Updated: Jul 22, 2023 Published Sep 19, 2010
collegegirl209
75 Posts
I wanted to post to this board specifically, because I'd like feedback from nurses that are in the field already. Members on the students board will have a bias opinion about their school too.
Please respond if you have ANY feedback regarding Gurnick LVN grads (any location, but I'm in Modesto Calif.).
Thanks. - Jeanie
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
No LVNs get hired easily in today's economic climate. Employers do not care what school you attended, they care whether your license is clear and they care about your nursing work experience.
Do you think it would be worth working as a CNA while completing a ADN/RN program? The pay makes me cringe, but the practical exp might be worth it. What do you think?
I was also considering doing a short phlebotomy course and work as that while in school for the ADN.
Basically, I am looking for a path to take that will get me in the medical field while I pursue the ADN/RN.
- Jeanie
A phlebotomy course (and state certification, check out the appropriate website, there is more than one level of certification) along with a CNA certificate can possibly lead to a good hospital job. That is an option other than LVN, but getting an LVN license trumps that route for this reason: you are eligible for LVN to RN bridge programs with an LVN license, making RN school possible for some.
Yes, and the ultimate goal for me is to get the RN. There's a local LVN program, but it's expensive and I'm trying to figure out if I can transition into the LVN-RN bridge after (which is at a different school). I don't know if they go on what courses were taken or just the LVN license (to get admitance).
Boy, changing careers mid-life can get complicated. :-)
If you get your LVN schooling through one of those proprietary places like Gurnick or Carrington, be aware that the courses most likely won't transfer to a traditional RN program at a community college. A traditional program wants to see that you took anatomy (for example) at a traditional college. That is a major fact to keep in mind. Another good place, besides community colleges, to get a (usually) good LVN education are the ROP programs. They are also reasonably priced. There used to be an ROP LVN program in San Jose that cost about $2000 and it had a good reputation. Sure beats the proprietary schools.
You're right. I'm going to stick with the Modesto Jr. College or CSU Stanislaus route. Better rep and safer. :-) Will probably take a short phlebotomy course while in school, just to get employment in the medical field. I'll check into the ROP offerings in this area too.
Thanks so much.
Yes, agree that the ROP programs offer a better LVN education to get access to the license for a reasonable price. The community colleges have the advantage of offering transferable courses, most of which are prerequisites for any RN program.
BelAng
5 Posts
My brother completed LVN program at Gurnick's Concord campus, when they first started offering it. He works for the prison system and now just got accepted to RN at Mission.
They have accepted his LVN transcript and license, but still he had to completed general education courses and microbiology and biology with labs. I also heard that some RN programs will want you to complete Anatomy with Labs even if you completed LVN program first.
Anyway, I'm going to take my NCLEX next week!!! Hopefully I will pass... Once I'm done with NCLEX I will start taking those classes with "labs" and start working on getting myself in the RN program (Hopefully Gurnick will be able to offer it soon).
I heard that it's difficult to get into Microbiology and Biology with labs classes in the community colleges... does anyone know if it is true?
My brother completed LVN program at Gurnick's Concord campus, when they first started offering it. He works for the prison system and now just got accepted to RN at Mission. They have accepted his LVN transcript and license, but still he had to completed general education courses and microbiology and biology with labs. I also heard that some RN programs will want you to complete Anatomy with Labs even if you completed LVN program first. Anyway, I'm going to take my NCLEX next week!!! Hopefully I will pass... Once I'm done with NCLEX I will start taking those classes with "labs" and start working on getting myself in the RN program (Hopefully Gurnick will be able to offer it soon). I heard that it's difficult to get into Microbiology and Biology with labs classes in the community colleges... does anyone know if it is true?
So, he was able to get hired as a LVN but in order to apply to the RN program... he had to complete those extra classes? I am mostly concerned with the reputation of Gurnick. Taking a few more classes to get the RN wouldn't too bad. Did you also go to Gurnick? If no, where?
savvy77
8 Posts
Dear Caliotter,
I am afraid that some of your information is very misleading. You are suggesting that a community college LVN program requires LVN students to take the same type of anatomy (with lab) and physiology (with lab) required as a pre-requisite of RN students. There isn't one RN school that will accept ANY "anatomy" course from a LVN program (regardless of whether it is a proprietary or community school). Your comment suggests that a Gurnick or Carrington student would be declined, but not someone from a community college. You should understand more clearly that ALL LVN graduates must take a 5 unit course of Anatomy (with lab) as well as 5 unit course of Physiology (with lab) and 5 unit course of Microbiology (with lab) in order to get accepted into ANY RN program.
An approved LVN program such as Gurnick or Carrington meet the requirements by BVNPT for LVN licensure. ALL LVNs that have not taken the above mentioned courses (which are completely different) than LVN program specific courses will be required to do so.
Yes, he completed LVN in Concord in 2006 and worked for Stonesbrook before starting Prison system work.
I have completed Gurnick's San Mateo program and mainly have good things to say about it. I posted my review here about them Gurnick Academy - Nursing for Nurses
Modesto is a their new campus but I just looked at BVNPT site, it shows 100% passing rate for Modesto vs 71 % in San Mateo...