Which is better?

In my opinion it really doesn't matter, depending on where you want to work. If you go into LTC it really doesn't matter from what I know. As a matter of fact I don't think it matters where ever you go.All LPN take the same boards, so as long as the school that you are going to in approved by the BON, you should be fine.

You know, WHERE your diploma comes from doesn't matter as long as you've learned the material you need to learn in order to pass the NCLEX-PN. What I'd check into is each program's NCLEX pass rate, which should be available for public viewing through your state's BON. When it's all said and done, your ability to practice as an LPN hinges not on where you went to school, but IF you learn enough to pass the NCLEX and become licensed. When I was hired for my job nobody asked where my diploma came from. All they wanted to see was my license. Now, I'm proud of my school, because it has a very high reputation and it has one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the state, but I work along side LPN's who graduated from other programs with lower NCLEX pass rates who are great nurses and as far as my facility is concerned there is no difference between us when it comes to pay, benefits, etc. We start out at the same base rate of pay, and will move up the ladder according to our own individual talents/work ethic.

Off topic, but since my post centers on the subject of schools and pass rates, I will point out that at the school I attended, the fail-out/drop-out rate was over 60%, however, every single person who graduated in my class, passed the NCLEX. Most people who didn't graduate, either couldn't handle the pace of the LPN program, which is fast, or they couldn't handle the rules regarding tardiness or absenteeism, as they simply weren't tolerated. Be late or absent for clinical and you automatically get a letter grade drop (this is for ANY reason other than a death in the immediate family). Do it again, you are out of the program. Which sounds harsh, but the reality is, in healthcare, there is no room for tardiness or call outs and better to prepare people for the jobs they will be getting than to let them get a license and not be able to keep a job.

Thank you both for you replies, it really helped a lot! Now, I just have to find a school-lol. There seem to be quite a few out there so it is hard to sort out the good and bad. I will do a search on their pass rates and see what that shows me. Thanks!

Jill

Thank you both for you replies, it really helped a lot! Now, I just have to find a school-lol. There seem to be quite a few out there so it is hard to sort out the good and bad. I will do a search on their pass rates and see what that shows me. Thanks!

Jill

In my experience Vocational schools traditionally give you a broader base of clinical experience than JCs. I suppose it depends on what experience you have going into LPN program and what type of learner you are.

I think the best thing to do is talk to each school and see which one seems better for you. At my CC you have a lot of clinical experience...and not just in LTC. You have a lot of clinicals in the hospital and you also get hands on peds, OB, and psych. Plus my general classes will transfer to another college when I'm ready. The vocational school in my area is all LTC experience. You get to observe in OB and peds...it's not hands on. You get a couple weeks in a hospital and that's it. Everything else is LTC. If I had gone there I would have dropped out..because I don't care for LTC. Plus more than likely there credits won't transfer to another college. Something to think about. :)

I agree it depends on where you are, in my area it is opposite of AEGIRL's experience; vocational school gave us clinical in LTC, 2 Hospitals, OR, Peds, Rehab, Psych and OB, whereas CC is mostly LTC with a 2 week med/surg. Credits don't transfer here either but you do have the option to try and test out of Pharm, Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology and Nursing Fundamentals if you go for RN at the University.

So, it depends. You should definitely do some research on both. Vocational schools also tend to have smaller class sizes, which is nice if you are a person who needs or wants more 1:1 time with your instructors.

We did the majority of our clinicals in hospitals. Actually, we only had two weeks in LTC during our very first semester. We rotated through OB, L&D, ER in addition to our med/surg rotations. If the vocational school you are considering offers associate degrees then your credits should transfer provided you take associate degree level core req. classes. I don't believe that associate degree level core classes are required for the LPN diploma program, but you should be able to take them in place of the diploma level core classes. At least at my school, this was an option for those going into the LPN program who knew they were going to be continuing their educations toward an RN degree. Good luck.