[wantstobeanurse]

hi guys...i also have questions re: above topic..

1) Is it hard to qualify? I have another BS degree, but I want a career change, never been happy with the jobs ive had, a degree in the medical/healthcare field is my passion...couldnt take it before becoz' i couldnt afford it, this could probably be my chance...

2) I am thinking of taking either the Medical Assisting course or CNA prior to applying for the LVN program, which do you think is better? I plan to work part time to help my husband with all the bills after MA or CNA, which course will earn more points for the LVN program?

Thank you guys, your replies will be greatly appreciated....

[maleRN2b_one]

Originally Posted by wantstobeanurse

hi guys...i also have questions re: above topic..

1) Is it hard to qualify? I have another BS degree, but I want a career change, never been happy with the jobs ive had, a degree in the medical/healthcare field is my passion...couldnt take it before becoz' i couldnt afford it, this could probably be my chance...

2) I am thinking of taking either the Medical Assisting course or CNA prior to applying for the LVN program, which do you think is better? I plan to work part time to help my husband with all the bills after MA or CNA, which course will earn more points for the LVN program?

Thank you guys, your replies will be greatly appreciated....

Hi,

Please read message #10 in this thread. I offered some suggestions there on how you could increase your chances on getting accepted.

To answer your question more specifically, it is better to take a CNA course. It will give you a better insight as to what nurses have to deal with on a daily basis. Besides, when CNAs are busy or are not readily available, LVNs and RNs help out with CNA duties, and answer patient's call light, so you should be able to step in whenever necessary. Also, as an LVN or RN, you will be supervising them in the hospital setting, and what a better way to understand their plight than being a CNA yourself at some point. Also, ROP gives you points for CNA, and more if you have actually worked with pay as a CNA. They may give you points for MA but it is definitely not as high as you would get for CNA.

MAs work in a doctor's clinic primarily, and they assist the doctors or nurse practitioners. The focus is different. They mainly do vital signs, measure height, weight, and draw blood if you are also certified as a phlebotomist. If you are also certified to take x-rays, you can perform x-rays as well. But those are additional training on top of your medical assistant training. However, you won't be actually taking care of unstable sickly people the way nurses do. You are considered an auxiliary to a doctor to help him in his diagnosis. You basically do the preliminary routine checks like height, weight, vital signs, filing, greeting patients, and showing them to their rooms, stocking up supplies in the room, and answering phones. Also if you were trained in medical billing and coding, you would do that and spend a lot of time reading doctors notes, and on the computer.

But if you really want to be an LVN or RN someday, starting out as a CNA would be better for you in the long run.

You said you have a BS degree already, ROP actually gives you points for that as well.

There are actually a lot of people who apply as well, and they may also possess BS degrees, some even have MS degrees. However, if you have a good GPA, that's another plus. You actually get certain points depending on your GPA. Obviously, having a GPA between 3.5 - 4.0 gives you more points than a "C" or 3.0 GPA.

Hope that helps!

[tinyscrafts]

Send for the application rubric, They have an info night and they went thru it all. A BS gives you 20pts
the GPA points apply only if have only a H.S. diploma
the MA class is worth 5.
CNA is worth 5, but worth 10 if you passed the state test, and if you work for 1-6 mos it's 15
That's why i'm thinking about it... but it's alot of hours away from my little one (childcare issues blah..) so if i don't need it to get in I won't

[wantstobeanurse]

Originally Posted by maleRN_one

Hi,

Please read message #10 in this thread. I offered some suggestions there on how you could increase your chances on getting accepted.

To answer your question more specifically, it is better to take a CNA course. It will give you a better insight as to what nurses have to deal with on a daily basis. Besides, when CNAs are busy or are not readily available, LVNs and RNs help out with CNA duties, and answer patient's call light, so you should be able to step in whenever necessary. Also, as an LVN or RN, you will be supervising them in the hospital setting, and what a better way to understand their plight than being a CNA yourself at some point. Also, ROP gives you points for CNA, and more if you have actually worked with pay as a CNA. They may give you points for MA but it is definitely not as high as you would get for CNA.

MAs work in a doctor's clinic primarily, and they assist the doctors or nurse practitioners. The focus is different. They mainly do vital signs, measure height, weight, and draw blood if you are also certified as a phlebotomist. If you are also certified to take x-rays, you can perform x-rays as well. But those are additional training on top of your medical assistant training. However, you won't be actually taking care of unstable sickly people the way nurses do. You are considered an auxiliary to a doctor to help him in his diagnosis. You basically do the preliminary routine checks like height, weight, vital signs, filing, greeting patients, and showing them to their rooms, stocking up supplies in the room, and answering phones. Also if you were trained in medical billing and coding, you would do that and spend a lot of time reading doctors notes, and on the computer.

But if you really want to be an LVN or RN someday, starting out as a CNA would be better for you in the long run.

You said you have a BS degree already, ROP actually gives you points for that as well.

There are actually a lot of people who apply as well, and they may also possess BS degrees, some even have MS degrees. However, if you have a good GPA, that's another plus. You actually get certain points depending on your GPA. Obviously, having a GPA between 3.5 - 4.0 gives you more points than a "C" or 3.0 GPA.

Hope that helps!

Hey, thanks for all the insights....it really helped.. a lot....thanks again...

[wantstobeanurse]

Originally Posted by maleRN_one

Hi,

Please read message #10 in this thread. I offered some suggestions there on how you could increase your chances on getting accepted.

To answer your question more specifically, it is better to take a CNA course. It will give you a better insight as to what nurses have to deal with on a daily basis. Besides, when CNAs are busy or are not readily available, LVNs and RNs help out with CNA duties, and answer patient's call light, so you should be able to step in whenever necessary. Also, as an LVN or RN, you will be supervising them in the hospital setting, and what a better way to understand their plight than being a CNA yourself at some point. Also, ROP gives you points for CNA, and more if you have actually worked with pay as a CNA. They may give you points for MA but it is definitely not as high as you would get for CNA.

MAs work in a doctor's clinic primarily, and they assist the doctors or nurse practitioners. The focus is different. They mainly do vital signs, measure height, weight, and draw blood if you are also certified as a phlebotomist. If you are also certified to take x-rays, you can perform x-rays as well. But those are additional training on top of your medical assistant training. However, you won't be actually taking care of unstable sickly people the way nurses do. You are considered an auxiliary to a doctor to help him in his diagnosis. You basically do the preliminary routine checks like height, weight, vital signs, filing, greeting patients, and showing them to their rooms, stocking up supplies in the room, and answering phones. Also if you were trained in medical billing and coding, you would do that and spend a lot of time reading doctors notes, and on the computer.

But if you really want to be an LVN or RN someday, starting out as a CNA would be better for you in the long run.

You said you have a BS degree already, ROP actually gives you points for that as well.

There are actually a lot of people who apply as well, and they may also possess BS degrees, some even have MS degrees. However, if you have a good GPA, that's another plus. You actually get certain points depending on your GPA. Obviously, having a GPA between 3.5 - 4.0 gives you more points than a "C" or 3.0 GPA.

Hope that helps!

HI! How was the pre-assessment test? Did you find it hard? What steps should i take to ensure passing? Any books you can recommend that i read to prepare?

Thank you!!

[maleRN2b_one]

The pre-assessment test was not hard. You just have to be fast, though, in answering the questions. It is basic English, and math through algebra. They say to use a GED review book, but I think that may be overdoing it. Overall, don't worry about the test too much. It's not hard at all! They take in about 300 students after this test, for the prereq course which is Fund I. This prereq class is crucial. It is important to get an A on this one. You could almost guarantee acceptance into the 13-month program if you get an A on this. Most of the people in my class, if not all, have gotten A's on this class. The flipside is I have known a lot of people who have gotten C's on this class who didn't get in. I cannot stress the importance of this prereq class enough. However, Fund I isn't hard if you study everyday, and try to do all the assigned readings before lecture. Also, listen and remember everything said in the lecture. Don't forget about the homework assigments too. Basically, if you do get into the prereq class, give it your 100% commitment.

Hope that helps!

[wantstobeanurse]

Originally Posted by maleRN_one

The pre-assessment test was not hard. You just have to be fast, though, in answering the questions. It is basic English, and math through algebra. They say to use a GED review book, but I think that may be overdoing it. Overall, don't worry about the test too much. It's not hard at all! They take in about 300 students after this test, for the prereq course which is Fund I. This prereq class is crucial. It is important to get an A on this one. You could almost guarantee acceptance into the 13-month program if you get an A on this. Most of the people in my class, if not all, have gotten A's on this class. The flipside is I have known a lot of people who have gotten C's on this class who didn't get in. I cannot stress the importance of this prereq class enough. However, Fund I isn't hard if you study everyday, and try to do all the assigned readings before lecture. Also, listen and remember everything said in the lecture. Don't forget about the homework assigments too. Basically, if you do get into the prereq class, give it your 100% commitment.

Hope that helps!

Thank you again for the fast response! I am really worried about the test, so it is time pressured -right?
I dont worry much about English, but MATH is my weakness, algebra ughhh! Anyway, i really enjoy reading your posts & replies, goodluck on your studies!

[NrseMichelle]

Hello all! I just found this board on accident and I found these posts. I graduated from NOCROP last July with my LVN license. If you have any questions about the program, feel free to email me at michelleschaller21@yahoo.com.

Good Luck to all of you attempting to try and those who are already in this class!!

[ef0zzy]

Originally Posted by ktc445

I will be graduating the NOCROP program this July! It's a great school with excellent teachers! I already had my pre-reqs completed for RN, wasn't into the wait list, got into ROP and going to be starting my LVN-BSN in the fall. I made the best choice going to NOCROP. Best of all 24 units are going to be transferred towards my BSN. They take 60 students into thier program and 10 alternates, if you get in good luck and have a great year

So wait is there like an LVN-BSN program that ROP offers? Where will you be attending... I've been looking at Concorde/American Career College/ROP... Im actually taking prereqs to set me up if I want to get into a Cal State *i believe that units arent transferable ... so im taking Anatomy now... then Physiology & Microbio*... and u mention the alternatives.. are they involved within the program or just basically on a waiting list?

NOCROP is so close you know and ive just recently read about it so its becoming more intriguing compared to a private school *which we all know takes lots of $$$$*

congrats too btw haha

[tinyscrafts]

Has anyone else taken the assesment test lately??
They are testing right now. who3lse, it's an LVN program and for cheap too. if you are interested i'd call them today.