Re: Lvn To Rn Program In Los Angeles Area
I have been in an LVN program for the past 11 months and finish up next month.

I thought everything was going so well. I would finish up, study for the NCLEX, pass the exam and then get my license.

The only reason I went into the LVN program was to get a head start in the RN program so that I could transfer as a 2nd yr.advanced-standing student.
The JC I went to (Mt. Sac) had a long waiting list and I didn't think I'd get in.

I applied Nov. 07 and was placed in June 08 as an alternate for the August 08 class. I was already in the LVN program and thought I should finish it out since I had started it.

Today, out of the blue, I get a call on my last day of my LTC clinical from Mt. Sac telling me that I was once again an alternate for the January 09 class but that I would probably get in this time. Problem is orientation is the 1st week of December. Just like the last time, I can't attend because I have scheduled classes for that week for my LVN program.
But, here's the thing. I went over to Mt. Sac today and the lady told me the waiting list to get into the Bridge program at Mt. Sac (and I'm assuming all JCs in my area) is 3-4 years!

There are hundreds of LVNs that did the same thing I did. They only take maybe 5 each semester from their waiting list to start up in the 2nd semester with the beginning RN students from the semester before.
At this rate, my pre-req's will be outdated by the time I get into RN school!

So, the nice lady at Mt. Sac told me that since I'm already on the list to begin in January 09 to just go ahead and do it. I would have to start all over again as a new student nurse, though. Forget this year of HELL that I've had an LVN school!!

She explained that I'd be done with RN school faster this way than if I was to wait to get in as an LVN for the Bridge program. Besides, it would be the 2nd semester that I'd be joining, and if you think about it.. in order for me to apply for the Bridge, I have to have my actual license to apply into the Bridge program and that won't be until April. Then I have to try to get in the June bridge class to start in Sept and she said that won't happen because of the freakin' waiting list..!!

So, here's the thing. Should I just get into the Jan 09 RN program and start from scratch? It would be the same thing. My hope was that I'd get the license, apply, get into the Bridge in June and be in the 2nd semester RN program in Sept. Looks like that ain't gonna happen..!! So I might as well go into the RN program and start from scratch.... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... it's faster than the alternative..!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...!!!

I am so upset about this. It's not freakin' fair!! If I decide to do it this way, I would have to miss a crucial week of my LVN program to attend orientation. I don't know if my instructors will let me do that..!! So, I'm damned if I do, and I'm damned if I don't.

One of my classmates told me that West Coast University should be a consideration for me. I could get my RN license in 9 months since I'm finished with everything needed. That would start in June 09. Did you all see how much it costs to go to that school? I don't want to have a debt before I even start working!

I just don't know what to do..!!! Any suggestions..??
Nursing News