ninjapanda

Really hoping nursing comes through though.. *sigh* Plan A - LVN, ADN RN, BSN, MSN Plan B - Work as LVN then do PT school

I'm doing an LPN program and will be going into my RN program right after.. hopefully I'll be done with everything before I'm 28-29 or so. *sigh* Anyway, I was considering doing WCU's BSN program but the hefty price is too much for my load. If you feel you can take out the loans needed for that and be done asap with your RN program then you should do it. Just realize that WCU is full time and you can't really work unless you have a job that's super flexible and even then I wouldn't recommend it..

I am actually attending Marian College right now.. almost done with my first term! I'm doing the part time classes which is thurs-sat so I graduate next Nov. It is thus far one of the cheaper programs on your list ($27k or so) and its also a really good school in my opinion. All the teachers are very nice and are always willing to help you in whatever way possible. Let me tell you.. my instructor for the A&P portion was incredibly hard. She was a Doctor and omg.. I just barely passed even with the studying so prepare yourself!! It doesn't matter which nursing school you attend but remember to stay focused on your goal! Our first round of clinicals was at this 5 star facility at Lake Balboa then at Sharon Care Center in Beverly Hills. Very nice facilities with great patients~ Regarding the loans you need to talk to the financial advisor about that as I don't know your personal situation.. but for me personally I wasn't approved for having a full loan covered and did not have a co-signer that could help so monthly I pay a small portion that goes toward paying off the $27k. Other than that after you graduate you have 6 months until you start paying off your loan. Only thing I don't like are the last minute schedule changes (like having a theory/lecture day when we're supposed to have a clinical or vice versa) but other than that it's a good program. The class sizes are good too since it gives the instructor more time to help you out one by one rather than dealing with a 40+ student class where you don't get individual help or at least not as much as you'd like.. They are also in talks of adding in an RN program sometime in the future so I'm hoping that will be set by the time I graduate or even a few months or so after because after this program I'm aiming to do an LVN-to-RN bridge (while still working as an LVN part time then RN program part time as well) then do my Masters.. One more thing.. what I like about this school is I never felt pressured to join their program.. like I went to one school where they basically belittled me asking me why I wasted all my time and asked why only now did I want to finally go into school.. ugh. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is they don't make it seem like all they want from you is your money.. they actual treat you with respect and courtesy. Haha One thing though.. majority of their school are filipino's (owner,students,instructors).. Just fyi. Lol P.S: Even though the LVN market doesn't look too good as that poster above says.. it is actually ALL ABOUT THE CONNECTIONS!!! You have to network, network, network!! Make new friends and comraderie as much as possible! One of my close friends from my last job is actually working at this facility and says once I graduate I'm in as she has connections.. I also have another friend I'm close to that his sister's husband is the DON.. so I'm in for that if not at least have connections to ask for any facilities he has that are hiring. So, gotta make connections in the nursing world.. *sigh*

I started in Feb 17th of this year.. almost done with my 1st term which ends August 14th!! So excited! Good luck to you all that started already and also to those who will start soon!