AudreyD

Palomar has both programs, RN degree and LVN stepup program. MiraCosta College also has an LVN program that does require a CNA first - and they also have the CNA course.

Hi Lisa ~ Yes you're in if you're on the wait list. My advice - don't work if at all possible. It's a very tough program - physically and mentally exhausting. I didn't make it past first semester as I, regrettably, dropped out but didn't feel like I could go on the workload plus working 24 hours a week. I highly recommend a CNA program before getting in, as they pretty much set you loose by yourself on the very first day of clinicals - which is very intimidating and scary. Also, buy the drug math book asap and work your way thru it before you start your first semester. You have to pass the math test. You wanna be free to study for your other tests and not be so worried about the math. Have a quiet, organized place to study and be willing to give up your social life each semester. Good luck!

Up to my eyeballs in studying...you wouldn't believe how much there is....five days a week, too, is truly a test of endurance! We all pretty much go home and study until we go to bed every night...no kidding! And for those of us who work (quite a few), there's no time for playtime, etc. I'll give you a heads up...DO the Math book...Dosage calculations....the whole book and be very competent with it. I procrastinated...and now I may pay the price. There's so much book studying we hardly have time for the Math though we do work on skills during Lecture. Lots of group activties in class. I really like how it's organized. The first math exam is in a couple weeks. Must pass 90%, though you do get a second chance. We're also already having our first Theory exam next Tuesday. Send me email directly so it's easier for me. [email protected].

Timeri Was thinking about you today, now that I've been in First Semester a couple weeks now. Haven't heard your name floating around class. Are you there with me and I just haven't met you yet? IF not, what happened? Hope all is well. Audrey

Hi Timeri Thinking of you...wondering how you did on the TEAS. Are you ready to start the RN program? Send me a note to my email address...okay. Audrey

Hi "Trisnic" Trying to get ahold of you again. Orientation on Monday. Hoping to meet you while I'm there. Let me know your name so I'll know who you are. Send me an email [email protected]. Audrey

Hello again Trisnic I'm working as a medical transcriptionist at Tri-City Medical Center, 6 years now, previously worked at Palomar for 3 years, 2 years at home in-between (10 years altogether), so I think my medical terminology and drug terminology will benefit me (finally).....didn't help me much during my science classes! Send me an email....it'll be easier to chat. [email protected]. Audrey

Was realizing after I posted my message about length of wait time for Palomar that it has actually been 3 years for me at the end of this year. Wheh! I wonder how many of us endure the wait!

Hi Trisnic ~ Just responding to your email. Good luck on the TEAS; it's not as hard as you'd think; I was scared too. I used the study guide, helped a bunch. Let me know who you are so I can look for you in January. You'll be at the Oct 27th Orientation I assume as well. My name is Audrey, brown hair, brown eyes. I'll one of the older nursing students! Audrey

Hi "Babynurse" It took me two years to get into the RN program by the time I start in January. I heard the wait list is three years now by the time you put your app in. Hang in there though and be patient; keep taking related classes in the meantime to stay on track. I've been going to school nearly 5 years now by December.....it's been a long haul (esp with working fulltime and raising two teen boys at the time)....but I've stayed the course and I'm getting closer to my goal. You'll find alot of people drop off the list as time goes by....and it may go faster than you think! Audrey

Hi Nikki ~ I just happened to put the schedule together tonight myself, as I'm also going in the Spring '09. If you send me an email, I can forward you the schedule I typed up. It's basically M-F all day if you include the Open Labs and tutoring available in the afternoons: Monday 9:30 to 3:20 Lec/Lab Tues 7:30 to 3:20 Lec/Lab + Clinicals at hospital you choose. Wed 7:00 to 10:50 at Hospital Th 7:00 to 10:50 at Hospital Fri Nursing Foundation/LEC 10:00 to 11:50 This is based on this semester's schedule on their website. So glad to meet a future classmate. Here's my email [email protected] for future reference. Audrey

Glad to see this discussion here. I'm having the same dilemma, returned to school at age 43 to pursue an ADN (associate degree in nursing) at a local college here in San Diego, but the waiting list is 3-4 years right now! Wouldn't be an RN until 2010 or 2011!! I'm anxious to start working as a nurse right away, so was considering the LVN route while continuing my RN goal. The wait time to finally be an RN would be the same, but I thought at least I'd be working as a nurse in the meantime. The downside is that LVN's make no more money than I currently do (actually would be less than I'm making as a full-time medical transcriptionist at my hospital), so most people tell me to keep working as an MT, be patient and continue towards the RN goal, don't waste time doing extra classes to be an LVN. The other option is an advanced RN program thru Maric (though it's $40,000 I've heard)....but I'd be working as an RN asap and would make up the cost with the nearly doubled income. What would you do in my shoes? Keep plugin away (the cheaper way) as I am and wait, wait, wait OR become an LVN in the meantime to have the experience right away OR do the expensive shortcut at Maric to become an RN now?

I also work fulltime as a med. transcriptionist at Tri-City Hospital, have been doing my prereq at the community colleges, have 2 more semesters before I apply to the nursing program at Palomar. Currently doing the Int. Algebra over summer and feel like I'm drowning, so find myself wondering if I should just skip this hard stuff (including the two sciences I have left) and just do the LVN route, but the problem is the pay is the same as I'm earning now (would prefer to double my income), so I've been told over and over by other RN's to go for the RN degree (ADN). At my age of 44, they say it's not worth the time to have to "redo" the classes later, but it's also very discouraging how long the RN program is going to take to complete. There's a 3-year waiting list! I'll be 50 by the time I graduate! I'm also considering CNA for experience when I get on the waiting list to make sure nursing really is my calling.