question for LPN to RN students

michelle95 · Jul 20, 2004

Wow....I didn't realize folks act like that.

When I was in LPN school, I was told that when we were to go to Bridge...we would DANCE around the other RN students. This was told to me by the PN department head.

Not that I mean we should be rubbing it in...but, they really think that we can't make it through RN school after having surviving LPN school?

I haven't started yet. I start Career Mobility (Bridge...transition...whatever) this fall and then in Jan, I'll be with the other RN students.

But, you know what...in a lot of RN schools, they are taught to look down on LPNs. I know at the school that I have attended, they do.

stephiebob/lpn2rn · Jul 21, 2004

I think when I get into a program I will keep quiet about being an LPN. It worked well for me going through the core work, only one close friend knew. I feel It adds more pressure because everyone assumes you know everything and wants help/:uhoh3:

jschut, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2004

I had no idea that RN students would treat LPN students that way. After all, we are just that, students....

If I am asked, I will tell what I do for a living, and I will help with what I can. I will not "put on airs" nor will I hide the fact that I am "working my way up" the ladder differently than others are (meaning I am going step by step rather than one leap into RN-hood)...

That said, I sure am getting anxious to start! August 23rd, here I come! :rolleyes:

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2004

Are you serious? As an RN student, I would cozy up to and befriend an LPN. You have the voice of experience and could teach me a thing or two.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 21, 2004

I did a bridge program and it was ONLY LPNs! We didn't interact at all with RN students! But that was 10 years ago and maybe these programs don't exist anymore?

mitchsmom · Jul 21, 2004

I have never heard any comments from students or instructors in our program. We have LPN's, Paramedics, CNA's, phlebotomists, and RN's (doing RN-BSN bridge, some classes are just for them but some are mixed with us BSN students) etc etc in our classes.

My pharm teacher would say "RN's - don't answer this" if she knew they would give it away for the inexperienced students in the class. That is the only differentiation I've ever noticed. :)

MQ Edna · Jul 21, 2004

Thanks everyone for your input. I guess I'll just handle things as they come up. A lot of the second year nursing students think that any new students that show up are redoing the second year after failing out, maybe I'll just let them assume what they want. It's only a year, and I can do anything for a year!

michelle95 · Jul 22, 2004

I did a bridge program and it was ONLY LPNs! We didn't interact at all with RN students! But that was 10 years ago and maybe these programs don't exist anymore?

The school that I am attending was going to try to do this. The way they explained it was that we, as LPNs, have already handling bookoos of foleys, bandages, meds...they were going to keep us to ourselves so we could concentrate on IV meds. However, they weren't able to do this.

Oh well.

I guess I'll handle it when it comes up like tevans.

emme2004 · Jul 29, 2004

Are you serious? As an RN student, I would cozy up to and befriend an LPN. You have the voice of experience and could teach me a thing or two.

I am an RN student too and I totally agree with you. I would love to have someone with experience be in there with me.

camkib · Jul 29, 2004

I just completed the Bridge course and will start the second half of the ADN program in a few weeks. My question is: did you tell anyone (other students or clinical instructors?) in the RN program you were a LPN? how were you treated? If you did tell, any regrets? I'm finding that silence may be golden, as there have been comments made that indicate resentment (ie. as an lpn you're taking a regular nursing students seat, just because you're an lpn doesn't mean you'll make it through, etc) Thanks for your input!

The LPN's that are bridging into our program were introduced to us during the summer. One of them was even my preceptor during a NICU rotation. When I first saw her...I knew that she looked familiar and she reminded me that she would be joining the class in August. We have at least one LPN who started at the beginning with us last fall. I don't think that our LPN students are treated any different. In fact...I think we tend to look up to them because they already have the experience that we're lacking. And as far as someone's opinion that you're taking a regular nursing student seat...ignore them--You've earned your spot just as they have!

~Camkib~

cursenurse · Jul 29, 2004

i am an lpn who just finished an lpn-rn program. everyone in my theory class was an lpn, however for clinicals we were mixed in with the ADN students. i did not broadcast being an lpn, but it did always come out because the instructor would always ask everyone to introduce themselves and tell about their background. i never had a problem with the adn students, sometimes they would seek help with something because they knew that i had a background in nursing.i never picked up on any hostility.i dont understand why anyone would be angry about having an lpn in class with them, you all have a common goal and that is to be rn's.