Thinking of becoming an LVN or RN

[sullivanlane]

 I got laid off from my job in May and still haven't found a new position. I went to SDSU for journalism, but we know that's a dying industry (if it's not dying, at the very least they pay pennies for a lot of hard work). I'm thinking of returning to school to become an LVN or RN

Comments

[leanne_opaskar]

A friend of mine just went through the nursing program up at San Jacinto. If I recall correctly, their LVN program is two years, and the RN program is four years. She liked it and said that it was very good, but there is the big caveat:

Their recommendation for their students was that you absolutely could NOT do the program part-time; it was too much work both in time commitment and homework. From what I saw of how much effort my friend put in, they really weren't kidding about that.

I don't know if there are other schools that do teach nursing part-time, but San Jacinto, while it does have a good program, is definitely not part-time.

[sullivanlane]

I need to do a program that is part-time because I have a young son. If I go full-time, that means I need to put him in daycare full-time, which we can't really afford on one income.

[vtnurse]

I didn't go to nursing school around here, so I have no input for you as far as that goes, but I'd highly suggest doing a program that allows you to get your LVN then RN (typically with an associates program, the first year is LVN, the second is RN). The job market for LVN's here is rapidly dying, but it's nice to have that certification to be able to pick up a few hours of work while you're getting your RN.

Though, I will advise you against Kaplan for your schooling. Their nursing program has a terrible pass/fail rate for the NCLEX (the national nursing exam), and they are extraordinarily expensive. I know a few people that got into that program without knowing that it's not that good, struggled terribly, came out of it with a ton of debt, had to take the NCLEX more than once (it costs money each time you have to take it), and now that they're LVN's they are having a hard time finding full-time work that has decent pay.

[sullivanlane]

That is my plan: Get my LVN first and then hopefully get a job that will help facilitate or even help pay for my RN. Because I have a young son I don't want to

Thanks for the recommendation against Kaplan.

[noromdiam]

My friend in San Diego just finished an accelerated BSN program (for people who already have a bachelor degree in an unrelated field) through University of Oklahoma, they have a collaboration with Sharp Hospital. I think the classes were mostly online so you can take them at home. She was done in 14 months, she started her job 4 months after graduating (although with a lot of years in biotech and dental assistant doesn't hurt).

[sullivanlane]

I am terrible at online courses; I have a hard time learning that way and focusing. I need to be in a physical class. I will check it out though; thanks!

[keepinitcool]

I noticed there were some threads on it at this website. Although it sounded very intense since it's an accelerated program (online "book" courses, then lab at Sharp Hospital locations). There are probably other useful details on this site.

http://allnurses.com/

[usha93]

Grossmont College.

[sullivanlane]

They only have LVN to RN or a straight RN program. Do you know of any good LVN programs?

[seosandiego]

my friend is a rn in san diego, ill give her a holla in the morning to see if I can get some info for you.