seaviolet

Yes, I agree! Now, I feel more at ease. I can work as a nurse and focus on school with less stress knowing that I'm closer to my goal. :)

I believe that I received a good education from Ambria. The classes were tough but I think they really prepared us for NCLEX. I think that wherever you go, you have to make the best of it. It's so cliche but it's true. Financially, it was expensive but I knew I wanted to become a nurse. For me, the LPN route from Ambria was the fastest and my stepping stone. :)

@earroyo56 I am hoping to get into an RN bridge into one of the city colleges as well. I received my LPN from Ambria College in Hoffman Estates. Wishing you the best! I hope you get into the program. It definitely is a process so hang in there!

I am an LPN. Hospitals only hire LPNs in their outpatient settings like the clinics. Look into UIC, University of Chicago, Loyola Hospitals, and Northshore. :)

With much thought, I've decided to go the community college route and then do a BSN bridge. It might take a little longer before I get in the program but I know for sure, I will not have any issues as far as transferring my credits. In the meantime, I will enjoy my brand new LPN position and learn as much as I can in the process. :)

Oh and I'm not sure about CCC helping to get in the university hospitals. I didn't go to a community college. However, I did get in to a university hospital because I knew someone from within. If you want to get in, make sure you call the nurse recruiters and follow up!

Hi, @earroyo56 my lpn journey went fairly quickly. I also have two kids and worked full time 12hr night shifts. But I was lucky because I was able to study during the night at work when it wasn't busy. The salary varies but I have one classmate that started at 24 per hr at a nursing home where she was already employed, another at 21 dollars in an assisted living. So, I believe 20 to 25 range. Good luck to you! It's definitely doable with good time mgmt. Before you know it, you're done and planning for your next move, which is RN!

Congrats on getting your license doreenstar75! I have been looking for an lpn to rn online program. So far, Indiana State University is the only possible option I see. I called Excelsior College but since I live in Illinois, I would need to work for two yrs as an rn in another approved state to become licensed in IL. I really don't want to do ISU for fear of not being able to get clinical sites and preceptor but if it turns out to be the only way to get my RN while staying at my hospital, I will do it. What state do you live in? I hope your state's jurisdiction is much easier than Illinois!

Hello fellow nurses, I just graduated and obtained my LPN license last October. I am currently working for a large university hospital in Chicago. I recently went on a job interview as an internal candidate in one of our clinics. I sort of knew this prior to even applying that LPNs working in clinics normally only work 9 to 5pm shifts. However, I expected that salary would be a little bit higher given that I work for a well known large university. In the interview I was told that I would be lucky if I received 20 dollars per hour. I was shocked when I heard this. I was expecting more around 22 to 24 dollars per hour at least. So now, knowing this, I really don't think that it's worth to wait getting my RN degree. But if I take the job, the 9 to 5 hours will not work with my new RN class schedule. I don't want to leave the hospital I am working at because their benefits are amazing! They will pay 100% tuition reimbursement including lab fees, books, etc. But how can I take advantage of this great reimbursement program if my schedule won't allow me to attend school?? I guess Im just very conflicted. Do I work as an LPN for 19 to 20 bucks an hour at my hospital or leave and work in a nursing home where the hours are a bit more flexible, and say goodbye to 100% tuition reimbursement. Please help!

I just graduated from the LPN program last August and passed my boards a month later. I truly believe that Ambria prepared me for the NCLEX. Their passing standards for every class are very high. As a result, I passed the boards after 85 questions within an hour. Of course, the school isn't perfect. We didn't get to do our clinicals at some fancy hospital. We had to do our rotation at Roseland Hospital where resources was very hard to come by but we got through it. We learned to preserve the resources we did have and really learned to work as a team. But the most important part is, we learned how to advocate for our less fortunate patients. Isn't that what nursing is mostly about? So, I think it's really up to the person to make the best of the situation. In addition, I never had a problem with financial aid and scheduling. The staff always tried to help out the best they could. The only downside really is the extra 600 dollar fee they charge for each class. Overall, I have no regrets going to this school, only thankful for the wonderful instructors I have had. ( Except one from Fundamentals) As far as going back for my RN, I would love to but they don't have the AACN accreditation yet.