North Orange County ROP LVN Program

mylkii · Feb 20, 2006

Hi..I too will be trying to get in come March 1st. Good luck to you. I've been told there is no waiting list, you just have to pass the fundamentals of nursing class along with the exam.

Cowboys_RN, BSN · Feb 28, 2006

I was considering getting my LVN through there then going on to a CC to save time on the waiting list. I took their math/English exam then received a letter saying I was accepted. They explained that 150 students would take the fundamentals class for 6-8 weeks then the top 75 from that class would go on to start the one year program. I decided to just stick with the RN program since it was only going to save me 6 months.

ktc445 · May 11, 2006

I am trying to get into the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program LVN program. I was just wondering if there is anyone here that went there. If so, how long did it take you to get in? I am scared that I am not going to get in. Thanks.

I will be graduating the NOCROP program this July! It's a great school with excellent teachers! I already had my pre-reqs completed for RN, wasn't into the wait list, got into ROP and going to be starting my LVN-BSN in the fall. I made the best choice going to NOCROP. Best of all 24 units are going to be transferred towards my BSN. They take 60 students into thier program and 10 alternates, if you get in good luck and have a great year :)

WorkofHeart8 · May 12, 2006

The original post was made in 2004...

tinyscrafts · May 12, 2006

It still applies to me :)

If anyone has recent info i'd love to have it

I am paranoid about not getting enough points to get in, they gave a somewhat vague range of 65-75pts at the info nite. doing CNA only for the 10 pts sounds like a waste of time

maleRN2b_one · May 12, 2006

I will be graduating the NOCROP program this July! It's a great school with excellent teachers! I already had my pre-reqs completed for RN, wasn't into the wait list, got into ROP and going to be starting my LVN-BSN in the fall. I made the best choice going to NOCROP. Best of all 24 units are going to be transferred towards my BSN. They take 60 students into thier program and 10 alternates, if you get in good luck and have a great year :)

Hi ktc445,

I read your post. Well, I got accepted and will be starting the 13-month program in 2 weeks on May 30, 2006.

What is your take on working part-time on weekends while going through the program.

I know the program is only M-F but you're off by 3:30 pm. I was thinking I could study weekday nites, and work all day Sat/Sun.

How demanding is the program?

Also do you have any tips or do's and don'ts while going thru the program?

Lastly, you said you'll be in the LVN-BSN program. Which school is this?

Thanks for your insights. I appreciate it.

Regards,

maleRn_one (soon :) )

tinyscrafts · May 12, 2006

How many pts did you have male??

maleRN2b_one · May 15, 2006

How many pts did you have male??

They didn't really show me the final number of points I got. But, based on my own tally, I think I have about 80 points, somewhere around there.

maleRN2b_one · May 15, 2006

It still applies to me :)
If anyone has recent info i'd love to have it
I am paranoid about not getting enough points to get in, they gave a somewhat vague range of 65-75pts at the info nite. doing CNA only for the 10 pts sounds like a waste of time

Don't think that the CNA is a waste of time. Even though it's only worth 10 points, it would help you gain insight into what nursing is all about right off the bat, instead of finding out that you didn't really like to be a nurse at all after going through all the hoops to get into the program or middle of the program. It will have saved you time and misery later on.

Also, if you happen to be one of those people who didn't take CNA, and then drop out in the middle of the program after realizing nursing is not for them, then you would have wasted the resources on yourself when someone else could have taken your place in the beginning, and finished the program.

For me, I think, they should give more points for getting your CNA, and having a paid CNA experience before applying. This would encourage people to take nursing more seriously, and deter anyone who are unsure of themselves from taking the opportunity away from the more deserving students.

Anyway, my advice to you is to get your CNA first. If, after taking it, and still like to be a nurse, then by all means, spend the time & energy into racking up points to get into the program. Get CNA paid work experience, and get an A on your Fundamentals I class. Then apply. If you don't get in the first time, take Home Health aide class, other college science courses, like A&P I/II, Microbiology. These would help you get more points when you apply the second time. Then, apply the second time. For the interview, prepare for it like you are applying for a real job. Dress professionally in order to impress the interviewers. Try not to show that you're nervous. Try to project confidence, etc. etc. Come prepared for whatever documents that you have not already provided them with. That way they got absolutely everything they need to make a decision.

Sounds like a lot of work to you? Well, kind of. Anything worth doing in life won't come in a silver platter. It needs effort. Besides, all that work is nothing compared to the stress, and problems you will encounter once you start working as a nurse. Nurses are really problem-solvers while on the floor as you juggle assessments, care plans, procedures, doctor's orders, family members, and all the other tasks you have to do during your shift, not to mention co-worker disputes, and other office politics.

Anyway, good luck to you!!!

wantstobeanurse · May 18, 2006

hi guys...i also have questions re: above topic..

1) Is it hard to qualify? I have another BS degree, but I want a career change, never been happy with the jobs ive had, a degree in the medical/healthcare field is my passion...couldnt take it before becoz' i couldnt afford it, this could probably be my chance...

2) I am thinking of taking either the Medical Assisting course or CNA prior to applying for the LVN program, which do you think is better? I plan to work part time to help my husband with all the bills after MA or CNA, which course will earn more points for the LVN program?

Thank you guys, your replies will be greatly appreciated....

maleRN2b_one · May 18, 2006

hi guys...i also have questions re: above topic..
1) Is it hard to qualify? I have another BS degree, but I want a career change, never been happy with the jobs ive had, a degree in the medical/healthcare field is my passion...couldnt take it before becoz' i couldnt afford it, this could probably be my chance...
2) I am thinking of taking either the Medical Assisting course or CNA prior to applying for the LVN program, which do you think is better? I plan to work part time to help my husband with all the bills after MA or CNA, which course will earn more points for the LVN program?
Thank you guys, your replies will be greatly appreciated....

Hi,

Please read message #10 in this thread. I offered some suggestions there on how you could increase your chances on getting accepted.

To answer your question more specifically, it is better to take a CNA course. It will give you a better insight as to what nurses have to deal with on a daily basis. Besides, when CNAs are busy or are not readily available, LVNs and RNs help out with CNA duties, and answer patient's call light, so you should be able to step in whenever necessary. Also, as an LVN or RN, you will be supervising them in the hospital setting, and what a better way to understand their plight than being a CNA yourself at some point. Also, ROP gives you points for CNA, and more if you have actually worked with pay as a CNA. They may give you points for MA but it is definitely not as high as you would get for CNA.

MAs work in a doctor's clinic primarily, and they assist the doctors or nurse practitioners. The focus is different. They mainly do vital signs, measure height, weight, and draw blood if you are also certified as a phlebotomist. If you are also certified to take x-rays, you can perform x-rays as well. But those are additional training on top of your medical assistant training. However, you won't be actually taking care of unstable sickly people the way nurses do. You are considered an auxiliary to a doctor to help him in his diagnosis. You basically do the preliminary routine checks like height, weight, vital signs, filing, greeting patients, and showing them to their rooms, stocking up supplies in the room, and answering phones. Also if you were trained in medical billing and coding, you would do that and spend a lot of time reading doctors notes, and on the computer.

But if you really want to be an LVN or RN someday, starting out as a CNA would be better for you in the long run.

You said you have a BS degree already, ROP actually gives you points for that as well.

There are actually a lot of people who apply as well, and they may also possess BS degrees, some even have MS degrees. However, if you have a good GPA, that's another plus. You actually get certain points depending on your GPA. Obviously, having a GPA between 3.5 - 4.0 gives you more points than a "C" or 3.0 GPA.

Hope that helps!