Anyone attend or know about hacienda la puente rop lvn program?

fgamiao · Apr 19, 2010

I'm currently a student attending Hacienda La Puente Adult School VN program. I started the program in June 2009 and expected to graduate in June 2010.

First, there is a test that you need to pass in order to be considered for the pre-vn class. It's your basic math and english test. You have to walk in and pay a certain fee. Call the office since I don't know if they changed the schedule of the test. Next, they choose 100 students to attend the pre-vn class. Then, they choose the top 35 students(including alternates) for the acutal VN class.

I suggest that you check out other puclic sector VN programs near your area. Don't be only concentrating on one school. From what I'm hearing, there is a huge budget cut for the next school year and it's affecting all the ROP and adult schools. It means that they may cut certain programs, reduce the amount of students, or reduce the enrollment date of the program.

Honestly, I am glad that I took the risk and enrolled into Hacienda La Puente VN program. Although I travel far (from Garden Grove), I can't complain about the amount of clinical experience that I'm getting from this program. I enjoy what I do!!! Good luck with your choice in VN programs out there!

Bella39841 · Apr 21, 2010

Hi. I attended HLPAE's LVN program from Jan 08 until Dec 08. I learned soooooooooo much there. The teachers were great. I never did get my LVN license because I was immediately accepted into the RN program at Mt. Sac and am now in my 3rd semester. The LVN program taught me so many skills and patient care that I haven't really gotten to do in the RN program. I haven't done 1/3 of the stuff I did in the LVN program. Don't get me wrong. I am so happy to be in the RN program. It's a different mentality and we go to so many hospitals and learn a lot, too.

The LVN program at HLPAE is really hard and lots of work and you can get burned out really quickly. There are hardly ANY breaks except for a week off after the 1st 6 months and another week off about 2 months later. It's 2 1/2 days of clinicals and 1 1/2 days of theory. There are quizzes every single week and a lot is expected from you at clinicals as well. But, you know what? If you're passionate about nursing and you love working with people, you will do well. Besides, the best thing about nursing school is the people you meet and the bonding relationships you develop with your classmates.

Good luck in your quest in becoming a nurse.

P.S. I think LVNs work way more harder than RNs and we learn a lot from the CNAs. Love them.

scrapnurse2010 · May 3, 2010

I graduated from Hacienda's LVN program in Dec 2006. The program/instructors were tough, but it was sooooo worth it! Not to be vain, but I think Rio Hondo and Hacienda have excellent LVN programs. I have worked with nurses from other schools, and let's just say that you will be thankful that you went there! you graduate well prepared. If you go the Hacienda route, it is tough but hang in there. The instructors grill you and drain you, but it is to make you a stronger and SAFE nurse. If ---------- is still there, you will learn a lot from her, also from -----. Some tips : be on time, have everything ready the night before clinicals, stay confident! :nurse:

bamitsdhills · May 11, 2010

Hello!

I am also interested in Hacienda's LVN program and I was just wondering, how long the PRE lvn class was and when it usually takes place?

Phallenangel · May 15, 2010

Hello!
I am also interested in Hacienda's LVN program and I was just wondering, how long the PRE lvn class was and when it usually takes place?

I just finished the 4 pre-VN classes this week. Getting into the classes is as follows: Upon completing the assessment test w/ a competitive score (I really don't know how they score, but 12 is the highest score in the categories of reading, writing, and math), they invite 100 people to attend 4 MANDATORY pre-vn classes. They told us everyone who was invited to the pre-classes pretty much had 12's across the board....a few 11's, but not very many.

Once you are invited, you choose which day you want to take the 4 pre-classes: either Mondays 8am-12pm or Thursdays 4pm-8pm. I chose the Thurs classes and there was about 30 or so people in our class. The instructor said there were about 56 people in the Monday class.

Selection into the LVN program is based on a 100-pt rubric system and they only take in 30 ppl. There are several tests based on different subjects. Ours was on the respiratory system, asthma, dosage calculations, and a 30-pg handbook they sent us via email. You also have to give a speech about yourself in front of the everyone. Finally, there is a health careers aptitude test where they ask several questions on psychology, science, and spelling.

You know immediately how you scored on some of the tests, but not others. Therefore, you don't fully know how you stand compared to others. By the end of 4 classes, there was about 25 or so people left in our class. The instructor said in past years, there are usually about 60 ppl left after the 4 classes are done...so you have about a 50% chance of getting in.

I hope this helps. They said they would let us know via email if we got in or not by the end of next week...and the wait is already agonizing! Wish me luck! And good luck to you! God Bless! :clown:

Phallenangel · May 15, 2010

Oh...one thing I forgot to add....

My pre-vn classes started in mid April. The LVN program begins every June and January. They, obviously, have to give you time to get your stuff together (CPR certification, TB testing, physical, etc.), so I would think the pre classes for the January candidates start sometime in October/November.

Phallenangel · May 21, 2010

...Just an update...

I got in the June program!!!! :yeah: On my way to achieving my childhood dream of becoming a :nurse: .

monick · Jun 10, 2010

Hello,

You said that you were sent some material by e-mail. Could it be possible to have it. I already passed the test with 12+. I just want to be prepared in case I am one of the lucky ones. Or is there other materials that you recomment for the pre-lvn classes? Thank you

monick · Jun 10, 2010

La puent rop lvn program material for pre lvn classes

Phallenangel · Jun 16, 2010

Hello,
You said that you were sent some material by e-mail. Could it be possible to have it. I already passed the test with 12+. I just want to be prepared in case I am one of the lucky ones. Or is there other materials that you recomment for the pre-lvn classes? Thank you

Sorry! I don't have any of the material they sent us via email anymore. :crying2: But what I can tell you is that the material they send you is very basic math (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing), reading, and dosage. They send it well in advance so you can go over it again and again to make sure you've answered the questions correctly.

They also send the LVN Handbook which you will be tested on during the 4th class. This test is scantron, fill-in-the-blank, AND writing out sentences test. I don't know if your test will be the same as ours b/c she made it sound like she re-writes the test every time. However, she heavily emphasized the following: know the code of ethics section; know what the definition of the word "Integrity" means (which is NOT in the handbook); know what date payments are due by each month; know the 13 "Classroom" rules; know how many times you're allowed to remediate a theory course.

I would also recommend either getting a dosage calculations book or visiting the website DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations and do some "mass/liquid for liquid" practice questions. It will really help when you have to take the dosage calculations test. I had absolutely NO skills when it came to dosage calculations so I got the "Dosage Calculations: An Incredibly Easy Workout!" book which helps in your basic math skills as well as making sure you set your calculations up right (for example, it helps you understand how to go from kg to mg/ml)...but the book is like $30 and it goes way more in depth than what is necessary for these pre-classes.

I found the website to be more helpful when it came to the actual problems b/c you can narrow the field down to only "mass/liquid for liquid"-type problems and the number of problems they give you is endless. However, its not as good in helping you understand how to go from kg to mg/ml.

Between the book and the website, I had these type of dosage calculations down within an hour.

Finally, prepare a speech about yourself. Make sure it is at least 1min, but keep it under 2 min...and I MEAN KEEP IT UNDER 2 MIN! I sat in the front of the classroom and I could tell what score Ms. Temple was giving ppl for the speeches. A lot of ppl who kept on babbling about nothing were really marked down b/c: 1) they went over the 2min mark and/or 2) we got the point of their speech within the 1st min of their speech. I found that the people who started off w/ a broad topic (like a personal incident that led you to want to be come a nurse) and then narrowed it down to why they chose Hacienda La Puente were the ones that did really well.

I hope this helps!

monick · Jun 18, 2010

Thank you, thank you very much for all this info. it will really help me a lot. I don't know what I am going to do if I don't get in. I am already 40+ don't have much time..... have a great summer and congrats!