I Did Not Make It In :(

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello Good People,

I did not make in to LVN school (Hacienda La Puente). The notice said that my scores were high enough for entry into the psych tech program. I don't know if that is what to do or if I want to try for the LVN program again (starts in June). From what I heard psych tech= more job opportunities + less pay and LVN= less job opportunities + more pay.

I know if I had to do over again, there would be somethings I would do differently such as: dress professionally, submit transcripts from attended colleges and university, leave home 2 to 3 hours early, to make sure I would arrive on time and devise a better study plan for all of the quizzes.

Hi RNmama999,

The program that I was trying to get into is the most highly regarded LVN program in Southern CA. Any student that graduate from this program is employed quickly. This program has over 1,000 applicants each term. First, there is the assessment exam. Applicants must score a 12th grade level or higher. Applicants that score 12 grade or higher are then invited to the Pre-Lvn Course. This course costs $25.00 and the 30 highest scores are picked for the actual LVN program. The two tier selection process is like this to weed out the top candidates.

I have good test taking skills. It is not just test scores that determines who enters into the program.

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12th grade? That is beyond basic! Lmao! High School content! What you're describing sounds very much like the selection process at the LVN school I attended. My understanding is that you did not score high enough on the assessment test, wore a blouse instead of a suit which would have scored you more points, and failed to meet the other criteria that may have been posted somewhere on the school's information packet and/or website. The Pre-LVN course i'm guessing is an introductory class which may or may not include dosage calculations, A&P, and microbiology. These are usually required in the first 2 years of college and are also part of nursing program prerequisites at a state university.

Why are you pursuing an LVN license when you can get your RN, BSN? My husband and I are both RNs and live in Nor Cal (Bay Area) and we are amongst the highest paid RNs in the nation. New grads here start at $50 -$59 per hour in the hospital. I was an LVN prior to getting my RN and made $28 which is pretty good considering average LVN pay in CA is $24. In my opinion, that is still pretty low compared to the cost of living here. I am sure SoCal is fairly similar. Most LVNs are being laid off from hospitals and the majority work in SNFs. The job market is as tough for LVNs as it is for RN so why not pursue higher education? :-)

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Specializes in Bacheror of science in Nursing and Midwi.

am very sorry,but why do they have to do that?,come on brother,it has happen but you know what, there is a door opened just for you.Just try another way, you will smile again.

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Look on the bright side, that isn't the only school that has an LVN program! Get your prerequise at a community college. Learn from your mistakes so you can knock'em dead the next go round! Don't give up!....Just go full force the next go round because you know the do's and dont's!

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If you want to go into nursing don't settle for psych tech. There are no opportunities for anything less than a bachelors degree in psych. Mental health is one of those professions that require the highest level of education with the least amount of pay. My husband has a masters degree in psych and all the jobs or hound here pay about what an RN would get paid while requiring that masters degree and then some.

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LCinTraining,

It is interesting that you would mention that about the pay of people in the psych field. I have befriended an educator on Facebook and she did some research and reported back to me. While it is true that a psych tech can bridge over to ASN for RN, that can only happen in Arkansas and Colorado. I live in California! So long story short, I would be stuck in that field.

I have decided to pursue the LVN program again in June 2013. I have thought about all of the things that I would do differently if given the opportunity again.

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Hi Mz.snuggly,

No, it is not the only school with an LVN program, but it is the only one where I have one foot in the door (passed the assessment test with flying colors). I have learned from my mistakes and thought about what I would do differently if given the opportunity again (next Pre-LVN class in May 2013).

Thank you for your support and words of encouragement.

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The pre-LVN class is part of the selection (or elimination) process to enter into the LVN program. The Pre-LVN class does not include dosage calculations, mircrobiology and A&P.

As far as the assessment test is concerned, I scored 12 grade and higher in all subjects (7 in all) across the board. This is the only reason why I was invited to participate in the Pre-LVN course in the first place.

The reason why I am pursuing the LVN instead of my RN is because I am currently unemployed and have obtained WIA funds (for training only). I figured that I would get my LVN and then bridge over to RN. I know that it sounds crazy and drawn out, but I am thinking about my current situation. If you have any suggestions on how I can approach this differently, I am open to any new suggestions.

Thank you for responding to my post.

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Hi Innocent Namondwe,

It is done this way (for this program) because the program is highly regarded (at least in Southern CA) and is inexpensive in price. I am going to try for the class that is starting in June 2013 (unless there is any more gliches in the works). I just have to re-think on how I would approach the pre-selection process.

Thank you for your words of encouragement.

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Awww! I'm so sorry you didn't get it! I think you should try again hun, maybe you weren't prepared for the pre-lvn class, but you will be in June right? You know what you need to do this time! Best of luck!

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Thank you, Dezmijia. I think not only was I not prepared as I should have been, the competition was steep. Admission was based on a points system. So besides the test scores, people got extra points if they could prove they had extra training/work experience(s) in a certain field, licenses, college degree(s).

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Hi :)

I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, which is why I didn't mention it, but I was in the same class with you.

I just want to tell you to hopefully help a little, that I didn't have all that extra experience. I'm a momma, and my current little income comes from making bows :) I don't have any prior medical experience besides being a candy striper at 13. I'm 34 now. I have some college units, but they are towards child development.

On the other hand, I was there 45 minutes early waiting outside. I wasn't dressed up, I actually was stressed because I wore jeans and tennis, but that's all I had, I don't have lots of money for suits or anything. I was tidy, did my hair in a ponytail, and wore light make up.

I did nothing but study for the 2 days prior to the test. And I had several people praying for me! I also feel that I did well on the test because I kept testing myself with each quiz a few times so I could memorize the answers. I know that if you try again in June you will get in! You will be prepared! If there is anything I can help you with, let me know :)

Desiree

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