LVN Certificate vs. LVN Licence?

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I'm trying to decide what career college to go to for the LVN program. The closest school I found to me (I live on 29 Palms Marine base) is California Nurses Educational Institute in Palm Springs. The only problem I see with them is that they're a certificate program. What does that mean and what is the difference between that and a LVN licensing program? Would I be able to go through a LVN - BSN program right after with a certificate? What would it mean for me working if I have to work before getting my BSN? And if not, are there any other schools closer to 29 than Ontario that anyone has heard of/gone to that are licensing programs?

Also, are there any military spouse scholarships other than MyCaa for LVN or nursing?

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You don't get your LVN license until you pass the NCLEX, so if you complete an LVN program you will get your certificate or diploma, then proceed on to take your licensing exam, and then you will be a Licensed nurse. Make sure, when looking into the programs, that they are accredited and if you want to continue with your education I would suggest you look into whether the credits you get can be transferred over to another school. First place to start is on your Board of Nursing website, which should have a list of all accredited nursing programs in the area.

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Mazy explained it great. LPN/LVN certificate is something you get once you graduate and finish the program, you are licensed once you pass your boards. Like Mazy said, make sure that your prograa, is accredited and are able to transfer your credits into an RN program of your choice. Good luck with everything.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
The only problem I see with them is that they're a certificate program. What does that mean and what is the difference between that and a LVN licensing program?

You must earn a certificate or diploma of vocational nursing before the California Board of Vocational Nursing (BVNPT) will even render you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN, which is a national licensing exam for applicants who wish to become practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs). And in order to earn the certificate, you must complete a certificate program.

Would I be able to go through a LVN - BSN program right after with a certificate?
If the LVN program that you complete is through a trade school, you will probably need to complete certain prerequisite courses at a local community college or state university before an LVN-to-BSN program would accept you. These courses are usually Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, English 101, Sociology, and so forth.
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I found this school on my nursing board website, so I know that they're accredited by the right people. Ive been told that theres a difference between a certificate and a licensing program but no one was able to explain the difference to me. So, as long as they're accredited and I can sit for my NCLEX-PN then I should be good? Ive also been taking Psychology, Soc, Anatomy and other pre reqs at my local community college, just in case I needed them.

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Specializes in Psych, Med-Surg, utter confusion, chaos!.

If they are on this list, then you will be able to sit for the NCLEX. And yes, if you plan on pursuing your BSN, you will need the pre-reqs that TheCommuter mentioned.

BVNPT - California Approved Schools

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