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RN's- question about county programs
If you did or know anything about L.A. County programs for nursing students, please enlighten me. How do you get into one? Is working for a county hospital as awful as people make it out to be?
Here's my dilemma: I'm finishing up my last pre-req class and was thinking of applying to CSUN. I already have a B.A. in another field from CSULA so I would complete CSUN's accelerated BSN program (18 months). The only problem is I would come out of school with no experience. I'm worried it will be difficult to find a job since most listings I've seen want at least 2 years exp.
I've heard that you can complete a county program instead and sign on for two years to get your experience. Has anybody done this? If so, what was your experience with it? If not, have you heard of anybody who's done that?
Re: RN's- question about county programs
I actually just graduated from County in May. I would be working, but I just had DS two months ago and decided to wait until the new year to start working.
First off, doing clinicals at county is not bad at all. Granted you are working with a lot of homeless and under served people, but they can be the most grateful and appreciative. You will also see and experience more things than at anywhere else. You can call 323.226.4911. Ask them to send you info.
Like you, I already had my degree in another field. I just wanted to complete my RN asap. Plus, I think CSUN just started that accelerated program. As far as I know, none of my classmates have had any problems finding jobs. As a matter of fact many of them have their choice of shifts etc. As long as you have your RN you are able to get a job almost anywhere if they offer a new grad program. The experience doesn't really matter. Personally, I feel that the county program really prepared me for working in the hospital. I had plenty of time to accomplish my objectives and see many things. I know with accelerated programs you are often limited in the clinical area because you are trying to do so much in a short period.
I know county school does offer tuition deferment type program. You pay $700/ semester and the rest is deferred until you graduate. If you decided to work for county for 3 years the debt is forgiven. No money is taken out of your check either.
I hope I answered all of your questions. Feel free to page me if you want to know more. GL!
I am a County grad as well (about 9 years ago). I felt that I got a lot more experience because of the patient population there. It is also easier to get a job at county, when you are a county grad, because they have trained you they way they want.
There is a huge nursing shortage in California. It is very easy to get a job, in bedside nursing, and many hospitals have new grad programs. As for 2 years clinical experience, that would depend on the type of job you want. I spent 8 years as an acute pediatric RN. Now I work for the IT department of a hospital as a clinical analyst. For this position, it was a requirement to have 2 years clinical experience.
The CSUN program sounds great. ?I and my friends were unable to get in to any RN school, even the county one, so I had to go the LVN route. ?I finished all my pre req's years ago. ?I am hoping after I get my license to bridge over to RN.
You do get hands on experience during nursing school, you are doing the work, just being supervised while doing it.
I wish you luck and speed on your endeavors. You can also check out west coast university. ?They are a private school that is offering RN courses.?
Thank you!! Same to you!
I'm going to check into West Coast University too. Thanks for the info!