like more information, you might find this article helpful. http://www.nursingprograms.com/licensed-practical-nurse-vocational-practical-nurse It's very informative. Good luck...

Have you tried applying for federal student loans?? Most are need-based, but there are a few that are credit-based. So if you have good credit you'll be fine. I'd start with looking at unsubsidized Stafford loans. You probably won't qualify for subsidized (the gov't pays interest) but the unsubsidized would help you out. I think you can get $3500 your first year if you qualify.

Hey, I think if you go for your BSN you can become an RN. That's my impression anyway. I mean, yeah, a lot of people get their BSNs after becoming RNs, but BSNs are supposed to get anyone licensure as nurse. If you want more details, you should check out some of the articles on this website: http://www.nursingprograms.com/bsn-bachelor-of-science-in-nursing. Good luck, decisions!

I haven't decided yet either, CG. I'd think I'd be best in pediatrics or NICU, but NICU can be very challenging emotionally, not that pediatrics isn't, but there's definitely a difference in the atmosphere of it. Anyway, if anyone else is experiencing some indecision, a useful article is: http://www.nursingprograms.com/stories-from-the-nicu. Well, obviously that's just about NICU, but maybe it will make or break a few of your decisions out there.

I think maybe you're putting to much stock into this one experience you were in. Yes, it sucked, but on the bright side it's probably prepared you so that you'll appreciate nursing once you're on the other side of school, or maybe once you're in school period! Maybe this will help you: http://www.nursingprograms.com/labor-of-love-a-nurses-story. Also, on the same site, they have descriptions of other nursing jobs, like LPN. Good luck.