LVN program at Western Career College /in sacramento ca

CW57 · Mar 17, 2009

i would advise you visit the ca board of registered nursing. they have a list of approved nursing schools.

la229 · Mar 30, 2009

i attended wcc in san leandro for lvn and i have just recently taken the NCLEX i didnt have any problems with taking the test and as for the school it was ok not the best but when you go to a college like wcc you dont get the same teaching that you would get in a community college pr university..so you have to apply yourself and learn somethings on your own.

Calinurse4 · Apr 1, 2009

I went to orientation and found out the tuition was $42,000 for LVN and I left~lol.

lllchillylll · Apr 9, 2009

I'm sorry but this really has nothing to do with your question. I just can't help it. I used to live in California but have been living in Florida for 7 years. When I read the topic i just had to say something. I used to LOVE those WCC commercials so I really have to say "WESTERN CAREER COLLEGE *CLAP CLAP* YOU CAN DO IT!"

ashley89 · Jun 3, 2009

Do not make the mistake of going to WCC their nursing program is a joke.Not only does it cost 42K they are extremely unorganized and their teachers don't know what they're teaching!They talk to you like you're 12 and have no brain of your own.I went their for a term and dropped out and went to LMC where their program is much better.Dont waste your time or money going to Western Career College.

LOTTAPAWS · Jun 18, 2009

Hi Everyone,

Here is my situation... Hoping someone(s) out there will have some good advice for me. I was recently laid off and see this as the window of opportunity that I have been wanting to change my career. Here is the delima: I can't just start back to any school or training program as I will forfeit my unemployment benefits...

HOWEVER, there are retraining programs approved by EDD to retrain people like me into areas that are in high demand (specifically medical field). I really want to get into the medical field (specifically Sonography) but the programs that are on the EDD's approves list are NOT accredited programs and it makes no sense to spend the time / money on a program when I can't even sit for the boards upon completion.

There is ONE program that is accredited and that EDD approves but it is for LVN (it is at WCC in Sacramento). My thought is that although this is not what I ultimately want to do career wise, it will get me into the medical field, give me experience and once I am working, I can continue my education towards the specialty I want.

Here are my questions:

What is the time involved in moving from LVN to RN?
Where are LVN's most likely to find employment?
New grads...where do they find employment?
Any word on how graduates of Western Career College / LVN program are received?

I have over 20 years of management / training experience that I hope will be helpful in my new career path but am unsure about LVN vs. RN. Are LVN's being hired right now or is it just RN's?

Right now, it is my ONLY avenue to re-training while maintaining my EDD benefits. I am in my early 40's and would like to make the best possible decision as this program will be quite an investment.

Any advice at all would be most appreciated.

:)

plaza · Jun 20, 2009

lotta - have you looked in the sac bee classifieds for lvn jobs?

one thing that would be good to keep in mind, healthcare is not going away. whilst your first job may not be your ideal job (what is?), the investment in time and money is sure to be worth it.

$42k for WCC? Wow! I'm considering Kaplan in Stockton at around $26k. all pre-reqs are part of the 11-mo curriculum and I don't have to wait around to get "picked" by one of the JCs in the area.

I tried registering at Delta (an impacted JC) and becuz I'm not on aid and I have an undergrad degree, I got minus qualifying points that made my registration date so late that none of the classes I needed were within reach. it would take me years to get thru.

oh well, time is money and I'm gonna have to pay!

LOTTAPAWS · Jun 20, 2009

Thanks for the advice... :bow:

Since I first posted, I called the Board of Vocational Nurses in sac to inquire about Kaplan's program in Sacramento because they are not yet accredited. Good news is that they are approved by the board for their program and will be accredited shortly so they told me that I can start there if I wanted to. GOOD NEWS because this is on the EDD list of schools they approve which offers me another choice. I hate being stuck in this dilemma but it is where I am at this point.

While speaking with the representative at the BVNPT, i asked about WCC, she said they not only had the highest pass rate in the state, but that they were above the national average with 92% pass rate and had not heard any negative things about WCC.

I went to WCC in Sacramento yesterday to check it out as I have heard so many negative things and I have to say that the staff was very good to me... quite knowledgeable. I toured the entire facility with the Director of the nursing program who was very professional and answered my questions. The problem I see with WCC is that to get from LVN to RN - LOOONNNGG process and beyond expensive:

1. LVN program - certificate - 18 months $41,470.00: This is full time M-F

2. LVN Program - degree - PRE RN - 18 Months - $60,993: This is PT campus and online work for the rest - this gets you to the RN program and when you complete the RN program - you will get the AS degree

3. RN Program - degree program - 8 Months - $48,715: This is PT campus and online for the rest.

So if I am understanding this correctly, at WCC to get from LVN to RN, it costs $151178 and takes 44 months! The other thing I found out about their LVN program is that it is NOT open enrollment - they only take 30 people per class based on test scores and interview (they want to make sure that the person is going to stay in the program). Just FYI for those looking into private schools rather than wait for JC's to open up.

I am going to Kaplan on Monday and Sacramento City USD - Charles A. Jones Skills & Business Education Center on Wednesday as the Nurse at BVNPT said they were very good as well.

I hope that this helps someone... this is a big decision and I ...like many others do not want to make a wrong dedision. For me, private school is the path I am going to take because I am re-careering after 20 years and dont have time to wait for a JC slot to open up.

Anyone else had experience with Kaplan or Charles A. Jones??

Thanks!!!:typing

plaza · Jun 20, 2009

$151178

wow! for this kinda money, you could get a PhD at Stanford!

plaza · Jun 20, 2009

lotta - I'm pretty new on this board and I think you have to befriend me before I can send you a PM.

please, please, please. I want to ask you a couple questions off-line

thx

Kaligirl02, ADN, BSN, MSN, LVN, RN, APRN, NP · Jun 21, 2009

I went to Kaplan College about two weeks ago and toured the campus it looks really nice. they only take 30 applicants as well. yuo have to take two tests. the first one wasnt really hard. after that test you have to take the hesi exam. i dont believe they have the dates for it yet but the admin rep said it should be somethime in july. after you take that test i believe she said you will have to have an interview with the nursing director. They lady i toured with had only been working there for two weeks but she was really nice!! i took the first test and passed. I really enjoyed being there. My husband is in the military and they give really good discounts for military spouses and i also recieved a 6k grant from the military and they accept that as well. I really hope i get into the class. you said it was an 11 month program? i was told it was a year.... I have the syllabus it looks like it is going to be a very busy class... i believe 93.5 credit hr and if you want to do the bridge program they said they give you 66% off... Im in love with this school.. good luck with everything.