[General E. Speaking, RN]

Hi there, was wanting some feedback on anyone who has attended a transitional RN program. I have been a LVN for 15 years in Texas, currently taking pre-req's part-time while working full-time on Med-Surg floor.

Was your LVN experience helpful? Was there much competiton getting in the program? Did you work while going to school? For admission purposes: where you rated according to ACT or SAT scores?

I have to take the ACT or SAT and am worried that despite being an excellent nurse, my scores are not going to reflect this. I am taking Intermediate Algebra- hoping this will prepare me for the ACT (or College Algebra- if I am brave enough to tackle it).

Thanks in advance for your responses....

[meownsmile]

I did the LPN/Rn transition program 3 years ago. They gave preference to LPN's that had either gone through their program or the program they took over so i didnt have a problem getting in. I did have to take an ACT, although my school also gave their own version that wasnt transferable if i wanted to go someplace else. I took the national ACT with a bunch of juniors from the local high school. That was fun.
I waited until i had the algebra and chem under my belt before i did and it helped tremendously. I also did all the little tips like getting a good nights sleep, getting there a little early with all required credentials so i could find a seat and take a few minutes to relax and breath. Also if there is anything during the test itself that causes a problem for you (i had a bunch of deaf students who thought it ok to sign to their interpreter during the test), dont let it go.
The transition class was intense,, fast paced and you had to stay on top of things. I didnt work through that although i did stay on per-diem and did work a couple weekends through the 6 week course. I dont know that it is possible to work during a trasition course and make it. If some have its been by the skin of their teeth.
Absolutely the LPN experience on a med/surg floor was helpful. I dont know if experience from another facility such as LTC would have helped.
I have heard since they have been very competative and some are having to wait even a couple years after they have their pre-reqs completed to get into the transition program, which would be hard. Good luck, if you want it bad enough you will find a way to make it work.

[General E. Speaking, RN]

Originally Posted by meownsmile

I did the LPN/Rn transition program 3 years ago. They gave preference to LPN's that had either gone through their program or the program they took over so i didnt have a problem getting in. I did have to take an ACT, although my school also gave their own version that wasnt transferable if i wanted to go someplace else. I took the national ACT with a bunch of juniors from the local high school. That was fun.
I waited until i had the algebra and chem under my belt before i did and it helped tremendously. I also did all the little tips like getting a good nights sleep, getting there a little early with all required credentials so i could find a seat and take a few minutes to relax and breath. Also if there is anything during the test itself that causes a problem for you (i had a bunch of deaf students who thought it ok to sign to their interpreter during the test), dont let it go.
The transition class was intense,, fast paced and you had to stay on top of things. I didnt work through that although i did stay on per-diem and did work a couple weekends through the 6 week course. I dont know that it is possible to work during a trasition course and make it. If some have its been by the skin of their teeth.
Absolutely the LPN experience on a med/surg floor was helpful. I dont know if experience from another facility such as LTC would have helped.
I have heard since they have been very competative and some are having to wait even a couple years after they have their pre-reqs completed to get into the transition program, which would be hard. Good luck, if you want it bad enough you will find a way to make it work.

thanks for the response!!!

[djsrn]

Originally Posted by kriso

Hi there, was wanting some feedback on anyone who has attended a transitional RN program. I have been a LVN for 15 years in Texas, currently taking pre-req's part-time while working full-time on Med-Surg floor.

Was your LVN experience helpful? Was there much competiton getting in the program? Did you work while going to school? For admission purposes: where you rated according to ACT or SAT scores?

I have to take the ACT or SAT and am worried that despite being an excellent nurse, my scores are not going to reflect this. I am taking Intermediate Algebra- hoping this will prepare me for the ACT (or College Algebra- if I am brave enough to tackle it).

Thanks in advance for your responses....

I got my LPN summer of 03, and then entered the RN upward mobility program that fall. I took a test before the program that was specific for the school I went to. I worked 60 hours every two weeks while I was going to school. It was hard, but I pulled if off. I think it really helps to be a nurse already. I used my LPN job to really get to know the meds and use the assessment skills I was learning in school on my pts. but working as an RN is still crazy. Tonight at work I was really wishing I was a flight attendent or a cashier at HyVee.....

[General E. Speaking, RN]

Originally Posted by djsrn

I got my LPN summer of 03, and then entered the RN upward mobility program that fall. I took a test before the program that was specific for the school I went to. I worked 60 hours every two weeks while I was going to school. It was hard, but I pulled if off. I think it really helps to be a nurse already. I used my LPN job to really get to know the meds and use the assessment skills I was learning in school on my pts. but working as an RN is still crazy. Tonight at work I was really wishing I was a flight attendent or a cashier at HyVee.....

sometimes when I'm at work I think the same thing...I'm actually going to school so I can keep doing this??? As a staff nurse in a hospital (at least in Texas) the role of a LVN is fairly similair to RN. Few specific things we are not allowed to do. Anyway, I'm just ready to be compensated for the job that I do each day. I want to work at least part-time while doing a transitional program...hoping it will fall into place.

[djsrn]

Originally Posted by kriso

sometimes when I'm at work I think the same thing...I'm actually going to school so I can keep doing this??? As a staff nurse in a hospital (at least in Texas) the role of a LVN is fairly similair to RN. Few specific things we are not allowed to do. Anyway, I'm just ready to be compensated for the job that I do each day. I want to work at least part-time while doing a transitional program...hoping it will fall into place.

I think you will do fine with school and work. You still have to study hard, but not as hard as someone with no healthcare experience. Here in south dakota lpns do lots of "rn" things also. they can start ivs, hang atx after the first one is hung by an rn and so on. Good luck with school...the pay raise is worth it!!