Fastest way to become a RN/BSM (2 Years)

Students CNA/MA

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The Question i always get is what is the fastest way to receive a RN license , i will explain how going straight to RN sounds great but too risky.

  1. LPN in a vocational school is much easier and faster to get than in a regular college, yes there is a cost but when you do the math you finish much faster.
  2. With LPN , You can move to any state and work while taking RN bridge program you cant do that with CNA.
  3. LPN has no prerequisite , you go direct to nursing courses, that's why you finish faster.
  4. LPN makes good money $25-30 an hour part time or full time. suppose you are not able to do RN for any reason, then you can still support your family with a LPN License

RN in a college 4 years , LPN - TO RN = Total : 2 Years

Note: had to re-post the article , whoever commented is welcomed to post it again , this is open for discussion

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

So you don't count the time you spend in LPN school? Where I live, LPN programs take at least a year, many are 18 months. Then to do an LPN - ADN bridge program, it takes another year or slightly longer. That adds up to more than 2 years ... and even then you wouldn't have the BSN that the 4-year college plan would give you.

It is usually cheaper to go LPN - ADN - BSN ... but it is not faster, especially if you have to wait a little for the next program in your sequence doesn't start the day you graduate from the previous one.

WCSU1987

944 Posts

I already have my bachelor's work as a Tech make about $5 less than an LPN about $8-$10 less than a nurse. I like to go LPN route due to the program's in my area encourage those with bachelor's pursuing nursing a guarantee entry if pass the TEAS. In addition to, fiance is doing LPN school right now was wait listed for a nursing program so it's definitely a great back up. However, few thing's confuse me in regards to the LPN program...way my fiance explained it to me is they can distribute narc meds, do IVs, do phlebotomy, wound care, and so forth. It all seems pretty similar to an RN only difference is fiance says it is facility based, not sure what that means. Also very few LPN job's maybe 10 openings.

Also if doing the LPN program would go LPN to BSN skip the ADN route in my state. Basically have all your prerequisites done within the 2 year's guaranteed at least a decent per diem/part time job. Your grades if good in LPN school will probably guarantee your admission instead of being wait listed to a BSN program. Also if down South there are a few LPN to BSN brick motor school's.

I am still shooting for the BSN option and LPN as the back-up.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

In most of the U.S. LPNs do NOT start out at $25-$30/hr. That's an RN rate. Most LPNs in the NY metro area start at $17-22/hr depending on setting. In south east $12-20 is more realistic.

A LPN to BSN will take 4 years as nearly all LPN programs are non-collegiate so no credits transfer.

Realistic Paths to Nursing timelines .

LPN 10-18 months full time, most economical is a public program as for-profit commercial programs like the OP markets for are 2-5x the cost.

Hospital based diploma--3 years

ASN/RN-- 2.5-3 years (including pre-reqs but not accounting for admissions process, and placement testing)

LPN to ASN-- 10-18 months for LPN,9-18 months for pre-reqs, 12-18 months for nursing component. Total 37- 54 months (not including application and admissions testing)

BSN/RN-- 48-52 months (admitted to a traditional BSN program 8-9 semesters for 128-136 credit hours)

LPN to BSN-- 58-70 months

Online RN to BSN--6 months (experienced, efficient nurse that's self motivated completing online RN to BSN) to 24 months depending on program (many are online,)

Please provide information about this mythical LPN to BSN program that can be fully completed in 24 months including all pre-requisite, co-requisite, and concurrent nursing clinical and theory coursework. BSN programs are often 30 months for the sequence of clinical & theory courses (approximately 5 semesters) an LPN in a vocational program does not achieve college credits. Very few BSN programs offer credit for LPN licensure and those that do it's only 6-8 credit towards the minimum 128-136 credits required for graduation from an accredited baccalaureate program.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

What is a BSM?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
However, few thing's confuse me in regards to the LPN program...way my fiance explained it to me is they can distribute narc meds, do IVs, do phlebotomy, wound care, and so forth. It all seems pretty similar to an RN only difference is fiance says it is facility based, not sure what that means.

Working as a LPN, "facility based" means that companies that you work for can dictate whether or not one can use their licensure scope, which can be a disadvantage; also if one wants to be certified in a specialty, ie Pediatrics, those opportunities and limited without being an RN.

OCNRN63, RN

5,978 Posts

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I already have my bachelor's work as a Tech make about $5 less than an LPN about $8-$10 less than a nurse. I like to go LPN route due to the program's in my area encourage those with bachelor's pursuing nursing a guarantee entry if pass the TEAS. In addition to, fiance is doing LPN school right now was wait listed for a nursing program so it's definitely a great back up. However, few thing's confuse me in regards to the LPN program...way my fiance explained it to me is they can distribute narc meds, do IVs, do phlebotomy, wound care, and so forth. It all seems pretty similar to an RN only difference is fiance says it is facility based, not sure what that means. Also very few LPN job's maybe 10 openings.

There is more to being an RN than tasks.

Editorial Team / Admin

Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN

6 Articles; 11,658 Posts

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

And that unrealistic time frame is also dependent on the student being able to go straight through. Life is what happens when you make plans- and that means sometimes, those plans have to be modified and rescheduled.

solDanz

11 Posts

In the school I have just finished my CNA course in, I stopped in to talk to someone in the Nursing department about future career options. Turns out it was the department head! The way she presented it was that, if accepted to the ADN program (which has a waiting list and other things that keep you from jumping right in) the minimum amount of time in program that she would recommend to a student was 18 months. This was pretty much taking an extra course or two every semester to cut down on the time. Then, after passing the NCLEX, a four year college that is connected to our technical school has set it up to where interested individuals can actually finish their BSN online. She said that while there has yet to be anyone that has taken advantage of it, she believes that, with work, it would only take another 6 months to a year. ADNs make pretty good money here, so I guess no one has seen fit to make the effort yet.

But I do wonder why there are things like history and elective prerequisites before you can start the actual nursing courses. Just seems like it would go a lot quicker without.

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