Starting a VN Program in TX on the 10th

OneChattyNurse · Jan 7, 2006

i went to del mar college in corpus christi in 1993 so some of my information may be outdated.

at that time you could do the "bridge" program after you had worked 6 months as an lvn. i did not go through the program as i ended up moving back to iowa about 6 months after i graduated.

i lived in corpus for 2 years and during that time there were "cycles" at the hospitals. for a while they would allow lpn's in acute care and even the speciality areas like or, ob, etc. then they would get rid of the lpn's and only have rn's and tech's or cna's. when i graduated it just so happend to be during the time they were not hiring lpn's at all in the hospitals. i applied at all of them anyway but did not even get a call for an interview. it took me about 2 days to get a job in long term care.

i would say that ltc would be your best bet for a job right out of school. i know there is an awful stigma attached to this area, but you really do gain some valuable experience. you might also try subacute or snf. that is also a good area to get your start. i would also suggest getting your cna and working as an aid while you go to school. that will be some of the greatest experience you could ever hope for. you might even be able to get a job as a cna in a hospital which would get your foot in the door for when you get your rn.

which ever route you take, good luck to you!!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2006

1. Realistically, can I expect to get a job in a hospital?

LVN hospital jobs are hard to find and very low-paying. Your best bet for employemt opportunities is at LTCs (long term care facilities), nursing homes, hospice, and rehab.

2. How soon can I do the bridge to RN program?

That would all depend on how many prerequisite classes you have completed. Also, your prereq G.P.A. is very critical, as it may be hard to get into a bridge program if it is below 3.5.

3. I attended college as a Biology major from 97-01 (left due to financial aid issues) so I have a TON of biology and all of my undergrad req's....will this make my bridge program easier?

Possibly.

4. What's the bridge program like?

You may wish to communicate with nurses who are currently doing the bridge program. Here is the link to their forum so you can ask them questions.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f233/

5. Where can I expect to be the most hireable?

As an RN you're hireable almost anywhere. As an LVN you'll be most hireable at nursing homes, subacute facilities, rehab, hospice, home health care, and other LTC settings.

goalie35 · Jan 8, 2006

My graduation date is the 14th of Jan and I am starting my job on the 9th. I will be working on a Med/Surg floor at a stepdown hospital or long term acute care hospital. I will be starting my bridge program in Feb. There is no time requirement as to when you can start the bridge program. I am actually going through "The College Network" to get my ASN and then my BSN. I know several of my classmates that have jobs in hospitals and others that chose LTC because of the $$$$. You will need to decide which is better for you, getting the experience at a hospital setting or making more $$$ right out of school. As far as your prior schooling, it depends on what bridge program you choose. If you go through Excelsior, then yes it will help and you will not have to spend as much and you might be able to get done in less than a year. Good luck with your school.