Is this is a realistic plan for me?

[TheLiberation, ASN, BSN, RN]

Currently I'm a senior at a technical high school where I am just about to finish the LPN nursing program there (2 months until graduation). As I graduate in January, I plan to have my license by April & then attend Miami Dade College to do the LPN-RN/ADN program & then continue with getting my BSN. I want to work part time (2 nights a week) at a nursing home while doing the bridge program full time.

Here are some of my questions:

Approximately how long is the bridge program in terms of months + prereqs?

Do you think it's possible for me to find a job at a nursing home & work part time while going to school full time?

Do you think it's better for me to do the bridge program online? (advantages vs. disadvantages)

Any additional irrevelant advice is also appreciated!

[TtotheG]

The amount of time it takes will totally depend on the school's requirements, length of program and the classes which you have already completed. After I finished my 2 years of LPN school, I still have one year of generals. Now I am finally started the LPN-RN which is 3 semesters or 1 1/2 years. It's a long road.

It's completely possible for you to work part-time while going to school full-time as long as you're not incompetent. My program is full-time, I work 25 hours a week, study a so-so amount and I am between 90-98% in my classes. It all depends on what you want to put into it.

My preference was to do an on-campus program instead of an on-line program, but that may be different for each person. You have to ask yourself is your learning style, can you be committed to your goals if you do it online, and make sure you choose and accredited on-line program if you go that route.

I'm just going to say straight out that it's a lot of work. It's very upsetting to me that I spent 2 years in an LPN program, and it only gave me credit towards 1 of the 4 semesters of the RN program. If I had to do it all over again, I would have chosen a different career. This has been a lot of work, a lot of money, and a lot of stress. Good luck to you.

[TheLiberation, ASN, BSN, RN]

With the 25 hours a week that work, you work part time or full time? & in a nursing home or in home health care?

[timidangel82]

I am 27 and working on my ADN. I became a CNA first instead of LPN and work full time nights at a nursing home. I would advise against online courses from my own experience unless you are highly organized and do not need any instruction whatsoever. I had a 4.0 at the start of this semester and now I am failing 2 classes because I thought online sounded like such a great idea. Maybe for some, but def not for me. As far as working goes, depending on where you get hired you may find that once you actually start working, the DON will not be nearly as willing to give you a pt schedule. I was supposed to be pt as well. But instead I'm lucky if I'm only scheduled for 5 out of 7 nights. I have already had to work 11 nights straight. I have four children under 8 years of age so my life is insane and maybe not normal at all. But be careful and make sure you know exactly what you're getting into before you sign anything. :) Just MHO. Good luck!

[caliotter3]

Online courses typically require more time and work. Avoid them if you want maximum time to get things done. The time you save from going to class is exceeded by the time you spend doing internet research to provide citations for the answers to online discussion questions.