Lone Star College 2019 LVN to RN transition

[HowdyHowdy]

Hello to all! I wanted to start this thread specifically for those who were planning on applying to the various Lone Star College transition programs starting in 2019. I have seen and posted in the thread for the traditional ADN applicants, but I think the LVN-RN warrants it's own thread.

So, my plans are to apply to both North Harris and Kingwood campuses. I wanted to apply to Montgomery as well, but won't be able to attend there due to their 5-day a week, heavily loaded Summer semester. Just won't work with my work schedule.

Also, I think it's worth mentioning that I have sort of a unique perspective as I was previously enrolled in Kingwood's transition program in 2016, but was forced to leave after the first semester due to an unexpected family emergency. So feel free to ask any questions!

I took the HESI on August 30th and my application score will be 7.71. When I was accepted to Kingwood's program, my app score was 7.74, for any who are wondering.

[HowdyHowdy, LVN]

1 hour ago, Ang_ said:

Hey guys, I'm a 2nd semester student at NH. Feel free to join our Facebook group, LSC NH ADN Nursing Class Of 2020. There's going to be some questions however, ignore them and just put in the space that you're a transition student. Looking forward to meeting you guys in 3rd!

Oh how awesome. Glad you found us on the forum. Looking forward to it as well. How have things been for you guys so far?

My cousin graduates next month from NH and she loved the basic track ADN program.

[Ang_]

2 hours ago, HowdyHowdy said:

Oh how awesome. Glad you found us on the forum. Looking forward to it as well. How have things been for you guys so far?

My cousin graduates next month from NH and she loved the basic track ADN program.

It's been tough lol but doable. We have one more exam and then the final and that's it for the semester. We just received an email and it mentioned that lab is open for the transition students this summer, are you guys having to do skills? Have yall not already done them in the LVN program?

[LVN2B18, CNA, LVN]

3 hours ago, Ang_ said:

It's been tough lol but doable. We have one more exam and then the final and that's it for the semester. We just received an email and it mentioned that lab is open for the transition students this summer, are you guys having to do skills? Have yall not already done them in the LVN program?

Hello ......yes, we have already done all of our skills, maybe it’s a refresher. But that’s good Information to know because I have no idea what to expect for this summer semester

[Tetjhanaelle]

HowdyHowdy thank you for answering me. I am excited to start progressing towards my Associates in Nursing, I guess I’m going to start my pre-reqs so by the time next year comes I’ll have all of them completed and can start the program and focus solely on my nursing classes. And yes I love it here in Houston. Again thanks

[Ang_]

May I ask what type of establishment you guys work in as LVNs in Houston? Was it difficult getting into hospitals? And what is the pay average for LVNs? I am inquiring because I have just been accepted into our MEEP Program and is trying to decide if it's worth it. I got the chance to ask a few nurses during my clinical rotations however, because none of them are LVNs I feel like they don't truly know and understand.

[Tetjhanaelle]

Hey Ang_ I currently work at a Rehabilitation Facility on a skilled unit and the estimated hourly pay varies by years of experience. When I became a LVN almost five years ago I made 20$/hr as a new grad. Now between my two jobs I make approximately $23-$26/hr. Hope this helps

[imaneedmycoffeefirst89]

On 4/20/2019 at 9:48 AM, HowdyHowdy said:

Hello, and welcome! Congrats on moving to the absolute best city and state ever!

LOL you are so texan!

[imaneedmycoffeefirst89]

11 hours ago, Ang_ said:

May I ask what type of establishment you guys work in as LVNs in Houston? Was it difficult getting into hospitals? And what is the pay average for LVNs? I am inquiring because I have just been accepted into our MEEP Program and is trying to decide if it's worth it. I got the chance to ask a few nurses during my clinical rotations however, because none of them are LVNs I feel like they don't truly know and understand.

I'm currently a school nurse. The pay is not great but the vacations make up for it. I am also a charge nurse in a nursing home and I think the starting pay is 20.50. I've also worked in a family clinic and the pay was okay as well. Don't quite remember the pay but it was between 18-20.

[Tetjhanaelle]

Hello everyone I have a question regarding the pre-reqs for admission to the nursing program at Lonestar. I looked online and I am still confused. I am applying for the transitional program. What classes exactly are needed prior to applying. Please list exactly what classes because it’s different then my school in Ohio. I see multiple different sciences on the list. Please explain, I attempted to talk with someone in the nursing dept. at kingwood and was unsuccessful. Please help. thank you

[HowdyHowdy, LVN]

20 hours ago, Ang_ said:

May I ask what type of establishment you guys work in as LVNs in Houston? Was it difficult getting into hospitals? And what is the pay average for LVNs? I am inquiring because I have just been accepted into our MEEP Program and is trying to decide if it's worth it. I got the chance to ask a few nurses during my clinical rotations however, because none of them are LVNs I feel like they don't truly know and understand.

This is a great question that I feel like does not get the attention it deserves. So I graduated LVN school in 2012. My first job was with a (bs) company that did CC for hospice companies. They paid 20$/hr. I left there because the (bs) company went out of business, I took a job at a nursing home/skilled rehab making 18.25/hr. I did that for a year and transitioned to an MDS position at the same place and got bumped to 22/hr. When I left, I went to a memory care assisted living making the same. When I got my annual review a year later, I got bumped up to 25/hr. I worked there for two years and left in 2017 and went back to skilled. Got hired there making the same thing, although when I got hired, my DON had to get corporate permission to pay me that much. There were nurses who had been there 2-5 years who weren't making as much as I was, and they made it known. I think part of the reason they continued to pay me 25/hr was because I had MDS and managerial experience and was able to fill in for those roles when I was needed, which I did. I worked there for a year and left to go work at Methodist in the ER. They had just established a role for the LVN in the ER, somewhere above paramedics but below RNs. I was very lucky to do so, and actually took a pay cut to go there. I make 22.50/hr now. But, I work for a magnet hospital, gaining emergency room experience, with EXCELLENT benefits and a workplace structure and community that is beyond anything I've ever experienced. So that cut in pay was well worth it.

If you are looking for good pay as an LVN I would recommend getting in at a skilled nursing or a rehab like Kindred or Healthsouth first. Stick it out and transition to management. You are going to work your *** off as an LVN in management, as well as take on a lot of stress, but if you're after good pay, that's what it takes. Also, the work environment and atmosphere of skilled/nursing homes is not great. Very profit oriented, so turnover is high and support is often low. Avoid hospice, CC and home health. It's difficult to make big money there. Get you a full time gig with a PRN job on the side. Good money is doable as an LVN. I cleared 60k in 2015, 2016 and 2017 consecutively because I worked OT and was good at what I did. It's doable, but it will be stressful.

It is very difficult, bordering on impossible to get in at a major hospital as an LVN. With the Magnet accreditation, hospitals want RN, BSNs working there. They must maintain a certain average of nursing staff with BSNs so LVNs are hard to work in. Only my location within the Methodist system hires LVNs. It's tough to get in there. I was very lucky.

Also..it is worth mentioning. As much as I wish it weren't true, and politics aside, I am a guy and being male does affect my pay. I know that I have been offered more money, and have been viewed more positively in my role because I'm a guy. Not my opinion, it is fact. I have been told that by managers. Not saying I agree with it, but I am giving honest input. Do with it what you will.

I hope all the best for you.

[HowdyHowdy, LVN]

8 hours ago, imaneedmycoffeefirst89 said:

LOL you are so texan!

Damn right I am, y'all. ?

[LVN2B18, CNA, LVN]

1 hour ago, HowdyHowdy said:

This is a great question that I feel like does not get the attention it deserves. So I graduated LVN school in 2012. My first job was with a (bs) company that did CC for hospice companies. They paid 20$/hr. I left there because the (bs) company went out of business, I took a job at a nursing home/skilled rehab making 18.25/hr. I did that for a year and transitioned to an MDS position at the same place and got bumped to 22/hr. When I left, I went to a memory care assisted living making the same. When I got my annual review a year later, I got bumped up to 25/hr. I worked there for two years and left in 2017 and went back to skilled. Got hired there making the same thing, although when I got hired, my DON had to get corporate permission to pay me that much. There were nurses who had been there 2-5 years who weren't making as much as I was, and they made it known. I think part of the reason they continued to pay me 25/hr was because I had MDS and managerial experience and was able to fill in for those roles when I was needed, which I did. I worked there for a year and left to go work at Methodist in the ER. They had just established a role for the LVN in the ER, somewhere above paramedics but below RNs. I was very lucky to do so, and actually took a pay cut to go there. I make 22.50/hr now. But, I work for a magnet hospital, gaining emergency room experience, with EXCELLENT benefits and a workplace structure and community that is beyond anything I've ever experienced. So that cut in pay was well worth it.

If you are looking for good pay as an LVN I would recommend getting in at a skilled nursing or a rehab like Kindred or Healthsouth first. Stick it out and transition to management. You are going to work your *** off as an LVN in management, as well as take on a lot of stress, but if you're after good pay, that's what it takes. Also, the work environment and atmosphere of skilled/nursing homes is not great. Very profit oriented, so turnover is high and support is often low. Avoid hospice, CC and home health. It's difficult to make big money there. Get you a full time gig with a PRN job on the side. Good money is doable as an LVN. I cleared 60k in 2015, 2016 and 2017 consecutively because I worked OT and was good at what I did. It's doable, but it will be stressful.

It is very difficult, bordering on impossible to get in at a major hospital as an LVN. With the Magnet accreditation, hospitals want RN, BSNs working there. They must maintain a certain average of nursing staff with BSNs so LVNs are hard to work in. Only my location within the Methodist system hires LVNs. It's tough to get in there. I was very lucky.

Also..it is worth mentioning. As much as I wish it weren't true, and politics aside, I am a guy and being male does affect my pay. I know that I have been offered more money, and have been viewed more positively in my role because I'm a guy. Not my opinion, it is fact. I have been told that by managers. Not saying I agree with it, but I am giving honest input. Do with it what you will.

I hope all the best for you.

That is so true, I started out at Methodist in the Medical center in 2014, transferred in May 2017 and help open the new Methodist in the woodlands. That got me through LVN school. I worked full time as a PCAIl/UAA. When I finished school and took my Nclex. I was released from Methodist because they did not have a position for me. I have been trying to get back in to one of the LVN Er positions but it is so difficult.