cookderosa Wrote:My local college has a list of these, they're all all campus of course, but it should give you an idea of what's out there and what to look up at your local CC.
Health Careers - Black Hawk College

Also, I know it would be harder, but has your cousin thinking at all about the LPN? If she's in a nursing home now, and is a good CNA, it would almost be a guaranteed job when she'd finish, and probably double pay.

cookderosa Wrote:My local college has a list of these, they're all all campus of course, but it should give you an idea of what's out there and what to look up at your local CC.
Health Careers - Black Hawk College

Also, I know it would be harder, but has your cousin thinking at all about the LPN? If she's in a nursing home now, and is a good CNA, it would almost be a guaranteed job when she'd finish, and probably double pay.

KittenMittens Wrote:LPN isn't really worthwhile any longer given the proliferation of LPN to RN programs. At least go for an RN as LPNs are being phased out/no longer being accepted by hospitals (depends on state/region of course but that's the trend these days). Eventually even 2 year RN associate degrees are being pushed to go for a 4 year BSN at this point (RN to BSN). RN is not a bad bet given what the OP has said although anything that pays decently is going to involve some amount of concerted effort memorizing and learning concepts and theory.

All these health programs will likely entail taking some/all of the bio courses I've mentioned above, so it's good to knock out those requirements to be eligible for as many programs as possible.

videogamesrock Wrote:We discussed the LPN route. It's an option. My cousin will have score higher on the science portion of the TEAS Test. He completed anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 with D's so I'm reluctant to push into that field. I think a C or higher is the pre req. I looked into Physical Therapy Assistant which seems to pay pretty decent from what I can tell. I don't know if anyone has any experience on that but the D's probably can transfer into that program. I also think that he should also go for the BS in Health Studies at COSC for advancement down the road. I think the D's would transfer in to COSC.

GoodYellowDogs Wrote:I disagree about the LPN/LVN not being worthwhile. It's a step in the door and then you can do the RN programs and end up with a job. New grad RNs without experience are having problems finding jobs - but we routinely hire new grad RNs who were LVNs with experience.

In addition, I became an EVP of a large hospital and medical group organization with only a LVN and a AS.

cookderosa Wrote:*I can't see all the comments in this thread thanks to a hide feature I've recently enjoyed finding, but I'm all about the LPN for those for which RN is either too far away or academically challenging. EXCELLENT nurses staffed this country for decades with nothing more than a diploma; my mom was one. For a CNA, an LPN is absolutely a step up in rank-responsibility-and pay.