| Considering how many nursing schools there are, | | | | 1. Online or on campus? The idea of getting your LPN |
| finding a perfect LPN school is surprisingly difficult. If | | | | certification from home may be appealing, but you |
| you've been considering this career, you've probably | | | | might want to think twice about this. There are |
| seen a lot of ads for online schools that provide | | | | some great online programs out there, but there are |
| nursing training at bargain-basement prices. Some of | | | | also many that are not accredited and don't have |
| these schools are fine, but it's good to have a clear | | | | established reputations in the medical industry. Plus, |
| idea of what you're getting into before signing up for | | | | some people learn much better in the classroom |
| an LPN school. | | | | environment. Learning at home with an online LPN |
| Not all schools are the same. Two schools that | | | | school may be easiest, but it's not always best. |
| provide the same certification may differ in every | | | | 2. Tuition and loans: There's no doubt that some LPN |
| other conceivable way. For example, the | | | | programs look better on your resume than others, |
| highest-quality schools provide in-depth training not | | | | and the ones that look best tend to have higher |
| just in the classroom but also through hands-on work | | | | tuition. Try to balance the quality of your education |
| at real hospitals. Lower-quality programs simply rush | | | | with the tuition you can afford. Student loans are an |
| their students through without really training them for | | | | option, but these may just tie your hands in the long |
| all the challenges that go along with nursing. | | | | run, so it's best to avoid them if possible. |
| These are the issues that every future LPN should | | | | 3. Job placement: A great LPN school will work with |
| think about. Do you want a school that rushes you | | | | you to find employment once you have your |
| through to your certification without providing you | | | | certification. There's a high demand for nurses across |
| the in-depth training you need, or would you rather | | | | the country, but it nevertheless helps to have a |
| go through a program that may take longer but will | | | | school that can offer you the benefits of its |
| provide you with all the resources you need to | | | | connections within the industry. Going to a school |
| succeed? | | | | with strong job placement may mean the difference |
| Beyond that basic question, here are some other | | | | between finding a job that you love and being stuck |
| things to consider: | | | | with one that doesn't satisfy you. |