[bmm08]

Hello I am attending Ivy Tech Lafayette and I am lost!!!!! I missed the deadline for the RN program to start in Aug so I am thinking about starting the LPN program in Jan 09. I feel like I am lost and really don't know what direction to go in. My plan is to go through the LPN and transition into the RN but I keep hearing that it isn't that smooth of a move. If anyone has any advice please help me!!!!! Thanks

[NurseCaitie]

Well I am a new grad, and although I wasn't an LPN, I saw what some of my classmates who were LPNs went through.
PROS:
You get great experiences before you go to RN school. The students that are new to nursing are going to look up to you as the experienced nurse. You are going to already know about medications, wound care, etc.

When you start working as an LPN that will be considered in your salary when you become an RN. All the LPNs are making a couple dollars more b/c of the prior experience they have as an LPN!!!

CONS:
Although you will have all this experience as an LPN, many of the LPNs at my school had a harder time grasping certain concepts b/c of the prior experience they have. This may sound confusing but let me explain. In real world nursing things are not done text book like they are in nursing school. LPNs also do way more then they are "suppose" to in the real world of nursing. So when you get questions on your test about delegating tasks to an LPN, it may confuse you b/c you are going to think, "well I do all those things at work, so what do I choose?" The other thing is the things you were taught in nursing school as an LPN and the way you perform your tasks as an LPN are going to contradict what you learn as an RN. It takes the first year to transition b/c you will no longer be an LPN but an RN.

I'm not sure how it is where you live but in VA LPNs have to work at a Nursing Home before you work at the hospital. Now it may be different. But LPNs basically run the floors at the Nursing Home. Its a hard job with little pay, but again you get great experience that will help you in RN school.

Bottom line the choice is up to you. You will get great experience, but once in RN school you may have some trouble b/c what we do in the real world doesnt always match up to the text books. Well sorry this is so long I feel like Im rambling.

[bmm08]

Thank you for your time and information. I will try to make a good descision, it is just so confusing.

[racing-mom4]

I hate to put a damper on your plans as I am sure you are bummed enough about not getting in to the Fall class. But i dont know if going the LPN route 1st is the best course??? This will mean you will need to sit for boards twice,not to mention the open seats avail for transitional students are less than the seats for traditional students.

Do you have any other pre-reqs you can take towards your RN? Can you finish those over the next year so that next Fall all you will need to take will be your nursing courses? Is there another nursing school in your area you could get into at this point?

I know how frustrating it is to wait, I was a year behind my ideal plan on getting into the nursing program. I just dont know if getting your LPN 1st is a wise time and financial decision--it may be based more off of emotions such as "I just want to get started!"

Best of luck on what ever path you choose.