Can I get an advice for LVN to RN program?

LVN2RNMom, ASN, BSN, LVN · Nov 9, 2017

Hi, I got my LVN around 2012 and had to re-new with Inactivate status twice
because I joined the US.Army 2013 for 4 years.
And I finished the military service and became a civilian again last week.
realized that it's perfect time to continuing my study and get a job as a nursing.
I'm actually looking for a private nursing school that offers LVN to RN program in Orange county(Fullerton/Anaheim/Garden Grove/ETC. area or LA area).
The reason is I don't have to worry about waiting line like regular public school,
and there is no strict requirements to get in RN program.
I don't have any degree yet, just some few General education credits from community college around 45 credits.
Anyway, I really need some advice about these...
1. Should I finish some General education classes first that related to pre-requisite for RN program in any community college first for saving money?
2. I heard a lot of public school tuition fee is getting more expensive that before but
how much does the LVN to RN program costs in general? average?
and how long is the program?
3. Does anyone know about a job title "case manager" in Nursing field?
4. Is there any good public school offer LVN to RN Program in Orange County Area, CA
Or Dallas, TX
5. Does the Texas accepts CA LVN license?
6. Does anyone know about the Shepherd University in LA?
I'm so sorry that i brought so many questions up here,
but if i can get any advice of any of these my questions...
I will be really appreciate of your help!
Thank you so much for reading this long topic and
Have a nice day!!!

Hello,

I will try to help you in any way that I can and do my best to answer your questions.

1) If you wish to attend a Community College LVN to RN bridge program, then you will need to complete a list of pre-requisites. Each school has different requirements, so you will need to look at the school at an individual basis. Private schools such as Azusa Pacific, West Coast and Mt Saint Marys all have a bridge program that are very expensive. The cheapest was West Coast of the 3 and without pre-reqs done it was around $125,000.00

2) This again all depends. You need to look at each school individually. In OC, there is Cypress & Cerritos community college that both have an LVN to RN bridge. So that is the most affordable route.

3) Yes. I have done it and administrative work is not for me. Unless I am not physically able to nurse, then I will go back to doing it. Also, you are watched like a hawk while working from home or in a cubical. It wasn't my cup of tea and super boring.

4) See above responses

5) California does not coordinate LVN or RN licenses with any other state, so they are not a compact state.

6) I have never heard of this school, sorry

I hope I helped and good luck to you! Thank you for your service!!!

korea · Nov 9, 2017

@1pinknurse.

I really appreciate all of your kind answers!!! it really helped me! thank you~

hanbangbb · Nov 13, 2017

Hi, there. I am currently a student at West Coast University and am in the LVN to RN program!

1. You can, but I'm going to assume you're eligible for GI Bill benefits after serving in the Army for 4 years? If I were you, I would see what credits of yours transfer to a school like WCU, and use your benefits. You may not have to pay much more than your GI Bill provides if you already have a number of courses that have articulation agreements with WCU. Keep in mind that if you take pre-requisite classes at a community college, you are going to be wasting a lot of time, and time = money. The LVN to RN program at WCU is 2 years and 10 months, and even less time if you already have credits to transfer over. The sooner you can start working as an RN, the better.

2. I believe the program I'm in is around 33k per year. I never buy the books. Neither should you. At a school like WCU, it is a waste. All you need is ATI, and good friends who can send you the PDF versions of their class textbooks.

3. Not sure. Case managing sounds more like social work, but I only have about 6 years working in the health care field, so I haven't encountered as much as others with more experience may have.

4. I don't know about Dallas, TX, but there are a few community colleges in the OC area that have LVN to RN programs. However, these are very hard to get into especially if the program is impacted (they always are), or if you get waitlisted. Again, time = money...

5. I would think that you would need to apply for a Texas specific license?

6. Never heard of it!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 13, 2017

Because you're investigating LVN to RN courses, something you have to be extremely cautious about is if the program you plan to attend is offering a "career mobility" or if they're offering a "30-unit option" type of program. The two look very, very similar. Where they differ is in the prerequisites and the job prospects/possibilities after completion of the program. First of all, the program should be acceptable to California's BRN for you to be eligible for a California RN license. Second, you should choose a career mobility program because your license will be exactly like mine and you can endorse that license to other states as you will have earned a degree and have graduated from an RN program. A 30-unit option RN course may have exactly the same core coursework as a career mobility program but it doesn't have all the same prerequisites and at the end of the program you simply "complete" the program. You do not earn a degree, you do not graduate, but with successful completion, you can take the NCLEX-RN and can get an RN license. That license will NOT likely be able to be endorsed to any other state and your RN license will forever be marked "30 unit option" regardless of future education, be it BSN or MSN, or whatever because that's how you qualified to become an RN initially.

Your local job prospects likely will be poor (worse than any ADN grad) because you will not be a graduate of an accredited program (because you didn't graduate, didn't earn a degree) and simply completed a program. I would imagine that most employers will require that you be an RN program graduate and have a degree in nursing.

Lastly, be very aware that private schools can charge HUGE fees for tuition, books, and the like. Less than 6 years ago, the private colleges were charging between $85k and $95k for their program and if you fail out, you still owe that much money. You should look at typical class size and typical pass rates for each class as well as how many students actually complete the program. Remember that if their classes start with 30 students, end with 10 students, and 9 of those 10 pass, they can claim a 90% pass rate... but their actual rate from start is more like 30%... so be very careful about where you go and once again, check with the BRN about whether the program is an approved program. If the BRN didn't approve them (if they're a California program) then you cannot get a California license. If the program doesn't meet California requirements, then getting a California license can be difficult to near impossible without going back to school.

korea · Nov 13, 2017

Thank you for all those kind answers!

I guess i should not do 30-unit option school program.

seems like that 30 unit title shows up on license as a Stigma... that's kinda scary for me..

OliverElio87, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2017

I would look into WGU (that's where I go). The program is offered in the LA and OC area and also in Dallas Tx. I think it's easier to get in the Texas cohorts and Ca I more competitive. Someone in my cohort is an LVN and we all just finished. Being an LVN looked favorable during her application process. Best of all it's only $25,000 for the entire program.

BSN with RN License | Online RN Degree | Online Nursing School

korea · Nov 20, 2017

Thank you @centercourt2015.

I searched some info about WGU and it looks like they don't have ADN.

I couldn't find any LVN to RN or RN(ADN).

all the nursing courses basic start is Bachelor Of Science.

If i can find good Private LVN to RN or RN(ADN) school, i would think of moving to TX from CA.

OliverElio87, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2017

Thank you @centercourt2015.
I searched some info about WGU and it looks like they don't have ADN.
I couldn't find any LVN to RN or RN(ADN).
all the nursing courses basic start is Bachelor Of Science.
If i can find good Private LVN to RN or RN(ADN) school, i would think of moving to TX from CA.

The WGU pelicensure program allows anyone to apply. Plenty of LvN apply to the program.

WGU does not have an ADN, but they have a BSN. Why spend 2 years getting an ADN when you can get a BSN around the same time?