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Hey there, I'm a high school senior who is interested in becoming an LPN within the next 5-years and an RN within the next 10-years. I want to know what the most affordable pathway is? and What opportunities should I be looking out for?

I go to Coconut Creek High School. I want as much nursing/physician's assistant career advice as possible. After I become an RN within the next 10-years I would like to proceed further and become either a traveling nurse and psychiatric nurse. Thank you so much!

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Susana’s Answer

Hello Malana, thanks for the question.
Here’s a clear, affordable roadmap for you in Florida, with insights on advancing to travel and psychiatric nursing later:

Step 1: Become an LPN (1 year – ~US $4K–$6K)
Florida offers several low-cost LPN certificate options for in-state students (approximate total cost):

Florida State College at Jacksonville: ~$3,942 total cost, 94 % NCLEX‑PN pass rate
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easternflorida.edu
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Santa Fe College: ~12 months, $122.66/credit (~US $5,508 total)
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Florida Gateway College: 12 months, $144.91/credit (~US $6,900 total)
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practicalnursing.org
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Funding tips:

Federal financial aid (FAFSA), scholarships, and grants are widely available.

Employer tuition assistance or income-share programs can help. One Redditor said:

“Consider federal aid, scholarships, your current employer paying for it, or even income share agreements.”
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🩺 Step 2: Bridge from LPN to RN (12–18 months – ~US $6K–$11K)
Once you’re an LPN in Florida, transition to RN efficiently:

College of Central Florida / Santa Fe / South Florida State: 12 to 15-month bridge programs, ~$4,500–$7,000 total
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Eastern Florida State College: Hybrid LPN-to-ADN in 13 months, totalling ~$10,800
easternflorida.edu

Broward College, PHSC, St. Pete College: also offer Florida-specific LPN–RN bridge options with credit for experience
spcollege.edu

These programs prepare you for the NCLEX‑RN in about a year post-LPN, often offering federal aid and scholarships.

Step 3: Optional – Finish a BSN (1–2 years)
While an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) is sufficient to become an RN, earning a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing):

Improves job prospects and opens doors to advanced specializations (like psychiatric nursing)

Is typically done through RN-to-BSN programs, often online and close to $10K–$20K.

Step 4: RN → Travel Nurse & Psychiatric Nurse
Once licensed as an RN, you can pursue:

Travel Nurse roles (contract or agency-based, 13-week assignments), which pay premium rates and offer flexibility.

Psychiatric Nurse opportunities:

Start working on mental-health units.

Gain experience, then pursue certifications such as Psychiatric-Mental Health RN (PMH-RN).

Consider MSN or DNP if you're serious about advanced psychiatric practice (they’re 2–4 year investments, $30K–$100K+).

Your 5-Year & 10-Year Timeline
Year Goal
1 LPN certification (NCLEX-PN)
2–3 Work as LPN, save money, apply for bridge
3–4 Complete LPN → RN bridge, pass NCLEX-RN
5 Obtain RN license, work in psych or acute setting
6–10 Optionally complete BSN, pursue travel nursing and psychiatric specialization

Opportunities to Explore
Dual enrollment at Coconut Creek HS: see if local colleges offer CNA or healthcare pathways.

CNA certificate now: gives early clinical experience and resume strength.

Internships or volunteer roles in hospitals or clinics.

Scholarships/grants specifically for nursing (school, FL College System, Pinecastle, etc.).

Employer tuition reimbursement—target state or hospital systems once you’re hired.

Final Advice
Start CNA training now to gain experience and job readiness.

Choose an in-state community college for affordable LPN, then a bridge program for RN.

Keep definitions clear: LPN → NCLEX-PN → licensed; bridge → NCLEX-RN → RN.

After RN, specialize through experience and formal certification/programs to become a travel or psychiatric nurse.
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Donna "Crissie"’s Answer

Many of my family members have successfully graduated high school with their CNA license. They then pursued further education at a local community college and eventually completed their RN degree online at a university. The important step is to find accredited schools with a strong reputation for the degree you want. You can do it! Good luck!
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Kelly’s Answer

Great Question! So the best advice I can tell someone who is thinking about nursing school is to look up pass rates for the NCLEX for the schools. You'll notice (at least in AZ where I went to school) sometimes the community colleges actually have a higher pass rate than the universities. I got my ADN-RN from community college and later did an RN-BSN online. The most cost efficient and honestly best education choices I have ever made! My ADN in AZ was approx 6K total (in 2016-2018) and then my online BSN was approx 6K a semester (self paced as many courses as I could each 6 month semester) at Western Governor's University. AND best part, my job reimbursed me (up to 5K a year) for my ADN and my BSN classes after working with them for at least a year (I had already done that as a PCT).

Kelly recommends the following next steps:

Get in with a local hospital after getting your PCT/CNA; they'll reimburse your education most of the time.
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