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Discussion

30-Unit Program. Lower job opportunities/pay or nah?

So my wife is preparing for RN school but alot of things are happening in our lives right now that has her reconsidering her approach. She asked for my help in gathering info about the LVN-to-RN 30 unit program available at alot of schools here in California. However, she is worried that she may face less job opportunities as well as have less room for pay growth. We have no plans on leaving California so the limitation of only being able to practice in CA isn't really a problem, but if facilities don't like hiring 30-unit RNs or don't like paying them as much, then that might be a problem. On the other hand, she'll have nearly 10 years experience as an IV certified LVN (including charge nurse and treatment nurse) by the time she completes school. Surely this would look good on a resume when looking for a job as RN, right?

Any feedback would be much appreciated

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    • Expert

    Employers are interested in whether she has a clear RN license. If they need an RN, then they are not going to bother with what kind of RN. However, that does not belittle the fact that any employer is going to hire an RN with a BSN before they consider an RN with 'lesser' educational qualifications. Her LVN experience will have little impact if any at all. Most employers require a minimum of one year of RN experience; they could not care less about how many decades of LVN experience an applicant brings to the table. This is about the gist of it. Of course HMMV, depending upon the individual employer and their druthers.

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    • Expert

    Added: If she were to ask for my opinion, I would highly encourage her to sacrifice to attend a BSN program from the get go, either straight accession, or LVN to BSN option, or advanced placement. She would be doing herself a world of good to get on the right track quickly if your family can afford it and she can swing it. I, like many of my classmates, worked full time as an LVN while attending a BSN program. It can be done.

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    The majority of the larger well-known hospitals in California will not consider you unless you have a BSN. The 2 year community college degrees typically might get you into small nursing facilities and such.

    caliotter3 is correct, she is better off going the BSN route if you both can swing it.

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    • Author

    Thanks for the feedback, y'all.

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    I don't understand why doing a bridge from LVN to RN is a problem. I'm also in California. At a community college, LVN is a one year program, going full-time. RN would be a 2 year program. So the bridge to RN would be about 30 units. What is the big deal? There are a lot of places looking for RNs. After doing the 30 units, then work on the BSN. I strongly advise a BSN for long term career growth. If you can afford to go straight for the BSN, great, but not everyone can do that.

    There are a lot of people who have to work their way up gradually and there is no shame in that. I've met lots of nurses who have done that. Example: medium size hospital Director of all the Nurse Practitioners (in California) - she told me she started as Medical Receptionist, then M.A., then CNA, LVN, RN, then NP - and now she is a Director!

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