Thinking of starting a Nursing School..

[cinsha]

Hi, I am new to this site today and am hoping to find some advice. I live in Edmonton, AB., Im a single Mom of 2 Toddlers, I would Love to stay home with them, but in this day and age, unfortunately we need to work to survive. I am currently working full time at a service industry company and have been there for the past 12 years. The work is alot of heavy lifting and being quick on your feet. I am realizing it is a dead end job. I will never get part-time hours which is what I'de like, to have more time with my kids. A nearby college (CDI) is offering a 2year LPN course starting in March/2011. Tuition is $30,000. Nursing is something I've thought of doing for many years but have always been afraid to lose the security of my current job. Ideally I picture myself working in a Hospital. I have searched the job banks and its seems majority of companies hiring are nursing homes. I would prefer to work with all ages of patients and different cases, and not just be in a nursing home. Is this the reality for a new LPN grad? Starting out, should I expect to get alot of shift work, and late night hours? Im not sure if this is the wisest decision being a single Mom with 2 young Children, but I am hoping to start a Career that I will find more rewarding. I also read some nurses talking about a freeze on hiring.., is this current in Alberta and what does it mean for Nursing students. I would greatly appreciate any and all advice and thank you in advance for your time in reading and commenting :)

[SUMAM]

I am intersting of starting LPN nusring at CDI college,at south of edmonton. Sorry i cant see your post name, but did u attend march 2011 classes at CDI college? if so please give me some infromation about it. Thank you.

[cinsha]

Hi No I didn't start CDI in March, I did a little comparing, and their fees were almost double than the good reputable Norquest downtown. I have since learned I am short a couple of courses for Norquests pre-equisites, however CDI was willing to push my lack of education through, and get me in anyways, just makes you wonder?? Good luck with your decision :)

[SUMAM]

Thank you for your time.

I was norquest student for a year, and I finished my upgrading there. I also, took anatomy and ph, and English 2550, but i don't want attend/take anymore from them.So now I want attend CDI on Novermber intake. please do u know anyone/frineds who is attending CDI, I don't wan weste $ 30,000 loan.

I live north side of Edmonton how about u?

Thanks for ur time onces again.

[cinsha]

ok I live in south edm., ive just got alot more positive feedback about Norquests' job placemment and learning experience compared to CDI but either way, at least you're doing it and thats great, just make sure credits are accepted at the local jobs, im still hoping to get to a point, I can quit my FT job to become a student again :)

[RN58186]

I don't have a lot of information to add to this discussion, but one of my RN instructors was teaching at NorQuest last I heard. I learned a lot from her and she was really thorough in what she taught us. Unless she has changed (after all it has been more than 20 years since I graduated) I'd say you could learn some good things from her.

[SashaD]

I can't speak much for other Provinces, but in Ontario both the RN and RPN degree and diploma programs are only offered by Government Regulated Institutions (Universities and Colleges), and not by private colleges. Now whats the benefit of this? One, you have lower tuitions. All tuitions for the RN program are fairly similar in cost, approximately 5-6 thousand dollars a year, give a take a few hundred dollars. This seems to be the case for the 4 year degree programs in Ontario. The college RPN programs seems to be priced the same among the government regulated institutions. Now I'm not familiar with the college that you are referring to, but it seems to be that it is a private college, hence the big time prices. Private colleges in Ontario offer programs such as the PSW, and sometimes charge as much as 15,000 a year. The second advantage lies with the credibility of the institution. Universities and Colleges, in my opinion, are highly structured and complex in their organization. This adds to their credibility and structure. Private colleges on the other hand don't have this kind of history. They are profit geared, and some sometimes have problems with their credibility. So it is my opinion that you take it at a government regulated university or college, and not at a private college. Good luck in your endeavors.