Which path would you take to become a RN??

[iheartnursing_cali]

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??

[scallywags]

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).

No, you are not alone! I used to think I was going to be the only one going through this, or the oldest one going through this. It seems a lot of the people in classes I had at the CC as well as my LVN program are parents and students who are returning to the classroom after several years. It is encouraging to know that it can be done!

I think it is a great idea to finish your AA degree. Any of your local schools offer an online class where you can fulfill that requirement? I found online classes at my CC at great way to bulk up the units, and I could study after the kids were in bed. I do need to finish Physiology and Microbiology. I withdrew from both classes to start the LVN program's pre req (1) class. Of course, these are the ones I need for the LVN-RN bridge!

Don't kick yourself for not taking the LVN class a few years ago. You really have to look at all you have done over the past three years and how that has brought you one step closer to your goal. Waiting around for the "lottery" and disappointing admission procedures could take several years. May as well jump start the process and obtain some practical experience. My "big" regret used to be not doing this when I was in college the first time around. But...I know I was never this committed when I was younger & probably would have failed miserably! That is only because I was a different place and time in my life. So, you are right...there is a reason for everything.

When are you going to start the program? It is such an exciting choice. You are lucky to have your SIL who can assist you with the coursework if you get stuck on something.

I just came back from finishing CPR certification as part of the requirement for clinicals. I just have one more shot to get and they are actually going to set us free sometime late next month! Good luck to you too !

I am in Northern CA. What about you?

[iheartnursing_cali]

No, you are not alone! I used to think I was going to be the only one going through this, or the oldest one going through this. It seems a lot of the people in classes I had at the CC as well as my LVN program are parents and students who are returning to the classroom after several years. It is encouraging to know that it can be done!

I think it is a great idea to finish your AA degree. Any of your local schools offer an online class where you can fulfill that requirement? I found online classes at my CC at great way to bulk up the units, and I could study after the kids were in bed. I do need to finish Physiology and Microbiology. I withdrew from both classes to start the LVN program's pre req (1) class. Of course, these are the ones I need for the LVN-RN bridge!

Don't kick yourself for not taking the LVN class a few years ago. You really have to look at all you have done over the past three years and how that has brought you one step closer to your goal. Waiting around for the "lottery" and disappointing admission procedures could take several years. May as well jump start the process and obtain some practical experience. My "big" regret used to be not doing this when I was in college the first time around. But...I know I was never this committed when I was younger & probably would have failed miserably! That is only because I was a different place and time in my life. So, you are right...there is a reason for everything.

When are you going to start the program? It is such an exciting choice. You are lucky to have your SIL who can assist you with the coursework if you get stuck on something.

I just came back from finishing CPR certification as part of the requirement for clinicals. I just have one more shot to get and they are actually going to set us free sometime late next month! Good luck to you too !

I am in Northern CA. What about you?

I am also in Northern CA. In Fremont, Ca. how about you? Thanks for your opinion, I am thinking about getting my AA degree and I'll be looking at the online classes that they have to offer for the summer. Thanks again, and good luck to you... by the way, which LVN prorgram are you in; at which school?

[scallywags]

I am in the full time evening program Gurnick in San Mateo. I live on the peninsula, so it makes for a short commute. NCP SSF is less than 10 minutes from my house.

Is NCP offering the RN program yet? When I talked to them last year, they were still working on it. Gurnick is also going to be offering it in the next year and they are opening another campus in the East Bay.

Do you know where you do your clinicals? I think we start in Fremont Hopsital.

[iheartnursing_cali]

I am in the full time evening program Gurnick in San Mateo. I live on the peninsula, so it makes for a short commute. NCP SSF is less than 10 minutes from my house.

Is NCP offering the RN program yet? When I talked to them last year, they were still working on it. Gurnick is also going to be offering it in the next year and they are opening another campus in the East Bay.

Do you know where you do your clinicals? I think we start in Fremont Hopsital.

Hey again, well I talked to Doris (the program coordinator) at the SSF NCP campus, and she said that they were in the process of starting the RN program and will be offering it next year 2007! She said if you want more information about the LV-RN bridge program when they receive more info. that you should leave your name and number with them because they have a list of people who are interested in the program. I live 20 minutes away from the NCP hayward site so it's really convenient. Also, what school is Gurnick? is it a private or commuity college? How long is their LVN program and the cost? where would I get more information about their LVN-RN bridge program... and lastly, where in the east bay will they be opening their other campus? Sorry for all the questions I know its a lot.

Oh and the clinicals will be held in Hayward, San Leandro, Fremont, San Mateo, etc. usually nearby the campus, although some can be far like at Red Wood city.

[scallywags]

Hey again, well I talked to Doris (the program coordinator) at the SSF NCP campus, and she said that they were in the process of starting the RN program and will be offering it next year 2007! She said if you want more information about the LV-RN bridge program when they receive more info. that you should leave your name and number with them because they have a list of people who are interested in the program. I live 20 minutes away from the NCP hayward site so it's really convenient. Also, what school is Gurnick? is it a private or commuity college? How long is their LVN program and the cost? where would I get more information about their LVN-RN bridge program... and lastly, where in the east bay will they be opening their other campus? Sorry for all the questions I know its a lot.

Oh and the clinicals will be held in Hayward, San Leandro, Fremont, San Mateo, etc. usually nearby the campus, although some can be far like at Red Wood city.

Gurnick is in San Mateo, it is a private school...website:

:http://www.medacademy.org/

The cost is very comparable to NCP. With the one prereq program I had to take, it cost around $21K. The pre req was 3 months and the program itself is 14 months. They added the LVN program to the school last year. The 1st round of students will be graduating next month. In going through the accrediation process, they gained permission to open a new campus, as well as to accept students twice a year. I am not sure where exactly it will be in the East Bay. They are still figuring out the LVN-RN and do not have exact info yet. I did hear from the counselor that they hope it will start in 2007. I think it is still the preliminary stage.

I wish we had clinicals in San Mateo and Redwood City! I think we have to go as far as San Jose. I think it is only 1x week initially and then increased to 2-3 x in the 3rd & 4th semester. It would be nice to have hospitals near the campus :)