CA LVN School or Scholarship Advice?

caliotter3 · Jul 6, 2007

There was recently a story on TV about the reality of selling real estate. If you want a steady income do not go into real estate. Too much competition. One of my colleagues in nursing got a real estate broker's license and only worked for one year before he gave up. He could not afford the costs involved and could not support his family. Definitely not recommended for someone with children to support.

You can find many threads on this site where you can read different opinions on getting an LVN/LPN license versus an RN license. Less opportunity for LVN, but that does not mean there is absolutely no opportunity. Depends on the area where you live.

Recommend you attend an LVN program at a community college versus one of the proprietary schools unless you have money to burn and/or are in a hurry for admission. You have to do your homework. Many proprietary programs are poor. But they are all expensive. There are other advantages to taking your program at a community college. Transfer of credits, courses that meet requirements for admission to RN program, mobility to RN program, better quality of instruction. Make certain that you look at all of your options before you make your decision. Good luck.

scallywags · Jul 8, 2007

While I was attending classes at cc, I did take a RE class online. I ended up getting my license, and still continued with pre reqs and general ed. I do about 2 transactions a year and it helped pay for my tuition (LVN school).

Stable income in real estate is not always realistic. It is very competitive and you really have to work a lot at marketing and selling yourself. Even then, there are few guarantees unless you make a sale and escrow closes. You can spend a lot of time working with a client who never buys, or others who want you to sell their house, only to decide to go with their co-worker's brother in law, who is also an agent.

Having said that, I will keep a current RE license because there is potential for additional income. I am looking forward to taking NCLEX-PN this summer and having a steady job with a steady income and benefits.

I am also a mom and know how challenging it can be to do this in your 30s, but believe me YOU can do it! :)

Good luck :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2007

In which part of California do you reside?

I attended Casa Loma College's LVN program in the Los Angeles area 2 years ago. They have 2 campuses, and are an expensive vocational school with no prerequisites or waiting lists.

nikkiofca · Jul 10, 2007

Thank you for your input regarding real estate which confirm my orginal feelings about not going that route. My issue now is finding scholarships and financing an LVN program in the Sacramento area.

While I was attending classes at cc, I did take a RE class online. I ended up getting my license, and still continued with pre reqs and general ed. I do about 2 transactions a year and it helped pay for my tuition (LVN school).
Stable income in real estate is not always realistic. It is very competitive and you really have to work a lot at marketing and selling yourself. Even then, there are few guarantees unless you make a sale and escrow closes. You can spend a lot of time working with a client who never buys, or others who want you to sell their house, only to decide to go with their co-worker's brother in law, who is also an agent.
Having said that, I will keep a current RE license because there is potential for additional income. I am looking forward to taking NCLEX-PN this summer and having a steady job with a steady income and benefits.
I am also a mom and know how challenging it can be to do this in your 30s, but believe me YOU can do it! :)
Good luck :)

pink2blue1 · Jul 10, 2007

I am a California LVN. Took my classes at an adult school. Cost me about 4500.00. There is another LVN school that comes to my hospital for clinical, they are private and I have heard that they paid about 12000.00. Not the best students. Check out schools carefully and thoroughally. Check pass rates. go to: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov. You can get alot of info there. It is our states web site for VN's and Psych. techs.

I went through nursing school with 3 kids: 16 months, 6 and 8 years.

It's worth it!

nikkiofca · Jul 10, 2007

Wow, you did it w/3 kids! You will be my inspiration. What did you do for financial support? I work fulltime, and we can't afford to live off of my fiancee income alone and want to go to school fulltime hopefully this year. So I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to support my family for a year. Hopefully I will get scholarship. I'm actually thinking about the option of Calworks for a year if I qualify.

I am a California LVN. Took my classes at an adult school. Cost me about 4500.00. There is another LVN school that comes to my hospital for clinical, they are private and I have heard that they paid about 12000.00. Not the best students. Check out schools carefully and thoroughally. Check pass rates. go to: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov. You can get alot of info there. It is our states web site for VN's and Psych. techs.
I went through nursing school with 3 kids: 16 months, 6 and 8 years.
It's worth it!