mk21

Where are you applying?] Mt. Saint Mary's College - ADN Generic Option What is your GPA and/or points for your school of choice? ]As of currently I do not have an applicable GPA. I'm starting my pre-reqs to get in during winter quarter. I'm taking a huge risk, but it does not hurt to try. When is your schools deadline?] March 1 When does the acceptance letters go out? ]Sometime in June. What is your plan A, B, C...?]A = Get into MSMC. B = Either finish more Pre-reqs and apply again, or try to get into a local LVN program so I can bridge later on. C = Just gotta keep trying A and B, every program in CA is impacted so I need to keep trying.

Hi there. I used to live in Santa Maria, Lompoc, and most of the Central Coast. Lompoc is a SMALL town surrounded by beautiful hills, right next to Vandenberg Air Force Base. Being a small town, traffic is pretty much non existant. Although it's pretty small, there is pretty much everything you need to get by (Wal-Mart, Vons, delicious restaurants, etc). I would say it's very safe, especially since so many Air Force men and women reside there. Everyone is so friendly in Lompoc, and I cant say I've seen much vandalism (but Im sure it exists, as it does everywhere). =) The weather is great, not too hot, not too cold, not very rainy, plenty of sunshine but some hazy mornings too. During the winter/late fall it can get pretty chilly at night though. The town is close to Santa Maria (20 mins driving through beautiful rolling hills) where you can find amazing BBQ on the weekends, more selection of groceries and a slightly larger city. They have a mall there, but it's not your traditional mall....much more.....country? hehe. If you want a better selection for shopping there are adorable boutiques in San Luis Obispo (located maybe 45-1 hour away), or Santa Barbara located about 45-1 hr south. You can visit Pismo and/or Shell Beach about 30 mins away for some awesome restaurants, and scenery. As a young person, living there can be dull. Nightlife, is pretty much non existant. But I will definitely return there to settle down one day soon (especially since my parents still live in Santa Maria haha). I really realized how lucky I was to grow up there after I left and experienced the rest of the states (NYC, LA, etc.). Please let me know if you have any questions or need any suggestions. Always happy to boast about the central coast (hehe)

Has anyone ever attended the LVN program at (or visited) Angeles College of Nursing in L.A. (on Wilshire)? I have looked up their pass rates for the LVN program which is great, but I think they have only been around for one year which makes me worry a little. I searched the forum for some information, but nothing seems to be posted. Any information would help. Thanks in advance!

I visited the Orange County Campus for West Coast University today to inquire about the Generic BSN program. Pros: -no waiting list: first come (and complete the admissions process), first serve -nice labs, facilities etc. -no pre-requisites. All you need is a HS diploma or GED/equivalent, take the entrance exam, and be able to successfully finance your education. The pre reqs are built into the program (first nine months), OR you can transfer over credits to reduce costs, and start later. -you get your bachelors -partnerships (clinicals) with CHOC, St. Jude's, etc. -at the end of the curriculum you end up with a certificate in nurse management, and Public Health certificate + membership with Sigma Theta Tau (I'm not so sure how valuable these are..but I figure they don't hurt you to list the on your resume.) -39 months to get your bachelors from start to finish. Cons: -Brace yourself.... it costs $116,000.00 -You get your bachelors....BUT it doesn't transfer anywhere other than University of Phoenix. -I felt that the Admissions representative did not really have any interest in my educational goals or concerns with the school. For example: amidst my response to the generic "why do you want to be a nurse" she cut me off within my first sentence with "oh yeah, mmhmm .. how nice" and proceeded to ask whether I would be able to find proper arrangements for my children whilst in the program. Now, I understand that is a concern for some pre-nursing candidates....but I don't have kids, I don't look like I am remotely pregnant, nor did I mention anything about kids. This isn't completely bad, but it gave me a bad impression of the school. -I talked to a disgruntled student outside. She was unhappy with the curriculum (that she was in), and instruction. Should one student be a red flag? I'm not sure. Anyhow, this is just an informational post on my experience visiting the campus. I've read about many people having a great experience there, this is just my opinion/knowledge.

Out of curiosity, which pre-reqs are you referring to? The courses I will be taking in preparation to become an LVN at the trade school, or the courses (anatomy, physiology, etc.) inbedded into the LVN program that mimic the pre-reqs I would need to take at a JC? Am I still allowed to apply as a LVN-BSN student if this is the case, even after I complete my normal pre-reqs at a JC? Or am I back at square one, only allowed to apply as a generic entry RN student? Thanks again!

Much like every pre-nursing student on here, I am debating whether I should finish my pre-reqs at a cc and hop on the wait list wagon, or whether I should get into a lvn program through a trade school (Unitek, Maric, etc). If I do go to a trade school, my plan is this: 1) LVN program at trade school (because it is cheaper than RN and I want to become an RN through a college or university) = 1 year. 2) Work as an LVN get my feet wet in the nursing field, make some money, start taking pre-reqs: Anatomy, Physiology, Microbio, etc. = 1 year 3) Apply to either LVN-ADN or LVN-BSN programs (i.e. Azusa Pacific University, or community college). 4) Become an RN and work for a year - get BSN-MSN (i.e. UCLA etc) My question is, do LVN-BSN programs at universities like Azusa Pacific University, etc. only allow LVNs who took programs through cc and WASC schools, or do they allow LVNs who took programs through trade schools (i.e. Maric, Unitek) into the program? Same question for cc LVN-ADN programs... Just trying to make a well-researched decision before I enter a trade school program. The wait lists in socal are astronomical, and for the non wait list/non lottery programs, it's still a gamble. I want to keep being a progressive person, and not get discouraged by the waiting time. I cant work retail forever, and I want to be educated, and actively working towards a greater goal. I appreciate any help anyone can give me. I've emailed all the schools like APU and some cc's to see if they will accept students from trade schools whom are licensed LVNs. I'll share any info they send back to me as well. Thank you so much!