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.
Another option is to take a few more classes and apply to BSN programs which admit students based on merit and not a lottery or wait list (me and all my classmates got in on the first try). I had a recruiter tell me just a few days ago that he won't even consider an ADN graduate for any new-grad jobs....so that's something to think about. Most BSN programs are two-years long and you can add in your university-requirements one or two at a time as you go through the program. The only downside is that it's more expensive...but so is waiting around for a few years.
Another option is to take a few more classes and apply to BSN programs which admit students based on merit and not a lottery or wait list (me and all my classmates got in on the first try). I had a recruiter tell me just a few days ago that he won't even consider an ADN graduate for any new-grad jobs....so that's something to think about. Most BSN programs are two-years long and you can add in your university-requirements one or two at a time as you go through the program. The only downside is that it's more expensive...but so is waiting around for a few years.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
In our area, they are still hiring ADNs..especially from the local CC I went to. It has a great reputation. So the OP needs to check with the recruiters in her area to see what they are hiring. But your option is also a great option.
I'm not sure where you are looking in California... but there are a few community colleges in Southern Cal that don't have wait lists. San Diego City college just switched over to a point system, Saddleback Community College is on a point system, Golden west is on a partial point system as well as Riverside Community College. Partial point system meaning that 25% of the applicants are awarded spots based on grades and 75% is a lottery. If you have good grades in your pre-reqs I would apply to these schools above. They are extremely competitive. I applied to Saddleback with a 3.8 GPA 3.9 Pre-reqs didn't get accepted for fall 2010... ended up being the best thing that could have happened to me but they are great school with close to 100% pass rates on NCLEX. PM me if you have any other questions.
P.S. I have 2 coworkers that graduated in December 2010 and they are still working at the restaurant because there are absolutely no jobs for LVN around here. Make sure you do your research.
Malefocker- why is it that NOT getting into Saddleback is the best thing that happened to you?? Did you get in someplace else? And with your grades I would apply to Universities vs. CC. Just a suggestion.
first of all Saddleback is an amazing school. It turns out I am most likely going to get accepted into an entry level masters program starting in the fall. At the time I applied to saddleback this elm program didn't have any funding so I just assumed they weren't going to be admitting any students. Not getting in to saddleback was the best thing that ever happened to me because now in 3 years I am going to be a NP. Funny how life seems to always work itself out!
I think it is very beneficial. Just as being a CNA is before going to nursing school- all the experience you have will definitely help.
I'm currently halfway through my LPN program. I have many reasons for wanting to get my LPN before my RN, mostly because I have no desire to work in a hospital (I love geriatrics/psych), and I had 0 pre-reqs completed, so it would have taken me awhile to get into an RN program. The LPN school I'm attending also has a LPN-RN bridge program, so when I do go back I'll most likely be doing it there.
cons as I see it all the lpns and cnas in my class dont know ****. They continually question the teacher to the point of being rude and rolling thier eyes when they think the teacher is wrong. its scary how little these people know yet they act like they know everything. Nobody for example knew about auscultatory gap so they didnt palpate estimate systolic pressure when taking BP. also they told us there is no such thing as an odd numbered blood pressure (lol). The teachers, do not appreciate those students IMO.
Im not sayng lpns and cnas dont know what they are doing but the ones in my class were poorly trained.
I think it depends on your situation. I think taking the LPN/LVN program first is sometimes better because the RN mobility is only one year and you can work as an LPN while you do it. The 2 people I know that took LPN first said the RN part was not bad at all. The down part was having to take the nclex twice which can be expensive. I was told by both the nclex-pn was harder ( but I think it because they were new graduates and by the time the took the RN they had more experience).
It also depends on what you want to do as a nurse. Most hospitals do not hire LPNs anymore, but there are many jobs out there for LPNs.
cons as I see it all the lpns and cnas in my class dont know ****. They continually question the teacher to the point of being rude and rolling thier eyes when they think the teacher is wrong. its scary how little these people know yet they act like they know everything. Nobody for example knew about auscultatory gap so they didnt palpate estimate systolic pressure when taking BP. also they told us there is no such thing as an odd numbered blood pressure (lol). The teachers, do not appreciate those students IMO.
Im not sayng lpns and cnas dont know what they are doing but the ones in my class were poorly trained.
If you're taking a manual blood pressure, then you should get an even number reading, since manual gauges are marked in even numbers. With automatic cuffs, it's a different story.
first of all Saddleback is an amazing school. It turns out I am most likely going to get accepted into an entry level masters program starting in the fall. At the time I applied to saddleback this elm program didn't have any funding so I just assumed they weren't going to be admitting any students. Not getting in to saddleback was the best thing that ever happened to me because now in 3 years I am going to be a NP. Funny how life seems to always work itself out!
This is great! Congratulations!!! So where did you get your RN and your 1 year of experience? Now a days its just so hard to find a job. (from what I'm reading on here)... Please advise how you got to where you are. Might take it as an option for myself.
Well I actually haven't started school yet... The school I applied to doesn't require any RN experience because it is meant for students who have a degree in something other than nursing. After 14 months I will receive my BSN they then give you 2 months off to study and hopefully pass the NCLEX and then after 18 months you receive your masters, you can chose which speciality you would like. They have a few different NP routes. I actually haven't gotten in yet I should find out within the next week!!! Although it is not required I am planning on working as an RN as soon as I can as long as there are jobs available. I have heard mixed things about Direct entry masters program but I have come to realize if you want to make it happen you can make it happen. I currently am an intern at Hoag Hospital so hopefully the contacts I am making over there will give me a foot in the door. I am a second career nurse so it is nearly impossible for me to work as a CNA as I have a full time job I need to have in order to put food on the table. If you have any questions about entry level masters programs in southern california which is where I am I know a lot of them and the different requirements they have please feel free to PM me.
As other posters have mentioned, employment propositions for LVNs are generally worse than they are for RNs, and the scope of practice for LVNs is restricted in some states. For example, I live in North Carolina, and the hospitals close to me will not hire LVNs to work in any ICU, OR, anesthesia care unit, or the emergency department. You are pretty much looking at working on a medical/surgical floor or in a nursing home. Not that there is anything wrong with this because both of these are very valid forms of nursing, but if you are looking to work in a critical care or specialty area, you will probably have an incredibly hard time getting a job there as an LVN. However, on the plus side, as you said, not as many people are trying to get their LVN, and it may be easier to get accepted into one of those programs as opposed to an RN program. Also, once you get your LVN and begin working, you can go back and get your RN in around one to two years, depending on whether you get your ASN or BSN. I think in the end it comes down to what you are comfortable with, and what works best for you. If the LVN program is faster, cheaper, and more economical for you, then you should do it, get a job and start saving some money, and then go back and get your RN. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing that, and it is a pretty wise decision in the long run. However, if you are content to wait and see if you got accepted, and risk having to wait even longer, and if you are just dying to get your RN ASAP, then you should go ahead and start trying to get into an RN program. Good luck either way!
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polka-dot, RN
1 Article; 375 Posts
Another option is to take a few more classes and apply to BSN programs which admit students based on merit and not a lottery or wait list (me and all my classmates got in on the first try). I had a recruiter tell me just a few days ago that he won't even consider an ADN graduate for any new-grad jobs....so that's something to think about. Most BSN programs are two-years long and you can add in your university-requirements one or two at a time as you go through the program. The only downside is that it's more expensive...but so is waiting around for a few years.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!