Undecided on what school to attend in california????

eslvn · Nov 9, 2011

College of the Redwoods is only a year long, like the private schools, and its a community college, so pretty cheap. I personally would stay away from private LVN programs, they are so expensive and honestly the pay isnt worth it. Its a good living and worth all the work, but $33,000!!?? For no degree???!!! Just check out the CC's, go to the bvnpt website and you can look at all the approved programs in Cali, and some of them have no wait.

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2011

College of the Redwoods is only a year long, like the private schools, and its a community college, so pretty cheap.

I would think College of the Redwoods would be much too far for the OP, considering it's in NorCal when Anaheim is in Orange County :rolleyes:

Anywho, to the OP, why are you limiting yourself to only the North Orange County ROP program? I'm assuming because it's the closest to you, but there are several other ROPs in SoCal that are easily drivable such as Downey Adult School, Hacienda La Puente Adult School, Baldwin Park Adult School, and Baldy View ROP to name a few. And not to mention there are the CC programs as well... Although I can't think of any OC CC's off the top of my head that have an LVN program... Rio Hondo College and Citrus College aren't painfully far from Anaheim.

It is definitely not worth spending over $30,000 for an LVN education when jobs are so hard to come by in this economy. Especially if only to save a few months or so. There is no perfect school that would have the ideal distance, cost, and length. There are sacrifices for anything worth doing. At ACC you would sacrifice cost, at NOCROP you would sacrifice time, and at the other programs you would sacrifice distance. Keep in mind, however, that you will not make up the $25,000+ difference in tuition in the 6 or so extra months you saved by going the private route. Nor will you spend $25,000+ worth in gas by driving 20-30 extra minutes to any of the other ROPs/adult schools.

I had the same dilemma as you 2 years ago exactly. I could start a private school ASAP in January or wait 6 months to start an ROP program, both programs were 12 months long. I choose the ROP program and found a job right away due to family connections. This is not the norm. Most of the LVNs I know that immediately found jobs had connections as well or were hired in places where they already worked. Some found jobs on their own, but almost a year after graduating. Others still haven't found jobs. So would you be willing to be straddled with $30,000+ in debt that you have to start paying after graduation regardless of whether you found an LVN job or not? Just because you become an LVN faster doesn't mean you'll be able to start working as an LVN faster.

For further reading, here are some similar threads that address your questions:

https://allnurses.com/california-nurses/considering-lvn-lpn-549745.html

https://allnurses.com/ca-nursing-programs/i-am-thinking-637867.html

https://allnurses.com/lpn-lvn-nursing/should-i-avoid-631743.html

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Nov 9, 2011

Do you have the money to pay for the program? If no, wait it out and go to a cheaper program. In a time of no guaranteed jobs, I wouldn't want to run up debt you can't pay off, because the loans still have to paid.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 10, 2011

Moved to the CA Nursing Programs Discussion

anie10 · Nov 10, 2011

Are you planning to bridge?

SKEPTICAL1 · Nov 10, 2011

Thank you guys for your advice.

To anie10: Yes i want to bridge after i get my lvn but dont know where.

To squishylvn: Did you just recently graduate i see you only have 1 year experience. What kind of facility are you currently working at??

SKEPTICAL1 · Nov 10, 2011

Yes thats' exactly what i was thinking about

anie10 · Nov 11, 2011

@Skeptical1 - good deal, because although they are not the same exam, you'll get a feel for what's in store for you for the NCLEX, additionally you'll probably leap-frog a lot of prospective nursing students who will be starting from scratch.

Good luck to you, in whatever you decide!

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2011

To squishylvn: Did you just recently graduate i see you only have 1 year experience. What kind of facility are you currently working at??

I graduated in 2010, licensed in December. I'm working PRN at different skilled nursing facilities, but my hours generally add up to full time between the 3.

La Cubanita RN · Nov 14, 2011

Hi well i spoken to a few people who bridged from either ROP or the Psyc Tech program (which is another way to go) They went to Cypress College for their RNs and it certainly is a way more affordable way to go. If you havent heard of the Psyc Tech bridge you may want to check it out at Cypress. I think its 18 months and then you bridge in to the 2nd year of the RN program. The Psyc tech isnt very competitive I know at least 3 girls who got right in. Cypress has an amazing Nursing program their pass rates for NCLEX are awesome. Great school in the OC