I would like to know what path you took to get into the LVN program.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2010

I took the very expensive route of least resistance and completed a private LVN program at a for-profit trade school where I didn't have to deal with the TEAS, prerequisite classes, lotteries, waiting lists, and so forth. It cost four times as much as a typical community college LVN program.

gasperinvan · Jun 25, 2010

What trade school did you attend? Some trade schools here ( texas ) actually require you take an entrance exam; at least the ones I've looked into. I know theres a school in california that doesn't require you take an entrance exam or any prereqs and it costs $30,000. Thats my second choice since I'm originally from California and don't mind moving back. but doesn't that affect your chances of getting hired? I heard it's harder to find a job if you get licensed from a trade school.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2010

I heard it's harder to find a job if you get licensed from a trade school.

This might be true in today's economy, but it wasn't true when I completed the LVN program back in 2005. Workplaces didn't give a rat's ass where you attended school, as long as you were a warm body with a pulse and a valid license.

The LVN program that I attended was in California and it required a relatively easy entrance exam called the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education). However, the job market for LVN new grads there is terrible. I have been living in Texas for the past five years.

Donald11 · Jun 27, 2010

My mother's an RN and she told me that employers only care that you are licensed, not where you went to school.

Reignsoftball · Jul 1, 2010

It definitely DOES matter where you went to school. My mother is a hiring RN, and they sit there and go over resumes, and when they see trade schools where you pay 30 grand for your education, you know what they do with those resumes? Trash them. Truth! I am currently registered in an LVN program at a community college, price: 3,000 total, with a class requirement, a Nursing class where you have to make the top 40 out of 250 students in order to be accepted. Also, the passing rates for the NCLEX for trade schools that charge 30,000 are so low in the 50 and 60 percentile. My school has an 87 percent passing score. Be careful where you go, dont pay so much for an education. Theres always another way...I found it.

Donald11 · Jul 1, 2010

But what if somone can't get into a CC? Should they just forget about becoming a nurse? Also, one thing I found about schools with extremely high NCLEX pass rates is that they have lower graduation rates, so only the best of the best students will ever sit for the NCLEX. The schools with the best NCLEX pass rates tend to be, not community colleges, but independent nursing schools run by hospitals. My mother went to such a program and 100% of her class passed the NCLEX on the first try.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 1, 2010

Also, the passing rates for the NCLEX for trade schools that charge 30,000 are so low in the 50 and 60 percentile. My school has an 87 percent passing score. Be careful where you go, dont pay so much for an education. Theres always another way...I found it.

In the states where I have practiced, a school with a NCLEX pass rate of 50 to 60 percent will not stay open for long. The state BON will place the school on warning status and then close the nursing program if the pass rates do not rise within a specified amount of time.

In addition, many trade school nursing programs allow all of their graduates to sit for NCLEX, which results in lower pass rates. Many nursing programs at community colleges and public universities do not permit all of their graduates to sit for NCLEX, which serves to keep the first-time pass rates artificially high. If a graduate of one of these programs cannot pass an exit exam such as the HESI or the ERI, the school will not send their NCLEX eligibility paperwork to their local board of nursing, which means that the student cannot take NCLEX until they pass the mandated exit exam that the school has put into place. One of my former coworkers graduated from an LVN program at a community college in Texas in August 2006, but could not pass the school's HESI exit exam. He had to retake it three times before finally passing, and was allowed finally to take NCLEX in July 2007.

Angel,LVNStudent · Sep 3, 2010

I took the very expensive route of least resistance and completed a private LVN program at a for-profit trade school where I didn't have to deal with the TEAS, prerequisite classes, lotteries, waiting lists, and so forth. It cost four times as much as a typical community college LVN program.

Me too! I am happy with my decision. I see some people say that they going for 6,000 or less but I see some people saying they been on the waiting list for 3 and 4 years. So I took the same route you took. Im glad Im not alone

GoodtimeRN · Sep 4, 2010

Pretty much every school you attend you have to take an entrance exam. They need to know where you're at academically. And these days, most of them have a wait list. I was at a CC and waited 2 years for their nursing program, didn't get in, so now I'm going the LPN route at the county vocational school (I still had to wait, but not as long!). Did you get a study guide to help you through the reading and English portions? I feel that the practice tests didn't really prepare me very well, except for the math portion.

Best of luck to you!

glitterygirl · Sep 5, 2010

I certainly hope where you go to school isnt a HUGE factor.The ONLY program for LPN in my city is ECPI.i cannot afford to move to another city. to go to school...so that option is out.I will be getting my RN ..but first step is LPN.

I did check to make sure they are accreditted with the state BON and they are

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ziggysgal,RN · Sep 5, 2010

I know the OP is almost 3 months old, but it caught my eye at the top of this forum...

OP mentioned being in Houston... consider checking out Victoria College. The 2008-2009 class had a 94% retention rate from day 1 to graduation, and a 93% NCLEX pass rate. It is rumored to be one of the tougher schools (expectations over the course of the year). It has the benefit of instructors that want to see you succeed, though (without spoon-feeding it to you.. you have to try). (2009-2010 class statistics are currently incomplete)

Admission requirements are the usual stuff - TSI complete, DET passing score (as opposed to the NET...), immunizations, background check, etc. You are allowed to take A&P (Intro, not the 2 semester class) and Nutrition (for science/health majors) in advance of the first semester.

There are campuses offering the program in Victoria, Gonzales, Cuero, and Hallettsville. Admission process usually opens up in January or February and deadline is either May or June (can't remember) for the following Fall semester. No waiting list... of qualified candidates, you are ranked based on DET score to get in if there are more than available spots. If you don't make it, you can reapply the following year (or hope someone above you on the list doesn't take their spot).

There are two people in my cohort here in Hallettsville that travel from Houston every day... so it's worth considering. And of course, if you can afford to relocate, cost of living in Hallettsville is super low. (Not much of a job market, either... so don't do it without financial considerations before hand.)

Hope this helps!