LVN School or Wait for RN?

nursr1968 · Aug 19, 2009

I have been a LPN for 11 years I found out yesterday that I passed my NCLEX-RN exam. I think getting experience is good but if I had to do it all over again I would go to a four year college and get my BSN.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2009

I opted to do the LVN route because I didn't want to sit around waiting for a RN school to accepte me. I have good grades in my science courses and I'm applying next year for the LVN-RN bridge program. My friend who finished all her prerequisite courses before me is stubborn, she only wants to get into the RN program. Well after countless times of applying and getting rejected, she is still waiting. She's going to apply for Fall 2010 this coming spring, so we will see. At best I will have my RN a year before she has hers if all goes well and she gets in for the Fall 2010. If she's rejected once again, then it will be a longer wait, but I will be a RN before her.

You do what you feel is right for you. If you want your RN, then don't stop at your LVN if you do the LVN program. Use LVN as a stepping stone to the RN program. Good Luck

lesliehappy · Aug 26, 2009

i agree with NursecubanitaRN2b. [congratulations on your RN! WOOT!]

i did do all my prerequesites at a community college, and i DID get into the nursing program....but unfortunately, i failed out my first shot...and missed passing by three points the next. so -- basically i failed out of nursing school.

not only was i devastated that i missed my opportunity to become a nurse through a jc...i didnt know what else to do. i waited literally TWO years AFTER i finished my prereqs to get in...to find out that i failed out TWICE.

but luckily, i went to a vocational school. i went to UNITEK the sacramento campus, and although it had its ups and downs...i managed to finish. i just took my boards and im awaiting my results.

so no...i dont regret failing out of nursing school and rerouting my focus through going to LVN school. i honestly DID WAY better in UNITEK then i did in jc. although i get sad when i think about it...i know GOD indended for me to do this to get my skills this way to be a better nurse.

so...i recommend that you still put your name on the waiting list...and in the meantime...if you have time...consider going to a vocational school. i want to use my license as a stepping stone to get experience in the medical field, and hopefully get into a community colleges' nursing program to get my ADN cheaper. otherwise...im considering going back to UNITEK or Western and getting my ADN that way.

so...good luck to you. let me know what you decide to do!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 26, 2009

I completed the LVN program at Casa Loma College in Van Nuys in 2005, and moved out of state approximately 6 weeks after graduation. I am currently attending an LPN-to-RN transition ADN program and will graduate next March.

Be aware that the job market for new grad LVNs is really terrible in most parts of California at the present time, and that a year or longer might elapse before you find a job. The California job market is problematic as the result of many factors. (1) Too many LVNs, which leads to an overly saturated employment pool (2) Not enough jobs for every LVN who wants to work (3) Trade schools and adult education centers that continue to churn out new LVNs into the job market every few months when there's reduced demand (4) Hospitals closing, dealing with low census, or shutting down units, which further reduces the jobs available (5) Reduced demand from healthcare consumers; unemployed people tend to be uninsured, so they're not seeking healthcare unless it's an absolute emergency. California's unemployment rate, at over 11 percent, is one of the highest in the country.

You say you're trying to escape your current situation, but the grass might not be greener on the other side of the rainbow. Masses of new LVNs in California are posting on these forums about how they cannot land a job, and that they must start repaying their $25,000 private student loans without the corresponding income.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Aug 26, 2009

i agree with NursecubanitaRN2b. [congratulations on your RN! WOOT!]
i did do all my prerequesites at a community college, and i DID get into the nursing program....but unfortunately, i failed out my first shot...and missed passing by three points the next. so -- basically i failed out of nursing school.
not only was i devastated that i missed my opportunity to become a nurse through a jc...i didnt know what else to do. i waited literally TWO years AFTER i finished my prereqs to get in...to find out that i failed out TWICE.
but luckily, i went to a vocational school. i went to UNITEK the sacramento campus, and although it had its ups and downs...i managed to finish. i just took my boards and im awaiting my results.
so no...i dont regret failing out of nursing school and rerouting my focus through going to LVN school. i honestly DID WAY better in UNITEK then i did in jc. although i get sad when i think about it...i know GOD indended for me to do this to get my skills this way to be a better nurse.
so...i recommend that you still put your name on the waiting list...and in the meantime...if you have time...consider going to a vocational school. i want to use my license as a stepping stone to get experience in the medical field, and hopefully get into a community colleges' nursing program to get my ADN cheaper. otherwise...im considering going back to UNITEK or Western and getting my ADN that way.
so...good luck to you. let me know what you decide to do!

Did you try the Pearsonvue trick to see if you passed? It worked for me. PM me and I'll show you how to do it.

lesliehappy · Aug 28, 2009

i heard about those tricks...do they work and is it true?

im soo anxious of doing it that way, that i wait for my dad to tell me everyday when he gets home. id rather have someone else tell me, rather than me doing those tricks! i get sick to my stomach...but i should try it out, huh?

lesliehappy · Aug 28, 2009

i tried it...and it worked! it didnt let me reschedule to retake the nclex? is that a great sign or what? now i should just keep checking online on bvnpt now to see if my name is up! woot!

you dont understand how fast my heart was racing and how sweaty my palms were! yikes! "/

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2009

Yes, but remember that you should have a "status delivery successful" before you try it, as long as you have that then you're good to go. Your name wont show up on the BVNPT because you have to receive your letter that you passed from the board. Mine took about 3-4 weeks after the exam to come. Then when you get your pass letter you will receive the paperwork to apply for your license, and you must send them a $150 check for your license fee. Then in about 1-2 weeks your name should appear on the BVNPT website. Then if you have IV Certification, you must call your IV instructor and she/he needs to contact the board to send them the paperwork as proof that you took the class. Good Luck

PS BTW, I understand EVERYTHING!!! My heart was racing too, and my palms were sweaty, and I was feeling flushed as I hit that submit button!!!!

Bella39841 · Aug 31, 2009

Hello!! Any help is appreciated as I am stuck and have no idea where to go next!
I've finished the pre-reqs for RN school and have been applying and looking into schools in California, mostly southern Ca. I am frustrated with the wait-lists and re-applying to get in and need to get out of my current job situation.
Would it be worth it to go to LVN school first? To get experience and get out of my current situation or should I wait to go to RN school? Anyone that has gone to LVN school in Southern Ca please let me know about costs and how the program was!
Also does anyone know of any Community Colleges in Ca that have LVN school without a super long wait list?
I'm tempted to go to a private school such as Concorde or American Career College and gain experience before I go to Rn school.
Please HELP!

Hello.

I was in the same position as you are now. What I did was I went to LVN school first while on the waiting list to get into the RN program. In the middle of the LVN program I got called to start the RN school, but I was determined to finish the LVN program first. My clinical instructors kept telling us that we worked harder and got more hands-on experience as LVN students. So, I stayed and graduated because I thought I would know more when I started my RN program as an LVN. 2 weeks before I graduated the LVN program, the RN program called for me again. This time I accepted, but I had to start from the very beginning because they also had waiting lists to get in as an LVN. In my case, there would be a 2-3 year wait!! I was stuck!! I decided to not take the NCLEX and start the RN program from the beginning.

Wow, let me tell you! It's a great difference between the LVN and the RN programs. You work harder in the LVN programs because you put in more clinical time. It's very "task-oriented." You clean a lot of poop, LOL. I learned so much hands-on skills. In the RN program, it's all about care plans and assessing and reassessing your patients. It's more detailed paperwork and critical thinking. I feel more confident because of my LVN training, but during the 1st semester I had a hard time adjusting to this new RN role.

I go to Mt. Sac in Walnut and just started the 2nd semester of the RN program. For the LVN, I went to Hacienda- La Puente Adult Education. I have NO debt. Both schools have paid my way through. I think it all depends on your support system and what you eventually want to do. I've done it both and I say go for the RN program. Just keep working and saving money. You will need it for when you go to RN school because it's hard to do both. Remember, there are waiting lists for both programs and expenses that go with both. You'd still have to pass your LVN NCLEX exam before applying to the RN program. Some places don't have waiting lists but you have to pay lots of $$$ in the end. West Coast is about $60K but you graduate within 9 months. But is it worth it? That's up to you!

If I had a choice, I would have just done the RN. I'm glad I learned a lot in LVN school and am applying those skills in my RN program. Good luck and just think about your situation carefully.

lesliehappy · Sep 1, 2009

Yes, but remember that you should have a "status delivery successful" before you try it, as long as you have that then you're good to go. Your name wont show up on the BVNPT because you have to receive your letter that you passed from the board. Mine took about 3-4 weeks after the exam to come. Then when you get your pass letter you will receive the paperwork to apply for your license, and you must send them a $150 check for your license fee. Then in about 1-2 weeks your name should appear on the BVNPT website. Then if you have IV Certification, you must call your IV instructor and she/he needs to contact the board to send them the paperwork as proof that you took the class. Good Luck
PS BTW, I understand EVERYTHING!!! My heart was racing too, and my palms were sweaty, and I was feeling flushed as I hit that submit button!!!!

it DID say "status delivery successful" before i clicked on the button...i cant remember when i saw that, but i did! oh! and thank you for calming my nerves about checking the website. ive been checking EVERYDAY since i did that pearsonvue thing last week! "/ but ill just wait for my snail mail. majority of my classmates took it at the same place i did, and it took them TWENTY ONE days to receive a letter in the mail. so...my twenty one days will be 08sept09. im praying for that day to come sooner!

ill let you know as soon as i get my results! praying for the best! and thank you for responding! youre the best! "]

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2009

You're very welcome. I know the wait for California residents is just rediculously BRUTAL! That's why I shared the whole pearsonvue trick with you. I also shared it with my classmates and it all worked for them.

Just keep looking for your results in the mail. Please do let me know when you get it. I know the exciting feeling after you receive your pass letter!!!!