Single parent with several questions on Nursing schools in Virginia

astonish31 · Mar 31, 2014

Hey everyone. I am kind of pressured to get started ASAP. Due to the years of my pre-req's and deadlines. Could someone offer some advice on at least one of my questions. I do appreciate it.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 31, 2014

Your post is asking for a lot of information from people who don't know you or the details of your situation and don't have a lot of information to go on. Have you checked the VA BON site for programs? Virginia Board of Nursing Education Programs - their RN program list contains all the approved/accredited LPN-RN programs in Virginia. Online is probably not an option - Excelsior College grads are required to endorse licenses in with 960 hours of RN time elsewhere or do 250 hours on a provisional license, so that probably wouldn't work for you unless you wanted to move - Excelsior College | State Board Requirements

"Central" VA is a pretty big area, if you can be a little more specific that might help in terms of schools and employment. As far as living on your loans, no one would even know how much you'd qualify for, so that's not something we could even answer. Your best bet is to locate a school (check the list of programs) and talk to an advisor there. Are you talking "central" as in Richmond? If so, what about J. Sargeant Reynolds? Nursing AAS | J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College - they offer advance standing to LPNs. Or in Midlothian, there is John Tyler - Nursing | John Tyler Community College | Defining your Future - they have a hybrid program.

Please be aware that while you may be eager to get started, most schools have waitlists and require specific pre-reqs. There might be a bit of a time gap between finding your school and actually starting. Good luck!!

PVCCHoo · Mar 31, 2014

Yeah, I live in Central VA and went to my local community college in December of 2012 to ask about "signing up" for the nursing program. HA! I didn't know what pre-req's were or anything. I figured it was community college and you just have to enroll in classes.

Not the case for the nursing programs. I knocked out my pre-req's last year and will hear back in a couple weeks if I have even gotten in to a program. If I do get in, I will be starting nursing school almost 2 years after I first looked in to it - about 2 years later than my uninformed self thought it would be!

Sounds like you have some pre-req's done. But for example at my school, at this time in the year, you would not be able to apply for the nursing program until this winter and that would be for the class starting in Fall 2015 - nearly a year and a half away.

astonish31 · Apr 1, 2014

Thanks PVCCHoo for your response. I have decided to go to J Reynolds to apply for PN. It takes a year. Luckily, I have only to complete nursing classes and not both general and nursing classes. I have completed all pre-reqs and need to attend an education session, submit application and take the Kaplan's test. I inquired what were the eligibility requirements and it did not seem like much. The head of the program said I can apply for Fall admission -contingent on if I get in. Hopefully, I will get accepted, finish the program and transition to BSN. I know these programs are competitive but from their selection process I can't see what would hold me up.

astonish31 · Apr 1, 2014

Thanks for your insight. I am near the Richmond area. I have searched extensively for both PN & RN programs. I have undergrad degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice. I also have a graduate degree in counseling; however, this field is highly competitive with less job opportunities. I have attended a RN program before; yet, placed a leave of absence due to my terminal ill sister. I guess my primary question was how to juggle nursing school as a single parent with a tight budget. I do have a great support system. I decided to try LPN since the program is shorter and hopefully not as intense. I have to consider many variable due to my constraints (i.e. travel time, gas mileage, tips on surviving the stress, cost, quality education, etc). I decided to go this route again and successfully complete the program but nursing school (especially RN) has nothing on graduate school. I want to find the best route. I do have significant student loans so I can't waste anymore time on a program which will not be of great use. Thanks for all your info.

astonish31 · Apr 1, 2014

Thanks Pixie. RN for your insight. I am near the Richmond area. I have searched extensively for both PN & RN programs. I have undergrad degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice. I also have a graduate degree in counseling; however, this field is highly competitive with less job opportunities. I have attended a RN program before; yet, placed a leave of absence due to my terminal ill sister. I guess my primary question was how to juggle nursing school as a single parent with a tight budget. I do have a great support system. I decided to try LPN since the program is shorter and hopefully not as intense. I have to consider many variable due to my constraints (i.e. travel time, gas mileage, tips on surviving the stress, cost, quality education, etc). I decided to go this route again and successfully complete the program but nursing school (especially RN) has nothing on graduate school. I want to find the best route. I do have significant student loans so I can't waste anymore time on a program which will not be of great use. Thanks for all your info.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Apr 1, 2014

I actually misread your initial post - I thought you were an LPN looking for LPN to RN programs, not LPN or RN programs. Oops! :) In any case, I have another thought for you: have you considered an accelerated BSN program? I thought there were some in Richmond - VCU, maybe? But with your existing degrees, that might be the most expeditious route to RN. I'm not sure how well LPNs are utilized in your area, you might want to see how the job market looks for LPNs vs. RNs. I'm glad to hear you have a great support system, regardless!

astonish31 · Apr 1, 2014

Hi Pixie.RN. Yea, I have looked into the accelerated program at VCU. However, the deadline for 2014 was Nov 2013. I would have really liked to have applied. I do not want to waste to much time (say like another year or so). I also visited JS Reynolds today for their LPN program and let's just say I was not to thrilled. So, since I am not one to give up, I will continue my search. I have heard better reviews -concerning operation- about ECPI, so will inquire today. I do prefer to complete a RN program over LPN due to LPN's being so boxed in around my area (educational barriers). Also, I understand the push for LPN's to continue their education. Thanks