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Nursing Schools pose serious challenges and - considering the nature of a nursing career and Medical Training - they're really a trial-by-fire. I am involved in a nursing programme and I will graduate the LVN programme in August, 2007. I attend evening and weekend classes, to continue to do my current job as well. It's hard, tiresom, even frustrating at times - yet often magical after all. It may be quite easier if you could attend a full time school without working, but it's impossible to survive. You will miss spleed and forget to have a life for up to a couple of 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.

Researching the Nursing Schools you are thinking of attending and considering the nursing career paths available to you is of vital importance. Make certain that the level you aim for will satisfy you. Can you find what you want at LVN? Have you thought about which Nursing Careers would suit you best?

You have to verify if the private Nursing Schools have the accreditation you need if you want to branch into other Nursing Careers later down the road. Does that program give you an AA or BS? Does it give you a state-specific license only? What credits can be transferred to a community college or to a university if you choose to go onto a Bachelor's or Master's degree?

Cost is another important consideration. It's easier to get into a private nursing school, but, they are also a lot more expensive than a community college program. I went with a private school because the waiting list for my local community college was too long. The next opening in the RN program was for 2011! I paid more so that I could get my education in a workable timeframe.

There's one more consideration I am suggesting: experience the tours and even stay in a class or two. Speak to the staff and teachers. Observe which kind of students the school attracts. You will have to stay with these people for as long as two years so it's important to know exactly what to expect. You may or may not like it. Also find out if you like the teaching method. Is it sufficiently challenging? Too much? Do you like your teachers? And what about the staff. All of this will have a large impact on your level of satisfaction.