Lvn first then RN?

Neo Soldier, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2018

A 3.9 in the sciences is actually not that bad. I'm in California myself and my school really focused on the hard sciences. I think you should look into your community college's RN point system so you can see if there are other ways to increase your chances of getting in. I would also recommend applying to both the LVN and RN programs. For the LVN program I do believe you need CNA certification to get in. I would advise you take a quick CNA course (no more than 5 weeks) if you have to instead of one that is offered at a community college that could take 4 months.

NursingHopeful95, ADN · Aug 6, 2018

A 3.9 in the sciences is actually not that bad. I'm in California myself and my school really focused on the hard sciences. I think you should look into your community college's RN point system so you can see if there are other ways to increase your chances of getting in. I would also recommend applying to both the LVN and RN programs. For the LVN program I do believe you need CNA certification to get in. I would advise you take a quick CNA course (no more than 5 weeks) if you have to instead of one that is offered at a community college that could take 4 months.

Thank you for your response!

I decided to actually sign up for a CNA program through the Red Cross. Its 3 months & would give me up to 5 extra points at the local community colleges in my area. My school is lottery so I'm just hoping for the best but preparing to not get in.

I was looking at just going through a private university but as a mom I can't justify spending 80- 100k for a BSN.

SqrB3ar, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2018

I think they're kind of doing away with LVNs in a "acute hospital" setting if that's the place of employment you are hoping to work once you get the license. They're in demand in SNF or acute rehab/long term facilities. I would think getting into a LVN program with a bridge to RN can help your chances if the school has one. Look into the specific school's you are interested in and make a call. If you go the LVN route and you are worried on "time", ask if you'll be guaranteed a spot in their RN program if you did their LVN first.

I'm from Cali myself (northern), same age. I applied to schools all over from Concord, Solano, all of Sac, Yuba and Chico and Stockton areas. Didn't get in after 1.5 yrs (3 applications per college nearly). I ended up finding out about a pvt BSN program, got right in but people are finding out about it and it's getting hard to get into that now.

Honestly, I wouldn't limit to applying to 3 schools. The more schools, the higher chance of getting in. Also, how is your TEAS score? Like Neo mentioned, check out the point-system for each college. Unfortunately I'm going to be in debt when I finish but sometimes edu is an investment. Maybe look into BSN pvt colleges in your area as a "last resort". Being an LVN will give you an advantage though in an RN program. I was only a caregiver at a 50 bed facility and even that experience helped with the basics.

Ultimately it all depends on what you want. Sacrifice going into LVN for another year or 2 but gain work experience/add points for RN program, keep waiting til you get into an ADN/BSN program twice a year or look into another alternative of private schools (BSN of course) on track to RN faster but will be thousands in debt.

caliotter3 · Aug 14, 2018

Anecdote to consider: LVN's, depending upon the setting, can be paid in the vicinity of $17 to $26 an hour in CA, on average. However, many of those positions are at the lower portion of that range, and employers state that they have no intentions of raising LVN pay when minimum wage increases to $15 an hour (have personal awareness of this happening from several sources). Disheartening. To get further away from that quagmire, obtain an RN license from the start. Not many RN's are offered $18 an hour to start a job in CA, unless they are working an LVN level case in extended care home health, a story in itself. Don't do yourself a disservice by obtaining a nursing license in order to earn $2 or $3 more than minimum wage. The only reason I would consider the LVN license to start, is if there is a good probability that the LVN license could be used successfully to gain admission to an RN program or to bridge to RN. Have also heard that bridging from LVN to RN is not the shoo-in that it was in times past. That is why you need to carefully investigate the admission and other policies of all the programs you might consider. Also investigate the employment market for LVN versus RN in your area or an area you might want to relocate to.