Arkansas Nurses and Students....

kcan2 · May 21, 2004

I'm about to enter a CC and possibly a LPN program. My eventual goal, however, is to be a RN. Does anyone have any advice as to whether or not to do the LPN program and then try to get into a RN bridge program somewhere, or should I just do my prereq's at a CC and then try to transfer over to UCA, UALR or even the program at Baptist? Any suggestions here would be appreciated. I am tempted to do the LPN program just so I can hurry up and get into learning what I'm there for (nursing), and I'm not sure what kind of chances I would have to getting into a 4yr school after I've taken all the prereq's at a CC. (I know that UCA gives preference to students who have been at their school from the beginning.. Pre-Nursing Students.) But, I can't just start out there, as I want to get started now and I've already enrolled at the CC where I live, not to mention it's much cheaper this way. Ugghhh!! I just don't know what would be the best route to take financially and emotionally.. I would be very upset if I made it through LPN school, but I couldn't get in to a RN program. Okay.. enough.. now... anybody got any suggestions?

I am hardly an expert, as I am only doing my pre-reqs now myself. But we are close in age (I am 34) so we may have a few things in common. I am doing my pre-reqs at NWACC in Bentonville. I hope to get my ADN there as well. I will then work and attempt to obtain my BSN, probably from U of A Fayetteville. Around here there is an LPN program that does not require any pre-reqs and takes 9 months I believe to finish if you go full time. If an LPN goes to obtain their ADN at the community college they of course have to take all the pre-reqs and they enter an "LPN track". I am not sure what is different, it seems they take most of the same program that someone who has never been a nurse takes. That sounds like a lot of duplication to me. But there are a lot of different ways to get to the same place, so I think you should do what feels right to you- just learn all you can so that you can make a wise decision. Good luck!

emchugh · Jan 16, 2005

Hi! Where in AR is this LPN program that does not require any pre-reqs and takes 9 months to finish if you go full time? And does anyone know if you can then transfer these LPN credits to an LPN-RN bridge program?

Or....any other suggestions for a CMA-A/C from CA to do more than go back to doing CNA work?

Any schools here or in MO or OK that accept transfer credits from a voc school in CA as credit towards LPN or RN?

All suggestions appreciated as I hate to go back to CNA work after having been a CMA!

Thanks,

emchugh

nananurse2 · Feb 5, 2005

Hi! Where in AR is this LPN program that does not require any pre-reqs and takes 9 months to finish if you go full time? And does anyone know if you can then transfer these LPN credits to an LPN-RN bridge program?
Or....any other suggestions for a CMA-A/C from CA to do more than go back to doing CNA work?
Any schools here or in MO or OK that accept transfer credits from a voc school in CA as credit towards LPN or RN?
All suggestions appreciated as I hate to go back to CNA work after having been a CMA!
Thanks,
emchugh

I just applied to Northwest Technical in Springdale. It's a 16 mo program with pre-reqs, then interviews for clinicals. They have an agreement with Har-Ber school of Nursing and NWACC for transfer credits to their LPN to RN programs.

Not sure about OK or MO OR if you can transfer credits to AR LPN program.

Hope this helps

sda__chick · Feb 19, 2005

I just applied to Northwest Technical in Springdale. It's a 16 mo program with pre-reqs, then interviews for clinicals. They have an agreement with Har-Ber school of Nursing and NWACC for transfer credits to their LPN to RN programs.
Not sure about OK or MO OR if you can transfer credits to AR LPN program.
Hope this helps

ok i live in rogers and i was trying to find out info about nti but their website totally sucks and doesnt give much info. could u please tell me where to go cuz it is already to late to enter the nursing program in nwacc. thanks bye

sda__chick · Feb 19, 2005

ok i live in rogers and i was trying to find out info about nti but their website totally sucks and doesnt give much info. could u please tell me where to go cuz it is already to late to enter the nursing program in nwacc. thanks bye

nananurse2 · Feb 19, 2005

ok i live in rogers and i was trying to find out info about nti but their website totally sucks and doesnt give much info. could u please tell me where to go cuz it is already to late to enter the nursing program in nwacc. thanks bye

NTI is located on Hwy 265 (Old Missouri Rd), south of the Rodeo grounds, on the left (going south). Their phone# is 479-751-8824. You can pick up an application during regular office hours, or they will mail one to you.

The program starts in Aug and all apps must be complete by June 1. These include fillling out the app, 2 employer references, 4 personal references, HS transcript and taking the NET test and Compass test.

I'm taking the NET next Thurs. and the Compass in March. You still have time. Give them a call!

sda__chick · Feb 20, 2005

NTI is located on Hwy 265 (Old Missouri Rd), south of the Rodeo grounds, on the left (going south). Their phone# is 479-751-8824. You can pick up an application during regular office hours, or they will mail one to you.
The program starts in Aug and all apps must be complete by June 1. These include fillling out the app, 2 employer references, 4 personal references, HS transcript and taking the NET test and Compass test.
I'm taking the NET next Thurs. and the Compass in March. You still have time. Give them a call!

ok well im only sixteen and i have not had my first job yet. do u have to have two employe references

nananurse2 · Feb 20, 2005

ok well im only sixteen and i have not had my first job yet. do u have to have two employe references

Ahhhhh, ok, you are only sixteen. Sweetie, I'm 51, and yes I have 2 job references!

Ok, what you need to do for experience and jobs: Allied Health in Lowell has CNA (certified nurse assistant) courses you can take and become certified in a couple of months. Watch the ads in the local paper in the medical section of the want ads. Then, you can get a job working in the hospitals or long term care for the summer. This will give you experience, references and a taste of what nursing is like. In fact, I have a friend who has a son in Rogers High School that is taking a "medical careers?" course and became a CNA that way. You might check with your school counselor.

I was a nurse assistant 20 years ago and really, really enjoyed working at the hospital. Then, I had 2 small boys and my husband had a business and well, life happened for awhile. 3 yrs ago I applied for a PCA (patient care asisstant) position in a local medical clinic. I've been crossed-trained in all areas of the medical clinic. I do wound care, surgical assistant, draw blood and run the lab. I do everything the LPN does and more because I've been there longer. So, just decided now was the time to get licensed, before my life ran out!!

So, pay attention in math and chemistry, get some work experience, and in Jan before you graduate, get an application to either NWACC or NTI for their fall semester programs. I'm really proud of you for looking ahead and asking questions now. You will do great.

ekalbab · Feb 23, 2005

I'm about to enter a CC and possibly a LPN program. My eventual goal, however, is to be a RN. Does anyone have any advice as to whether or not to do the LPN program and then try to get into a RN bridge program somewhere, or should I just do my prereq's at a CC and then try to transfer over to UCA, UALR or even the program at Baptist? Any suggestions here would be appreciated. I am tempted to do the LPN program just so I can hurry up and get into learning what I'm there for (nursing), and I'm not sure what kind of chances I would have to getting into a 4yr school after I've taken all the prereq's at a CC. (I know that UCA gives preference to students who have been at their school from the beginning.. Pre-Nursing Students.) But, I can't just start out there, as I want to get started now and I've already enrolled at the CC where I live, not to mention it's much cheaper this way. Ugghhh!! I just don't know what would be the best route to take financially and emotionally.. I would be very upset if I made it through LPN school, but I couldn't get in to a RN program. Okay.. enough.. now... anybody got any suggestions?

There are many Rn programs that accept based on grades in your core classess. Like Chemistry and Micro. While this is very important getting LPN would be good money too but I would try not to compromise my grades.

ekalbab · Feb 23, 2005

I am hardly an expert, as I am only doing my pre-reqs now myself. But we are close in age (I am 34) so we may have a few things in common. I am doing my pre-reqs at NWACC in Bentonville. I hope to get my ADN there as well. I will then work and attempt to obtain my BSN, probably from U of A Fayetteville. Around here there is an LPN program that does not require any pre-reqs and takes 9 months I believe to finish if you go full time. If an LPN goes to obtain their ADN at the community college they of course have to take all the pre-reqs and they enter an "LPN track". I am not sure what is different, it seems they take most of the same program that someone who has never been a nurse takes. That sounds like a lot of duplication to me. But there are a lot of different ways to get to the same place, so I think you should do what feels right to you- just learn all you can so that you can make a wise decision. Good luck!

Alot of the skill that new nurses start learning would be repeat to an LPN but I have a few in my class who are becoming RN's and it seems to be pretty difficult for everyone.

chaching43 · Mar 14, 2005

I'm about to enter a CC and possibly a LPN program. My eventual goal, however, is to be a RN. Does anyone have any advice as to whether or not to do the LPN program and then try to get into a RN bridge program somewhere, or should I just do my prereq's at a CC and then try to transfer over to UCA, UALR or even the program at Baptist? Any suggestions here would be appreciated. I am tempted to do the LPN program just so I can hurry up and get into learning what I'm there for (nursing), and I'm not sure what kind of chances I would have to getting into a 4yr school after I've taken all the prereq's at a CC. (I know that UCA gives preference to students who have been at their school from the beginning.. Pre-Nursing Students.) But, I can't just start out there, as I want to get started now and I've already enrolled at the CC where I live, not to mention it's much cheaper this way. Ugghhh!! I just don't know what would be the best route to take financially and emotionally.. I would be very upset if I made it through LPN school, but I couldn't get in to a RN program. Okay.. enough.. now... anybody got any suggestions?

MY SISTER IS NOW AN RN IN CONWAY AND I AM A LPN...SHE HAS ADVISED ME TO DO THE LPN PROGRAM FIRST AND THEN BRIDGE...YOU CAN BE MAKING GOOD MONEY AND YOU ALREADY HAVE A HUGE ADVANTAGE WHEN ENTERING THE RN PROGRAM NOT TO MENTION YOU WILL BE A SHOE IN WHEN APPLYING FOR THE RN PROGRAM AS THEY ACCEPT LPNS FIRST...THE LPN PROGRAM HERE IN MOUNTAIN HOME IS A YEAR AND YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO MISS 2 DAYS FOR THE WHOLE YEAR...THE WORK IS HARD BUT BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND ALL IS WELL... GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND FEEL FREE TO WRITE...CHACHING43 LPN