Wait to be picked or pay 20,000

Published

HELLO everyone! I'm 26yr old from cental cali. I've finished all my prereqs for Rn and now am just waiting! I'm in a lottery for a rn and lvn program. My options are either paying 20,000 for a LVN private college in LA or moving to the virgin islands for two years. They are both expensive and now I am just wondering if I should just wait another year and see what happens here at home. The RN program here is very competetive but the LVN program will automatically take me if I don't get in after the third lottery (I've already been through one). I do want to get it over with but I can't bear to think that I would pay 20,000 for programs that cost 3,000! Should I just wait? I was thinking that I would train as a phleobotomist and try to work while I wait so I'm still getting expieriance. What do you guys think!!! please help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

First of all, Hello!

I chose to pay the $20,000. I went to community college out of high school and completed my prerequisites. To my great disappointment, weeks before I was to apply to my RN program, the school announced that they would not be accepting applicatons for 2-3 semesters!! As soon as I heard that I chose to enroll in an LVN program. It was a very wise choice on my behalf because I can now work as an LVN. I'm now in the process of applying to an RN program to complete my last year. The money, well, I know that I'm going to have to pay it back eventually, but for me that's way better than having to wait up to 5yrs to get into an RN school. I dont have kids and I'm not married, so I was able to sacrifice the time for my education. My friend started RN school a few months after I started LVN school and from what she tells me, we learn almost the exact same things. Best of luck with your choice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

im really unsure of what you mean as far as nursing lotto.....cali thing i suppose. May i suggest applying for RN programs elsewhere in the country. I am from PA and there are no waiting lists etc for programs. I just graduated and am moving to cali, i got hired at every place i applied for out there just because it seems as though your state can't produce the nurses, because of its waiting lists. If you don't mind moving why not try out another state!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I paid the $20,000 to attend a private LVN program in the San Fernando Valley.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ok..so you get a loan for 20,000 to become a LVN.. what is the pay rate of a LVN...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical/Surgical, L&D, Postpartum.

Hi there!! I too was debating about paying $20,000 for an LVN program. But luckily I got in at my local CC on my first try!! (Hey miracles can happen LOL!!) I also got my phlebotomy certification but it takes forever to process the application. You need the license in order to work. It took me about a year to finally receive my phlebotomy license. However, the experience I got in the phlebotomy program was priceless. I got to see what it was like working in a hospital and got experience in patient care.

Are you applying to an ADN program or BSN?? If you are only applying to an ADN then I would suggest taking prerequisites for BSN programs. That way you will be able to apply to even more schools. I also would suggest what the previeous poster said about applying to schools around the country.

There are many schools in cali just apply to as many as you can and I am sure you will get in somewhere!! It will happen!!! Try looking into schools in the bay area, there are some really good programs out here. It beats paying thousands and thousands of dollars or even moving all the way to the virgin islands!! Good luck to you and keep us posted!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I go to a local comunity college (Ventura, CA) and the RN program is impacted. Typical wait is 1-2 years. At my age, I thought I would never start but you never know.

The school, I attend received grant monies to take 12 students with higher GPA's. To my surprise, I was accepted in the grant program and only had a 6 month wait. So don't give up. I start August 2006. I applied to several programs around the area and hoped one of them would come through.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment