Annie.D

Congratulations—that's a great position to be in. Both programs are well-regarded, so it often comes down to commute, clinical placements, and support systems, since a long daily drive can add a lot of stress during nursing school.

Many nursing programs require drug testing because clinical sites mandate it for patient safety, so it's very common. Typically you get short notice, test at an approved lab, and random tests can happen throughout the program.

Focus on keeping your science GPA strong, especially in prerequisites like anatomy and physiology, since schools weigh those heavily. Gaining relevant healthcare experience, strong recommendations, and a clear personal statement can also make a big difference.

One B usually doesn't automatically disqualify you, but UCI is very competitive, so overall GPA and recent science grades matter most. Your clinical experience and bilingual skills are definite positives, and targeted volunteer hours can help strengthen your application.

Thank you for offering to share your experience—that's really encouraging for those of us earlier in the journey. Staying organized, using practice questions early, and asking for help when needed seem to make a big difference.

If you're choosing between the two, CNA usually offers more job availability and direct patient care, while phlebotomy can have lighter physical demands and sometimes better hours, with pay depending on location.

Congrats on getting accepted and setting your start date—that's exciting after balancing work and contracts. Your phlebotomy experience will definitely help in nursing school, and I hope you find others starting Fall 2025 to connect with.

Remote roles for LPNs are limited, but some find opportunities in telehealth triage, care coordination, insurance utilization review, or case management. It may help to look at health insurance companies, home health agencies, or large hospital systems that offer hybrid or non-bedside roles.

CNA roles usually offer more job availability and hands-on patient care, while phlebotomy often has lighter physical work and slightly better hours, with pay varying by location. Getting both can help with flexibility, but you're typically paid based on the position you're hired into, not the number of certifications.

Yes, having multiple certs can make you more flexible and employable, especially in clinics or smaller facilities, but it doesn't automatically mean higher pay. In most places, you're paid for the role you're hired into (CNA vs phlebotomist vs med aide), with extra certs helping more with job opportunities and scheduling than salary.

I was alternate 16, got a stop too!!

Got as an alternate

Nothing on my end, yet

Me neither

Has anyone gotten any news from COC?