private nursing schools in california

craziechiq, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2008

I looked into maric and concorde, because I didn't want to wait but if you can shell out $30,000-40,000 then you're kind of stuck. Compare that to a community college which is like $3000 or so. I live in San Diego and that was my dilemma. It may be different where you live.

carol72 · Mar 15, 2008

Have you considered the California "Occupational Centers". I believe they have LVN programs, I am not sure about RN, though. My friend attended the West Valley Occupational Center with much success. I wish I had more info to help. Best wishes.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2008

If you're willing to relocate to Central CA, there's a private RN program at San Joaquin Valley College. This is a for-profit trade school.

SDRN2BN09 · Mar 27, 2008

Hi, I don't know what part of CA you're in but I'm in San Diego and attend Maric College. Im in the RN program and am very happy with it. All the community colleges around here have the same 2yr+ wait list. Maric is expensive but it's an option if you want to get into the field in about 2 years.

Good luck!

MTRN13 · Mar 27, 2008

I go to West Coast University. You have to have your LVN first. Once you do then you can go here and get your RN. The good news is American Career College downstairs and you can get your LVN there. I was in the same situation you were and went and got my LVN and now I'm working on my RN.I know the waiting lists are awful. Have you tried a community college with a lottery like Pasadena Community College or Glendale Community College. Good luck. Also Azusa Pacific and Mount St. Mary's might except you with your pre-reqs.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 29, 2008

Good luck in your search.

jgeorges · Apr 8, 2008

I too am finishing pre-reqs for the community RN program in Northern CA., and ours is a lottery/waitlist. I have looked into options for awhile and some advice for people who don't want to wait:

A private school of your choice is expensive $38k(+-),compared to the $3-4k you pay at community, however, considering RN's make good money, you can get a government school loan that is low interest and some deals you start to pay after you have worked your job for 12 months.

So yes you'll have a loan payment, but you'll be working and NOT waiting to the point of needing to change your career for financial purposes. So if you make $30-40k to start, and have to pay a $400./month loan back, you will probably not miss the $400. a month if you're making a good wage compared to what you are making now, which for some, is nothing!

I had a school loan once for $10k under a govt. loan program, in which I paid back $100. per month on $10k. So if you are looking at $38k+, you do the math. I paid off the remaining loan (approx $8k) with my tax return after buying my first home.

It's an option worth looking into. Be carefull to find colleges that are accredited and ask the local hospitals HR personnel if they hire from those colleges. It is very very important that we all investigate schools, loans, and hospitals as if your life depended on it. Because for moms like me, it does. :nurse:

noneil680 · Apr 29, 2008

Hi, I don't know what part of CA you're in but I'm in San Diego and attend Maric College. Im in the RN program and am very happy with it. All the community colleges around here have the same 2yr+ wait list. Maric is expensive but it's an option if you want to get into the field in about 2 years.
Good luck!

Hey there! Please correct me if I am wrong, but I was told that Maric college doesn't offer credit for your nursing courses....so if you plan to go back to get your bachelors degree, you wont be able to since those classes at Maric cant transfer and are not credits?? I know I want my bachelors degree, so Maric is not an option if what I was told is true

ooothatgiirl · Apr 30, 2008

i actually just finished the lvn program at Concorde College (currently studying for NCLEX... wish me luck!)..:nuke:

and i really loved it.. the teachers are 110% there for you and really offer more than additional assistance if needed.. there are wonderful clinical instructors there that i've learned so much from and are also active working nurses at the best hospitals here in OC.. it IS expensive, but i also finished my prereq's and felt like i was just wasting time being on a waiting list.. in no way do i regret going to a private vocational school! hope that helps.:redbeathe

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · May 4, 2008

If you live near Los Angeles, you can apply to Mount St.Mary's College. Well respected; grads get jobs just by dropping their name. Male/females accepted, although the rest of the campus is women only.

They wait list is (I think) 1 semester. There are 2 campuses, Chalon which is for the BSN students and Doheny for the ASN students.

I went to the Chalon campus. I took my prerequit at a community college, then transferred in just for the nursing courses. I bit expensive, but I graduated with a 4 year degree BEFORE my name finally came up at the community college to START the associate degree!!!

foxybrown78 · Nov 10, 2008

Have you considered the California "Occupational Centers". I believe they have LVN programs, I am not sure about RN, though. My friend attended the West Valley Occupational Center with much success. I wish I had more info to help. Best wishes.

I know this post if old, but can you tell me if it was difficult for your friend to get into the program here? I am looking to apply in Jan 09 for a September 09 start date.