Difficulty of LVN to RN program?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 30, 2014

In my opinion, the LVN program was more challenging than the LPN-to-RN bridge program.

If you have the time and resources, I suggest you skip the LPN, skip the ADN, and pursue the BSN directly. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, so you might as well have the straight-line mentality when approaching your education. Good luck.

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · May 30, 2014

I don't know why but LPN has so much more clinicals, more than I had in my basic RN program. I remember doing clinicals side by side with LPN students, while we were only there for 1 day, they were there for 4 days. You'll have more opportunities after graduation as an RN.

Part of me wishes I would have done LPN-RN. Many people that are RN's after doing LPN are able to get jobs where basic RN graduates without LPN cannot even apply. I was told by one hospital that if I had been an LPN before I was an RN they would have considered me for an OB position.

I don't think the LPN-RN program is any easier than the ADN program. They have all the same classes besides the basics at the beginning, and many students still fail out.

With all that said, if you can get right into an ADN or BSN program and save a couple years you should! Good luck to you and God bless you in whatever decision you make.

Karou · May 30, 2014

I did an LVN-ADN program and in hindsight, I really wish I had gone straight for my ADN or BSN. In my situation LVN first was financially my best option, and i am grateful for the experience, but overall I think a straight to RN option would have been better.

In my opinion, the LVN program was more academically difficult than the LVN-ADN bridge. I learned more, had good clinical sites (over 5, three were big hospitals), and great instructors. I went to class 3-5 days a week (depending on clinicals) for eight hours. Clinicals were three days a week when they started, 12 hours. I did the bridge at the same school and it was a very different experience. We had less options for clinical sites; two hospitals, one which was paper charting only and so small that one day a clinical group went home for a lack of med-surg patients. Our instructors did not have a good relationship with hospital staff so we were generally disliked as students. Instructors often assumed that since we were all LVN's, that we already should know all the class material, so we rarely got a full lecture. Clinicals and class were each only one day a week.

Unless you have to get your LVN first in order to start working and making money faster, I wouldn't do it. Go straight for an ADN or BSN program. BSN is preferred in my area, and you will have a hard time finding a hospital job as a new grad with an ADN. For what it's worth, my prior LVN experience did not help me with the RN residency I eventually got hired into. Actually the manager who hired me stressed that those who were previously LVN's had a much more difficult time transitioning into the RN role. She really downplayed my LVN experience, almost making it seem a handicap. I was surprised when I got offered the residency position after than interview!

ADN's will still be hired in many other areas, and it's not impossible to get into a hospital, just more difficult. There are other employers (not hospitals, that I know of) who will actually count your LVN experience and pay you better for it.

Just from my experience, my advise is to go straight to either an ADN or preferably, BSN program. Especially if your goal is to work in hospital.

Nienna Celebrindal · Jun 8, 2014

I highly recommend doing your ADN instead of your LVN. Most of my LVN friends just never went back (even the ones who swore they would), it gives you a lot of excuses to feel like you can't, its not worth it, etc. It took me longer than I planned to go back. Depending on your area getting a job as an LVN can be tough, and in some places it does nothing to get you your first RN job. It also does not help you get into an RN program, at least not in California.

__CArn · Jul 1, 2014

it depends on your situation. personally for me, I did the LVN-ADN route. I attended the local CC and completed my LVN in 10 months. 1 year later, I was accepted into a 7 month LVN-ADN program and about to finish 4 weeks.

MLW84 · Jul 4, 2014

where do you live? I live in Nebraska and I was an LPN first and all the girls who had never had nursing experience got all the jobs I applied for in nebraska they dont like LPNs first they would rather have brand new no experience RN

Ladybug993 · Dec 20, 2015

Did you finish the program? Also, being a LVN do you think you were prepared some?

Ladybug993 · Jan 9, 2016

Can you tell me why you thought it was more difficult? If you don't mind me asking.. Am in a BSN program but not LVN to ADN program that I thought I was going to do but life changesí ½í¸„