Is it necessary to be a LPN before applying to nursing school?

[planetoi]

A few days ago I posted about being conflicted as to whether or not I should go into nursing, and one of the people who replied suggested that I become a LPN first to see how I like it. I thought this was a great idea, but I do have a problem.

The thing is, when I was still in high school I decided that I wanted to study the humanities in university, so I stopped taking math and science after grade 11. Now that I've changed my mind, I'm missing those pre reqs for nursing school or a LPN program. So in order to do any of those, first I'd have to take a pre health course (which is one year) to get all my credits in order. Then we can add on another year to become an LPN. Then if I decide to go to nursing school, that's another four years. So we're up to 6 years of schooling to get my bachelors. It's not so much the amount of time that bothers me, I'm a pretty patient person. But that is a LOT of money and a LOT of debt.

I'm not really sure I want to go through all of that :/ Should I go for it anyway? Are there any of you who went straight to nursing school without being an LPN? How did you decide that nursing was for you?

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

[CanadianGirl79]

Ah, classic ad hominem attack.

This thread isn't about me, nor is it a place judge my character or career choices (which I'm pretty content with). It's pretty irrelevant actually. Perhaps you should offer OP some sound advice WITH reasoning.

I'm sorry that you felt offended by that comment but despite what you may think, the RN path provides much more career choices and contrary to what you preach LPNs are not, nor will ever be on the same footing as an RN. I was suggesting OP bypass the redundant bridging process and go straight for the degree.

Not a troll but this site is pretty notorious for branding those who disagree as such. I now completely see where the horizontal violence in this profession comes from.

1) **************** edited

2) Speaking as someone who is both an RPN/LPN and an RN, I can assure you that at the basis, we are very much on the same footing. Having been through both programs, I can tell you that the difference is not related at all to nursing skills, or patient care. It's about research and paper-writing, and leadership. The BScN program focuses not just on the role of nurse at the bedside, but in other settings as well. It also focuses on evidence-based practice (though more and more PN programs are doing so as well these days). RPNs/LPNs are every bit the equal of RNs. I can say this with certainty, as I am registered as both, and proudly so.

Yes, taking the bridging program can be frustrating at times, mostly because you have to deal with people saying things like "when you're a nurse" when you already ARE a nurse, but it can also be rewarding, as your clinical experience and professional nursing expertise will serve you well in your classes and allow you to help the straight BScN students know what to expect from the "real world" of nursing once they graduate.