Do private LVN program while waiting to get into RN program or wait?

[trydent]

I need some advice on whether I should complete a private LVN program while I am waiting to get into a RN program. I foresee myself waiting 2 ½-3 years or longer to get into a program. I am in California, the worst state with a very long wait list! Another factor is my pre-req grades and GPA are not the best which makes me a very low ranking applicant. They are: Anatomy-B, Physiology-C, Microbiology-C, English (some schools)-A with an accumulative GPA of 2.7. I have been waiting 9 months so far and I feel that I have to make a decision about doing a private LVN program soon. I would be doing a 16 month part time LVN program starting in December and ending in March 2011. If I start the LVN program any later, I think I would be entering time that I would be possibly be accepted into RN programs. So I have to decide now what I am going to do. Realistically, I think that I would be accepted into a RN program around fall of 2011 at the earliest.

A little about me: I am a 31 year old male and fear possibly waiting 3 plus years before even getting accepted into a program. My applications are at Saddleback , Cypress and Santa Ana college (#869 at SAC). I decided to write up a pro's and con's list.

Pro's

- No wait

- Completion of 1 year of the R.N program

- Would be done one year earlier from the R.N. program

- More experience, Could work as an LVN while waiting to get into R.N program.

- Smaller class size in LVN school

Con's

- $26,000 student loan

- More work: 16 months , NCLEX exam, bridge program

- Could be accepted into a RN program while in the LVN program

I only make around $17,000 a year right now. I figure that my income will be doubled once I get my R.N. license. And if I choose to live at the same income level I am at now, I could pay the student loan off in a little over a year. My life feels so stagnant right now, I feel like I am not going anywhere. Any advice, thoughts or insight would be much appreciated. What would you do? Thanks

Ry

[emy912]

My counselor recommended that I go through the LVN program at my college instead of waiting till I get accepted into the RN program. I got excellent grades in the LVN program so it raised my GPA. I graduated from the LVN program in June of 2007, got into the LVN upgrade at my college in the fall of 2007 & accepted into the 3rd semester of the RN program in the Spring of 2008. I'm happy to say that I am now an RN & working on the telemetry department at a local hospital.

My suggestion is for you to meet w/ your college counselor & find out your options. Good luck!

[trydent]

A lot of the the LVN community college programs are impacted with a waiting list as well. They aslo have different pre-reqs. I really don't want to take anymore pre-reqs.That's why i am thinking about the private LVN program option.

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

I would do it. Weigh the cost of the program against how much money you will lose while you are NOT working as a nurse.

[Kenrb27]

I feel you trident. I also live in Cali and am in my 2nd semester of pre-reqs for nursing. It's really discuraging when they tell you a a "b" isen't good enough. There are people with straight "A"s who are on waiting lists. I'm really considering finishing up this semester and doing an LVN program.

[bmackd2]

I was in a similar situation last year. The wait list for the ASN RN was 2years not including prereqs. I didn't know what to do. I was 34 at the time and I didn't want to waster those 2 years waiting.

I enrolled in a private LPN program and I will graduate in December. I can tell you it is not easy like I thought it was going to be. For some reason I had others telling me since it wasn't RN it wouldn't be as difficult. They were wrong. It is still very stressful and at time very difficult but definitely doable.

When I graduated high school many years ago I didn't have the best GPA. So not only was there a wait list but I was up against younger students with much better GPAs. I have excelled in my LPN program and will be graduating top of my class. This will help me start the RN program. I will be doing an LPN to BSN route. If everything goes according to plan I will have my BSN the same time I would have finished my associates if I waited. My school does not have a bridge but we are affiliated with the top universities in our area and they place LPNs at top of the list for enrollment. I guess it depends on what is available in your area.

I already have several job offers that I can start in December. One of these offers is offering decent pay, tuition reimbursement, and they will work around my school schedule.

So I am very happy I choice this route. I think LPN, RN, or RN BSN are all titles to be proud of and you do what fits your needs.

Best of luck to you!!