bunny88

Hi ReordonaSRN! I'm just got accepted into the same online RN-MSN CNL program.. it starts monday, next week - summer 2014 semester. Can you please tell me what your experience has been like so far? Are you satisfied with the program? I applied very late, got accepted just last week, am doing everything last minute, and I don't know exactly what to expect! Please share your thoughts. I haven't found any other reviews from other students online. Thank you lots :)

Hi mehak25, Sorry for the late response! To be honest, I don't really remember what the cost was for the transition course. It would be best for you to contact the school itself and find out that information. It was not difficult to get into the school at all.. It was actually pretty easy. Good luck with everything!

hmm, should I just work as an LVN for now?

Thanx for your advice perioddrama.. I might just have to move, but I'd be away from my husband who recently found a new job here in SF. I wish he would understand, he doesn't get it! He says I'm just not trying that hard enough. oh boy... Well Good luck to you too and thank you again.

Hello, I'd like to know if I can have some advice from anyone out there willing to give it? I'm a new RN. It's been 8 months since I've passed the boards, 10 months since graduating but I still can't find a job. I'm SO sad, SO broke . Here's my background: I live in San Francisco CA, have a previous BA degree in psych, am an LVN and a recent ADN RN graduate. I understand that in this area, most hospitals want an RN with a Masters or Bachelors degree in nursing, which I don't have yet . I would really LOVE to work at any unit in the hospital. That's where my heart is. But after submitting my resume a billion times, so far not so good - at all. I haven't even scored a "call-back", much less an interview. It's disheartening. What can I do to increase my chances of finding a job in a hospital in the future? Should I apply for work as an RN in a skilled nursing facility for a year? OR at a clinic in a hospital as an LVN where there's a possibility of transferring within the hospital as an RN? I wonder if anyone knows which might appeal more to nursing recruiters/hiring managers/nurse managers? Do I have to move out of California? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you

Not sure if anyone is interested- but just in case.. This is an old thread. It's been a few years since I've been on allnurses.com, but I thought I'd update. I ended up choosing Carrington College. My clinical experience was GREAT! but the support I had for theory was not so great. My grades suffered inspite of doing the very best I could. Unfortunately commuting 2 hours away from home was just horrible. 2 months into it, I just couldn't picture myself going the distance and completing the program so I dropped out. One of the instructors made my life a living hell. He didn't care about his students succeeding, he was utterly unhelpful and just plain evil - sorry to say. He specifically stated that in the years he's been teaching, he has only given TWO "A" final grades. Most of his students either get a "C" or FAIL. I was terribly unhappy. Soooo, to make a long story short for anyone interested, I got accepted into a local community college close to my house, I graduated, passed my boards, and now here I am! Finally done, hurray! :)

I called UCSF the other day - I was told there were about 800 applicants :uhoh21:

This is definitely realistic in san francisco, ca. Currently I am an LVN and make considerably a lot less - $22/hour which is very much in the low end even for an LVN in sf. Cost of living is very high so RN's wage doesn't necessarily lend itself to a more extravagant lifestyle - comfortable though..

hmm, 15 months doesn't sound bad at all.. there are other private school LVN to RN programs out there that are 8 months long for the same cost of tuition. i wonder how good the program is and how their current/past students are doing?

I went over to Unitek the other day to meet with a admissions rep and spoke with a current student afterwards. She told me the same thing - basically that it's disorganized and that the instructors don't do a lot of teaching/guiding, that you're on your own to teach yourself. If that's the case, then what are the teachers there for?! Thank you for the advice - your input's been very informative and is helping me make up my mind about Unitek. Wow, sounds like Unitek really needs to step it up and make TONS of improvements. A $40,000 tuition just doesn't seem worth it! Anyhow, in spite of Unitek's major inadequacies, you persevered and passed the boards - CONGRATULATIONS!

I know a new LVN grad that works at the san francisco VA at the psych unit. It might have helped that both her mom and mother in law - both RNs worked at the VA also. She has coworkers that are also LVNs but they have years of experience under their belts. But this is also california where it's difficult for new LVNs to find jobs in the hospital. Where are you located? I would say definitely give it a try..you never know unless you do! Good luck!

If there is anyone out there that is a current student or graduate of Carrington College (formerly Western Career College) in sacaramento OR Unitek College in fremont, your input would be VERY HELPFUL. I've applied for the 8 month LVN to RN programs at both schools which start this OCT/2010. I'm having a difficult time deciding which school to choose! Year after year of being on waitlists for the RN programs at junior colleges, I've grown despondent. It has come down now to these two schools. I live in the san francisco area w/my husband and would be staying away at a relative's place in sacramento if I went to Carrington. I would be commuting about 40 mins to 1 hour if I went to Unitek. I've done some research online and have seen some good and some terrible reviews. I don't know anyone who was/is a student at either school. Can someone out there PLEASE let me know, honestly what their experiences have been? It would help me so much to make such a big decision...I want to make the right decision. If anyone could help I would be so grateful. THANK YOU :redbeathe

so I looked at the other thread regarding this school and I see that the tuition is $40,000...very expensive. another question though - how long does it take to complete the program if you have all your prereqs done?

No waitlist? WOW, I'm interested.. how much is the tuition?? Is this their first LVN to RN class?

If there is anyone out there that is a current student or graduate of Carrington College (formerly Western Career College) in sacaramento OR Unitek College in fremont, your input would be VERY HELPFUL. I've applied for the 8 month LVN to RN programs at both schools which start this OCT/2010. I'm having a difficult time deciding which school to choose! Year after year of being on waitlists for the RN programs at junior colleges, I've grown despondent. It has come down now to these two schools. I live in the san francisco area w/my husband and would be staying away at a relative's place in sacramento if I went to Carrington. I would be commuting about 40 mins to 1 hour if I went to Unitek. I've done some research online and have seen some good and some terrible reviews. I don't know anyone who was/is a student at either school. Can someone out there PLEASE let me know, honestly what their experiences have been? It would help me so much to make such a big decision...I want to make the right decision. If anyone could help I would be so grateful. THANK YOU :redbeathe