Hello. I am currently a full time banker and single mom of four. I have made the decision to go back to school for nursing. I have no current degrees, so I would starting from the beginning.
My Plan is to start my prereqs for a community college LVN program this spring. I am thinking I will be able to stay a full time and do the majority of my classes online. I then would start the actual program next spring using savings from my job and tax refund to make up for the loss in income while I'm in the program.
I am hoping that I am able get an LVN job while I do my general ed for my ASN. The same school offers LVN-RN so I would only have to do an additional year for the RN program.
Does this sound like a feasible plan? I would love to go straight into RN, but I need to be working faster, as I mentioned I have 4 kids and though I receive support from my ex husband, his income isn't always reliable. I'm thinking doing LVN first will give me an opportunity to start my medical career while I do my General ed.
Thank you for letting me know about the state mandate. That definitely changes things. I've enrolled in two different CC's. One That's a bit closer to home that only offers the adn program and one thats a little further that I would go to if I did LVN. Perhaps I should just start at the closer school in the spring at start doing my prereqs and gen Ed and see what I can handle while working my current job. The job market appeared to be good in the Livermore Dublin area for LVN but its probably not worth leaving my current job if openings are going to be declining.
Thank you all again for your comments. I have decided I am definitely going to just go straight for RN. I just don't want to be stuck not getting a job as an LVN and wasting time in a LVN program where I could have been working ft and finishing prereqs and gen Ed for an RN program of I Wont even be able to get a job. I'm going to start getting some of the prereqs out of the way in spring and then try to start integrating the general Ed in summer if possible. Making my counseling appointment ASAP!
Total waste of time. Nobody is hiring LPNs much these days, and many of your courses will not transfer to an RN program. Take the prereqs at the CC, but be sure that they will transfer to a reputable (not "mostly online") college BSN program or, at very least, the CC ADN/ASN program with a guaranteed integration to the BSN program on satisfactory completion. This will take you about 5 years, one year for prereqs, plus two years for the associate's degree (it's a dirty little secret that an associates degree in nursing takes you at least a year longer than an associate's degree in, say, English), plus another 1.5-2 years for the BSN (again in a real school, not an online one-- employers are catching on that these are often worth little more than the paper they're printed on). Better you should go direct to the BSN program-- save time, make yourself better-educated and prepared for the workplace (these are fighting words in some quarters, but that doesn't make them untrue, and anecdote is not the singular of data), and much more attractive to future employers.
Wow that is SO incredibly rude AND false! I work as an LPN in a hospital right now and it has certainly NOT been a waste of time. Yes, do LPN then RN. After one year you'll be a nurse and have something to show for your first year.
Wow that is SO incredibly rude AND false! I work as an LPN in a hospital right now and it has certainly NOT been a waste of time. Yes, do LPN then RN. After one year you'll be a nurse and have something to show for your first year.
Thank you so much for your reply. I have ultimately decided to go for ADN at my local cc inititially and possibly go back to do rn to bsn at the local university when I am able. One of my main concerns was being able to work while in school and fortunately with online courses, I likely will be able to keep my ft job and still be on the normal pace at least until I enter the actual rn program. There were some good LVN opportunities that I saw for Kaiser, St. Josephs, and pediatric offices as well as schools, but with rn being my ultimate goal if I can go to school and work ft then I may as wwll dive right in. According to the pathway starting in spring 2017, I'd be an RN by spring of 2020
Total waste of time. Nobody is hiring LPNs much these days, and many of your courses will not transfer to an RN program.
This is completely FALSE. It's true that LPN's are not sought after in the hospital setting much but they are STILL being hired, in home health, hospice, SNF, rehab facilities, corrections, and school nursing. If "nobody is hiring LPNs much these days" please provide current sources that support that statement. The bureau of labor and statistics project the job growth for LPNs to increase 16% over the next 10 years.
OP if you desire flexibility working as a LPN would offer that as you would be able to choose different shifts or work per diem. If you currently work banking hours you are most likely going to have to quit once you start nursing school as clinicals will most likely get in the way.
This is completely FALSE. It's true that LPN's are not sought after in the hospital setting much but they are STILL being hired, in home health, hospice, SNF, rehab facilities, corrections, and school nursing. If "nobody is hiring LPNs much these days" please provide current sources that support that statement. The bureau of labor and statistics project the job growth for LPNs to increase 16% over the next 10 years.
OP if you desire flexibility working as a LPN would offer that as you would be able to choose different shifts or work per diem. If you currently work banking hours you are most likely going to have to quit once you start nursing school as clinicals will most likely get in the way.
Thank you for this. I was worried about work once I enter into nursing school. I am planning to take a demotion next year so I can focus more on school doing my prereqs etc. I may contact the other college that has the LVN program just to get info on it. I'd prefer to go straight into rn, but I am concerned about finding a decent paying flexible job while in nursing school. I will look into that option... Thank you!
Thank you for this. I was worried about work once I enter into nursing school. I am planning to take a demotion next year so I can focus more on school doing my prereqs etc. I may contact the other college that has the LVN program just to get info on it. I'd prefer to go straight into rn, but I am concerned about finding a decent paying flexible job while in nursing school. I will look into that option... Thank you!
OP, keep in mind that these are LPNs who probably have much better job outlooks in their states than LVNs do in ours (LVNs are what California and Texas call their LPNs). California is, um, special with how they do staffing and as it was mentioned, if you want to work in a hospital, it's a struggle to find an open LVN position. That said, where I precepted the LVNs were especially needed. It was an acute rehabilitation facility (think stroke, amputation, car accident, etc.) where mostly PO meds were passed which is exactly what LVNs are needed for. So, if you want to do the LVN-RN route, rehabilitation and LTC may be places you want to set your sites upon graduation (there aren't many pediatric-type places like this so that's a drawback but they are experience).
I do second the opinion that you will need your BSN. CSU East Bay offers an LVN-to-BSN program which, if you want to avoid the long, drawn out traditional route, is a great option (just be very careful with the online prerequisites -- many of the accepted pre-reqs require lecture and lab hours in order to qualify, like A&P, chem, bio and microbiology; English, history, etc., though, you can totally complete online).
In terms of working while in school, I know that, for RNs in California, after the first year or so (it depends on the program -- usually it's getting through fundamentals and medical/surgical quarters/semesters), you can work in a hospital as a nursing assistant. This is a great way to find a job as an LVN in a hospital or, later on, as an RN. I know it's super difficult to let go of the job you have right now. It offers security and it's scary to think about leaving it. But, it's hard because you don't have the flexibility in hours that other jobs (i.e. retail ) have. I worked in my old retail management job until I found a nursing assistant job at the hospital I wanted to work at. It was awful having to let go of my old, very good pay for something less but the joy in doing something that I truly loved was so immense the old money and stress of the retail job would never compare. So, take heart, don't be afraid to take risks and use all your options. You have so much available for financial aid, especially having kids. Don't forget to fill out your FAFSA (state is due early March and federal is due at the end of September) and good luck!
OP, keep in mind that these are LPNs who probably have much better job outlooks in their states than LVNs do in ours (LVNs are what California and Texas call their LPNs). California is, um, special with how they do staffing and as it was mentioned, if you want to work in a hospital, it's a struggle to find an open LVN position. That said, where I precepted the LVNs were especially needed. It was an acute rehabilitation facility (think stroke, amputation, car accident, etc.) where mostly PO meds were passed which is exactly what LVNs are needed for. So, if you want to do the LVN-RN route, rehabilitation and LTC may be places you want to set your sites upon graduation (there aren't many pediatric-type places like this so that's a drawback but they are experience).
I do second the opinion that you will need your BSN. CSU East Bay offers an LVN-to-BSN program which, if you want to avoid the long, drawn out traditional route, is a great option (just be very careful with the online prerequisites -- many of the accepted pre-reqs require lecture and lab hours in order to qualify, like A&P, chem, bio and microbiology; English, history, etc., though, you can totally complete online).
In terms of working while in school, I know that, for RNs in California, after the first year or so (it depends on the program -- usually it's getting through fundamentals and medical/surgical quarters/semesters), you can work in a hospital as a nursing assistant. This is a great way to find a job as an LVN in a hospital or, later on, as an RN. I know it's super difficult to let go of the job you have right now. It offers security and it's scary to think about leaving it. But, it's hard because you don't have the flexibility in hours that other jobs (i.e. retail ) have. I worked in my old retail management job until I found a nursing assistant job at the hospital I wanted to work at. It was awful having to let go of my old, very good pay for something less but the joy in doing something that I truly loved was so immense the old money and stress of the retail job would never compare. So, take heart, don't be afraid to take risks and use all your options. You have so much available for financial aid, especially having kids. Don't forget to fill out your FAFSA (state is due early March and federal is due at the end of September) and good luck!
Thank you for your comment. If I chose to go the LVN route first, according to the school i would attend(which is a JC) it would take approximately one year to finish the LVN. I am figuring I could get a job(maybe not doing what I want but for the flexible hours) and at the same school do the LVN to RN. It would only be an additional year. I could be missing something but the misunderstanding may be that some seem to think I am choosing between LVN and RN. This isn't the case. I am just wanting to possibly complete the LVN program first so that I can have a flexible job while completing RN. There's no additional cost or time so im thinking it may be a good option. I have about a year and a half to think about this as I am completing my prereqs and GE.
Thank you for your comment. If I chose to go the LVN route first, according to the school i would attend(which is a JC) it would take approximately one year to finish the LVN. I am figuring I could get a job(maybe not doing what I want but for the flexible hours) and at the same school do the LVN to RN. It would only be an additional year. I could be missing something but the misunderstanding may be that some seem to think I am choosing between LVN and RN. This isn't the case. I am just wanting to possibly complete the LVN program first so that I can have a flexible job while completing RN. There's no additional cost or time so im thinking it may be a good option. I have about a year and a half to think about this as I am completing my prereqs and GE.
It's a great option! It takes the same amount of time, for me was less money (LPN program was discounted) and you're a nurse after one year. I'm very thankful that I took the route I did.
It's a great option! It takes the same amount of time, for me was less money (LPN program was discounted) and you're a nurse after one year. I'm very thankful that I took the route I did.
Exactly. Because I'm tgoing to school at a JC and with my family size I qualify for fee waivers and grants so I don't have to pay anything. I'd be a nurse after one year and would only need one more year to be an RN meanwhile i could work. The way I look at it, its almost like doing an RN program that allows you to be an LVN after the first year.
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) have. I worked in my old retail management job until I found a nursing assistant job at the hospital I wanted to work at. It was awful having to let go of my old, very good pay for something less but the joy in doing something that I truly loved was so immense the old money and stress of the retail job would never compare. So, take heart, don't be afraid to take risks and use all your options. You have so much available for financial aid, especially having kids. Don't forget to fill out your FAFSA (state is due early March and federal is due at the end of September) and good luck!
steshaacosta
12 Posts
Thank you for letting me know about the state mandate. That definitely changes things. I've enrolled in two different CC's. One That's a bit closer to home that only offers the adn program and one thats a little further that I would go to if I did LVN. Perhaps I should just start at the closer school in the spring at start doing my prereqs and gen Ed and see what I can handle while working my current job. The job market appeared to be good in the Livermore Dublin area for LVN but its probably not worth leaving my current job if openings are going to be declining.