[Sippy]

I stumbled on this website thru google and I have to say it has really encouraged me. Like so many others here I'm 43 years old and starting a new life. Youngest child started school half days this year, full-time next year. My ultimate goal is to become an RN. I had really been wrestling with my age and starting over at this point. I am so glad I stumbled on this site. I definately feel more confident now.
I am in a rural area but, we do have some community college classes available here. I visited the CC and came away with a list of classes to complete an Associates in Science. So I enrolled in Anatomy this semester. Then......
I called the nearest school with a nursing program, hoping I could attend full time next year while the kids are in school. She gave me a list of 4 classes that are pre-reqs for an LPN. So now I'm confused...... What is the Associates in Science for??? Is this what I need to get to the RN? When I complete the Associates, what would the next step be for the RN? What could I possibly do with just an Associates? It's going to take me 2-3 years to get that, do I progress on to the RN from there? How much longer after would it take to complete the RN? Or.... It would take me this year (to get the pre-reqs) and next year to complete the LPN. If I went the LPN route, I can honestly say I would probably never continue on from there to RN. I need to commit one way or the other. I would really appreciate someone pointing me in the right direction. I'm excited and ready to get to work on it, just need to know where I'm going with this......

Thanks for any help,
Sippy

[ksrnstudent]

Sippy,

I'm currently in an ADN program close to Wichita and will graduate in May 2005. I took my prereqs in Spring '03, and started the nursing program in Fall '03 of the same year.

At my college, the prereqs for the RN are the same for LPNs because all students start as RN students. Only after completing two semesters (half of the program) are we allowed to sit for LPN boards. This is completely optional. However, after the two semesters you can either continue for two more semesters and get the RN, or stop with your LPN.

I would recommend going for the RN, especially after working as a new LPN now. There's so much more you can do as an RN that you can't do as an LPN. RN's are also paid better. I don't know if this is true in other states, but here in Kansas if you are an LPN you will most likely be stuck working in LTC. The hospitals around here don't hire very many LPNs and they won't put them in area such as ICU (which is where I would like to be eventually).

I hope this helps! Feel free to e-mail me if you want additional information.

Oh, by the way, don't let your age discourage you. I have a classmate that will be 60 when we graduate next May!

[J. B.]

Originally Posted by Sippy

I stumbled on this website thru google and I have to say it has really encouraged me. Like so many others here I'm 43 years old and starting a new life. Youngest child started school half days this year, full-time next year. My ultimate goal is to become an RN. I had really been wrestling with my age and starting over at this point. I am so glad I stumbled on this site. I definately feel more confident now.
I am in a rural area but, we do have some community college classes available here. I visited the CC and came away with a list of classes to complete an Associates in Science. So I enrolled in Anatomy this semester. Then......
I called the nearest school with a nursing program, hoping I could attend full time next year while the kids are in school. She gave me a list of 4 classes that are pre-reqs for an LPN. So now I'm confused...... What is the Associates in Science for??? Is this what I need to get to the RN? When I complete the Associates, what would the next step be for the RN? What could I possibly do with just an Associates? It's going to take me 2-3 years to get that, do I progress on to the RN from there? How much longer after would it take to complete the RN? Or.... It would take me this year (to get the pre-reqs) and next year to complete the LPN. If I went the LPN route, I can honestly say I would probably never continue on from there to RN. I need to commit one way or the other. I would really appreciate someone pointing me in the right direction. I'm excited and ready to get to work on it, just need to know where I'm going with this......

Thanks for any help,
Sippy

Associates Degree ..Bachaloriate are both able to take the state boards.
There are a few Diploma programs that I had graduated from some 24 yrs ago but there are very few of those left.
If you are looking to become an RN as fast as possible AD will do it but would recomend attaining your BSN if you can..or can afford it. being 43 ..well the profession could sure use you regardless of the the degreee you have attained.
Please forgive the spelling
John Bosco
AKA Terry Mason