Austin Community College ADN Spring 2021

I have 30 points, but I'm already an LVN so I'm just going to apply for the fall 2021 mobility track and suffer for 12 months straight. I didn't want to wait the extra 8 months to bridge to RN, so I was going to just do traditional, but they won't count my nursing license or nursing GPA for points.... so I don't feel like dealing with the 2 year program and all the crazy care plans and lengthy lecture days/check off stress that I dealt with in the LVN program at ACC. If anyone doesn't get in and has questions concerning the LVN route, I have answers. If anyone has nursing school questions to calm anxieties I have answers for that too. We did almost all the same check offs as RN did (minus central line dressing changes, which I have since learned on the job) as well as clinicals, care plans, NCLEX style exams....the works. I currently work as a new grad nurse with an 8:1 pt ratio and ACC prepared me well, but many skills I've had to learn on the job (especially IVs and phlebotomy). I also have TWO lab packs with extra supplies if anyone wants a donor bag! Good luck everyone, you can do it, it will be a challenge but it's doable. Y'all got this.

I would be interested in a lab bag! IF I get in, that is. I don't know when we will find out.

47 minutes ago, EDWannaBe2020 said:

I have 30 points, but I'm already an LVN so I'm just going to apply for the fall 2021 mobility track and suffer for 12 months straight. I didn't want to wait the extra 8 months to bridge to RN, so I was going to just do traditional, but they won't count my nursing license or nursing GPA for points.... so I don't feel like dealing with the 2 year program and all the crazy care plans and lengthy lecture days/check off stress that I dealt with in the LVN program at ACC. If anyone doesn't get in and has questions concerning the LVN route, I have answers. If anyone has nursing school questions to calm anxieties I have answers for that too. We did almost all the same check offs as RN did (minus central line dressing changes, which I have since learned on the job) as well as clinicals, care plans, NCLEX style exams....the works. I currently work as a new grad nurse with an 8:1 pt ratio and ACC prepared me well, but many skills I've had to learn on the job (especially IVs and phlebotomy). I also have TWO lab packs with extra supplies if anyone wants a donor bag! Good luck everyone, you can do it, it will be a challenge but it's doable. Y'all got this.

How long is the LVN program? I did apply for 2021 Spring RN program . But I would like to have a second option aswell. I could use that LAB packs in future . Thank you!

Sure, I have two lab packs (one more used than the other) and will gladly give them away and get my closet space back. LVN is 12 months long without any semester break. I did mine from January-December and graduated December 2019. I took NCLEX in late January. I took all of my RN pre-reqs before applying to LVN, but wanted to get into the field ASAP, as I am a mom in my early 30's and felt like wasting no time. Now that I know nursing is for me, I'm going back to get my RN as soon as humanly possible bc RN's do have more opportunity in terms of specialty. I worked in the emergency room for a couple years before nursing school and really want to go back to my old dept as an RN. SO I planned on applying to the Spring 2021 traditional track, but the schedule will be too busy for me while working with my two kids and I don't want to deal with the competition after seeing how many re-applicants there are. So I'm settling on waiting and doing the Fall 2021 mobility track.

Seeing all these suggestions to help prepare for nursing school etc is such a good idea!

I highly recommend getting a patient care position or a clinical assistant position! I work as a PCT in a Level 4 NICU and let me tell you!! I have learned soooo much and love the nurses I work with and get the opportunity to do a lot of hands on care (EKGs, vitals, etc) and it’s helped me greatly in getting connections for a job once I graduate!

if anyone has any questions in regards to a job like mine just let me know! Hope we can all be in the same cohort come Spring!

I have heard that it is hard to get hired as an LVN because everyone wants RNS now. Is that true or were you able to easily find a job when you graduated? I'm not opposed to doing the LVN program and then later trying the mobility track if I know I can be working sooner.

28 minutes ago, Deannaleee1 said:

Seeing all these suggestions to help prepare for nursing school etc is such a good idea!

I highly recommend getting a patient care position or a clinical assistant position! I work as a PCT in a Level 4 NICU and let me tell you!! I have learned soooo much and love the nurses I work with and get the opportunity to do a lot of hands on care (EKGs, vitals, etc) and it’s helped me greatly in getting connections for a job once I graduate!

if anyone has any questions in regards to a job like mine just let me know! Hope we can all be in the same cohort come Spring!

I work at PPD , not so much like a hospital but I do vitals, ECGs, Draw blood . Should I apply at the hospital? If so what/ where (position) should I start with?

1 hour ago, Aislinn said:

I have heard that it is hard to get hired as an LVN because everyone wants RNS now. Is that true or were you able to easily find a job when you graduated? I'm not opposed to doing the LVN program and then later trying the mobility track if I know I can be working sooner.

Aislinn,

Check out the jobs available on sites like Indeed and you'll get a good idea. The big hospitals like Seton & St. David's hire mostly BSN only because they are after magnet status. *Source: My husband is an RN, BSN at a reputable hospital and they are actively hiring BSN majority of the time. Baylor hires LVNs to work in their clinics. Dialysis clinics, ARC, doc offices, psych hospitals (especially ASH), the state of TX, correctional facilities, rehab hospitals, home health, LTC, LTACH's like Cornerstone Round Rock, wound care companies, etc all hire LVNs. I got a job in March which was 3 months after graduation and is fast even by RN standards. I got a job after my professor recommended me to my employer because they knew the hiring manager and will recommend high performing students.

I work in an inpatient rehab hospital on the night shift, three 12 hour shifts per week. I make $24/hr (more experienced nurses make more than me) and plan to go PRN soon as I go back to school and parent my infant. PRN makes more bc you forfeit benefits. It can get crazy, people code like at any other hospital, med pass is busy, I handle PICC lines, IV antibiotics, blood draws (both peripheral sticks and PICC blood draws), wound care, catheterizations, NG tubes, PEG tubes, trachs, respiratory issues, ostomies, pysch, post motor vehicle accident pts, stroke pts, MI pts, post surgical pts, with a heavy med/surg like ratio. I went from starting zero IVs in school to doing them at least once per week at work, especially when a patient rips them out. I do everything an RN does except start blood infusions and DC PICC lines. Everyone I graduated with has found a job by now.

I'm going back for my RN simply bc the pay is greater and I can go work in the ER. I prefer the critical care scene. But the experience I'm gaining is priceless.

@Dimple03 that’s an awesome gig too! Really anything like that will help prepare you toward being an RN! I do know though that on the ACC nursing school application one of the questions asked if I worked for Seton or St David’s and I work for Seton. (Course I didn’t get accepted this go around but figured it was helpful saying I worked for seton)

Also in nursing skills you’ll be learning how to do vitals, bedside care etc and I had already had experience because of my job so I aced those check offs! You’ll be ahead of the game! Good luck!

9 hours ago, Deannaleee1 said:

Seeing all these suggestions to help prepare for nursing school etc is such a good idea!

I highly recommend getting a patient care position or a clinical assistant position! I work as a PCT in a Level 4 NICU and let me tell you!! I have learned soooo much and love the nurses I work with and get the opportunity to do a lot of hands on care (EKGs, vitals, etc) and it’s helped me greatly in getting connections for a job once I graduate!

if anyone has any questions in regards to a job like mine just let me know! Hope we can all be in the same cohort come Spring!

Girllllll I’ve tried numerous times for a PCT position and I never even get a call back.. I got an interview ONCE at St. David’s but that’s about it. I want to work as one so bad ?

@mariah0418 After your first semester of nursing school you can apply for a CNA license. My little 40 bed rehab place always needs techs (CNAs). We are short a lot, especially if someone calls out. Many times they will assign a nurse to be a tech when we are short. Lots of places are desperate for CNAs, you just need to look outside the huge hospitals. @Deannaleee1 is completely correct. ANYTHING in the medical field helps immensely. I was a unit secretary in the ER for 2 years on nights, not even a tech, and just working in that environment made concepts in nursing school make complete sense because you see and deal with so much. Just go apply for anything medical-field related.

12 hours ago, Deannaleee1 said:

Seeing all these suggestions to help prepare for nursing school etc is such a good idea!

I highly recommend getting a patient care position or a clinical assistant position! I work as a PCT in a Level 4 NICU and let me tell you!! I have learned soooo much and love the nurses I work with and get the opportunity to do a lot of hands on care (EKGs, vitals, etc) and it’s helped me greatly in getting connections for a job once I graduate!

if anyone has any questions in regards to a job like mine just let me know! Hope we can all be in the same cohort come Spring!

If you have any tips on how to get a PCT position let me know!! I have been trying for what seems like forever and can’t get an interview. It’s so frustrating because I know there are shortages and I’m ready to work. Seton especially- I probably apply there 2-3 times a week and always get turned down!!