Withdrew from BSN to do LVN (lost and confuse)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2016

Welcome!

I completed a private LVN program in southern California (Van Nuys) before earning my ASN and BSN degrees. In my estimation, the LVN program was the most challenging of the three educational programs I've listed.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2016

Moved to the LPN/LVN Corner forum for more replies.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jul 3, 2016

Your problem is you went to a private, for profit program. Did you understand the cost before starting? Did that not matter? Think about the enormity of the student loans. This was a blessing in disguise for you.

Sorry you have to go on a wait list. You do understand that the nursing market is very saturated in Cali. Not only is getting into a program difficult, but so is finding a job afterwards.

You will encounter many problems if you don't perfect your English first. Not trying to be harsh, but you are in a foreign country, taking a very difficult major. Understanding the language is important. Get that down first. Then,try applying to programs. If you are having trouble with our language why do you think an LVN program will be easier? Just curious.

i'manurse?, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2016

What nurse girl 525 is right on point. English is core to passing school, especially nursing school and tests in general. Try focusing more on English and others will follow.

HazelLPN, LPN · Jul 6, 2016

There are many community colleges and even public schools that offer English proficiency classes to English Language Learners who are adults. Perhaps check with your local public school district or community college (if you live in a large urban area). Chemistry is a foreign language in itself...so learning a foreign language in a foreign language is very difficult!

Best to you,

Mrs H.

cutescrubs · Jul 7, 2016

Thank you all for your response. I think I should clarify. Although my english is not the best, I am able to communicate well and was able to complete a 4 year college degree at Cal state Los Angeles. The work is harder because of my challenges in English but not impossible. What I am wondering about is going forward. Were any of you able to complete your LVN schooling, then possibly work for a while as an LVN, and then go back and become and RN?

Is it easier after you have some work experience under your belt. Once you are working as an LVN do you feel you really should be an RN to be able to assist people even more or is an LVN a very fulfilling position? (I am sure it is but since my goal was to be an RN I am wondering if any of you have done the same as me, stopped RN schooling to take LVN which is a bit easier in the way of course work. And if you did are you ok being an LVN or is the drive still there to be a RN? I know lots of questions and some a little redundant, like I said I am a bit confused with what exactly to do and looking for some feedback from my peers to hopefully point me is a realistic direction.

Lastly, are regular college courses easier since I will have a full semester to learn something like chemistry instead of having to learn and pass a course in 10 weeks or less. What are you thoughts?

Thank you all for your consideration. Signed, can you tell I am lost....

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jul 7, 2016

Thank you all for your response. I think I should clarify. Although my english is not the best, I am able to communicate well and was able to complete a 4 year college degree at Cal state Los Angeles. The work is harder because of my challenges in English but not impossible. What I am wondering about is going forward. Were any of you able to complete your LVN schooling, then possibly work for a while as an LVN, and then go back and become and RN?
Is it easier after you have some work experience under your belt. Once you are working as an LVN do you feel you really should be an RN to be able to assist people even more or is an LVN a very fulfilling position? (I am sure it is but since my goal was to be an RN I am wondering if any of you have done the same as me, stopped RN schooling to take LVN which is a bit easier in the way of course work. And if you did are you ok being an LVN or is the drive still there to be a RN? I know lots of questions and some a little redundant, like I said I am a bit confused with what exactly to do and looking for some feedback from my peers to hopefully point me is a realistic direction.
Lastly, are regular college courses easier since I will have a full semester to learn something like chemistry instead of having to learn and pass a course in 10 weeks or less. What are you thoughts?
Thank you all for your consideration. Signed, can you tell I am lost....

I received my LPN (LVN) many years ago. I went from LPN/LVN to ASN (RN) to BSN. I made sure that the program's I selected did NOT require chemistry. If you feel chemistry is your only hang up, then search for a program that doesn't require it.....like I did. They are out there; you just have to look for them.

Good luck!

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2016

A lot of people take the step approach (LVN->RN->BSN) and it works just fine for them. I do have to answer that chemistry is chemistry no matter where you take it and the conversions are a major part of it. Community college chem will be no different (though you may have a smaller class). The teachers may teach it a little differently, mine taught the conversions using dimensional analysis, which was a REAL blessing for nursing school, because that is how I do all my med calculations, and throughout NS I never missed a med cal question on any pre-semester exam or a med cal question that were mixed throughout school. My suggestion is take chemistry at a CC, by itself so you can focus on it alone.

You don't need chem for LVN, and many ADN programs don't require it either. So maybe you don't even need to worry about that one right off the bat. Micro will be something you'll need before ADN, and there might be a vocational version you'll need for LVN. Look into the LVN program and focus on their requirements. The school may or may not accept your HESI/TEAS scores from previous schools.. but that is no guarantee. The LVN program may not require it, so take this one step at a time. Find out the CC LVN requirements and start working on them now. If you have it all and are just waiting out a few semesters on a wait-list, start knocking out those other classes you'll need for ADN/BSN. Take the Chem class by itself.

RivetheadGirl · Jul 9, 2016

[COLOR=#000000]Hi, I'm going to try and help answer as many of your questions as I can:

[/COLOR]________________________________

2. Will it be easier for me to do LVN first and then go back to RN program?

This really depends on you. If you go through a private school for your lvn you will finish quicker, but you will still need to complete all the prerequisits for an asn-rn degree, this will include your sciences, humanities, etc.

If you are having some trouble right now, perhaps you would be best to focus on some of those classes. Either way, to get into an LVN program at a CC you will need to complete at least the basic pre-recs, you will often have a better chance for admission to the CC-LVN programs if you have a good majority of the RN pre-recs done because you will get more points towards admisssion(this depends on the school).

The other thing that is nice is that many of the non science pre-recs are usually offered online at different CCs

3. If i want to do LVN first and then do the LVN to RN does it matter if i going to attend public school or private school? (many of my friends went to private school for LVN)

Please see my answer above.

4. IN order to apply to LVN to RN program at any community colleges or private college do i have to retake HESI and TEAS exam?

â€‹You do not need to take either exam for the LVN program. If you decide to go strait into an RN program, you will have to have every pre-rec completeed and then if they accept your invitation most CCs will invite you to take there version of the HESI or TEAS.

5. Is it true that HESI and TEAS exam level of difficulty various from campus to campus? It took me three attempt to pass the HESI because the math and the reading comprehension.

It wasnt required of me to take this so I cant answer, sorry. You probably want to talk to who ever handles admissions for their School of Nursing at whichever school you check out.

6. Does every campus required LVN to RN program students to finish their Chemistry, Microbiology before applying for the program?

You dont need to have them completed when you apply (say the admission period is at the start of the semester and you are currently taking your last class) But, your chances of getting admitted with a class still in progress are going to be very low. Its best to have everything complete first.

Also, besides chemistry and micro you will need to have 2 semesters of A&P to apply to a CC RN program. Check with your CC because many schools are requiring Biology 1 before taking A&P and Micro now.

7. Can anybody suggest any community college in LA that i can finish my Chemistry and microbiology?

Yes, this program offeres science classes, taken over 4 weekends. Check with your school, but most do accept credit from them. The only downside is that each class is around 2000, and in the case of A&P most schools will require you to take them at the same school.

ISP - Accelerated College Science Program Courses & Classes

8. For those who take chemistry and microbiology do you have an online assignment or everything is done in class with none online assignments , and do you have to do a lot of difficult conversions? Also do you think taking chemistry and biology at community college will be somehow easier compare to doing nine withing nine weeks at the private school?

This all depends on your school, each progam is different. But, many classes are requiring online homework now.

9. For LVN to RN student do you guys still have to do a lot of research papers with APA format?

Oh yeah, I did tons in my LVN program and the RN requires them as well.

cutescrubs · Jul 9, 2016

I received my LPN (LVN) many years ago. I went from LPN/LVN to ASN (RN) to BSN. I made sure that the program's I selected did NOT require chemistry. If you feel chemistry is your only hang up, then search for a program that doesn't require it.....like I did. They are out there; you just have to look for them.
Good luck!

Thank you very very much BSNbeDONE:angrybird5:

HelloSweetie · Jul 13, 2016

Been there, did that. For me it was trying to do the college algebra. I tried twice and ended up having a mini nervous breakdown in class during the final. I gave up for about a year.

I am now in an rn program at a community college. It tokk me 4 years to get my prerequisites but it was worth it. I had to take prealgebra, beginning algebra then 4 tries to pass intermediate algebra.

I've learned I'm not an algebra person..

I only passed it after a lovely person told me about a site cAllen rateyourprofessor.Co and I was able to vet my 4th algebra teacher for non a**holery.

West Coast let a student a normal college tested as needing prealgebra level mathiness take a college algebra class.

Don't beat yourself up, they are a horrible $$chool