Should I get an LPN degree as a way to get an RN degree?

flwannaB · Sep 11, 2005

I want to be an RN as well. But..... as you said, there is a huge wait list. There is a wait list for most LPN programs here in the Tampabay area but not as long. I am on one myself. I would go for LPN if you do not want to wait that long. At least you can get some really good training that will prepare you for your RN. A nurse friend of mine told me that when getting her RN, all of the people that were in her class that were LPN's passed. 50% of the people that had no training failed. She started as a CNA then went for LPN. Good luck to you.

Hello everybody, I live in Central Florida, I'm taking Anatomy & Physiology at a local community college. I am ultimately interested in getting out of my current career - I have a bachelor's degree from a looong time ago - and getting into nursing. I am interested in being an RN. Local community colleges have obscenely long waiting lists. Would getting a degree as an LPN, working for a couple of years at a hospital, and then going for my RN make sense? As in, would that get me right into a bridge program, without waiting forever? Of course I would love to go straight to RN school, but I also want to start my nursing education as soon as I finish my prerequisites, not three or four years from now! Jeez. No wonder there is such a desperate nursing shortage in this country.
If it helps any, I am interested in working in the ER. I also like forensic medicine. Any and all suggestions appreciated. I thought about going into some type of forensic science field, but my understanding is there is nowhere near as much demand or potential for pay. Yes, I love public service, but if one branch of it pays better, it makes sense to go there.

floridanurse2b · Sep 11, 2005

That is a very good point - practical experience is worth its weight in gold. What are some good local LPN programs? I'm in Polk County, but I could drive to Pinellas, Hillsborough, heck, Orlando area if necessary...and thank you for the reply and the good luck wishes, by the way! Same to you.

I want to be an RN as well. But..... as you said, there is a huge wait list. There is a wait list for most LPN programs here in the Tampabay area but not as long. I am on one myself. I would go for LPN if you do not want to wait that long. At least you can get some really good training that will prepare you for your RN. A nurse friend of mine told me that when getting her RN, all of the people that were in her class that were LPN's passed. 50% of the people that had no training failed. She started as a CNA then went for LPN. Good luck to you.

flwannaB · Sep 11, 2005

I live in St. Pete but I am on the wait list at Erwin Tech in Tampa. Here is there website http://www.erwintech.org/ There is Galen Institute in St. Pete. They have no wait list but are a bit more expensive then the Tech schools. I hear they are good. Pasco Hernando Community College has an LPN class, P-Tech in St.Pete and Clearwater, and Kaiser College is just starting a new LPN class. Hope that helps.

That is a very good point - practical experience is worth its weight in gold. What are some good local LPN programs? I'm in Polk County, but I could drive to Pinellas, Hillsborough, heck, Orlando area if necessary...and thank you for the reply and the good luck wishes, by the way! Same to you.

floridanurse2b · Sep 11, 2005

Thanks, that is helpful. Are you planning on doing a bridge program as well, once you get your LPN?

I live in St. Pete but I am on the wait list at Erwin Tech in Tampa. Here is there website http://www.erwintech.org/ There is Galen Institute in St. Pete. They have no wait list but are a bit more expensive then the Tech schools. I hear they are good. Pasco Hernando Community College has an LPN class, P-Tech in St.Pete and Clearwater, and Kaiser College is just starting a new LPN class. Hope that helps.

luv4nursing · Sep 11, 2005

Have you checked into UCF's accelerated BSN? Its for ppl who have another non nursing degree and I believe its only 15 months long! definitely something to look into, thats what I wouldve done if I had a degree already. I also want to be an RN but the waiting lists were extremely long as u know, so I signed up for LPN school at Orlando Tech. I just graduated last tuesday! If I hadnt gone go LPN school, Id still be on the waiting list to get into Valencia or SCC's RN program. This way, Im already halfway to my RN and I can work and make decent money while I wait to get in to RN school. There isnt a waiting list for the LPN-RN transition programs like there is for generic RN but the time of year we graduated was off with the application period so Im put off till next year. Another cool thing is Valencia's LPN-RN program is now totally online except clinicals! You can work and have a life, which makes it easier to get your RN! you can take the classes around your schedule.

I was talking to a girl in the counseling office who wanted to enter the LPN program at Otech and she said they told her she can possible still get in for January. So maybe you can check into that too. I dont like O Tech as a school in general (its part of orange county schools so u have a mix of high school age kids who were kicked out or dropped out going for their GED, and different tech programs) but the LPN program was very good. Its almost as if it doesnt belong at the school. My friends from school and I used to joke that we were really on the set at the school in the movie "dangerous minds". But I wasnt going to let that stand in my way, I was there for one reason only, to graduate with my LPN!

mission accomplished!

good luck to you! I know what its like trying to get in and hitting a brick wall. Im ecstatic that Im actually finally there and only another step away from my RN. Ive taken all except 2 pre reqs which I plan to take in the summer (micro and A&P II.....suicide I know but I like how the summer session flies by! full semesters give me too much time to slide downhill, so if I get on the ball and stay on it, summer is over before you know it). Then Ill apply next fall for next January at Valencia. Another option is Excelsior College, which is online for LPN-RN but has its downfalls as far as cost, paying out of pocket, etc.

Explore all avenues though!

mchanrice · Sep 11, 2005

If you are in Polk County there are two technical schools that offer the LPN program. One is Ridge Tech.(between Winter Haven and Haines City) and Travis Tech.(Lakeland) Polk Community College also offers the RN program as well.

mchanrice · Sep 11, 2005

I live in St. Pete but I am on the wait list at Erwin Tech in Tampa. Here is there website http://www.erwintech.org/ There is Galen Institute in St. Pete. They have no wait list but are a bit more expensive then the Tech schools. I hear they are good. Pasco Hernando Community College has an LPN class, P-Tech in St.Pete and Clearwater, and Kaiser College is just starting a new LPN class. Hope that helps.

Did you start your CNA class? How is it going?

flwannaB · Sep 11, 2005

Yes I did take the CNA prep class. I have to say that I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed on. It was a fly by night class. I should have went for an approved 170 hour CNA coorifice. CNA is definetly not something you learn in a 2 week prep class. They give you the materials, go over the skills one time and then expect you to study the rest on your own. I finished my last class on Thursday. It will take 3 weeks before I get to take my test. That gives me plenty of time to study. It's a good thing that I catch on quickly. I can see it being a struggle for some that learn at a slower pace. My class and I are going to practice our skills together until we get our test date. I would suggest staying at your job until Erwin calls you. They go over all the CNA information during the first 2 months. Have you heard anything about the wait list? Don't lose hope about getting picked for January. If they are on #12, only 14 have to drop out. Remember that there is an October, January and March class. She told me that 6-10 drop out per class. HANG IN THERE!

Did you start your CNA class? How is it going?

floridanurse2b · Sep 11, 2005

Couple of questions - I am in A&P 1 right now (which is using just about every available brain cell that I have...) But anyway...do I need A&P before I apply to an LPN program? Of course I would finish this course, I'm just wondering if I could apply to an LPN program now. And, let's say I get into an LPN program, pass it, get a job at a hospital - what would my next steps be to becoming an RN?

By the way, I'm not putting down the LPN/LVn career track at all here, but everything I read indicates to me that RNs have the potential for much higher salary and a wider variety of job opportunities.

nurselexi · Sep 11, 2005

My advice to you would be to do something like and EMT(good prep for emergency medicine!)...somewhere along those lines. The program is not as intense as an LPN program, and I don't believe it would take as long as the LPN program (2 years in NC)...you'd have to check out your area programs. The LPN program from what I've heard is challenging and takes just about the same amount of time as the RN program. You also have to sit for boards for LPN license. So, you really need to weigh your options. Personally, I wouldn't want to go through all of that to really not use it. Some hospitals don't even hire LPNs to work the floor. You would also have to check around on that.

Most waiting lists at comm. colleges are long, but about 75% of applicants do not meet the criteria, so you might be surprised at how long it actually takes to get in. I got accepted the first year I applied with a waiting list of over 400 applicants with only 45 being accepted into the program. Just make sure you keep your GPA up and you shouldn't have a problem. Have you talked to the head of the program and got statistics? Have you already applied?

There is definantly nothing wrong with getting your LPN first, but that makes for a lot of school. Have you thought about just transferring to a 4 year BSN program? Lots of options...lots to think about, but it ultimately all up to you and what you feel you need to do to be happy.

GOOD LUCK!

Couple of questions - I am in A&P 1 right now (which is using just about every available brain cell that I have...) But anyway...do I need A&P before I apply to an LPN program? Of course I would finish this course, I'm just wondering if I could apply to an LPN program now. And, let's say I get into an LPN program, pass it, get a job at a hospital - what would my next steps be to becoming an RN?
By the way, I'm not putting down the LPN/LVn career track at all here, but everything I read indicates to me that RNs have the potential for much higher salary and a wider variety of job opportunities.

MereSanity · Sep 11, 2005

OK...please no flaming...this is just MY experience...thank you!

That is what I am doing...I am in my last semester in school for my LPN. Then (hopefully, if I make it...lol) I will go back for my RN. I have to tell you that in my school, it's seems the LPN program is twice as hard as the RN program. We have been in class and clinical twice as long as the RN's in our first year. They have like 12 credit hours and we have like 19 and 17 credit hours a semester. It's ridiculous. Plus one of the BSN's told us that the work we are doing is just tougher than anything they have had to do. We had 4 major exams in one week. I know that it would have been a lot easier for me to go straight RN but I figured that this way I'd have a license after my first year and if I needed to I could take a break before going back to finish my last year (I have 4 kids too). And, I thought it would be easier (ha). I have managed to hold a 3.7 though all of this insanity though. Good luck to you in your decision.