Advice desperately needed!

[Havivah]

This IS a re-post, but I think I might get better feedback by also posting it here:

I need some serious advice here. For purposes of my poised question here, I believe it will be best to state the long-term goal first, which is to obtain CRNA licensure @USC. I am fully aware of the requirements the program mandates, (and for fulfillment of acute care, I would prefer to work in the NICU). Now, it is just getting there that is the next portion!

What is best?!?

LVN--> RN--> BRN?

RN--> BRN?

BRN?

I currently live and reside in Southern California. I am nearly finished with my college coursework for General Education of an undergraduate degree HOWEVER, I'm having a great deal of trouble getting my "core" courses [Anatomy/Physio/Microbio/Chem] as every single community college within a 60 mile (yes, 60 mile) radius are booked solid, therefore, it would be near impossible for me to transfer directly to a BRN program.. Also, many nursing programs require certain coursework to be completed with a 5-7 year time frame. I worry I may lose out and need to re-take coursework. Unfortunately, the college counselors have spoken to have been less than helpful; Nursing programs have only gone so far as to advise me what I need to apply to the program.

In terms of getting the coursework, I'm heavily and also very sadly (financially) considering taking as much Bio/Chem during the Winter/Spring quarter at UCI. Then transfer to CSU Bakersfield's BRN program. So far, that's the best solution (though costly) that I have conjured up.

I'm an older student, soon to be 27, and would very much like to have a happy little family before I, for lack of better words, biologically expire. I don't care how much I travel- my family can move with me :)

Please, any/all guidance in this is greatly appreciated. If I were to pursue the CSU-Bakersfield BRN route, I need to apply there like NOW lol.. because the application's due tomorrow!!!

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry but I had to laugh when you called yourself an older student. You are by far NOT AN OLDER STUDENT. You're still young and you have enough time to finish your nursing degree and still have a family before you get to be my age, and I am an older student but still young though. It's never too late to obtain your nursing degree. So please keep that in mind and don't let the time get the best of you.

Now another questions is how far are you from completing your undergraduate degree? If you're within 15 months from completing your undergraduate degree I would finish that first. Then I would focus on getting into an ABSN program and there are plenty here in CA. You of course would need to complete all of your prerequisites into the program and that includes all of your biologies. If you're currently still a ways from completing your undergraduate degree then you have several options. The only way to get into any nursing program you must complete your prerequisites first. You're correct that they DO EXPIRE which is rediculous especially if you've been applying for years and then bam they expire and you must retake again.

My background: I have a BA in a non-nursing field. I took all of my prerequisites and all of the ADN programs were impacted, and I was hearing that even all of the LVN programs were starting to get all of the ADN applicants who were declined a spot. So I decided to apply to a private college up in the Bay Area just so I can finish faster. I did a LVN program and now working as a LVN as I have to drive a ways to work, but I'm working. I have all of my prerequisites finished and I'm waiting for a LVN-RN program to accept me. I have very little programs to choose from because of the whole "expiration" on my science courses. I had taken all of my sciences back in the 90's and they ALL EXPIRED so I had to repeat them, and of course I was penalized for retaking them so they reduce my science gpa even though I passed with above passing grades on all of them both times. Anyway, I'm stuck, and I've been waiting almost 2 years to be accepted into a LVN-RN program as most I've found are doing away with them and just doing straight RN. I don't want to go back to a private college to complete my RN degree because I've already accumulated debt from both my undergrad & VN programs. I don't regret doing my LVN because at least I'm working as a nurse and I'm gaining experience.

My advise to you is to get into a RN program straight if you can help it. If you don't want to wait then you can do the LVN first and then bridge over to the RN, but it's very hard to find a school that still offers LVN-RN but being that you're in Southern California you may have more options than I do up here in the Bay Area. You need to do what feels right to you. Not all programs are for everybody.

I'm curious as to why you posted on the Distance Education forum. Were you looking into a distance education program? Either way good luck in your search.