LPNs who continued on to RN....I have a question for you?

[2banurse]

I was just curious:eek: to see if you felt that going through the LPN first was a better choice. Do you feel that in the RN program you received as good a clinical base as when you went to the LPN? I'm sure that you were able to see things differently than some of your RN classmates that have not gone through any clinicals yet.

I'm really contemplating the LPN program over the RN, because I feel that the amount of clinical hours will enable me to become a better RN, if I become an LPN first. I know that there are some ares that RNs have over LPNs, but the LPN program I am looking into seems to be more intensive with about 700 clinical hours over a 11 month period, versus approximately the same, but over 2 years.

Thanks,

Kris

[KELLYGIRL]

I AM AN LPN 5 MONTHS AWAY FROM GRADUATING RN SCHOOL... RN SCHOOL IS DIFFERENT AS SAID ABOVE... WORDS OF ADVICE??? DO NOT...I REPEAT... DO NOT ... LET YOUR PAST EDUCATION GET TO YOUR HEAD...SUCH AS "OH, I ALREADY KNOW ALL ABOUT THAT... I WON'T HAVE TO READ OVER THAT MATERIAL". CRITICAL THINKING IS A MUST. THEY NOT ONLY WANT TO KNOW IF YOU KNOW THE MATERIAL...BUT DO YOU REALLY KNOW HOW TO APPLY IT??? RN SCHOOL HAS BEEN A GOOD REFRESHER.

GOOD LUCK....KELLY GIRL

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

fadingyouth

I always thought the reason LPN/LVN's couldn't clep out of the RN program was because the university systems would be losing all those tuition/textbook/student activity fees/etc. He11, I would've given a grand or so for the clep to bypass the whole school experience.

Kellygirl

A "good refresher" is just how I described the RN program for myself as well. I don't believe they teach anyone critical thinking; it is kind of like common sense; either you have it or you don't.

[bewbew]

I most definetely found the training easier, as the time management, and just the basic talking to patient's were not something new to me......

but I am nervous about starting as a new RN in a few weeks......

[SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN]

if you need more time on the floors, why not go for the rn & sit for the nclex-pn after finishing your first year because they're both suppose to be on par. check with your sbon to see if you would be able to do this.

that way, you can work as a lpn for the experience while finishing-out your last year of rn school. you plan on getting it anyway...so way not? if you have the opportunity to do the rn thing now...that would be your best bet. why pay for both lpn & rn schools? i wished i could've done it that way...but i had no idea at the time of becoming a lpn. besides, anything could happen that might delay you from bridging over to the rn program...most people tend to stay at the lpn level once they've started working & haven't made any commitments towards getting their rn prerequisites started. if you make an investment in the rn program...you will more than likely finish it. but if you just go through the lpn program without making any commitment to bridging over, you might get caught-up in working as a lpn & not make to move to bridge at all...depending on the circumstances at the time...of course. you'll get more confidence as you work...a lot of lpn graduates also feel that they're not ready for the real world...don't be fooled. remember...an expert was once a beginer...so you'd get better with time...lpn or rn. i'd seriously think about it. good luck!

happy new year - cheers!

moe

[Love-A-Nurse]

originally posted by kellygirl

i am an lpn 5 months away from graduating rn school... rn school is different as said above... words of advice??? do not...i repeat... do not ... let your past education get to your head...such as "oh, i already know all about that... i won't have to read over that material". critical thinking is a must. they not only want to know if you know the material...but do you really know how to apply it??? rn school has been a good refresher.

good luck....kelly girl

good advice, kelly.

[Squeeta2]

I started out years ago as a nurses aid, progressed to my LPN and am now in my final semester for my RN.

Would I have changed anything? Not on your life!! My LPN clinicals were much more intense than what I recieve now in college. Keep in mind I'm speaking about my experience but the general consensus is the same among the other LPNs in my class.

Also I think this is a great way to actually KNOW who & what aspects you are responsible for supervising. I know many LPN/RN grads alike that think they will never have to wipe butt or empty a urinal. However they think nothing of sending an aide in solo to clean a C-Diff pt who has just exploded all over their bed.

As far as taking the LPN boards while in school for your RN....I know quite a few who entered into the program with that intent. However once the reality of school, work & god help you if your a Mom hits - not to mention once your eligibile to take the boards your nearly done with school anyhow, most people just don't do it.

Go by your instincts, its what great nurses do!!!

[Rock, LPN, RN]

I began as an LPN and worked in that capacity for a number of years, then enrolled in a RN distance program based in Albany, NY.

I believe you cannot have a seasoned nurse

in just four short semesters. Having nursing

experience as an LPN will greatly enhance your

clinical performance. Much of your clinical experience

is gained after graduation, therefore, anything

learned before graduation will make a much better

beginning RN.

I am also in favor of a career-ladder approach to

gaining clinical and theoretical experience, CNA, LPN,

RN, BSN, MSN, etc. An excellent way to eliminate the

nursing shortage. No need to import from other countries.

Sincerely,

Rock :)

:kiss

:roll

[SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN]

welcome to allnurses!

cheers!

moe

[opalmRN]

This is why I love allnurses.com

Everytime I log on I become more and more reasured.

I too will begin a program in June that after 1 year I will be able to sit for my LPN. Then with just about another year after that I will be able to sit for my RN. I will have my ASN so if I don't run out of steam I could theoretically continue on for my BSN and then MSN. I plan to work p/t after passing my PN boards so that in addition to the clinical requirements for my RN I will be gaining valuable additional time working.

I am so glad I found the school that works for me and a BB that has so many wonderful experienced nurses willing to share.

Kudos to all of you,

C

[Rock, LPN, RN]

Hi:

Glad to see that you are taking small steps to becoming a RN.

There is a school in Manhattan called Helene Fuld School of Nursing that prepares people to become LPNs in one year, then prepares them for RN in one more year. I also believe they have

another school in New Jersey.

IF you haven't already registered in your school, you may want to obtain information from them about their school.

In either case, Good Luck to you !!

Rock

[Rock, LPN, RN]

Hi Moe!

Enjoyed your sayings.

Rock

:chuckle :roll :stone :chuckle

[RNpupil]

LPN RN just get the job done!