TEXN

I'm currently in a great LVN program and, if all goes well, I will be graduating next year. However, late next year, I may go to Britain to live with my partner and the choice was made simply on who can bring the most income. The issues is, the UK does not recognize LVNs. The equivalent appears to be a Health Care Assistance which don't need a degree or license to work. The tasks are very similar, but I would place HCA somewhere between an LVN and a CNA if that makes sense. So, I will not be performing under the title of a License Vocational Nurse, but would be performing similar tasks and still obtaining "health care experience". When we return to the US, would employers consider this adequate experience even though I did not work under the title LVN? Will they be understanding of the difference in countries and practices? And while I'm in the UK (may be up to four years but planning no more than one or two) how do to I maintain my licence?

Thanks! True, I need to keep in mind those hospitals don't hire LVNs. I have no problem working in LTC though and rehab is an interesting of mine as well.

I just got accepted in an LVN program and am excited to start next June! :) Looking way far ahead, I got curious. Where (in your opinion/experience) in the US do you think is the best place in the US to be a LVN/LPN when considering job availability, cost of living, and salary? I currently live in Houston and think I am in a fantastic location already considering the Medical Center, but I always think about moving elsewhere.

Thanks! Joined!

FB group is a good idea! Looked it up but couldn't find it, can you pm me the link?

Got mine too! Woohoo!

Thanks for checking in on that! I'm curious too. Time is moving too slow! What is it, a week down, 5 more to go?

Paying for school actually isn't the issue. I'm a veteran and am very fortunate for education benefits on a federal and state level... It is living expenses/quality that are slowly but surely becoming more and more of an issue which is why me getting a job sooner than later needs to happen. If I could become an LVN and even get a part time job while continuing my education that would be of tremendous help to me. Minimum wage part time just isn't cutting it.

That's awesome! Good luck to you as well, my fingers are crossed that everyone here gets in!

89.2% which I think is ok, but they only allow 50 people in so I am nervous! What about you?

Last day to turn in applications! Anyone else applied? I re-took my HESI for a higher score, raised 10 points so hope that helps my chances. I want to get this ball rolling!

Thanks! Yes, it seems to take the same amount of time. One year LVN, one LVN to RN, two ADN to BSN? More steps, but at this point I really want to start working and having a larger income.

I was looking into ADN and BSN nursing programs, however am now looking at LVN programs. I would love to just dive head first and do the 4 year program, but my finances say otherwise. So for now, BSN is out of the question. ADN programs are still on my list, but I cannot tell you how tired of school I am. I am 24 and was pursing another major before I switched to wannabe-nursing. I just want to get out there and work, and my pocket book agrees with me. And so, I've began applying to LVN programs in addition to ADN programs. It feels like I'm having better luck, to be honest. My question is (mainly for those in Texas since I know everywhere is different) if I go the LVN route, how difficult will it be to find a program and return to school to become an ADN? Are LVN to RN programs numerous, or difficult to find and get into? Could I work as an LVN while returning to school?

I didn't take the critical thinking section either, told them that, but they still accepted my application and told me not to worry about it. I'm still worried about it, obviously, but if I were you I'd give it a shot. No harm in applying!

Got an e-mail, not accepted, but figured I wouldn't be. Congrats to everyone who got in!

Are you applying for the June 2016 start? I'm also applying. Was hoping to get into an ADN or BSN program but I really need to work ASAP.

I am trying for the summer or fall.

I did apply and get accepted into Chamberlain, but I'm not so sure I want to go that route at this point. Feel free to PM me about it! The HESI is a standard test and is the same as all other HESI tests taken at other schools. They make you take all sections except physics and the critical thinking sections. The Chemistry sections was, in my opinion, the most difficult BUT that is because I've only taken HS Chemistry in like... the 10th grade? That was quite some years ago! I have yet to take Chem at a college level, probably will in the Spring if I don't get accepted into a 2 year program. I did the worse in this section, but still passed. They didn't factor in that part of the test anyway from what I understood (not sure why they make you take it still)... I don't recall exactly what was on it, but if you look up HESI guides on quizlet, I found those INCREDIBLY helpful!

I believe it will depend on what school you take it at; I took mine at Chamberlain and did all sections except Physics and Critical Thinking. I'm probably going to end up taking it again to get a high score (mine wasn't bad, but higher scores don't hurt!) and to do the critical thinking section, which a lot of schools seem to be requiring now. I believe if you go to the HESI site https://evolve.elsevier.com/ you can sign up to take the test at a general location and select which sections you need to take BUT I'm not 100%. Maybe someone can help out with that question.

Trying to apply to Lonestar, but I'm not sure they'll receive my HESI in time. Apparently if you took the HESI for a different school, they won't except a copy of your transcript. They want it sent directly from HESI. Argh! Didn't know that, so if they don't get it in time will have apply to be (hopefully) admitted NEXT fall, along with San Jacinto and Wharton. Am still continuing classes that follow UT, PV A&M, TWU's BSN programs. The reason why I really wanted to get into an ADN program is I need to start working. I might need to look into a CRN course pretty soon. Sooooo stressful!

Awesome, good luck to you! I am very worried, won't be too shocked if I don't make it but it is worth a shot!

From what I know, HCC in general requires that you turn in transcripts from any previous school. However all of the prerequisites I needed were taken at HCC, so my unofficial transcript was adequate. I brought an official transcript from my previous school just in case, but the counselor said he didn't need it. The courses I took at the previous school were for another major and were totally unrelated to nursing. I didn't do too well and didn't enjoy the subject... lets just say I'm definitely more life science/health orientated! They took my GPA from all the courses I took at HCC, not just the prerequisites. Hope that helped!

They let me apply for Spring, nothing was mentioned about next fall. They took my cumulative GPA from HCC since that is where all my prereqs come from, which helped me out a LOT. If they would have averaged it with my former GPA at another school I would have been at the very tip of a 3.0... Trying to get everything I need a head of time, just did CPR today... can someone explain the background check? Where do I need to go to get it? Is it a finger print card? Very confused about that.

Yikes, this is worrisome...

Hello! About to turn in my application tomorrow for Spring 2016. Very nervous about it. Worried about my GPA and I have no medical experience, bleg. :/