cabion_666

So I finished with my ADN back in May and went right after to mean with an ARMY recruiter and he blew me away. I went to an ARMY recruitement office and our 2 minute conversation ended when i told him that I only had an ADN and no RN experince, I was new grad! So, I took a job at an ER and started an online BSN at University of Texas- Arlington. Now, can someone explaint to me the process of applying to the an armed force RN position? Your help will be truly appreciated!! Have a great day.

Let me say this look into programs that offer LVN-BSN. Loma Linda is one of them. I am a Count Grad and from what I heard not that many of the LVNs fel they were prepared for the county program. Many said their lvn educations was poor and their clinical did not prepared them for clinicals at county. Most of the lvns worked as LVNs and still many dropped and some took the semester off. You won't get the clinical experience anywhere else so if you are up for the challenge choose county. Yes, LVN-RN is just one year in any community college. If you are planning on going for your RN DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY GOING INTO LVN-->ADN-->BSN. Just go for your BSN and don't spend $120,000+ for a BSN plzzzz. I got my ADN for less $10,000 and getting my BSN for less then $9000! Best wishes and if I can help in any way please feel free to email at [email protected]

I bought most, if not all, of my books through amazon. I bought their prime membership which includes free 2 day delivery. I know the school recommends the USC bookstore but their prices are a bit higher than amazon's.

For those who received acceptance letters and accepted the invitation you have made the best decision. I know it's only an ADN program but by the time you gradute you will be better prepared clinically than those from BSN programs. Taking care of 4-5 patients is a requirement for 4th semester students, if you have to go to HARBOR/UCLA you take care of two step-down patients. I remember back in first semester when a new hired RN was surprised we were allowed to call the doctor! Aftet first semester we are allowed and expected to collaborate with other desciplines to achieve expected outcomes. So dont be surprised if your clinical instructor asks you if you have called the doctor, dietitian, chaplan, PT, OT, etc... The only things we are not allowed to do as students by 4th semester is administering Blood/Blood products, have own code for Pyxis (medication dispenser), or hmmmm I think that's it :) You will be performing as an RN by the time 4th semester. Oh another thing, as a county student you have access to patient data RNs get and you get to do "real" charting, not paper-play charting. Some nurses will depend on your charting so be prepare to get your charting down by second semester. RNs will be surprised by the amount of independence you get as a county student! If you live in the San Fernando Valley you will probably be doing clinicals at Olive View/UCLA for the entire program, those around LAC/USC will be there for the entire program too, and for those away from these two hospitals will be at HARBOR/UCLA for 3rd and 4th. Another unique clinical experience that you get at LAC college is an Ambulatory care rotation which happens at county clinics, very fast pace and tremendous amount of patient flow. Now, when it comes to theory I am pretty sure this school compares to all other schools. But be ready to Kiss good buy to your 3.5+ GPA and say hellowwwww to 2.0 lol (from the 50some students that graduated this semester 6 had GPAs >3.0 and only two >3.5, no one over 3.7. But always remember C=RN and that you are there to become a nurse so if it takes you 7 semester and graduate with a GPA 2.0 what matter is your license after all. Once again congrats to you all future RNs! Its going to take time to get used to the different study habits but just remain flexible if your current study style does not work. Dont give up, push forward and trust me the NCLEX will be a breezeeeee I took it today and finished in less than a 1hr with 75 questions!!! Please feel free to email me at any time: [email protected], if you have any questions regarding the program, having trouble in clinical or whatever it is you are curious about. I had many questions before and through out the program and I wish i had a person to ask. Dont hesitate to contact me.

I would wait on the pharm book bc there are some errors that were found in it.

I was in the same boat as many of you just about 6 months ago, wondering if I was going to get into or not, but I did! I am in my first semester at County and I really like everything about it. Nursing school is not like taking a college course because you have the stress of tests and preparing for clinical every single week. Nursing care plans take me about 4 hours to complete and about an hour to get my patients data from the hospital. The very first one took me about 7 hours but now has drown to 4 :). One thing I had to relearn was studying the ton of information that is thrown at you during the first few weeks. It was really stressful for me at first but than I relearned how to study, flashcards were not longer helpful bc I spent to much time writing them. I am in a study group that really helped me get a better understanding of the material. I am not getting As like I did on all my pre-reqs and GEs but I am so happy with my B. Clinical is fun but also stressful because you are now solely responsible for your own actions. The school or the instructor will not protect from your mistakes, that's why you buy your own liability insurance. If you prepare good enough the night before clinical you should be okay. So far I have not hurt or killed any of my patients, and I can quit stupid at times. The clinical instructors are there to prevent you from doing something harmful so ask them if you are in doubt, they can be intimidating but helpful. Staff nurses are also a good resource for answers but some not so much. Something I would recommend is to buy all of your books as soon as you get the book list during orientation week, that way you can shop around for used books. Don't buy them at the USC bookstore because their prices are much higher. You all will also learn to appreciate sleep. First semester starts from at 0700 to 1200, starting the first week of school. So sleep as much as you can now because you won't during nursing school. I wish all of you who get in the best of luck during your first semester at Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allie Health! If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask I will try my best to answer your questions and if I can't I will find the answer for you :)

oyewolej, 90 points is a definite acceptance into county, I got in with 89 last semester. The deferment plan allows you pay $700 of the $2400 each semester and at the end of school you either get hired by l.a. county or pay back the $2400x4=$9600. If you end up working for county than you won't have to pay back anything but you will have to work for county for 2 years. The deferment plan is just that, it's not a employment contract The only people who do have an employment contract with county is the WorkForce students(it's a program for county employees interested in nursing) Good Luck oyewolej

Hello Fcat, When I decided to be a Nurse, two years ago, I had no idea where to begin or who to ask. I learned a lot through these two years, specially to find the good nursing schools from the bad ones (some people say it doesn't matter which school you go to that at the end you will be a nurse, but why not go to a good nursing school). So I started looking though this link for schools around my area: http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/rnprograms.shtml. Here you will find the all nursing school in California. Each school listed, also, includes their address and website, look at the ones near your area. Than I went into this other link to see their NCLEX passin rates: http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/passrates.shtml. I applied to the schools with passing rates higher than 95% and fortunately i got into LA County. Once you find the schools that are of your liked, go to their website and look into their pre-requisite list and application deadlines. Good Luck Fcat and WELCOME to Los Angeles!

I took their entrance exam back in 2008 and it was enterily multiple choice.

Hello 123Mom, That"s a HUGE increase!!!! all i would say to you is that you would pay much les for an associates in nursing at a community college compard for an LVN course. I am starting nursing school at Los Angeles College College of Nursing andfor the two years of school I am going to pay around $8000, and about $1000 in textbooks. It just makes sence to go for the ADN, take could get you closer to a BSN and a stable joyful career that would bring stability to your life. Think about 123 mom, I am telling you this becuase I once emailed a Nurse from the UCSF and she responded " spend your energy and money in a ADN instead of an LVN degree" and it just made sense to me and for one part i am glad that the lvn class i was in, 2008-2009 was canceld, because i returned to community college, completed all my prereq's with a 4.0, and now I am going to my number nursing school pick. LA County College of Nursing. Best of luck though

snookie, I am also doing clinicals at olive view. the thing is that i will not be in the states till august. i already spoke to mrs. caballero and she said i should be fine. can you please let me what happens at the pre orientation. good luck. I am really excited for all those you got and for those who did not just keep on working hard and earn those extra points, points, points.

Letters are going out now. Best of luck to all of you FUTURE NURSES!!!!! I got in with 89 points, I will tell you tomorrow what the cut off is!

There's no lottery system here :) it's based on a merit system. So score high on your assessment test and interview and you should be fine... In 2008 it was a full time program, from 8-3 mon-thurs and 8-12 Friday. But I think they have changed to am 18 program so you might get shorter day I don't really so just call. You might along some rude and some people at this school. This program is run through LAUSD system so expect delays and all that bureaucracy stuff.

North Valley Occupational Center in Mission Hills is one of the best in the Valley and the cheapest too! It's about $4000, but only 15 students are accepted out of here's the link to all california vn programs passing rates, don't pay to much money for a degree that won't get you a job. I am telling you this because a friend of mine who did finish this program hasnt found a job as an LVN. http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/vn_pass_rates_2007_2011.pdf I believe registration starts this month. Their admission test is similar to the high school exit exam. The exam has math, english comprehension and grammar. In the math and english you have to place at the 9 grade level, i think it went up since 2008 (call and ask). If you score at or above this level you will be scheduled for an interview. In the interview they will ask you how youll pay for the program, are you planning to work during the program, have you taken any nursing pre-requites(not necessary) and other two or three questions i can't remember. Give it try, it's well worth. The instructor is well experienced and clinicals are done at UCLA/Ronald Reagan Hospital. in 2008 the program was only 11months long i believe they changed to the 18month (call and make sure). Once you are in the program, there will be 15 regular students that are accepted and 5 alternates. since the program started, many years ago, all alternates have gotten in because regular and alternates students drop within the first couple of weeks. The program is really well structured with weekly pharmacology exams, subject area tests, and teachers test. It's well worth the try, give them a call or visit them,. the school is right across from Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills.

Oh thanks for the information! I was told that "acceptance letters are not ready to go out." Who knows maybe by next week some of us will know! Good Luck FUTURE NURSES :)

Congratulations girl, Yes, I called today, Friday 27, and they said they were still reviewing applications and decisions should be made "within the next couple of weeks!" Best of LUCK to you in Nursing School and hope you have a lot of FUN!

:ancong!: scheelley!!!!!!! Did you get in on your first attempt? This was my first time applying to Pierce, but I will accept to be on their waitlist for Spring too! Have fun and best of LUCK in Nursing School!

Hello Everyone, I am 100 on the waitlist!!!!!!!!!! How many semesters did most of you have to wait to get into this program???? Still waiting for LA County! Good Luck Future Nurses!

Good to hear you will be doing something that will get you closer to getting your RN! I will talk to ---- tomorrow and see what happened to my decision email. I am so anxious. I am also still waiting for LA County, but they are taking their sweet time Good Luck with VN school, which are you going to?

Ah, sorry to hear that clenggg, I didn't get anything yet. I wonder if they got my wrong email :) Good luck to everyone else!

Hello Future Nurses, I called county and the woman that answered said letters will be sent out by the second week of June, lol! than a friend of mine called later that same day and some different lady said they were send out the letters by the end of May. Who to believe, I DON'T KNOW! It's a public school, directly under the la county so I am not surprise everyone its on a different page! But I am not giving my hopes up!!! Hope to see you all in nursing school. Good Luck future Nurses!!!!

Hello Future Nurses, I called Pierce on Friday, and I was told letters will be going out this week, May 23!!!!!!! Good Luck to you all and best of luck in nursing school (I wonder why they only have a female nurses for smilies? not fair!!!!

I am still waiting too for LAC and Pierce! I called LAC about three weeks ago and they said we had to wait till the last week of May. Registration starts the Second week of June, I know this because I am going out of the country on June 8 and I asked them if I would miss any important dates, if I get in, and they said that! Does any body know if they just based their admission decisions on points. I have 89 and I am still freaking out. I, also asked them about the Humanities class requirement and I got credit for taking French 101 at CSUN, I thought that wouldn't count but it did. So luckily I got three extra points!!! Another concern I read about is their accreditation, all I know is that NLN accreditation is not that important, some schools, such as UCLA, UCSF, Mt. Saint Mary's, etc, don't have it either, so that means LAC graduates should have to trouble getting into BSN programs. Here's the link to NLN accredited schools: http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/directorySearch.asp Good Luck to all you FUTURE NURSES!

Our class only made it to the 6th week. In these 6 weeks, from what i heard from CNAs in our class, is that it is pretty much a review from the CNA class, but that is only for the nursing skills. If you get in. we are required to have a Pharmacology test, a LAUSD safety test, and Subject Area Test on Safety=SAT are test that test you on a certain area, the first week will be all about patient safety so on friday of the first week of skill we had a 50 question SAT on safety. on SATs you can not get anything lower than a 75% because anything lower than a 75% is fail, their grading scale is different. so if you get anyting lower than a 75% you get placed on probation for 4 weeks, if you fail another SAT during your probation period you are out!!! but don't worry if you study you will do good. During the orientation, which is about two weeks before class starts we get homework that is do on the first day of school!!! And we get a Pharmacology test on 5 medications, you'll need to remember the brand name, generic name, function, action=how it works in your body, classification, route/dosage, side effects, and nursing considerations!! sounds scary but almost everyone did good onthe pharmacology tests!!! Mrs. Govier is the LVN teacher at north valley so she will test us every week on anatomy and physiology, unfortuantely not many people pass this tests, but as long as you do goog on your SATs you are still in the class, but of course you also need to at least to get a 75% on other stuff, such quizzes, teacher test, pharm test..oh a fail on a teacher test won't get you out of the program... ok Ok on more thing i tested on march 2 2008 so if you are taking algebra for the spring that means you won't be done w/ the algebra class before your test. what i heard many students do is that they bought a GED book and study from there, that's just a recomenation. oh and about the 15 lucky students, well the things is that over 300 people apply, they ttake the asssesment test, you'll need and 8 on english and 9 on math. but anything lower than a 12 won't get you in becuase mostly everyone in my class got higher than 12 on both. ok so if you do get an 8 and a 9 you get a interview with the LAUSD lvn coordinator and the north valley vice principal of operations. during the interview you are hammered hahahha, just kdding they ask you why you want to be an LVN, do you work, where do live, how are you going to pay for the program, do you have any experience in the nursing field. do have any college classes related to health( i had none and i got in), and for every question they'll pretty much ask you another question from your answer, don't get nervous just look at them at the eyes, are will be sitting in closed door room about 1 feet away from you!!!! if you make it to the class you'll get a fat letter about june if you get it earlier than that mad news and in the letter they'll tell you if you made it as an regular student or an ALTERNATE, i was an alternate, let me tell you about alternates, 15 are regular and about, well during the test they said only 15 regular and 5 alternates, but in my class they were 15 regular and 9 alternates. but listen some alternates won't show up to the orientation and in my orientation 2 regular students didn't show up either, so they are OUT!! that let us with 13 regular and 7 alternates. ok alternates are given opportunity to stay for 6 weeks and wait for a spot in the class, your class. if there are less than 15 regular students in your class the alternate with the higest grade, best attendance, and personality will get the privilged to stay in the class, the others will be ask , if there is space, if they want to go to another school (such as crensaw, west valley, marshal arts, and other more). but every year every alternate gets in because people drop out of the program becuase they find it heard, the majority is because they work, so if you want to give it your all you'll have to quit your job...some CNAs in my class worked weekends and they had a hard time dealing with the homework...so make your arrangements now so will be succesful in this great program. Mrs. Govier is one of the best teachers in this program, alll her students pass every year the NCLEX-LVN...so sje is one of the best!!! Ok sorry for writing to much, but last year i was so nervous about this program and knew nothing about it. so i hope you find my words a bit hopeful and good luck!!!

Hello there, I started the Lvn class at north velley occupational center, which is the same one at east l.a. becuase both belong to the LAUSD. So before you can get accepted into the program you must pass an english and math assessment test. an 8 in english and 9 in math. but anything lower than 11.5 won't get you in because everyone in my classs got 11.6 or higher. Once you passed the assessment tests there is an interview!! You will be ask "why do you want to be an lvn?" "do you work" and so for!!! Once you get in the class. the work is pretty easy...there test, quizzes, and lots of homework. I quit my job because of all the work!!! so did the majority of my classmates!!! there are Subject Area Test, if you fail one you get place on probation, 4 weeks, and if you fail a second one you are out,,and there will be a if not more Subject Area Tests just in those four weeks. Attendance is very important!! The Subject Area Test are easy to complex, such as safety to anatomy and physiolgo to pharmacology. you will find your self studying for the SAT right after one another!!! I was in the 2008-2009 class but our teacher quit and the class was cancel. some students were send off to other schools but i was given the choice to attend the 2009-2100 classs!!! you can email me if you have any questions!