What School to Choose?!?!?!!

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Hello all,

I recently took and passed my NET test with a 96% overall score at CSPN in Cleveland :D. Now, I'm starting to wonder if I should even go for LPN...my friend is a LPN in California and says I need to go straight for RN. I currently work for the gov't making almost $15/hr doing accounting, have 3 kids that are 3 & under and feel there has to be more. I've been wanting this so long and I don't want to waste my time or money. If I go ADN track I'd have to choose ATS or Bryant & Stratton...I've heard good and bad for both...I'd love opinions, experiences and any advice you all have on being a RN or LPN first & which school is best overall...will there be another test I'd have to take if I decided to go straight to RN instead of LPN??? THanks so much!!

~Marie.

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I graduate from my LPN tomorrow. :specs: Personally, I made the right decision, but I understand your concerns. BTW, I'm in Toledo, OH.

You need to decide your goals clearly. I say that because doing the LPN or not on your way to becoming an RN could be good or bad. For me, I want to be a nurse practitioner. I'm 31, without health care experience, and would like to be earning at least reasonable money asap. Also, I don't want a lot of debt. So, I looked into all schools of nursing. I've completed my pre-reqs for an ADN, and earned all As, so that opened doors. I applied, and had a wait of 6 months. I was accepted to the LPN program too, and could start that immediately. So, I deferred my RN one semester, and started my LPN this past January. Tuition totalled about $5000 ( I would NOT get in too much debt for a LPN program), and classes transferred at my community college (very important). I start my RN (at the same CC) in a month, and hope to pass my NCLEX-PN to practice while in RN school.

LPN school has been much more challenging both in content and time than I imagined it would be. Hospitals aren't hiring LPNs in my area, and so I'm looking at LTC facilities. Salaries are around $35K+ in my area. I'm a little worried, though, about getting a job due to the economy. Also, there are a lot of NS in my area, so too many nurses for the population. I'm considering getting my license in Mich. because they have fewer schools and more nursing jobs. You might want to look into this kind of thing for your area. Also, as hospitals are cutting back, nurses are picking up hours at nursing homes. It's getting competitive in these times.

The reason I'd do it over again is because I'll be a much better nurse because of PN school. You really learn practical nursing, and I feel confident going onto the floor. Plus, I want as much experience as possible, and as an LPN I'll be getting it. I've already learned an amazing amount.

If you just want to be a staff nurse, just go for your RN. A lot of my classmates are getting a rude awakening that if they want to work in a hospital, they've got to go back. Some don't want to. Unfortunately, LPNs aren't currently with a lot of options (still jobs in LTC). I guess it goes in cycles, and the LPN profession is currently not experiencing an "up" time.

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Specializes in Home Health.

And it depends where you live. In houston LVN's are being hired at local hospitals in Pedis, ICU, Med-Surg, and other areas. I decided to get my LVN first (its cheaper....I already have my RN pre-reqs doen but the wait list at my CC is CRAZY)and then do the bridge.

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hey amjowens, may i ask what school did you attend in toledo ohio for the lpn program.

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I would say that it depends on your area. For me, I'm doing it because my family can stand for me to be without a job for 1 year versus 2 or 4 years and also because here in tn some of the colleges will let you into their RN program easier if you have an LPN. I also figure that I can find a job and have my employer pay for me to get me RN.

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hey amjowens, may i ask what school did you attend in toledo ohio for the lpn program.

Yes, Owens Community College. It was an excellent program, with the head of the program very interested in helping students learn...very important!

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Yes, Owens Community College. It was an excellent program, with the head of the program very interested in helping students learn...very important!

Thanks, I'm from michigan and on the waiting list at hfcc, would love to do a lpn program though. I had interest in owens, seemed like a pretty good school. How long did it take you to get into the lpn program?

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Thanks, I'm from michigan and on the waiting list at hfcc, would love to do a lpn program though. I had interest in owens, seemed like a pretty good school. How long did it take you to get into the lpn program?

I applied the semester before I started. There are two classes per year-one starts in Jan, the other in Sept. I have pretty much everything good to say about my experience so far at Owens.

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