LVN or RN Route?

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Hi. I am currently living in California, working as a CNA for 6 years now and is a mother of 3 young ones. I know I want to continue my journey in the Nursing Field. I currently work at a hospital that did away with their LVN's and kept the RN's but now they want their RN's to have their Bachelor's degree. I'm a little over whelmed with the whole pre-requisites. In my ideal world, I wanted to go for my LVN (quick route to get the money rolling) especially with young children and having to financially support my everyday living. I know if I were to go for my RN I would have a better opportunities with finding a job easier and the rate of pay would be greater, of course. Just the thought of 2 years doing pre-requisite then another 2 years of nursing. I just want to be financially OK. Then the thought of 30gs of LVN schooling over my head throws me off too. I guess I'm a bit confused on which is the best route to go. Just wanted someone else's opinion. Thank you!

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If you go with the LVN route. You can try getting at a job with VA Healthcare System or even Department of Corrections to start. Or even the Skilled Nursing Facilities and if you want to go for RN. Make sure you take the pre-req's for that school's BSN program or ADN Program whichever you decide on just in case. This depends on where you complete your LVN program at.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

It's difficult to get a job as an LVN in California but not impossible. In SoCal where I am pay for LVNs is on a downward trend as well, so I might consider how much you'd be better off vs keeping your current job of CNA for 6 years while taking pre-requisites for an RN program, or even pre-requisites that can be applied to either LVN or RN programs.

If you are considering an expensive for-profit LVN program I would probably not want to do that unless it was the only route that worked in your personal circumstances -- I attended one of those years ago and paid back all the loans, but I was single at the time, and in the midst of a severe nursing shortage I knew I could quickly find a job.

Before you decide on any of it make sure your credits will transfer from private programs to degree programs (either ADN or BSN)

You are certainly correct about the job outlook for LVNs -- the sooner you get your BSN the better. Best wishes!

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I was just thinking long and hard and decided not to go the debt route of 30k. I will start taking some summer courses and my local community college has an LVN program as well and I imagine it would be a lot cheaper. I spoke with the Director of Nursing for the program and she advised me to just take my pre-requisites and if I end up enrolling into the LVN program, then I do and if I complete my pre-requisites for RN and get accepted then just go the RN Route. I'm glad I stopped by the college, and I appreciate you both for your input. Thank you :)

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You're welcome. I wished my community college still had an LVN program and this is a local community college. Another community college that's about an hour away from me has an LVN program as well. I'm in a bind right now because I'm 29 and I feel I should of had an idea where I want to go with my life. Instead, I've been in college way too long although I know it's not a race. What the DON of the community college is wise. Hopefully for me personally, I'll realize how I would want to approach a nursing career. I bid you lots of success.

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I am 29 as well and that's exactly how I feel. I feel like this whole school process should have already been done and over with, but it's never too late or you're never too old. Are you taking pre-requisites or have you already finished? Since you've mentioned that you have been in school for too long. At the end of the day, if you truly want something, hard work and determination will surely pay off :) And thank you.

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Honest thought, like the DON said, finish the pre reqs first !! :-)

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Well Khammy,

I haven't taken the pre-req's. Going to start soon. The fact that I've been in school for a long time was because I wasn't decided on a clear career path. However, lately I've thought about wanting to pursue Nursing.

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You definitely should. Good luck to you as well :)

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I agree with the DON- take the prereqs first. Look at more than one program, if at all possible, and apply anywhere you'd consider. Just be sure you meet the requirements.

Depending on where you are in CA, the job prospects for LVNs are sporifice. Do some research on your local market. Most hospitals don't hire LVNs anymore, but home health, SNFs, and some outpatient settings hire LVNs.

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Guys I'm 30 and will be turning 31 in a few months so i completely understand how you guys feel about the age thing. I actually graduated from another field in 2008 but there was a recession and i was unable to find a job. For two yrs, i searched and went on interviews, finally in 2010 i decided to start over. I started over again with the nursing field. It was very painful to have to start everything over esp when i was done w my field already! Anyway fast forward to now, i am working as an lvn now while just starting my bsn program. Its hard!!! But you gotta do what you gotta do! Keep praying and do good.

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Good advice to take prereqs at the community college where the Director informed you about the LVN program as well as the RN program. Apply to the RN programs first, if you don't get in, go the LVN route if you can apply before the next RN application period. You will be able to find an LVN job when the time comes, don't worry about it. Meanwhile continue with the prerequisites. If you run out of those, then start on the prereqs for the BSN program you anticipate applying to in the future. It is all a continuum, so don't sweat it. At least you are not starting down this road in your 40's or 50's, or even 60's. You have time to succeed at this!

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