One of the most sensible things for an LPN to do is to engage in online LPN programs that will convert their LPN qualification to that of an RN nurse. We are well aware that the health care industry is one of the safest and most stable industries to be involved in, but this does not mean that you have to be satisfied with an entry level position if you don’t want to be.
By doing an LPN to RN program you will be able to improve your situation by opening up more doors for yourself in the job world. Fortunately a number of these programs can be done online, so it will not interfere with your regular schedule too much. One school that offers an online LPN to RN program is Northwest Technical College.
This is an article devoted to helping you assess this school for its suitability for you at a personal level. It is important that you research any school before you even think about applying to study there. Read through this carefully, and remember to do additional research into this university as well as others before making your final decision about which school is best for you.
College Information
Having already been in existence for more than 40 years, Northwest Technical College is one of the fastest growing to year colleges out there. With more than 1,600 learners this college offers an innovative learning environment that can be done online, offline, or as a combination of both.
Northwest Technical College
905 Grant Avenue SE
Bemidji, MN 56601-4907
Phone:
218.333.6600 or 800.942.8324
Fax: 218.333.6694
TTY: 218.333.6691 or 800.627.3529
Program Information
There are a number of courses that you will need to complete in order to get your LPN to RN qualification through these online LPN programs. The following is a comprehensive list of the subjects that you are required to complete:
Prerequisites
- BIOL 2221: Microbiology
- BIOL 2252: Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIOL 2254: Anatomy & Physiology II
- CHEM 1100: Intro to Chemistry
- ENGL 1111: College Writing I
- PSYC 2201: Developmental Psychology
Advanced Standing – Tuition Exempt
- RNSG 2100: LPN Advanced Standing
Required Program Courses
- BIOL 2256: Advanced Physiology
- RNSG 2234: Transition to Professional Nursing
- RNSG 2238: Advanced Skills
- RNSG 2258: Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
- RNSG 2260: Nursing I
- RNSG 2262: Clinical I
- RNSG 2266: Psychosocial/Mental Health
- RNSG 2270: Nursing II
- RNSG 2274: Clinical II
- SPCH 1120: Interpersonal Communications
Select one from options listed
- MATH 1110: College Algebra, or
- MATH 1930: Introduction to Mathematical Sciences, or
- ANTH 1110: Cultural Anthropology, or
- PHIL 1201: Ethics, or
- PHIL 2210: Bioethical Issues in Contemporary Society
- General Education Electives
Tuition
The tuition is one of the more important factors to consider when looking at taking part in LPN online programs. There are always a number of different costs that you will be responsible for when you decide to enroll at a school and it is important that you are aware of all of these costs before you make a final decision about whether or not this is the school for you. Some schools will hide some of their expenses so that they are not immediately obvious, while others will be quite open about them. Northwest Technical College is, fortunately, one of the colleges that fall into the second category of online LPN schools.
There are a number of fees that you will be responsible for if you are to be a student at this school. They are:
- An Application Fee of $20.00 to be paid once-off
- Tuition (both resident and non-resident) fees of $168.00 per credit
- Tuition – Practical Nursing fees of $179.50 per credit
- Tuition – Nursing fees of $179.50 per credit
- Tuition – Distance fees of $199.00 per credit
- A Technology Fee of $8.00 per credit
- A Late Fee of $50.00
- A Learner Activity Fee of $1.33 per credit
- A Learner Association Fee of $.31 per credit
- A Parking Fee of $53.69 to be paid once a year
- A Professional Liability Ins Fee of $10.85 per learner to be paid once every year
- A Test Out Fee of $25.00 per lecture credit and $50 per lab credit
- A Senior Citizen Fee for students older than 62 years of $12.00 per credit
- A C.N.A. Testing Fee of $150.00 per learner
- A Transcript Fee of $1.00 per semester
Note: When it comes to choosing a school to attend try not to base your decision too heavily on the cost. Remember that some of the best schools you there are in fact schools that are affordable and that come at very reasonable prices. In addition a really expensive school will not necessarily be the best school that you could choose. It may in fact have a lower standard of education, but charges more because of its reputation or perhaps even because of the area in which it is located. Tuition is important, but it is not the most important factor for selection.
Loans and Scholarships
Information about the scholarships that the school offers can be found on their website. In addition you can personally request information from Sue Ludwig at (218) 333-6647 or email: sue.ludwig@ntcmn.edu.
To apply for financial aid from this school you will need to complete a free FAFSA form. The responses you give will determine your eligibility for a loan or scholarship from the government, so be sure to be honest with your responses. It is very important to ensure that you apply early. There is a lot of competition for federal aid for studying and you do not want to miss out simply didn’t apply in time for the scholarship.
For more information:
Financial Aid
Office: 122, 126
Phone: (218) 333-6649
Fax: (218) 333-6698
Scholarships are generally rewarded on a basis of merit, so if you are a top achiever then this is the option that you should go for. Federal grants are usually offered on the basis of a financial need. If you simply do not have the funds to study this may be the option for you. Unlike loans, neither of these has to be repaid. If you do get a loan remember that at some point you will need to make a plan to repay it. There are loans that are subsidized by the government so that you do not have t pay the whole amount, but you will still be partially responsible.
Accreditation
If you want to attend a school, especially an online course, it is essential that you ensure firs that the school is in fact properly accredited or else you will be wasting your time.
Northwest Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission:
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
Phone: (312) 263-0456
Online Teaching Methods
Studying online can be quite stressful and in fact a number of students find the experience rather difficult to manage. This means that you need to find a school that offers online LPN programs but that also provides you with the support and interaction that you need in order to make a success of the program.
This is something that you can find at Northwest Technical College. The school does its best to ensure that you are well cared for as an online student. Northwest Technical College makes it clear that you are not alone and offers free tutoring services that can help you “improve your study skills, refine your communication and writing skills and boost your math skills”. There is a page that you will have access to that will give you all of the information that you will need for using online resources and materials. This information can be found here.
In addition online registration for online classes is easy and you will simply need to follow the prompts that you find on this page. With this kind of support your online learning experience will be pleasant and, more importantly, survivable. There are not many online LPN programs that offer consistent support such as this one, making it one of the more realistic options.
Now that you have read through these basic facts about Northwest Technical College you should have a fairly good idea whether or not this is what you are looking for in a school. The best way to find out about a school however is by reading the testimonials of students who have actually been there before. If possible speak in person to past pupils. Remember though that a school that suits one person may not be the ideal school for you. Do your research well and make your decision carefully as it could affect you going forward in your career.
