Socal LVN's (LA County) How long did it take to find work?

[Mrs.Me]

Hello all. I am considering going to school to become an LVN but I am trying to do my research because I don't want to make a mistake. :typing I wanted to know how long after you got your license did it take to find a job? My husband and I just bought a house and I want to get a career in nursing. I was a CNA a few years ago but I wasn't able to get into any of the LVN programs I wanted (Community College, ROP, Adult school etc.) so I gave up. Now I am going to try a private school. But I am hesitant because of the price tag but I know I won't have to be on a waiting list or be subjected to a lottery. I eventually want to be an RN but the only program I can get into now is West Coast University. I passed the HESI but again the tuition is causing me concern. 116k is more than my house is worth right now. :chuckle And their LVN to RN program isn't much better in terms of cost. Sorry for the long post but I am very nervous about this. I really want to be a nurse and I am tired of all the road blocks. I am 27 and I don't want to go school later in life. I have seen first hand how hard it is with some of my family members. I want to do this now while we don't have children. I live in the Antelope Valley but commuting is not an issue for me but I want to know what schools helped you get an advantage and how long did it take to land a job? And if there are any schools that offer job placement. Thank you in advance.:)

[Mrs.Me]

****Bump****

[toshea]

Hi Mrs.Me How much is tuition at West Coast for LVN? Can you share what happened at ROP and adult schools and why you did not get in? I am trying to decide on LVN at ROP or Ca. Career Institute private school.

[Mrs.Me]

Hi Toshea. The tuition at West Coast University is $116,000!!! My home loan is less than that. I just don't want to take out student loans for that much money. I'm not really sure why I didnt get into the ROP programs. I assumed because I didn't have any experience outside of my CNA clincals. And there were over 150 applicants for 15 seats. :smackingf So I assume they took the best of the best. I was discouraged because I only missed 3 questions on the entrance exam and still didn't get in. Some had an interview process and some did a lottery. I tried North Valley Occupational, Simi Valley Adult School, West Valley Occupational, Manual Arts - Crenshaw Community Adult School, and LA Trade Tech College all unsuccessfully. I may go the private school route just so I don't have to go through the stress of getting into public schools. I just want to know that it is worth it in the end.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I completed Casa Loma College's LVN program in 2005 at their Van Nuys campus. Back then, the tuition was $19,995, although I have heard that the school has substantially increased the cost of tuition since then.

I moved to Texas immediately after graduating from this program and was able to find a job there immediately after receiving my LVN license. However, finding LVN employment as a new grad is extremely difficult in many parts of California.

[Mrs.Me]

I went to Casa Loma for CNA in 2003. Its a small world even on the web. :)

Thank you TheCommuter for your reply. I guess its worth it to just go the traditional route if finding a job will be difficult. I guess there is no rush in that case.