LVN-ADN Bridge - Prereq's Help

Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B · Apr 26, 2014

Doesn't unemployment end if you start taking classes?

When I start my lvn program I plan to have all my rn prereqs done before I start my lvn program :)

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Apr 26, 2014

That's the traditional way and wish I had the opportunity to finish pre reqs first. I will get a clear understanding how unemplotment works next week at orientation.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Apr 28, 2014

There's no way I could have taken other classes while in my LVN school. My program was 5 days per week 8 hrs/day. Plus homework, group projects and travel time 45 mins each way to the clinical sites. Our start times were as early as 6:30am and ended as late as 6pm (10pm for people who had evening clinicals)

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Apr 28, 2014

@vintagemother thanks!! I have orientation tomorrow for more about WIA. Have you heard of a program called TANF? Temp assistamce for needy families. I thought I share that with you :)

I found a private lvn school 22k and also thinking about going the CC route for the lvn and take the lvn pre reqs. Not sure. I'm truly blessed to have family support and may receieve unemployment for 6-8 months.

Did you go the private school route and how long did you find a lvn job after graduation?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 28, 2014

TANF is highly restrictive and for adults with essentially no income who young children (not teens) many exceed the max income limits by collecting unemployment. It's usually combined with food stamps/SNAP & WIC as applicable.

You must have authorization from WIA & unemployment to be able to collect and attend school full time. I know someone who (though not in CA) who applied, accepted & registered for school prior to gaining WIA/UEI and was subsequently denied as it was determined she planned on attending school full time rather than seek employment from the start. In my area you need to file for financial aid and utilize any grants or scholarships before WIA picks up the tab. In my case grants covered tuition, books & fees 100% so WIA just gave authorization to collect unemployment while attending school full time. They verified attendance with the school monthly because if not attending you were dropped from WIA.

That said there was no way to attend practical nursing school full time and take any other courses pre-req or not.

WIA was only granted for programs that would be completed in a year or less so if you were starting a 2-year ADN program it was not eligible but if you were in your final year of a BSN or ADN program it might be covered. Most LPN/LVN programs offered full time graduate in 10-12 months so they qualified. But the amount available is fixed. For example if the max available is $10,000 and you attend a public program that costs $8000 and books, fees, malpractice insurance and uniforms cost $1000 you could get $9000 (less any grant, scholarship or financial aid). If you attend a private for profit program that costs $25,0000 the max you could get is $10,000 including financial aid and might need loans to cover the rest.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 28, 2014

Some facilities require a BSN minimum to have the title of nurse case manager. Others do not. Check local job postings to see what the current trend in your area is for nurse case managers.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 28, 2014

In CA in order to be eligible for TANF you need to be pregnant or responsible guardian or parent of a child under the age of 19.

"General Program Requirements (TANF)

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of California, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age, a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, have low or very low income, and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed."

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Apr 28, 2014

Everything JustBeachy said is true. The way WIA helped me is because even with federal loans I couldn't afford nursing school. But a combination of WIA plus loans made it possible.

I went to a private LVN school for 12 months.

I was working as am LVN in training waiting for my license the month after I graduated. That job didn't work out but I found a new job less than 2 months later.

PS don't worry so much about the sticker price differences between nursing schools, worry about their financial aid packages. Some schools give substantial discounts or accept grants and some have creative payment terms. I didn't know this when I first decided to go to LVN school. You need to apply and compare the bottom line cost after discounts and grants on order to determine which school actually is cheapest. Just like you do when going to a 4 yr university.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Apr 28, 2014

@JustBeachyNurse @vintagemother

Thank you ladies!!! Seriously you both have been very helpful in this journey. :) :)

@JustBeachyNurse :)

Thank you so much. You seem very knowledgable about WIA program.

I currently work part time and hours have reduced substantially and the reason why I filed for unemployment . You make a great point about getting approved "first" because It would be a hurting feeling to get accepted at a private school and later get denied from WIA. I know HOPE grants are good.

You are right that most case management jobs req BSN and depends per job. My mom is a case manager and a friend of her's was looking for someone and gave my mom the job with no experience. She has her associate degree and 10yrs hospice/DON experience. I suppose it goes back to who you know sometimes.

I like computers and love what my mom does -case management. I also am interested in EMR -electronic medical records.

@vintagemother I will look into the private school financial packages. You make a great point out that! Thank you. :)

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 28, 2014

See if your state is participating in the US dept of health & human services health info technology grant program. This is the link for NJ:

http://www.nj.gov/health/njhit/state/partners/

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Apr 28, 2014

Thank you @justbeachynurse . Great info! . I'm hoping to find some EMR internships/shadow positions after LVn school of course. I know with the EMR added to my resume will help whether I apply for a case management or EMR position in the future...I'm sad that I turned down a research coordinator internship, but the company was looking for someone an intern long term. I spoke with a consultant from EDD on the phone and they are mailing me papers for CTB "california training vocational" program and how I can receive benefits after my unemployment runs out. So we will see how everything goes.