[caligirl03]

Hi. I need some help. Here's my story. I'm from California and about a year ago my husband and I decided to move out of state. We did it and we HATE it. We want to move back to Cali like ASAP So here's the problem. I got accepted to a university's nursing program and I am supposed to start spring 07. They give you the choice of ADN or BSN. So if I did the shortest program, the adn program, it takes 5 semesters so I would be stuck here for 3 more years until summer '09. I really don't want to stay that long so I started looking into other schools and found a vocational school that starts this month. It costs a lot- $24000. I wouldn't be an RN like the other program, I would be an LPN and I'd have to continue my schooling after I got back to Cali. but it only takes a year and we would be able to move next summer.

I know it sounds crazy especially since I've already been accepted at a university but what do you guys think? And also do you guys know how hard it is to get accepted into an LPN to BSN program? Is it as hard as just getting into an RN program or is it easier since I would already be a nurse?

sorry this is so long.

[Daytonite]

Tuition at all the state supported community colleges out here is only $26 a credit hour. That includes the LVN courses. Why not do an LPN course in California while waiting to get into an RN school? Most of the community colleges out here have LVN to RN bridge programs.

[mrod]

Well I would ask myself...do I want to be an LPN or an RN? Also are you in a rush to get this RN? If you are then I would move and find something like an LPN while you are waiting acceptance to a University for RN school or if you are not in a rush then apply now for schools in Cali, move and hope for the best. I always told myself if I did not get into nursing school the 1st time then I would do EMT or Paramedic to get the ball rolling.
If you were to stay then you are making a big commitment to a university and will not be able to move for a long time. Also if you start a univerisity and then move and take another program, they might not accept all credits or have different criteria for the course and you will be stuck.
List your pros and cons and try that.

Hey, I do not blame you for wanting to go back to Cali...my husband and I are moving there about 1 yr after I graduate so 2 more yrs!!

[BeccaznRN]

Be very, very careful regarding vocational schools - they cost an arm and a leg and more often than not, the credit hours do NOT tranfer to an RN program. Check on that first, then make a decision from there. Best of luck to you!

[GratefulHeart]

Speaking from the greater Sacramento area:

The LVN programs in our local JCs are relatively easy to get into, while the ADN programs are very much in demand, and you should expect a wait. Even the bridge programs, LVN-to-ADN, are easier to get into than the ADN programs. As another poster has already shared, JC tuition is only $26/unit in California. As a result, I wouldn't spend thousands of dollars to do an LVN program in a vocational school if that is the route you want to go.

I applied 4 times to a lottery based ADN program here and didn't make it. The first semester I applied, the pool had 100 qualified applicants. The third time I applied, the pool had over 300 qualified applicants. With the odds getting worse each semester, I thought "forget this" and focused instead on finishing a couple of classes I needed to get into a university second bachelor's program. You know what? --I got in the first time I applied!

Granted, I don't know your situation, grades, test scores, etc., but if you had to qualify for the university program you got into there based on good grades, test scores, etc., you may find it easier than you think to make it into a BSN program here.

Blessings.