Published Apr 1, 2010
KeeKeePee
19 Posts
Hello,
I am getting ready to finish my pre-reqs to finally apply to the RN program at the city college however the closer I get to applying I'm realizing that it could be years till I become an RN. The waiting list is outrageous everywhere. I have done my homework and called about every city college in California that offers an RN program and all but one have a 3 to 4 year wait. Lately I have been thinking about just becoming an LVN while I wait to be accepted into the RN program however I am a little confused and I'm not exactly sure if that's the right thing to do.
Is there anyone out there who became an LVN first while they waited to be accepted into the RN program? I would love to hear from you. I definitely need some advice as I find myself getting discouraged at times.
Thank you
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
Employment opportunities for LVNs are generally worse than for RNs. It is a good backup, but mostly because it might give you an advantage in entering an LVN to RN transition program. For that reason, getting the LVN license might be to your advantage over just waiting while not occupying yourself. Good luck.
Thank you for responding. I figure I would have a higher chance of getting into the LVN program as oppose to the RN program since there are a ton of people trying to get into the RN program. I'm just so worried about waiting years to get in.
kcochrane
1,465 Posts
I went the LPN route (LVN) at age 42. I just got laid off, wanted to be a nurse my whole life and had to get back to work quickly. The wait list for RN is long here.
Took 10 months, worked in a LTC facility on a respiratory unit fulltime and got my RN in 4 1/2 years taking 1-2 classes per semester. I now work in a hospital on a stroke floor. I do not regret the path I took at all.
At your age, you have plenty of time to work on your RN as a LVN. Most likely you will not be able to get into the hospital as a LVN, but you can get some good experience in LTC...expecially if you can get on a rehab or respiratory floor. Check to see where they are hiring LVNs in your area and IF they are hiring.
Many programs allow you to slip right into the nursing program if you have your prereqs and if you are a LPN/LVN.
Good luck on whatever you do...keep us posted.
If you get an LVN license (or a CNA certificate), and complete the prerequisites, you will be eligible for the WGU prelicensure program in SoCal. They just started up last year and so far have not accumulated a waiting list. This is a reasonably priced alternative to waiting for RN programs in the area. It yields a BSN for your efforts. http://www.wgu.edu
babieface_7
13 Posts
I was an LPN for 16 years before I went back to RN school and it really helped me. I know several students who were friends of mine who were counseled by the chair of my school to ge their LPN first. I think It is a wonderful idea. The student who were not already LPN had a very rough time in school. Lisa
itsjustmik3y
2 Posts
I agree with all of the above comments. The wait list is very long to get into the RN program as a newbie. Becoming an LVN while you're waiting will only benefit you for many reasons:
1) you'll get more hands on experience while working as an LVN than you will in the RN program
2) your study habits will be more developed from the LVN program before you enter the RN program
3) you'll tend to do better in clinicals because you are more familiar with patient care, passing medications and performing procedures compared to other classmates
4) in clinicals, you'll be able to know what to look for when receiving and giving report from other nurses or you're instructor
5) you can apply what you're learning in the RN program into what you do at work as an LVN
6) if you work in an LTC, you'll learn how to manage your time effectively because it's EXTREMELY busy
7) you might just get in faster to the RN program as an LVN nowadays instead of waiting to get into the RN program for the beginning
The list goes on. EXPERIENCE makes a huge difference in the program. I've been an LVN for over 2 years and just got into the RN program at a community college and only waited 3 months. If you're an LVN and apply to the bridge program as well as the generic program, your bound to get into one of the two programs so it kind of doubles your chances. The one thing I recommend if your going to do your LVN is to go to an ROP program (aka adult school) because it's really cheap and you won't be in debt while you're in the RN program (like me...I did a private program). Just remember, LVN's are more task oriented while RN's plan the care of the patient so IF you do the LVN route, remember that your priorities as an RN are different once you transition. Hope this comment helps.
alw09
8 Posts
I don't know about California but I'm in a Texas community college ADN program which is 4 full semesters and one summer semester. LVNs canbridge into our 3rd semester cutting it down a year. Also I am the traditional student starting the RN program and once we have taken 2 semsters and the summer class plus a very small and easy class we can take our LVN boards. We do this as backup if we don't pass boards on the first try and want to make more money than a nurse tech while we wait. I suggest you look to see if you can find something like that.
morningland
341 Posts
In my program they only look at your GPA, so your past experience doesn't make any difference. I guess it would be good to get experience first but I don't think it really matters. I was thinking about going through my LVN first but realized it was a huge waste of time. LVN's don't work in hospitals in my area anyways so it doesn't give you any hospital experience and it takes twice as long to become an LVN then go for your RN. In my program, LVN is sort of like a backup plan incase you don't make it as an RN. They will let you transfer to an LVN program then when you finish that you can bridge over to RN
NGeorgia
84 Posts
I didn't (and wouldn't), but it depends on what is right for the person. Where I live, only LTC hires LPN's, and that wasn't something I wanted to do.
Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN
4 Articles; 7,907 Posts
Pro: you'll be working as a nurse a lot faster. You'll gain skills and experience that will help you in the LPN-RN program. LPN-RN programs ofter have shorter waiting lists and depending on where you work, your employer may pick up the tab for it.
Con: a lot of places are not hiring LPNs, so scoring that hospital job will be difficult if not impossible. Your only options may be LTC, SNF, doctor's offices, clinics, schools...all of which are NOT bad places to work...but it depends on what your career goals are. Pay is less than what an RN would get.
Good luck whatever you decide!
TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP
1,290 Posts
If you have no family to support, move someplace that isn't California, take the hit on student loans, and get your BSN.