Lvn

L3Janit0r37 · Dec 5, 2008

Where i live south cali (at least we are in the same state!), there are numerous ways to get your rn. My plan is Janitor to cna, study, work as a cna as i wait, keep studying, get into the lvn program, work as lvn probably in a ltc or snf, keep studying, then lvn to rn program. I will feel more comfortable being a rn after being a cna and lvn. I refuse to be a lousy rn. Im taking a rop course which is only 125 dollars for the cna license, the lvn program requires you to be a cna and it only cost 2500!!!!!!11. I think this is the no-fail way because as you work your way up the ranks you get experience and hopefully by the time your a rn you wont be making some of the noob mistakes, and learn some stress mangement.

Yeah 35000 seems like a lot, but here in cali at least where i live you start off making 32 a hour. You'll cover that in your first two or three years of nursing and help build your credit. Plus i made it my goal that "money aint no thang," the only thing that can stop me from being a nurse is well...ME!

Also make sure those private school are accredited for something. My rop couses gives me 1 year accrediatioin.

Yes this the slower route but i feel its safer, you get the see what its really like in the work place, and mainly to find if this is for you.

juliesgtarius17 · Dec 5, 2008

Where i live south cali (at least we are in the same state!), there are numerous ways to get your rn. My plan is Janitor to cna, study, work as a cna as i wait, keep studying, get into the lvn program, work as lvn probably in a ltc or snf, keep studying, then lvn to rn program. I will feel more comfortable being a rn after being a cna and lvn. I refuse to be a lousy rn. Im taking a rop course which is only 125 dollars for the cna license, the lvn program requires you to be a cna and it only cost 2500!!!!!!11. I think this is the no-fail way because as you work your way up the ranks you get experience and hopefully by the time your a rn you wont be making some of the noob mistakes, and learn some stress mangement.
Yeah 35000 seems like a lot, but here in cali at least where i live you start off making 32 a hour. You'll cover that in your first two or three years of nursing and help build your credit. Plus i made it my goal that "money aint no thang," the only thing that can stop me from being a nurse is well...ME!
Also make sure those private school are accredited for something. My rop couses gives me 1 year accrediatioin.
Yes this the slower route but i feel its safer, you get the see what its really like in the work place, and mainly to find if this is for you.

Tnx a lot! goodluck to both of us:yeah:

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Dec 5, 2008

I live in So Cal now but grew up in the bay area (Hayward in fact!) :) aka Hayweird LOL. I now live in the San Diego area and went to the school that janitor it talking about. :) (howdy neighbor!)

You might want to consider what you are doing at the moment as to whether you go for RN straight off or LVN. If you can then just go for your RN and apply wherever you can because you might be shooting yourself in the foot if your plans include getting an externship in a hospital or wanting to work OB etc where LVN's cannot work. Consider this, if you are an LVN you will most likely be getting a job in long term care or a skilled nursing facility. Really get on the web and check out your job opportunities before deciding. Around here they want LVN's who have a year's experience before they will consider hiring them in a clinic. RN's get paid the big bucks, LVN"s not so much. So why spend so much money on a LVN program and then you are an LVN for only a year? Can you earn your money back that you spent on the program? These are things to consider.

We had several students in our LVN program who were in their 50's and 60's. They felt they didn't have time to wait for a spot in the RN programs. I also knew RN students in their 50's and one RN student hopeful said she wanted to become a nurse before she needed one! :chuckle so it really depends on how you feel and where your goals are. BTW, that RN hopeful was taking a two semester CNA class to learn as much as she could before getting into the RN program so she was using her waiting time wisely.

Around here the colleges encourage RN student hopefuls to take the three science courses first and get their name on the wait list. Then while they are waiting they take other college classes to complete their degree or get into another program while waiting like respiratory therapist because you have to know how to suction vent patients anyway as a nurse, or medical assistant or any numerous programs that are medically related.

As you can see I went the LVN route but was dismayed to learn that I could never apply for an externship at my local hospital because those are only for RN students. All those job positions that I had been oggling on the hospital websites only addressed RN's.

I would just take those science courses and get my name on that list (what are you looking at-Chabot college?) and then go to the other community colleges and apply there as well. (doesn't Ohlone in Fremont have an RN program too?) Then I would look around and decide what do I want to do now- maybe go to an LVN school. Are there ones that are publicly funded? That's the kind I went to so I didn't have to put out so much money and get heavily in debt because owing all that money will weigh heavily on you. Or perhaps you can look into other medical type programs that are offered at adult school or ROP. And you will really be a step ahead if you become a phlebotomist or Pharmacy tech! I wish I had done some of those before becoming a nurse.

Whatever you decide try to go the least expensive route. :twocents: On the other hand, Kaplan college in San Diego offers an RN program that one can get thru quickly and you have your ADN when you graduate. That would be the only private school I would consider but not LVN.

Keep us posted no matter what route you take! :) Good luck :heartbeat