LPN or RN in NJ

[utility]

I looked at this a little better. The community college only charges $175/credit which isn't that bad. I noticed the nursing program doesn't have many GE classes. Maybe a couple of CLEPs is what he'll need. I think we missed the boat for AP courses. He still can take 3 dual enrollment classes next year.

[bjcheung77]

CLEP and dual enrollment would be awesome for now. Even though he may have missed AP as exams are offered in May, he can still take AP exams next May. If he is doing dual enrollment, these options should max out the transfer credits, you want to verify how many residency credits are needed at the community college, complete those with the dual enrollment courses.

[ss20ts]

Can't he take AP classes his senior year?

[utility]

I'm not sure on the rules for that but he also does vocational school so I don't think he'd have the time to do any other classes on top of that, the dual enrollment classes and whatever other classes he might have to take.

[bjcheung77]

Oh, if that's the case, skip the AP. They can work on the CLEP while taking Community College Dual Enrollment OR the vocational courses. This will help with the vocational certs if any or experience while working towards an Associates at the college...

[Kab]

The education of a LPN and RN is different. I would take 5 minutes and think what the person really want to do. In either case the lowest I will aim is an associate in nursing, but seeing how the professional field is evolving, I will definitely aim for a bachelor. The why is simple. Each time more education is required to become a nurse and the aim is that all RN are bachelors in the long run. Will it happens...who knows. Still some hospitals want bachelors for nursing positions and make you more employable.
When comparing the two, LPN and RN, in effort efficiency I will aim for the RN. The why is because in both you will required to take a NCLEX exam. The exam is different for each category but since the process is similar maybe aim to do all the effort at the beginning is a good thing. LPN licensure exam is going to be easier, and later on he or she can go on study further and become an RN or you can just aim high since the beginning. Take into account time, resources and tolerance to stress. The why I write all that is to ensure that you aim to something and focus on it. That is important. In nursing you cannot take subject, like in other studies, out of order and go back and forth. Is quite important to follow an structured path to understand well the subjects and later on be able to apply it correctly. Also take in account that you will need practical experience. It is not only theory, you will be working with person and taking responsibility. I do not think you can do all the program online, in some moments practical experience will be necessary.
Also, I will go for a regional accredited institution. If I have to put emphasis in some point, is in this one. You want a degree and that is recognized whatever you go. You never know what life will prepare you for.
One option is to look to the institution you want to go. Check transfer policies. And then act on that, which subjects you can do on ACE etc. I will start for general electives until you have all what you need. Then you get the feeling of changing from high school to college. Then start to take more specific subjects and IF you decide to change you study subject you can still use all the general education credits anywhere.

[indigoshuffle]

I mentioned TESU to him.  I have TESU degrees.  TESU is about a 45 minute drive, we're in the Shore area.  If physical attendance isn't required daily TESU could work.

Full-time education is no issue, we were already planning on that.  I just want to maximize what he brings in before starting.  He still has another year of high school left so want to give him the biggest shortcut possible for when he actually starts college, especially the gen eds.

The closest college would be Ocean County College but not sure if they take ACE credits.

TESU nursing program wants you to be 21 years old at least, and I would actually agree with that. If you're close to ocean county college, I would look there. In my humble opinion, no need to rush anything straight out of high school. Yes, Ocean takes ACE credits but also has a 2-3 year waiting list as nursing is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive.

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The education of a LPN and RN is different. I would take 5 minutes and think what the person really want to do. In either case the lowest I will aim is an associate in nursing, but seeing how the professional field is evolving, I will definitely aim for a bachelor. The why is simple. Each time more education is required to become a nurse and the aim is that all RN are bachelors in the long run. Will it happens...who  knows. Still some hospitals want bachelors for nursing positions and make you more employable.
When comparing the two, LPN and RN, in effort efficiency I will aim for the RN. The why is because in both you will required to take a NCLEX exam. The exam is different for each category but since the process is similar maybe aim to do all the effort at the beginning is a good thing. LPN licensure exam is going to be easier, and later on he or she can go on study further and become an RN or you can just aim high since the beginning. Take into account time, resources and tolerance to stress. The why I write all that is to ensure that you aim to something and focus on it. That is important. In nursing you cannot take subject, like in other studies, out of order and go back and forth. Is quite important to follow an structured path to understand well the subjects and later on be able to apply it correctly. Also take in account that you will need practical experience. It is not only theory, you will be working with person and taking responsibility. I do not think you can do all the program online, in some moments practical experience will be necessary.
Also, I will go for a regional accredited institution. If I have to put emphasis in some point, is in this one. You want a degree and that is recognized whatever you go. You never know what life will prepare you for.
One option is to look to the institution you want to go. Check transfer policies. And then act on that, which subjects you can do on ACE etc. I will start for general electives until you have all what you need. Then you get the feeling of changing from high school to college. Then start to take more specific subjects and IF you decide to change you study subject you can still use all the general education credits anywhere.

I agree with everything here. If the person in interest is young, I will encourage the LPN path first. It's low cost, more accessible, and the job responsibilities are very similar, especially in a nursing home. LPNs in the nursing home setting can be charge nurses, supervisors, and even directors. If this person finds that being an LPN sucks, they just saved themselves a lot of money, time, and headache. Other professions in the health sciences are more saturated but have a more reasonable pace. As a nurse, you have to know your stuff and think on your feet. I think physical therapy is a great career, although my colleagues often pejoratively refer to the profession as "expensive exercise." There is also occupational therapy, recreational therapy, art therapy, and social work. I also encourage young ppl to look into forensic sciences. Forensic Sciences are fun, rewarding, and set you up for a career with the state police (pension). All of the helping professions are honorable. Some of them will eventually lead to a good salary and, in some cases, personal fulfillment. There is no need to rush into anything head first; start with the end in mind.