LPN to RN programs in Phoenix

I was under the impression that it wasn't hard to do an LPN to RN program through one of the MCC programs. But some girl at work last night (who granted is really young, hasn't done any prereqs, and hasn't talked to any counselors) told me she heard it's super hard to get into the 3rd block if your an LPN already. I had heard it's not really different, you finish your prereqs, and turn in your app. You don't have to do the whole choosing 3 schools, just apply to a program and that one will take you on the next start date. Is this true? The counselor at Gateway is the person I talked to about this.

It is not super hard. I did it. First I got my LPN at Maricopa Skill Center because I wasn't done with my prereqs. I did Microbiology, BIO201, BIO202 sort of while I was going to MSC. I had it timed so I could go right into block 3 at Glendale and I did with no problem. You still have to pick 3 schools, but there was PLENTY of space at Glendale for block 3 students. No waiting whatsoever. You do have to take the HESI and NET test though and do well on them to gain entrance.

Lu Ann

It is not super hard. I did it. First I got my LPN at Maricopa Skill Center because I wasn't done with my prereqs. I did Microbiology, BIO201, BIO202 sort of while I was going to MSC. I had it timed so I could go right into block 3 at Glendale and I did with no problem. You still have to pick 3 schools, but there was PLENTY of space at Glendale for block 3 students. No waiting whatsoever. You do have to take the HESI and NET test though and do well on them to gain entrance.

Lu Ann

Thanks for your input! Did you work as an LPN at all until you got your RN?

How did you feel about the courseload of doing the prereqs while you were doing the LPN program? I think it might be managable if I didn't have kids, but I have 2 young boys, so I thought it would be too much for me to even try it.

Rebecca

Thanks for your input! Did you work as an LPN at all until you got your RN?

How did you feel about the courseload of doing the prereqs while you were doing the LPN program? I think it might be managable if I didn't have kids, but I have 2 young boys, so I thought it would be too much for me to even try it.

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,

No, I haven't worked at all as an LPN while going for an RN. I could have this summer but both my parents and husband have been hospitalized over the summer and I have put more time in taking care of them than all of my clinicals :rotfl: Prereqs are doable while taking the HCC classes, CNA, and block one. Things get hairy in block 2 and I only had part of BIO202 to finish while I was in block 2.

This Friday I am starting as an LPN extern at Banner Good Sam in the transplantation department! They are very flexible on hours - I only have to work two 12 hour shifts during school or as much as I want. I am looking forward to it for the experience.

Lu Ann

Hi Rebecca,

No, I haven't worked at all as an LPN while going for an RN. I could have this summer but both my parents and husband have been hospitalized over the summer and I have put more time in taking care of them than all of my clinicals :rotfl: Prereqs are doable while taking the HCC classes, CNA, and block one. Things get hairy in block 2 and I only had part of BIO202 to finish while I was in block 2.

This Friday I am starting as an LPN extern at Banner Good Sam in the transplantation department! They are very flexible on hours - I only have to work two 12 hour shifts during school or as much as I want. I am looking forward to it for the experience.

Lu Ann

Sorry to hear about your family being sick. I hope everything is okay now! Must have been stressful while going through NS.

I was finishing up some prereqs while in the CNA class, and it was hectic. So i guess I won't start any now.

Can you tell me more about the Good Sam extern program? Were you able to pick what dpt you wanted? Do they pay externs? (sorry if that sounds like a dumb question, I just really have no idea what the extern thing is all about!)

I am going to their CNA job fair they are having next week. A friend of mine recently got a job there and she just started and seems to be enjoying it. Any tips/pointers on what I should say to sell myself at this job fair?

Rebecca

Can you tell me more about the Good Sam extern program? Were you able to pick what dpt you wanted? Do they pay externs? (sorry if that sounds like a dumb question, I just really have no idea what the extern thing is all about!)

I am going to their CNA job fair they are having next week. A friend of mine recently got a job there and she just started and seems to be enjoying it. Any tips/pointers on what I should say to sell myself at this job fair?

Hi again :)

Well most hospitals have nurse extern programs. Yes, they pay you. The programs are for nursing students that have completed both block 1 and block 2 of the nursing program (or a junior in the BSN program). It is a good two way deal - you get more experience and learning and they have a prospective new grad RN when you complete school. Yeah, I picked what dept I wanted. Since I am a liver transplant recipeint I wanted to work in transplantation. That leaves only 2 choices - Mayo Clinic and Banner Good Sam. The pay isn't that great - 11.50 an hr for nurse extern, or 13.50 an hour for an LPN extern. Actually I would do it for free just for experience :rotfl: :rotfl: What is great about the program is that I am only required to work two 12 hour shifts a month during school - or as much as I want.

I sort of stumbled onto it online. I actually applied online for a new grad opening they had in transplantation. I didn't even include a resume. That was on a Sunday and a nurse recruiter called me on Monday - interview on Thursday. Check out the Banner health employment site and see what openings they have, I would post the address but don't have it handy.

I can tell you that Banner Good Sam is hiring like gangbusters. They have a two day orientation meeting EVERY Monday and Tuesday for new hires. There were 30 people in it last week and that many every week. Over 4,000 people work there. It is also a nursing magnet hospital - only John C Lincoln and Good Sam are magnents in Phoenix. And guess what - they have a handsome tuition benefit too.

I have never been to a job fair so I can't help you there. My only advice is to bring a resume and smile a lot. Let us know how you make out, OK!

Lu Ann

I am going to their CNA job fair they are having next week. Any tips/pointers on what I should say to sell myself at this job fair?

Rebecca

Can you tell us more about this job fair? I worked at Good Sam for about a year and a half (not as a CNA) and I LOVED it!!! I'd love to go back as a CNA once I get certified (hopefully next week). When is the fair? Thanks in advanced.

CrazyPremed

Oh yea, I forgot to tell you about that! It's tomorrow, I called the other day and she said to be in the cafeteria at 11.

Rebecca

Oh yea, I forgot to tell you about that! It's tomorrow, I called the other day and she said to be in the cafeteria at 11.

Rebecca

So how was the job fair? Did you get a job?

Cheers,

Lu Ann

So how was the job fair? Did you get a job?

Cheers,

Lu Ann

No. I have been working pool at this LTC place, but at good sam, they won't hire me pool. I'd need to be full time for a year before I'd be eligible for registry. They told me to come back when I can be an extern. Oh well! At least I tried.

I really don't like the place I'm working at, but mostly it's just cuz it's across town from me. So I put in an app at Palm Valley care ctr but the woman only wants to give me 10/hr pool. I think pool would be at least work 11+. At the place I'm working at now, regular employees make 11.25 and pool is 12.25.

I bought a sunday paper yesterday to see if there might be any places hiring that are closer to me. Anyone got any suggestions? I'm south of I-10, near Avondale.

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I bought a sunday paper yesterday to see if there might be any places hiring that are closer to me. Anyone got any suggestions? I'm south of I-10, near Avondale.

Sorry you didn't get the Good Sam job Usually the Sunday paper is chock full of jobs, but I didn't even look at them this week. Seems like you would be able to find pool jobs in Sun City in LTC. I dunno, that might be too far north for you. I know the Life Care Centers (2 in Glendale) always have jobs open. The bad new is that nurse externs only get about 11.50 an hour unless you have an LPN and then it is 13.50.

Good luck in the job hunt,

Lu Ann