Should I be a nurse?

Soon-2B-RN · May 3, 2006

Wow where you live must be very expensive! The LPN program out here only cost $5,000 and the RN program I am in cost $10,000. If you have that much college credits why not just go for the RN?? Not saying LPN isn't a good choice it's just that if you already have that much schooling why not go all the way? Just something to think about. I think you should go for it. Just don't let money be the only reason behind doing it. You'll get burnt out and be gone before you even make up the money for school. So I hear.....:nuke:

rickt83 · May 3, 2006

I am in CT and the RN programs around here have waiting lists and such, so the lpn program is no wait and jobs are pretty much guaranteed. I will look at some other possible programs, but i do work full time so to do one of those programs would not be easy.

Travellpro · May 4, 2006

I would strongly discourage you from doing an LPN program. I do not know what it is like in your area but they are pretty much being phased out here. They do almost the same work as an RN and make drastically less money. $28,000 for LPN school? That is a total rip off. I would look for other schools in the area. Some hospitals even have nursing programs. I am in an RN program and it's only $5000 and better success and hire rates than those students graduating from the university here. It sounds like it's something you want, but don't get screwed over in the process.

Princess74 · May 4, 2006

That is a lot of money for an LPN program! Check your local hospitals and see if they offer a program. If they do it will be a reasonable price. I am starting a LPN program this fall that is offered through a hospital, its only costing me $6400.00

kiwe · May 19, 2006

I am almost 23yrs old, I have about 2 years of community college done, and have been looking into Nursing recently. I like the idea of having job security forever, and I also like the idea of flexible schedules and things like that.
The LPN school I am going to attend is $28000 so this is a huge thing in my life.
I want to make sure I am doing the right thing. I was in school for business administration and I hate it. I cant see myself sitting behind a desk all day, not accomplishing anything. There is no benefit to what I would be doing, as far as helping people and things like that. I love to help people, I am very much an outgoing person and I like to go out of my way to do things for people.
Hospitals, blood, fluids never really bothered me, although I never really had to clean "poop" before I am sure I can acquire that ability.
please advise, as I know if I join this program I will deffinately be venting to this website very frequently.
Thanks
Rick

- are you sure you didn't mean $2,800 - I can't imagine any LPN program costing $28,000. If that's correct look else where.

kiwe · May 19, 2006

I've been an LPN for 10 years and have been wanting to get my RN forever - but "life" has always stood in the way. Anyway I would still like too - are there by any chance any other programs online besides Excelsior, that anyone knows about and If Excelsior is the only one - what do you think of it . I wish I could do this is a year - but it seems like it's going to take 2 more years . When I was in LPN school I was always under the impression that if I went on - after one more year I would be an RN - now it seems like everything is saying 2 years. I do have college credit Psych and Sociology. Any opinions or suggestions. ps I'm 39 and a single mom and the nearest school is about 40 miles or 45 minutes away.

kukukajoo, LPN · May 27, 2006

No, She is correct- 28,000 sounds right. I had moved to CT from NH and while there first realized I wanted to be a Nurse. All the schools that offer it are VERY expensive. I was looking at costs in NH and and eventually had to move back here to take care of my grandma. School here is way cheaper.

On another note- Gateway Community College has a Nursing Program

That is very reasonable. Credit hours are cheaper than in NH!

http://www.gwctc.commnet.edu/allied-health-new/nursing.htm

blueiwahine · May 30, 2006

If you can...just go for it...become an RN...then you don't have to worry about going back to school later. The money is better too....I never realized until my friend that became an LVN told me how much she was getting paid. I just assumed LVN and RN paid was within a few dollars of each other...Boy was I wrong...at least in our area.

NaomieRN · May 30, 2006

I am in CT and the RN programs around here have waiting lists and such, so the lpn program is no wait and jobs are pretty much guaranteed. I will look at some other possible programs, but i do work full time so to do one of those programs would not be easy.

I am in CT also. I was going to go to New England Tech last year, but decided instead to go to a two year program. I am going to start nursing in the fall at a private college. It is going to cost me $4200 a year for 3 years. I am going to pay less than if I was going to NE tech. After you complete the LPN, you still have to go for another year of school.

I already had most of my prereqs.

Good luck to you

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 31, 2006

Hey, Rick! I'd go for the LPN with the idea of eventually getting an RN later. After finishing your LPN you can look for employment with a hospital that has tuition reimbursement that will help you with getting your RN. Just to be sure, however, that you have exhausted all your avenues of getting into an RN program, check the CT state board of nursing to see if they have any information on special scholarships for nursing students or if they know of any unique programs to get RNs trained and to work at specific hospitals in your state. I'm hearing more and more about hospitals putting their heads together with local nursing schools to solve both their nursing and work shortage. The only way you find out about those programs is by keeping your ears open for news. You might even call some of the nurse recruiters at local hospitals and see if they have any information on anything like this going on and who is doing it. It may be possible for you to get your RN and have much of your tuition paid in return for you working for someplace. One place to start looking is with your state Hospital Association. They should have a web site. Most of them have been looking at ways to solving their nursing shortages. Wouldn't you just kick yourself if you found out that there was a way you could have gotten your RN a lot faster and cheaper than you thought?