TooHotinAZ

Hi, I started CTD's LPN program last Jan of 2010. I entered in as an advanced placement student because I had A&P already. Anyhow, it is our understanding that you do not have to work one year as an LPN in order to get fast tracked into Pima's RN program. However, you do of course have to have your prereqs, i.e. math and English and others. FYI. I will not be on this site very frequently due to the intensity of the program. I don't work and would suggest that anyone in such a program work no more than 2, maybe, 3 days a week max. We are given an exam each and every Monday. By the way, the program is very doable, however, it is necessary to allocate at least 1-2 hours/day to study. Lots of tricky questions pop up on our tests. You know the type? The ones that ask you to choose the correct answer, yet two of the four chooses given are extremely close. It not about sheer memorization in nursing school. It's more about critical thinking. Alright! Enough from me.

Hi Angela, For me, the hardest thing about getting into nursing school, besides taking exams and writing papers, has simply been waiting to get into an actual program. I have been on wait lists both in California, where I did my prereqs, and on lists here in Arizona were I now reside. By the way, everyone is different but for me chemistry and mircobiology were harder than A&P. Anatomy is sheer memorization. Physiology can be pretty hard, but interesting depending on how it's taught. Try not to take more than one summer class at a time, especially the 200 level courses. I did one 5 unit microbiology course in the summer and that was plenty! My advice is to either ask around or look on "rate my professor" to find the easiest/best instructors. On a personal note, I had been on ADN program wait lists since 07! So, instead of more waiting, probably 2011, I decided to go to a LPN program here in Tucson. I in my 40s so time is of the essence. Thankfully, I start in a few months. I was given so-called advanced placement for having A&P and such. Anyhow, I will fast track into the ADN program at Pima College afterwards. And yes, a lot of people, for whatever reasons, are flooding the college wait-lists to get in to nursing. But for those looking to get into the field for money reasons alone they will likely find themselves burnt out after working as a nurse within a few years, or less! Although $30/hr seems great, those motivated solely by money may likely feel the pay to stress ratio isn't their cup of tea, so to speak. Think about it. High tech computer jobs can pay way more than $30/hr and machine don't yell, or threaten to sue you!

First off, pardon me for not knowing how to start a new topic thread as I'm new on this site. By the way, I'm an RT that will be starting nursing school in soon. Finally! I have an comment/concern regarding being sued. It's odd but within a one week period I it was mentioned to me, from both a FNP and a RN, that in nursing "someone" will always be after you license. As an RT I have never had any real issues pop up. Sure, I have run into the unhappy family member on occasion, however, nothing serious as every occurred. Although I have been away from the field for about 6 years, I know that respiratory therapist do not have a strong lobby. Moreover, even our licensing board seems to work against it's self at times. On the other hand, it has been my take that nurses have a comparatively stronger lobby and are backed by administration better than RTs. Yes, no? May I get some opinions on how you feel hospital hierarchy does or does not back you legally and ethically when accusations start flying? I ask, in part, because I'm hearing that patients, not nurses, have all the rights these days. Maybe nursing isn't such a secure field after all?

Hmm? Besides a pre-entry drug screen, I know that many nursing programs require a fingerprint clearance before you can start. If you did a fingerprint, or background check and it can back cleared for nursing school wouldn't the FBI check be OK as well? Then again, a fingerprint search may only go statewide whereas an FBI check is national. I suppose I didn't help you here, but you raised a good question for some.

Hi CardiacRn, Yes you can fast track reasonably quickly, but bare in mind that many CTD grads do have all of the degree requirements to go right into the program. For example, intermediate algebra, child growth and development, drug calculations, pharmacology, and both writing I & II. Unfortunately, such classes are what keep some new LPN grads from every becoming RNs. As far as a quoted start date they were vague, however, it's my understanding that one can make it in within 12 months. On the other hand, if one wants to go straight in their ADN program, bypassing the LPN fast track, I know that the staff says they are full through 2012! Wow, huh? Regards

I'm not actually replying directly to your question, however, I have a few comments. If ROP is still offering an LVN program you might want to consider that. You do need your CNA first. Last word was that Golden Care Academy's CNA program in San Diego was on hold for some reason. Oh, they only charged about $400 for the course! Anyhow, I could "maybe" see paying $25-$30K on a private ADN program, but not for a plain LVN. In any case, you will have to knock out several courses including A&P, micro, English, and a moderate degree of math in order to get into a fully accredited ADN program. I'm sure one could always "buy" a degree at say Kaplan over in Kearny Mesa to add to your LVN. Then again, you'll be making loan payments for 10 years! My understanding is that once you have you LVN/LPN license the fast track LVN to RN program wait isn't super long. At least nothing like it is to get into a community college's standard ADN program. City College and Grossmont have ridiculous wait-lists for their programs. After 2 years I was number 445 on the list at City and didn't even hear from GM College. Hence I applied and got accepted elsewhere! Still, there are a few more school options in SD that have recently popped up. For example, look at Mira Costa. Just obtain you LVN, affordable, and worry about the RN later. It's nuts that private schools charge about $50K for a non-transferable ADN and that community colleges continue to have 2, 3, or even 4 year wait lists! This is especially nuts considering that nursing jobs, particularly for new graduates, in these current economics times aren't as easy to come anymore.

I'm responding rather late to the CTD post. Nonetheless, CTD is where I'm going in 2010. Man! I can't believe I just wrote 2010! To think I started on my career change in 2006, yet only now do I finally have a start date. It's plain ridiculous! I gave up on the community college ADN wait lists and the very over-priced private route once I got accepted into the CTD program. CTD, not a direct affiliate with Pima College, is a 13 month LPN program located at a Pima campus that incorporates a 5- week nursing assist class. Unlike ADN programs you don't have a TEAS or HESI to deal with, however, you have to go through an NA course as mentioned above. And of course you have still have the usual hoops to jump through such as proving citizenship, obtaining immunizations, getting a physical, filling out financial aid, a fingerprint clearance, etc... They say the normal wait time to get into CTD is about 6-12 months, but plan on getting in closer to the latter. In any case, the vide I get is much better compared to private schools I've visited - it's not another phony smiles MacNursing school. The program cost is $10,800. More than a community college ADN program, but way less than private program nursing student mills. Understand that once you get your LPN you can fast-track into a RN program elsewhere. So, in the end, you can still be a RN in close to the same time that it would take to become a RN in a two-year ADN program.