i am thinking about going to american career college for my lvn

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2011

I did my LVN program at a community college. None of my LVN classes are transferable. For example, my anatomy and physiology courses within the LVN program are designed for vocational students and is not as comprehensive as standalone transferable A&P classes. This is the norm for LVN to RN students and not just an issue for students from non-accredited schools.

I believe transferability is more dependent on the school you're going to rather than the school you're coming from. If the school has a dedicated LVN to RN program, then having the license itself is what gives you advanced placement. However, if the school doesn't have a dedicated bridge program, then each class would have to be evaluated, with a high chance that many won't transfer whether you came from a community college or a private school.

To answer the OP's original question, I don't think going to a private institution for LVN is worth it in this economy. You'd end up with a $30,000+ loan with no guaranteed job. A better option would be to go into a community college or ROP program. They are competitive but worth trying for. I went to an ROP program and paid less than $5000 for the whole thing. Or like someone else mentioned, why not go for your RN? I personally have a strong aversion to taking out massive loans period, but I'd still rather pay $60k for a private RN program than $30k for an LVN program.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Nov 6, 2011

I believe transferability is more dependent on the school you're going to rather than the school you're coming from. If the school has a dedicated LVN to RN program, then having the license itself is what gives you advanced placement. However, if the school doesn't have a dedicated bridge program, then each class would have to be evaluated, with a high chance that many won't transfer whether you came from a community college or a private school.
To answer the OP's original question, I don't think going to a private institution for LVN is worth it in this economy. You'd end up with a $30,000+ loan with no guaranteed job. A better option would be to go into a community college or ROP program. They are competitive but worth trying for. I went to an ROP program and paid less than $5000 for the whole thing. Or like someone else mentioned, why not go for your RN? I personally have a strong aversion to taking out massive loans period, but I'd still rather pay $60k for a private RN program than $30k for an LVN program.

Yes, my license and the usual science prereqs are what were universally accepted by LVN to RN bridge programs. The nursing classes themselves, not so much. Some counselors looked at my LVN curriculum and said I needed a couple more classes like nutrition to transfer into their program.

I totally agree with your second point. $30k can go far in attaining your ADN or BSN. I wouldn't spend that much money on a LVN program. I went to a community college where my LVN program expenses, at the most, were about $5k including all the bells and whistles like a fancy stethoscope of my choosing. With 5 years of LVN experience, my job prospects are brighter but the pay is still modest for a high cost of living area such as Southern California. I would hate to be saddled with a student loan even with my top pay as a LVN.

HonestCARN · Nov 17, 2011

STAY AWAY from all the proprietary schools. These schools are notorious for their unethical BUSINESS practices. There is an incentive to retain and pass students. You do not need a brain to get an easy diploma here. If you are bright and hard working, do not get yourself involved with these schools. Any crackheads (it happened before)can even get a degree at one of these proprietary schools (UOP, Concorde, ACC, WCUI, WCU, Mt. St. Mary's, ISU, Career Colleges of America, Kaplan, and many other private schools popping up like mushrooms). Just look at their faculty and see how often there is a turnover. Many hospitals are wise up now. They are very selective in their hiring practice. Please be aware. Good luck!!! :cool:

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Nov 17, 2011

Since when was Mount St Mary's a proprietary school? Private maybe.

HonestCARN · Nov 17, 2011

There is no clear-cut definition for proprietary schools. Private schools often have ulterior motives in passing their students. I hate to quote from wikipedia but here is an overview of what these for-profit (private) $chool$ are all about.:)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For-profit_education

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Nov 17, 2011

Having attended Mount St Mary's College as well as a true proprietary school American Career College as well as another proprietary school FIDM and Community Colleges and Universities overseas ( ALOT of schools I know) I can reassure you that Mount St Mary's does not fit that description. Nobody is giving away degrees or grades there. The sisters would be very upset as the suggestion.

Being that this was your first post to this forum I would avoid sweeping statement disparing other peoples colleges. All the other schools on your list are easily "for profit trade schools" so I'm not sure why you lumped the mount into that category. Incidentally I didn't need the wikipedia reference to understand and disagree with your point but since we are referencing then here you go.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_St._Mary%27s_College

tishagreen · Dec 7, 2011

Just to let you know, FIDM isn't a proprietary college. They are a private specialized college that focuses on the fashion and entertainment industries. My friends graduated from FIDM and they not only loved the school but the jobs they found after graduating thanks to FIDM career's center is pretty amazing! I never knew so many careers were out there that focused on the fashion and entertainment industries--pretty interesting :)

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Dec 8, 2011

Just to let me know? I attended and graduated from FIDM. They are the ultimate for profit trade school still owned by the original owner. The key difference is the put a lot of that profit back into the school and student services. They have a great alumni base. The career center helped me many years ago and I paid it forward by teaching some interns the ins and outs of product development.

I loved being a shoe designer but I love nursing more. My point is just because your paying more than what a CC charges doesnt mean your being ripped off.