Nursing shortage bolony! Let the practicing LPN/LVN's get into school 1st!

HeartsOpenWide, RN · May 24, 2009

I am not an LPN/LVN and I did not go to a accelerated program, but I did go to a program that went by merits. It went by overall GPA, pre-req GPA, TEAS score, state residency, if you had a foreign language, and if you had past medical experience. Some one that was an LVN with a good GPA would have a much better chance getting into my program than some one with a good GPA and a non-medical degree.

Are you just referring to accelerated programs or all programs? Because the reason that accelerated programs take people that already have degree, from what I understand, is because they only teach nursing courses and graduate their students with a BSN (because all the GE for lower and upper division courses are taken)

Jules A, MSN · May 24, 2009

I don't know if I'm following you, the programs that award BSNs are because the students already have a degree and all the gen-ed stuff that goes with it. Have you looked into bridge programs at local community colleges? When I did the LPN to ADN bridge program I got credit for the first year of the RN program and started in the second and final year. It was only a mini-mester bridge program that was mostly online and then the last two semesters of the RN pogram. Pretty quick and painless for me. It will only take me another year + 1 semester to get my BSN. Don't allow your frustration stop you from investigating the bridge programs out there.

Chanta2 · May 25, 2009

Thank you JulesA. I am frustrated. I have always been a person that can get things accomplished despite whatever. I am living in Indiana. I have always thought this place was so behind. When I say behind I mean, coming from a big city like Chicago and then to be tossed around like a nobody(LPN's). Just makes me hot! Indiana do not have too many choices for a bridge program. Only 2 schools in this area. But the universities are making way for non-medical degree holders all of a sudden to obtain a RN degree. Just don't sit right with me. I am just stating my opinion. Thank you for not biting my head off, as I know others that read this post will.

Fiona59 · May 25, 2009

No, I agree with you.

But LPNs in the US have a far easier time of the transition to RN than Canadian LPNs. We are admitted to year two of the BScN programme. There is no diploma RN programme up here.

We have RNs returning to work via refresher courses that have fewer skills than LPNs educated in the last decade. Yes, you read that right. Been out of practice for 5 or more years? My province is paying for their refresher course. We have an RN on the refresher on my ward who has been out of practice for 18 years!. She is "amazed and appalled" at what LPNs do.

We have BScNs from the Phillipines with educations that were found lacking (it worked out to the equivalent of a PN educated in my province) and given PN practice permits to work here. Yet, they are permitted to take courses at university to bring them "up to par" with locally educated, Canadian BScNs.

It seems as if my province will do anything but what is logical and cost effective. I work with several PNs who have degrees in other areas from around the world, but when they decided to persue nursing, the two year accelerated BScN wasn't available for them as an option.

flightnurse2b, LPN · May 25, 2009

the local community college near me where i was enrolled in and had my heart set on the LPN-RN program starting next spring has decided to cut their funding for the bridge program and do away with it all together, meaning any LPN would have to go in as an entry level ADN student with no way to get credit for previous nursing courses.... which is really upsetting to me.

the local university does not give any nursing course credit either. i have all the gen-eds done. i have more than enough credits, actually. but the thought of starting all over again is something that doesn't sit well with me as a working LPN... i just can't afford it.

so, excelsior, here i come.

caliotter3 · May 25, 2009

the local community college near me where i was enrolled in and had my heart set on the LPN-RN program starting next spring has decided to cut their funding for the bridge program and do away with it all together, meaning any LPN would have to go in as an entry level ADN student with no way to get credit for previous nursing courses.... which is really upsetting to me.
the local university does not give any nursing course credit either. i have all the gen-eds done. i have more than enough credits, actually. but the thought of starting all over again is something that doesn't sit well with me as a working LPN... i just can't afford it.
so, excelsior, here i come.

Another proud Excelsior College graduate to be! Another RN who wouldn't be stopped!

mydee · May 27, 2009

flightnurse2b

Have you tried other commuinty colleges near you? I know in the state of IL if a commuinty college does not offer a particular program you could go to the nearest coummunity college that does offer the program you need and pay the in district rate. My school for example allways takes every applicant for the LPN-RN program even the out of district ones (there are more seats then applicats for the bridge program). If the out of district students do not have a local LPN-RN program in their area they pay the in district rate. You should look into it.

flightnurse2b, LPN · May 29, 2009

flightnurse2b
Have you tried other commuinty colleges near you? I know in the state of IL if a commuinty college does not offer a particular program you could go to the nearest coummunity college that does offer the program you need and pay the in district rate. My school for example allways takes every applicant for the LPN-RN program even the out of district ones (there are more seats then applicats for the bridge program). If the out of district students do not have a local LPN-RN program in their area they pay the in district rate. You should look into it.

they are too far away. one is 80 miles north, the other is 90 miles south. the community college where i live monopolizes this area and has campuses in 7 towns. no bridge program. i cannot commute that far for school, have a newborn at home, and work full time.

my only option is excelsior right now and i am very motivated to do it. thanks for the suggestion, though.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · May 29, 2009

I'm an ADN RN, and I wish the some of the accelerated BSN programs were designed for ADNs, but they're not.

NC Girl BSN · Jun 1, 2009

If you don't have the prerequistes for the BSN under your belt, how are you going to get through an acceletated BSN program in one year. Most BSN programs require 135+ hours to graduate. I am sure if they allowed LPNs in Acelareted program with two years of undergrad classes completed, they would do great. Good for you for taking the intiative to try to make it happen. Have you tried the Indiana State LPN-BSN program. Its online with precepting at local hospitals. Also try Excelsior College. You would be a great candidate for all these programs with your experience. I went through Excelsior as soon as I graduated from LPN school. I was trying to get into a LPN-RN but they wanted 2 yrs of work experience first. I had a BS degree and could have applied to 2 accelatated BSN programs but the competition was fierce. I live in NC and UNC and Duke university are well known colleges and I did not want to rack up 15-40k trying to get my BSN. Excelsior cost me $8500 which included traveling to the site. Its not an easy alternative but I liked the freedom to study on my own and take the test when I was ready. I was able to work full-time.I Finshed the program in less than a year and I now work at a hospital. I am now looking at a RN-BSN that cost $2000 through my work and they great thing is that they will pay for it. Don't give up and look into the two programs above. If this is your dream then don't let anything get in your way. Good Luck to you.

Chanta2 · Jun 1, 2009

:vlin: I was on a venting rage last week. I have called a local college and decided to JUST GO FOR IT. I got to prepare for this HESI exam. The school is fairly new. They accept students 3 x's a year.

WOW! You are an inspiration too. That was a very good call you made. You spent only $8500 for your nursing degree. And you finished in one year. Wow! That is so wonderful for you. I have not excluded Excelsior. I paid the $75 application fee. I am not feeling EC right now. I am just exploring other options. I will take your advise about the the other program as well.:tku: