LPN cancelled everywhere in AZ but GWCC

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hi, I'm new to this site and I searched for this, so please forgive me if this info has already been discussed. I learned today that only Gateway Community College, in Phoenix, AZ has the LPN program anymore. I confirmed this with several schools so far to include PC and even the Maricopa skills center is not offering the program at this moment. I also looked into Yavapai CC in Prescott, and they do not have the LPN anymore. Does anyone know why the LPN program is being done away with in AZ. GWCC only has 3 cohorts at one time and there is now at least a one year waiting list - non-competitive. This is really getting frustrating as I was hoping to be able to work as an LPN during the 2year (at least) waiting period to enter the RN program. My dad said it's probably because AZ is broke and can't afford it, does anyone know for sure?

Thanks.

I'm not to sure about the reason. But if you were to do your lpn then you could do advanced placement for the rn program which has a smaller wait list. I planned on getting my lpn from maricopa skill center and the day they were accepting applications I went on their website to find out they were on moratorium. It really sucks because I knew alot of people who went to turn in apps only to find out they were no longer taking them. I haven't decided what to do yet. I currently have my cna license and am looking for work so that maybe I can get a scholarship like my mother did. I have a cousin on the waiting list for over 2years.

East Valley Institute of Technology also offers the program in Mesa. The school is outstanding and the instructor is amazing! We would pass ways while I was in high school because the CNA high school course was in the same classroom except for the afternoon session. Whereas lpn was morning session.

Gateway's list did get really long fast I applied in Nov '11. I am planned for spring '12 enrollment now. But that semester the waitlist quickly went from one to two semesters..... and keeps growing. I also have heard (just a rumor so far no confirmation)but that GWCC is going to do away with their program too. Not sure but I would double check.

As far as phasing out LPNs is because they are no longer hiring for LPNs at many hospitals. Banner hospitals have said they are no longer going to be hiring them as well as some others following suite. So most are not even offering to have the SNs train there. Then there is the whole clinical nursing instructor shortage. Remember for each instructor there can only be a max of 10 students under them. So most classes need to have 2 or 3 extras come in for that. That is becoming more and more difficult.

Hi! I just got done with Gateway CC LPN program. One of the reasons that its the only LPN school around is because no one other than LTC's are hiring LPN's. Plus there is NOWHERE to do clincals anymore. I know that the cohort for block C that is starting in the fall they are down to three places and two of them are LTC's. I feel that we are in the last days of seeing LPN's working. But if I were you I would still try to get into the LPN at gateway. While you wait be working on your pre/co regs for the RN. That way when you are done with the PN you can step right into block 3 of the RN and only have 2 sem to go. Hope that helps you out.

aoLPN

Hi, I'm new to this site and I searched for this, so please forgive me if this info has already been discussed. I learned today that only Gateway Community College, in Phoenix, AZ has the LPN program anymore. I confirmed this with several schools so far to include PC and even the Maricopa skills center is not offering the program at this moment. I also looked into Yavapai CC in Prescott, and they do not have the LPN anymore. Does anyone know why the LPN program is being done away with in AZ. GWCC only has 3 cohorts at one time and there is now at least a one year waiting list - non-competitive. This is really getting frustrating as I was hoping to be able to work as an LPN during the 2year (at least) waiting period to enter the RN program. My dad said it's probably because AZ is broke and can't afford it, does anyone know for sure?

Thanks.

MarkAnAz. read my post about entry-level to practice c.e.u i took on nurse.com. (lpn programs).

Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CCU, Alzheimers, Med-Surg.

Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale has an LPN program. They used to run three cohorts a year, but I think they are down to two now. There are few places to hold clinicals because of the overabundance of RN programs in Phoenix.

LPNs are not going anywhere soon. From a strictly business point of view they are cheaper than RNs, so places like LTCs and home health agencies can use them for less acute patients. Most jobs out there for us are community based instead of inpatient hospital based.

I would look into the program at EMCC, it's a little bit on the outskirts of town, but the instructors are phenomenal and that wait list is short (I waited three months last year from turning in my application to starting class).

Specializes in Med/Surg/.

Hi everyone if I might broaden the prospective a little...:o) I live in Texas and have been an LVN for 35 yrs. Until about the last 7/8 yrs here I have never had any problems having a job. I also have been doing agency mostly full time since 1995. Going through about 15-20 yrs in this State we had no different duties from the RN. When we had something we had never done we hands on from a preceptor and had to get passed 3 times. When you do something enough it does not take long to learn. I was fortunate to work many areas early in my career. I was game for it all. I worked ICU,CCU,Tele Onc. and all the other normal ones.M/S, rehab etc. When I went to work in ICU it was rather funny. I had been a nurse for about 10 yrs. Charge nurse was a neighbor. She harassed me for 2 yrs to come and help them with my answer "I am not qualified". One day I cave because she begged but told her if I here one negative word I am gone. Both Charge nurses took me under their wing and cold turkeyed me on everything. I was in class again. Hundreds of questions. Book with all doses in them. Check and double check. Ok'd before I proceeded. I ended up working in ICU off my floor for 11 solid months. I became one of the 4 floaters who would go anywhere. Now back to topic. Gold Standard(might be called something else in other places) The role of the nurse is evolving. Increased knowledge is needed. Bottom line no matter how great that LVN/LPN is with yrs. of experienced. Hospitals make the bucks from the Feds(State) with a full RN crew. The only way they can go Gold. Many new LVN(10 yrs or less) do not have the background we had because we had no limits. Each hospital is who makes the rule of what we can do. I can go down the street and do it all. Then I can go to another and no IV pushes ETC. Trust me when you get told that and have become an expert at most, it is hard. It makes it harder for the RN's and you wonder why you are even there. Agency allows the hospitals to let the LVN's come in,lower pay for them(higher for agency), same work most of the time and no mark on their gold standard as you are not employed. They will one day phase us all out of the hospital as higher education(experience will not count) is manditory and is upon us. Some hospitals will not hire a 2 yr RN here in Dallas. I am not sure what will happen to the ones already working there. So that is why the LVN school are getting less and less as time goes by. And this is all over the country.....I just came back from CA working in the VA Clinic- San Jose. Loooooved it and everyone there. If you can get Vet Pro that is a good place to work. But that's another story....Dawn

As a graduate of GWCC Fast Track LPN program let me just say that it is the BEST!! It is a hard program, but it really prepares you for the NCLEX. Maricopa Skills was not a good school and that is why it was closed. Be glad that you didn't have the opportunity to waste your money there. I would tell anyone that being an LPN before an RN is a great choice and here in AZ it will actually fast track you through to Block 3 of the RN program. (As long as your pre-reqs are done) You truly can't go wrong. And the money is so much better than being a CNA so if finances are a concern this would be a better option too. Good luck to you all!!

Hi everyone if I might broaden the prospective a little...:o) I live in Texas and have been an LVN for 35 yrs. Until about the last 7/8 yrs here I have never had any problems having a job. I also have been doing agency mostly full time since 1995. Going through about 15-20 yrs in this State we had no different duties from the RN. When we had something we had never done we hands on from a preceptor and had to get passed 3 times. When you do something enough it does not take long to learn. I was fortunate to work many areas early in my career. I was game for it all. I worked ICU,CCU,Tele Onc. and all the other normal ones.M/S, rehab etc. When I went to work in ICU it was rather funny. I had been a nurse for about 10 yrs. Charge nurse was a neighbor. She harassed me for 2 yrs to come and help them with my answer "I am not qualified". One day I cave because she begged but told her if I here one negative word I am gone. Both Charge nurses took me under their wing and cold turkeyed me on everything. I was in class again. Hundreds of questions. Book with all doses in them. Check and double check. Ok'd before I proceeded. I ended up working in ICU off my floor for 11 solid months. I became one of the 4 floaters who would go anywhere. Now back to topic. Gold Standard(might be called something else in other places) The role of the nurse is evolving. Increased knowledge is needed. Bottom line no matter how great that LVN/LPN is with yrs. of experienced. Hospitals make the bucks from the Feds(State) with a full RN crew. The only way they can go Gold. Many new LVN(10 yrs or less) do not have the background we had because we had no limits. Each hospital is who makes the rule of what we can do. I can go down the street and do it all. Then I can go to another and no IV pushes ETC. Trust me when you get told that and have become an expert at most, it is hard. It makes it harder for the RN's and you wonder why you are even there. Agency allows the hospitals to let the LVN's come in,lower pay for them(higher for agency), same work most of the time and no mark on their gold standard as you are not employed. They will one day phase us all out of the hospital as higher education(experience will not count) is manditory and is upon us. Some hospitals will not hire a 2 yr RN here in Dallas. I am not sure what will happen to the ones already working there. So that is why the LVN school are getting less and less as time goes by. And this is all over the country.....I just came back from CA working in the VA Clinic- San Jose. Loooooved it and everyone there. If you can get Vet Pro that is a good place to work. But that's another story....Dawn

What is the proof of the statement: Hospitals make the bucks Feds (state) with a full RN crew. The only way they can go gold.???

Google "LPN job" for any state in the US. You'll find a few part time/PRN positions open. The LPN is going the way of the dinosaur....experienced or not. Sad! Many LPN's have a much higher degree of hands-on experience versus an RN, but they are held in disdain.....I'd suggest checking into a degree in health care management or a related field as bedside nursing care is sadly not something that hospitals are in need of. Patients might disagree re the need to have somebody AT THE BEDSIDE and providing care but that's the way hospitals are going these days.

Specializes in Peds.

Which colleges have LVN bridge programs in AZ area?

I think Gateway has LPN to RN, I just sign up with ATP!

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