MindNinja

I know you said you had all Cherokee scrubs...but Grey's Anatomy brand scrubs don't fade at all - it's the type of fabric they use.

You can look up the full list of CA approved LVN to RN programs, includes LVN-RN bridge & LVN-BSN. Here's the website to the Board or Registered Nurses: http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/index.shtml Just click on "Approved Programs." Good luck!

I don't know what the graduation or hire rates are for those schools, but you can check what their NCLEX pass rates are. This is the link to the RN CA board site, select the link that says "NLEX Pass Rates" and it will give you the pass rates for each RN program from 2005-2010. http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/index.shtml While it won't give you info on how well prepared their students are to be successful RNs, you'll at least know how the students do on their NCLEX and how well prepared you can expect to be.

I'm in a similar situation: I have a BA and am a LVN in Orange County. Due to this nasty job climate, I'm hesitant about starting the ADN program at Saddleback next year. I have a stable job at a MD office and am scared to quit my job and go back to school, fearful of having NO job when I finish. But I will stay positive, try my best every step of the way, and keep moving forward If you read a lot of the job openings for RNs in this area, almost all say "BSN preferred." Not to say that you definitely won't get hired, but competition is stiff in OC & employers can be picky. I have a friend that graduated with an ADN from Kaplan in June 2010 and it took her 8 months to find work, at an LTC. She hates it, but it's a job. So it is possible, it will take longer, and it might not be your #1 pick. I wish there were better news on this!

I was in the same exact situation as you 1 year ago. I got my first job as a lvn at a private pay alzheimer's assisted living facility. I RAN away after a couple weeks! I took a job at a weight loss clinic afterward. Here are my job duties: blood draws, vital signs, light pt charting, recording pt history during initial visits, IM injections, dispensing meds, pt teaching on nutrition/safe dieting/meds. It's low (no) stress & easy. I like that I don't dread going to work. After a year of working here, I'm more than ready to tackle some more challenging work. I sometimes have regrets of not sticking it out at the awful facility. By now I would've had pretty thick skin & great nursing skills. However to me it wasn't worth it to jeopardize my license at a poor excuse of a nursing home. I was able to complete prerequisites without being overly stressed/miserable at work & I start the RN bridge program next year. No matter where you work, your experience will count for something. I hope you make the decision that's right for you! :)