socalirn

There are all kinds of grants offered on a national and state level. I currently am in the ADN program. Here in California if you are independent, and make under a certain amount of yearly income, then you can get something called a fee waiver at community colleges. I was going to a university to recieve my BSN at first, when I realized how much money I would save if I got my ADN first, then proceeded to work on my BSN. My logic behind that is most hospitals have some kind of school assistance funding programs, so this helps a lot. A lot of people dont want to wait or really spend the time to research funding options for school, so they end up paying a lot of money that really could have been avoided. I do realize this is not everyone's situation, but I know many people who just pay a lot of money without researching grants and free money offered to students. Also if you live in California and take out a loan (its a certain one i can't remember off hand which one it is) and become an RN a portion of that loan is waived. There are immense amounts of free money out there, you just gotta be smart and do your homework. I get fee waivers, cal grants, and pell grants, and my out of pocket is basically nothing! My goal when I graduate in 2 semesters is to not owe a single dime to anyone, as far as student loans go.

After reading tons of negative posts about the nursing profession, I have really thought twice about going into the field. I am currently a ADN student, and having read post after post of how nurses are taken advantage of, horrible wages concerning nurses, lawsuits, people running for the doors after thier first month, and other various posts. These situations make me REALLLLY question this profession! Can someone give me some positive outlooks to look forward to in the nursing field? It seems like a large portion of nurses are pissed off, due to poor workplace conditions, or on the other hand nurses that have 30+ years experience expecting new grads to already know everything! I think a big thing that really scares me is starting on the floor, and having to work with all of the pissed of cranky RNs that really hate what they do. I realize not everyone or every situation is negative, but after seeing what a lot of you guys post, its just simply a let down.

thanks for the link, its good to see LBCC at 96.43%(as of 2003-2004). It looks like that we are 3rd highest in the state. Wow, we even beat out CSULB! (87.32%)

I currently am in my first semester at LBCC. I was on the waiting list for 2 years. I finished all of my pre nursing classes, but still had to wait to get into the program. LBCC has one of the highest percentage of students passing the NCLEX, I think its something at like 98%. Recently I heard that so many students were on the waiting list, that they were not even accepting anyone until further notice. It seems like anywhere you go, especially in socal, you will have to be on a waiting list. I mean seriously please dont even consider Compton City college, I heard there program is a serious joke. I heard Harbor is so-so, as well as Cerritos. If you feel like waiting and want an excellent program, then def check out LBCC or CSULB. Good luck in your career, and always be patient.