Which path would you take to become a RN??

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2006

I attended a private, very expensive LVN program in southern California from 2004 to 2005 and have no regrets yet. I had none of the RN prerequisite classes completed, so taking the LVN program was the quickest way into nursing. I could not take 3 years out of my life waiting to get into an RN program because the bills weren't going to wait with me.

suebird3 · Mar 10, 2006

Which path would you take to become a RN?
Would you take the fastest route by taking a LVN program for 12 months at a private/vocational school (costly, I'm talking $20,000+) then do the LVN-RN Bridge program at a private/vocational school, which will also be costly and require pre-reqs taken at a community college (so this is the more expensive but faster path to become a RN)..... OR.... Take a LVN program at a community college which is less expensive and has financial aid, but is 18 months long, then do the LVN-RN Bridge program (a much cheaper way but longer).... OR.... just wait..wait..wait.. to be accepted to an ADN program (keeping in mind California's new higher standards to get accepted with the point system and lottery. etc..
Need your opinions, because these are my paths I need to decide, I will be finishing my pre-reqs for the ADN soon, but like I said, nursing programs in Cali are more harder to get into now, whether it's years of waiting or a lottery... and because I have 2 children, I am leaning more on the expensive and faster path... what do you guys think??

If the Community College's pre-req's transfer w/ the LPN.....go that way. I worked and took several courses on and off while deciding whether I was going on. OF course,each LPN to RN school has their own "basics", but at least you will have alot done beforehand. Need I mention "experience"? :lol2:

Suebird

DD-RN · Mar 10, 2006

I personally would not wait years for the ADN program. If the choice is between the 12 month $20K LPN program and the cheaper 18 month program, I would go for the cheaper program...six months is not that much longer.

Then after finishing LPN school, you could bridge and complete the RN in one additional year. Does the less expensive school have an associate with the RN school?

That is the way that I am probably going. If I don't get accepted into the Assoc. Degree RN program, then I will do an LPN program ($3,000) and then bridge to the community college that has an agreement with the LPN school.

Good luck with your decision.

GilbertDaddy · Mar 10, 2006

Wow, so what is the total time to get everything done necessary to be an RN?

Here in AZ, at least from what I read, you need your ~1.5 years of prereqs (3 bio classes that primarily can't be taken consecutively) and then the 2 year nursing school for approx. 3.5 years.

Sounds like you might be able to shave a year off though. Interesting..

DD-RN · Mar 10, 2006

GilbertDaddy,

No, this was would not be shaving any time off of schooling...just off of waiting.

The original poster and myself already have most of the pre-reqs completed, so instead of waiting for an RN program spot (whcih may take years) the best option may be to do an LPN program. In my case, that program will count for one year of the RN program.

The actual regular associates degree RN program is 2 years. A candidate does not always have to have all pre-reqs completed before starting nursing classes (depends on the school). Also you could take the pre-reqs during the summer so that would not lengthen the time. I would say that 3 years is the typical time it takes to finish an assocaites degree RN program.

GilbertDaddy · Mar 11, 2006

Ahh ok, that explains things a little better. Luckily here in Arizona we seem to be having mroe spots opening up, thank goodness.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Mar 11, 2006

I would go the cheapest and fastest way, in that order. If you are going to private school, shoot for an RN program and see if you can "test out" for an LVN license after the first year. (In some states you can, but the RN school will not usually tell you about it.)

I agree that the bills will not wait, and I often encourage people to get their LVN and get to work, then do a bridge program (i.e., Excelsior College if you are not in California, second choice would be U of Phoenix if you are not in Tennessee; EC is less expensive and more self-paced).

But in 12 or 18 months, you will still be you, the difference will be, will you be paying off another $20,000 in addition to the bills you already have?

My last year of graduate school, I decided to get a student loan. I had paid my way through up to that point, working and scrimping, and my course plan required a lot of hours of practicum/internship and I just couldn't do it all.

It took me 10 years to pay off that darned thing--it was about $13,000 and the interest was low for the time, something like 8 percent. And guess what--I had to pay it even when I was between jobs, which, believe it or not, can happen!

Cheapest, then fastest. If prereqs are an issue, you might see about testing out of them. I did that with algebra--much more pleasant than retaking the course.

Good luck!!

scallywags · Mar 11, 2006

Which path would you take to become a RN?
Would you take the fastest route by taking a LVN program for 12 months at a private/vocational school (costly, I'm talking $20,000+) then do the LVN-RN Bridge program at a private/vocational school, which will also be costly and require pre-reqs taken at a community college (so this is the more expensive but faster path to become a RN)..... OR.... Take a LVN program at a community college which is less expensive and has financial aid, but is 18 months long, then do the LVN-RN Bridge program (a much cheaper way but longer).... OR.... just wait..wait..wait.. to be accepted to an ADN program (keeping in mind California's new higher standards to get accepted with the point system and lottery. etc..
Need your opinions, because these are my paths I need to decide, I will be finishing my pre-reqs for the ADN soon, but like I said, nursing programs in Cali are more harder to get into now, whether it's years of waiting or a lottery... and because I have 2 children, I am leaning more on the expensive and faster path... what do you guys think??

I am also in CA and had to make this decision myself recently. I spent three years at a community college and completed most of my pre-reqs for the program as well as the requirements for an associate's degree. I met with my college counselor who told me that they usually had about 600 applicants for about 40 spots! I bit the bullet and applied for the community college's LVN program - twice. Both times I was well into the 200's of the lottery wait list.

I started into Physiology & Microbiology, my last two pre reqs for the ADN program. During this time, I began to get discouraged since I wasn't having any luck in the lottery. I started talking to nurses that I know. One RN I spoke with started out as a LVN. She actually completed her BSN while her children were in school. I admired her for that since I am much in the same situation. After talking to her, I realized that the problem of getting into nursing school has been difficult through the years and *might* be easier if I had some practical experience as a LVN.

I bit the bullet and enrolled in a private LVN program. Costly? Yes. But, I will be finished in 14 months (only 12 mths to go). They are in the process of creating a RN program, so this will be an option for me later. I figure I will be able to work sooner than if I had went through the community college program for LVN. I am excited that I will be back to work sooner than later. I really believe the opportunity to do that will increase my earning potential and the cost of the private school will pay off sooner, espcially since I pay for my own medical insurance each month & that is a huge bill. All of our local hospitals offer education reimbursement programs and I am secretly hoping to take advantage of that so I may continue my education and obtain my BSN.

This decision worked well for my situation. I also have two children and greatly admire anyone who commits to an education after being a parent. It isn't easy trying to study and find a quiet moment to do so, but I feel it will all be to the benefit of our family in the long run. Good luck with your decision making. I know it isn't an easy one, but I am sure you will make the right one for you. :)

iheartnursing_cali · Mar 11, 2006

I am also in CA and had to make this decision myself recently. I spent three years at a community college and completed most of my pre-reqs for the program as well as the requirements for an associate's degree. I met with my college counselor who told me that they usually had about 600 applicants for about 40 spots! I bit the bullet and applied for the community college's LVN program - twice. Both times I was well into the 200's of the lottery wait list.
I started into Physiology & Microbiology, my last two pre reqs for the ADN program. During this time, I began to get discouraged since I wasn't having any luck in the lottery. I started talking to nurses that I know. One RN I spoke with started out as a LVN. She actually completed her BSN while her children were in school. I admired her for that since I am much in the same situation. After talking to her, I realized that the problem of getting into nursing school has been difficult through the years and *might* be easier if I had some practical experience as a LVN.
I bit the bullet and enrolled in a private LVN program. Costly? Yes. But, I will be finished in 14 months (only 12 mths to go). They are in the process of creating a RN program, so this will be an option for me later. I figure I will be able to work sooner than if I had went through the community college program for LVN. I am excited that I will be back to work sooner than later. I really believe the opportunity to do that will increase my earning potential and the cost of the private school will pay off sooner, espcially since I pay for my own medical insurance each month & that is a huge bill. All of our local hospitals offer education reimbursement programs and I am secretly hoping to take advantage of that so I may continue my education and obtain my BSN.
This decision worked well for my situation. also have two children and greatly admire anyone who commits to an education after being a parent. It isn't easy trying to study and find a quiet moment to do so, but I feel it will all be to the benefit of our family in the long run. Good luck with your decision making. I know it isn't an easy one, but I am sure you will make the right one for you. :)

Wow!! As I started reading your post, I realized how similar we both are :icon_hug: so it's good to know I'm not alone ... I have been going to a community college for 3 years already too and have basically finished all my G.E. and most of the pre-reqs for the ADN program, (I only need A&P2 and Micro). I'm deciding to go to the LVN private school (12 months) so I can go ahead and start working, and while earning more money, do the LVN-RN Bridge program (that the LVN private school is working on right now which will be in effect 2007). A lot of the hospitals around here also offer education reimbursment which I'm hoping to take advantage of too. Another positive thing about working as a LVN, is that I'll already be a "Nurse" one step closer to becoming a "Registered Nurse" also I will gain valuable experience which will help me a great deal when I do get into the RN program. As well as taking the NCLEX-PN will give me a feel of the NCLEX-RN (even though I know it is much harder, of course).

I actually was already going to the LVN private school (3 years ago with my sister-in-law) and had finished their 3 pre-reqs courses for that school which was required before entering the program (which was each 1 month long, so finished in 3 months) and just before starting the actual program I backed out and decided to go to a community college to get my ADN.... Well, now its been 3 years and I don't know how long it will take for me to become a RN... and remember my sister-in-law I started going to school with, well she never backed out and had finished the LVN program, graduated in 12 months, and passed her NCLEX-PN (2 1/2years ago) and has been working as a LVN since. Now that same private school will be having a LVN-RN Bridge program in 2007, which she will be taking also, and will only be needed to take some pre-reqs at any commuity college (eng. math, a&p, micro, and psyhc) She wouldn't have to take all the other G.E. (which is required to get your ADN at a C.C.). Now.. again.. I'm deciding to do the LVN program then their LVN-RN bridge. I wish I could have just gone back in time and finished it that way in the first place.. I would have already been working as a LVN earning good money while taking the science pre-reqs for the RN bridge.

However I am still eligible for an A.A. degree in Natural Science for all the classes I have already taken (just need a fine arts class) and I'm planning on getting that degree, because if I'm deciding on taking the expensive but fastest path to become a RN at that private school instead, I might as well get my A.A. degree in Natural Science at that community college so it wouldn't seem like it was a waste of my time, wouldn't you agree?? I also have 2 children like you, and yes it is really difficult at times juggling school and home so I applaud those that do :yeah: ('cause it ain't easy). I also believe everything happens for a reason and that God has a special plan for all of us. And knowing he is there with me every step of the way keeps me going. Good luck to you and everyone else in our situation.

By the way where in Ca. do you live, northern or southern?

allthingsbright · Mar 12, 2006

Which path would you take to become a RN?
Would you take the fastest route by taking a LVN program for 12 months at a private/vocational school (costly, I'm talking $20,000+) then do the LVN-RN Bridge program at a private/vocational school, which will also be costly and require pre-reqs taken at a community college (so this is the more expensive but faster path to become a RN)..... OR.... Take a LVN program at a community college which is less expensive and has financial aid, but is 18 months long, then do the LVN-RN Bridge program (a much cheaper way but longer).... OR.... just wait..wait..wait.. to be accepted to an ADN program (keeping in mind California's new higher standards to get accepted with the point system and lottery. etc..
Need your opinions, because these are my paths I need to decide, I will be finishing my pre-reqs for the ADN soon, but like I said, nursing programs in Cali are more harder to get into now, whether it's years of waiting or a lottery... and because I have 2 children, I am leaning more on the expensive and faster path... what do you guys think??

I was almost faced w/ your situation and decided I would go the LPN to RN path. It is so hard to get into school (thankfully I was accepted into both programs at the same time). A lot of people say they get stuck working after they get thier LPN, but if you have a two year wait why not just do it and cover your bases? My worry was I wouldnt get into a ADN program period, so I wanted to occupy my time and do SOMETHING with nursing. The money was not a determining factor-I was willing to beg/borrow/steal to finish school. As it is, I am borrowing. I also hope a hospital will pick up some of the tab someday.

Best wishes!

allthingsbright · Mar 12, 2006

Wow, so what is the total time to get everything done necessary to be an RN?
Here in AZ, at least from what I read, you need your ~1.5 years of prereqs (3 bio classes that primarily can't be taken consecutively) and then the 2 year nursing school for approx. 3.5 years.
Sounds like you might be able to shave a year off though. Interesting..

Here it ends up being about 3.5 years to get an associates. With the wait time it takes even longer. We have a two yr wait in our program. GL.