LVN-ADN Transition Vernon College Wichita Falls TX

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · May 16, 2010

I would think you would find many of your answers here: Vernon College

SCSTxRN · May 16, 2010

I everyone. I am new to this site so i hope I'm posting correct. I was wanting some information on the Vernon College LVN - ADN Transition Program. I've been a LVN for six years and am wanting to get my RN. Has anyone been through this program? How do you get accepted? How long does it take to complete the program? What are the clinicals like? Is it possible to work while going to school? Does anyone know what the starting RN salary is? Wow, I know I have alot of questions but any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!!!

I graduated from VC's ADN program today. They have 2 avenues - LVN transition and Generic. I graduated Generic, but have several friends who went the transition route.

To do transition you have to have an LVN (obviously) and a bunch of prerequisites - english comp, a history and government, a math, A&P 1&2, Micro, Nutrition, Patho, public speaking, general psych, and a humanities.

You start by applying to the college, there may be an admissions test for LVN transition - I know that for Generic I had to take a basic readiness test - I assume that it is the same for transition.

Then the fun starts. "Transition" is a summer course, and from what I have heard, it kicks a lot of people in the tail - many many friends have told me that needs to be taken all by itself. The catalog also has you taking Pharmacology and Health Assessment that summer, Health assessment is also a tail kicker - from personal experience. Health Assessment and Pharmacology can both be taken by an LVN before admission to the program, according to the catalog - so arguably you could get those out of the way while you're completing the prerequisite courses. I'd wait until after you finish A&P, though.

So - Can you work and do the program? I worked all through both years (3.77 g.p.a.) - but you definitely need a flexible schedule. Med Surg II, which is where the Transition and Generic students met up, involved one day a week of classes and one day a week of clinicals, + sims labs that were scheduled pretty much whenever they wanted to. This last semester was ObiPedi, Psych, and Community - ObiPedi and Psych were on the same day (Wednesday, 9-4), each had their own clinical (obipedi was 6-6 every week x 8 weeks, psych was 7-7 every other week, community had 4 clinicals at the end of the semester after obipedi and psych quit). The LVN's that I know that worked either did home health or worked at jobs that let them make weird schedules.

HESI is a big monster at the end of the year that you have to pass (850) - you have three tries, then summer school and three more tries - then you don't graduate.

My GN starting pay is 21.50 per hour, will go up a little after I pass NCLEX. The hospital gives you 1/2 credit for years worked as an LVN - so you would start a little higher.

How long the program takes depends on how long it takes you to get the prereqs done. It's 12 months of classes from the start of transition to graduation, assuming you pass everything the first try. If you fail, you're a year behind because they only do fall admit (generic), spring graduation.. if you fail twice, you can't re-enter.

Good luck, and yell if there's anything I can do for you.

Steph

tx15 · May 16, 2010

Thanks so much for the response. I tried to google Vernon College and did not get this link. It was very helpful. And thanks Steph for taking the time to answer all of my questions. That was very informative. I really appreciate it and now I know what to expect. And Ughhhhh, I hate taking tests. I get all nerved up. Thanks again. I can tell you are a great and caring nurse. Best of luck to you---

SCSTxRN · May 16, 2010

Yw. BTW, if you go to the Vernoncollege.edu link and look in the upper left hand side, there is a scrolling menu. One of the things on there is Associate Degree Nursing. Click on that and you go to the ADN website. ***** is the director, but ***** is the secretary - and she is the one that makes things go.

e2wenty7 · Jan 4, 2011

WOW this is exactly the kind of info I needed!!

Hello everyone! I'm an LVN grad from CA and just moved to wichita falls TX last month. Been doing some research about Vernon College Nursing Program. I'm so glad i found some good information here.

Does anyone know if vernon college have a policy regarding courses taken more than 5 yrs ago? - before goin into the LVN program i had taken prereqs for an ADN program back in CA and looking at the college catalog, it looks like the requirements are similar.

Also, while waiting for my boards paperworks to take the NCLEX, I'm thinking of taking the CNA certification. any information on that would also be helpful...

thank you!

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 4, 2011

Moved to TX Nursing Programs Discussion :)

krikki4484 · Feb 10, 2011

So...you pretty much only go about 2 days a week? I just called to schedule my GAP test (whatever they started calling it this year) then I'll turn in my application. I'm an LPN so I'll be doing the transition track. Is it the summer, fall, and spring then you graduate? Also, can you tell me a little bit about the instructors? I had ****** for health assessment and I truly cant stand her teaching style. I know I have to have her for one other thing (I think transition).

e2wenty7 · Mar 19, 2011

does anybody has any information about the admission test for the LVN-RN transition track? I'm taking mine this tuesday so im just hoping to get an idea what the test is about... I'm reviewing my Saunders but wondering if that would be enough.. thanks everyone!