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Nursing Schools are challenging, and with the nature of a nursing career and Medical Training, it is truly a trial by fire. I am enrolled in a nursing program and will graduate the LVN program in August 2007. I attend evening and weekend classes to work around my current job. Going to school and working is tiring, but sometimes magical! It would definitely be easier if you could attend school full-time and not work. However it's not impossible to survive, you just have to forget about a life for up to 2 years.

To be in the medical field, you must have hands-on experience, and no Medical Training would be complete without the opportunity to interact with real patients. I have discovered, both by my own learning curve and by watching my fellow students, that no matter how "book smart" you are, there must be clinical practice to be an effective nurse. The mannequins we use for procedures such as injections, insertion of NG tubes, catheters, and assessments just don't give you the feel of a real body, nor does it give you the feedback (both good or bad), depending on the procedure.

It is very important to research the Nursing Schools you are considering on attending, and to consider the various Nursing Careers that are available to you. Be sure you will be satisfied with the level you aim for. Will LVN allow you to do what you want? Are there other Nursing Careers that may be more suited to you?

You must check whether the private Nursing Schools have the accreditations you require if you wish to get into different Nursing Careers later on. Can that program give you an AA or BS? Or cat it give you a state-limited licence only? Which credits may be transferred to a public college or university, shoud you choose to continue to a Bachelor's or Master's degree?

Another consideration is COST! Private Nursing Schools are certainly easier to get into, but they are a great deal pricier than a community college. I had to go this route because my local community college has a waiting list for the RN program out to 2011! I had to pay more to get training in a reasonable time frame.

I would suggest one last consideration; take advantage of the tours and even sit in a class or two. Talk with the teachers and staff. Observe the caliber of students the school attracts. You will be trapped with these people for up to two years and it is important to understand what you will be facing. It may or may not be for you. Also see if you like the style of teaching. Is it challenging enough? Too challenging? Do you like the teachers? How is the staff? This will all make a big impact on your level of satisfaction.