Advice on which route to go....

[Jen_Loves_Nursing]

Hi Nursing friends!

I have just finished the application phase/interview phase for the LVN program I have chosen to attend and will either be accepted or denied as a candidate by dec 31, 2014. I am not completely finished with my pre-reqs (mostly sciences need to be finished, the program i applied to asks mostly for work experience as a CNA and you get extra points on the rubric for college credits etc)

My questions is....

Should I continue at my local community college, finish ALL my pre reqs to my best ability then apply to an RN program (which i may or may not get into right away)

or

Continue with the LVN program I've applied to (the hours are great and would allow me to finish my pre reqs one class at a time at my community college either online or in person in the evenings because theory and clinical are M-TH 630am-230pm. Then advance place into an RN program and be able to have some nursing experience.

My biggest issue is time. I have 3 children, work and have to plan everything around mine and my husbands schedules.. (oh ya and THREE KIDS!!)

What would you do and why? impatience, truly, has made me want to apply for this LVN program

Thanks all for your input!

[Jen_Loves_Nursing]

There is not a wrong way to go, there is a what is best for you. What is KEY in making decision is what is true for your area, and what is your financial situation. It's crucial for you to remember that what is true in some areas is absolutely false in others.

Here are questions to ask yourself:

Do the schools near you really let you skip a year? In my experience they don't. Being an LVN doesnt really save you time. Call the RN programs near you. If there are lvn to rn programs call them. Do your homework, and really research.

How much do you make now vs LVN. I know a lot of experienced CNAs who only make a few dollars less an hour than a new LVN.

Also your grades, what is your GPA? You don't have to share but you need to know. The minimum GPA required is not enough for the vast majority of schools in socal.

Also, this area is impacted with LVNs and new grad RNs. I speak from experience that LVN positions are very competitive. Will it be worth it to you to go to LVN school and struggle for a position? You may wait 6 months or more. You would as an RN as well.

Being an LVN has pluses and minuses to an RN program. Yes you do have experience so in some ways this is helpful. Plus you have passed the nclex once so you know you can (but do know you are signing yourself up to take the most f'd up test twice). But you have to learn a new scope of practice and will have to approach things from a totally different way. My entire lvn to bsn class found this challenging.

Also the nclex is designed for new grads but as an lvn you aren't exactly. You will want to answer as a nurse but you have to answer as a new grad. It's not impossible but I have seen it trip up great students and i had to work very hard to not fall into the trap. And don't get me started on the nclex rn when they ask lvn related questions. It thinks lvns are idiots and I really had to study because if I answered those questions based off my experience as an lvn they were wrong.

I feel like I am pointing out all the negatives and as I said I do think both are good. I just want to share things I learned the hard way.

Positives of an LVN are experience. Finding what you like and don't like. It is helpful in nursing school in its way.

Hospital jobs for a LVN are extremely difficult for seasoned LVNS to obtain because hospitals don't really use them anymore. Especially in socal. This leaves you with LTC, home health, maybe hospice. And those are 8 hour shifts. Does that fit your family? Will that work during school?

Honestly given your area I wouldn't do the LVN route. I hate to say that because I love LVNs and I want to support them. But in this area I do not see it as an advantage unless you have great grades and a great shot at getting into an lvn to rn program. In other areas I think it's fantastic. But like I said in the beginning you have to plan for where you are.

Hi Night crow!

OK let's do some clarifying and answering for you:

I live in the inland empire and all schools let you advance place taking a yr off. Other let you test into 2nd or 3rd semester.

In the job I currently hold (in which I work 8 HR shifts) I will be hired as an LVN (And I would love to be a nurse in a LTE facility etc) at my work they make 18.50$ not amazing but my sister in law is the charge nurse who hires at a surgery center in Rancho they pay their LVNS $25.

My current GPA is 3.6.

I'm not expecting to work on a hospital but WORK as a nurse in general would be nice.

[Jen_Loves_Nursing]

@Jen_Loves_Nursing thanks Jen!!

I never heard of that program before. I will defintely take a look at the program. I agree..having support from your peers is PRICELESS :)

@classicdame

I honestly can see you're point of this.

It's just crafton hills college

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Hi Night crow!

OK let's do some clarifying and answering for you:

I live in the inland empire and all schools let you advance place taking a yr off. Other let you test into 2nd or 3rd semester.

In the job I currently hold (in which I work 8 HR shifts) I will be hired as an LVN (And I would love to be a nurse in a LTE facility etc) at my work they make 18.50$ not amazing but my sister in law is the charge nurse who hires at a surgery center in Rancho they pay their LVNS $25.

My current GPA is 3.6.

I'm not expecting to work on a hospital but WORK as a nurse in general would be nice.

Thanks Jen. You have a great GPA. Yes I called the school and they told me to apply online and update my FASFA. The school is 30 minutes away so I have to figure this out.. Also, that's super cool you have a connection in the surgical center in rancho...hint hint (lets network) lol. I work in a psychiatric rehab hospital in riverside and the LVN's make that amount as well. every so often they hire new grads. If I decide to stay in California I can work there, but acute/medical/surgical experience is what I'm striving for.

[Jen_Loves_Nursing]

Thanks Jen. You have a great GPA. Yes I called the school and they told me to apply online and update my FASFA. The school is 30 minutes away so I have to figure this out.. Also, that's super cool you have a connection in the surgical center in rancho...hint hint (lets network) lol. I work in a psychiatric rehab hospital in riverside and the LVN's make that amount as well. every so often they hire new grads. If I decide to stay in California I can work there, but acute/medical/surgical experience is what I'm striving for.

Really glad I met you! If I were you I woukd go to RNC (riverside community college)

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Really glad I met you! If I were you I woukd go to RNC (riverside community college)

Ditto! Thanks I'll look into it :)

[Jen_Loves_Nursing]

I would go for the RN program. I think the other route will just waste your time in the long run. If RN is your goal, why wait?

Because I am not entirely finished with he pre reqs and I am super impatient.