Anyone attend or know about hacienda la puente rop lvn program?

koslik1 · Aug 15, 2010

I have graduated and have my VN license from the North Orange County ROP, and here's my advise....the programs at most ROPs are awesome, the teachers are great...given all that...if you are planning to get your RN don't do it!!! I did it because i thought I could get into RN bridge program faster, but its going to end up being way longer...I graduated from VN in Dec 2009, took my boards in March, and didn't get my VN license 'till July 2010!!! you need your license and pre-reqs to apply...Secondly, a lot of schools are changing their bridge pre-req criteria, as they are asking for entering LVNs to have one year experience!! Plus, it is so HARD to find a job as a new grad...it used to be easy, but its not the case anymore! If i had to do it over again...i would take all of my pre-reqs first, and get on the waiting list.. having your science classes will also help you get into ROP vn program, as you get extra points for them (entering ROP VN program is a point system)...so at least you can get on the waiting list. Then you can start VN program if you get accepted, because even if you do get in to the RN program prior to finishing VN, at least you will have a lot of experience, and do very well your first semmester or RN.

Having said all of this...VN program is excellent for people who just want to get their VN and stop at that....you will get very good training, program is cheap and most ROP graduates have hight passing NCLEX rate... NOCROP is the best out of all of them...i think :)

acidburn · Aug 18, 2010

If i had to do it over again...i would take all of my pre-reqs first, and get on the waiting list.. having your science classes will also help you get into ROP vn program, as you get extra points for them (entering ROP VN program is a point system)...so at least you can get on the waiting list. Then you can start VN program if you get accepted, because even if you do get in to the RN program prior to finishing VN, at least you will have a lot of experience, and do very well your first semmester or RN.

Hi!

First off, thanks so much for the info/advice! This is the exact path I was considering for becoming an RN, but I can not really find any detailed information on wether it is a good path.

I am attending Chaffey College and only need Microbiology for completing my pre-reqs. I am so frustrated with trying to chose the best path. It seems like it is almost impossible to get into an RN program.

This is exactly why I was considering becoming an LVN (at Baldy View ROP) and then going for the LVN-RN bridge at Chaffey or APU's (LVN-BSN) because, I also, thought that it might be more beneficial and ultimately faster to do it this way. So you're completely against this path for those who ultimately want to be RN's?

Also, I have a few questions that I am having a hard time finding clear answers to.

Does the LVN program REALLY count as 1 year of the RN program, or will most of it need to be repeated?

Have you applied to any LVN-RN programs? Where? How competitive is it? Any luck getting in?

Thanks again for the info and MUCH LUCK in your career!

I dream of the day that I graduate with my BSN!!! :yeah:

acidburn · Aug 18, 2010

Hi. I attended HLPAE's LVN program from Jan 08 until Dec 08. I learned soooooooooo much there. The teachers were great. I never did get my LVN license because I was immediately accepted into the RN program at Mt. Sac and am now in my 3rd semester.

First off, CONGRATS!!!

I am also thinking about going for my LVN (at Baldy View ROP in Ontario) and applying for the LVN-RN bridge at Chaffey College, hoping that this will save me some time, instead of waiting to get accepted into the RN program.

I am alomost done with all my pre-reqs. I just need Micro.

So I was wondering if it is easier/faster to get LVN and then get into the bridge program than it would be to go straight for the RN?

Was Mt. Sac the only school you applied to? Do you know how competitive it is?

Thanks for the info!

Phallenangel · Aug 31, 2010

...I graduated from VN in Dec 2009, took my boards in March, and didn't get my VN license 'till July 2010!!! you need your license and pre-reqs to apply...Secondly, a lot of schools are changing their bridge pre-req criteria, as they are asking for entering LVNs to have one year experience!! Plus, it is so HARD to find a job as a new grad...it used to be easy, but its not the case anymore! If i had to do it over again...i would take all of my pre-reqs first, and get on the waiting list.. having your science classes will also help you get into ROP vn program, as you get extra points for them (entering ROP VN program is a point system)...so at least you can get on the waiting list. Then you can start VN program if you get accepted, because even if you do get in to the RN program prior to finishing VN, at least you will have a lot of experience, and do very well your first semmester or RN.
Having said all of this...VN program is excellent for people who just want to get their VN and stop at that....you will get very good training, program is cheap and most ROP graduates have hight passing NCLEX rate... NOCROP is the best out of all of them...i think :)

I do agree that you should complete your pre-reqs before entering a LVN program. In addition to simply waiting to hear back from a RN program, the material you learn in these classes really, REALLY helps in the LVN program.

But as far not finding a job, I asked my instructor about seriously having to wait for 3-6months to finally start working. She said there are some places that will hire VNs who have Interim Permits (i.e. - long-term care facility - see BVNPT - Frequently Asked Questions). So it may not be in the high-end hospitals that you want, but hey, at least it's a job...and that one year of experience will get you great work experience AND you can save up for the RN program at the same time. So I see it as a win-win situation.

Or you can apply to a LVN-BSN at a private school to get in right away (and pay an arm and a leg for it). :uhoh3:

koslik1 · Sep 1, 2010

Are you currently in the VN program? Your instructor may try to be encouraging by giving you options...but trust me....its very hard for new grads right now..i don't know what she told you about permits..but you have to think for yourself...what legible company will hire you without a license???? i was just saying that once you are done with VN program...licensing takes a long time...this is something new, and hopefully will change in the near future...license for VNs in california takes a very long time because of the budget cuts, increased number of applicants and furlow days...if your criminal record is spotlessly clean...the soonest you will get your license is 3months post graduation...if you have even one traffic ticket over $300 it will take anywhere from 4-6months! some of my classmates are still waiting...

out of 32 people who graduated with me 12 are working...out of those 12 four moved out of state, and other's got hired through family connections... but hey...if you have connections, you will be fine...

I tried to build my connections during my clinicals, but so far, nothing came of them...My best bet right now is to hopefully get hired at this nursing home in long beach...(this opportunity was offered to me from a friend who knew somebody there...) so we'll see what happens...as you can see I am looking for anything...not just some fancy hospital job :) we'll see what happens, I'll keep everyone posted. What makes me mad is that on some job postings it states 1 year experience prefferred, but then you fill out an aplication and they deny you based on experience...so you call HR and speak to the DON, and she states that it was an error...1 year experience is not prefferred its required!!!!!

Phallenangel · Sep 1, 2010

Are you currently in the VN program? Your instructor may try to be encouraging by giving you options...but trust me....its very hard for new grads right now..i don't know what she told you about permits..but you have to think for yourself...what legible company will hire you without a license???? i was just saying that once you are done with VN program...licensing takes a long time...this is something new, and hopefully will change in the near future...license for VNs in california takes a very long time because of the budget cuts, increased number of applicants and furlow days...if your criminal record is spotlessly clean...the soonest you will get your license is 3months post graduation...if you have even one traffic ticket over $300 it will take anywhere from 4-6months! some of my classmates are still waiting...
out of 32 people who graduated with me 12 are working...out of those 12 four moved out of state, and other's got hired through family connections... but hey...if you have connections, you will be fine...
I tried to build my connections during my clinicals, but so far, nothing came of them...My best bet right now is to hopefully get hired at this nursing home in long beach...(this opportunity was offered to me from a friend who knew somebody there...) so we'll see what happens...as you can see I am looking for anything...not just some fancy hospital job :) we'll see what happens, I'll keep everyone posted. What makes me mad is that on some job postings it states 1 year experience prefferred, but then you fill out an aplication and they deny you based on experience...so you call HR and speak to the DON, and she states that it was an error...1 year experience is not prefferred its required!!!!!

I did get into the VN program and I'm loving every minute of it!

Good luck on the job! I really hope it works out for you. As far as work experience, did you put your clinical experience on your resume? You may not have been getting paid for it, but it's still 1 year of experience!

monick · Sep 30, 2010

Hello is me Monick

I was accepted to the pre-lvn classes which will begin 10/12. We were told to go to this web-site http://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/. I think the material is too much for such a short period of time. Do we have to know everything?. I have 0 experience on this stuff.

Phallenangel · Oct 1, 2010

Hello is me Monick
I was accepted to the pre-lvn classes which will begin 10/12. We were told to go to this web-site http://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/. I think the material is too much for such a short period of time. Do we have to know everything?. I have 0 experience on this stuff.

CONGRATULATIONS!! :yeah: You're almost there! 4 classes to go.... :clown:

As far as the website goes, she's going to lecture on a specific body system. You may want to take, at the very least, a glance at each of the systems to get a general idea of the material, especially if you have no experience on this stuff. That way, when she does lecture on whichever body system, it'll be somewhat familiar to you.

You may also want to keep this website handy as a reference (and find any other website that you can) after that particular lecture b/c she's probably going to say something along the lines of, "I'm giving limited info on purpose. It's up to you to find out more on your own." I guess it's their way of weeding out those who really want it or not.

I would also take a recorder with you (but ask if it's ok to use it first - it's just a courtesy).

Good luck!! and keep us updated! :nurse:

monick · Oct 1, 2010

What would I do without you? You are great! How do you like your classes so far, are they really hard? I have 2 kids one is 8 and 11. Do you think I am going to have enough time to study? :confused:

Phallenangel · Oct 4, 2010

What would I do without you? You are great! How do you like your classes so far, are they really hard? I have 2 kids one is 8 and 11. Do you think I am going to have enough time to study?

Awwww....shucks! Just trying to help out anywhere where I can. I know what it's like to have so many questions and it's like, "ok...who do I ask??"

I LOVE my classes so far! It's challenging in the sense of when you're trying to apply what you've learned in the classroom to real-life situations. For the vast majority of us, I think we can all agree: It all makes sense on paper...but in the hospital setting, just when you think you've got it down, there's always something you've missed or you could have done better. You absolutely have to be on your A game, both in the classroom and in clinical. Remember, your actions can affect the patient either positively OR negatively.

We have a lot of people with kids in my class, some that are younger (and older) than yours. To be quite honest, I don't know how they do it!! I don't have kids, so I give major, MAJOR props to them! This is where having that support system (husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/parents/siblings) will come in handy. It's so important! I don't know what I'd do without my husband and family backing me up 150%.

For the time being, one step at a time...let's get you through pre-VN first....your A game starts NOW!

monick · Oct 4, 2010

I am glad you are enjoying your classes. I am trying to memorize all these med. terms and nothing seems to stick. Maybe I am too old for this. I am not going to give up! Thanks again, it is nice to know I can count on someone like you, that will take the time to response. I will not bother you so much.

Phallenangel · Oct 7, 2010

You're NEVER too old. Make flash cards...or if you're computer savvy, use the website Educational games and study activities. you can create flash cards that are online (as opposed to having to write them out). the website will also have little games to help you memorize key terms and such.

I also wanted to mention something about these upcoming pre-vn classes...Remember, it is a competition to get into the program and some people are so desperate to get in, they will do the unthinkable. Just a word of caution, whenever you have to put your name on something, write your name in PEN!! It's ok to do your work in pencil, but write your name in pen.