SMC RN Program or PCC CNA Program

[brianchoi93, LVN]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if you guys could help decide on which route I should take...

I'm currently attending SMC and they recently changed the nursing program into a point system based enrollment process. I'm only eligible for 90 / 100 points because 5 points require a AA or BA degree and the other 5 require 1000 hours of experience in the health industry, 200 or more volunteer hours in a clinic, and/or a California nursing license (I don't meet any of these requirements). I'm confident I can get atleast in the 70-80 point range, but that's a big chunk of points that I'm missing considering how competitive the nursing field is..

I'm almost done with my pre-requisites for the RN Program. I just need to finish physiology and microbiology. Recently, I found that Pasadena City College was offering a CNA Nursing Program. Enrollment for this program is random (they pick the applications randomly). I was told, by the nursing department at PCC, that around 60 people apply every year and they randomly pick 40 applications.

So I was wondering if I should take my chances at the RN Program at SMC or if I should enroll into the CNA Program and go through the ladder?

Please assist and thank you in advance!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Hope someone knowledgeable about these programs can guide you. California nursing market is saturated, so choose wisely.

[righteousjenn]

In my opinion smc is better... I finished my pre reqs there and also got accepted to their rn program for spring(I turned it down because I want to go to la county)