Is it worth going the LVN route to get into the RN programs faster?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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I live in the Los Angeles area and I know it takes forever to get into the RN programs, is it worth going the LVN route to get in faster? I ask because I feel like going that route I won't have to deal with the lottery system or any wait lists but i'm unsure because at the same time I feel like it may be a waste of time and money, it doesn't really make things faster since I still have to do my pre-reqs but would be a faster way into the actual RN program once I complete all the pre-reqs. What do you think?

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I would go for the RN especially since a lot of places are trying to make BSN as entry level in their facilities. With this new push, there's not even mention of LPNs. I don't knock LPNs because I still maintain my LPN license even though I've been an RN for 3 years. But the FUTURE is pushing for BSNs which at the least means RNs. I personally think the future plans to isolate LPNs to nursing homes. If you've never had nursing school experience, the level of difficulty will be as equal in one as the other, in my opinion, because it's all going to be foreign to you. Just my opinion as a nurse with 27 combined years of experience. And believe me, I didn't want to have to return to school but I did and I am again, working on the BSN. I say go for the gusto from jump street if you can because trends indicate that everything increases in costs yearly. And even with my years of hospital experience, I've heard more than my share of , "oh, you're just an LPN, we want an RN or oh you're just an RN, we want a BSN. It is disheartening but it is current and future-day attitudes; not saying one makes a better nurse than the other. But what's on paper persuades a lot of employers into believing so. Ultimately, your chosen path is the one YOU must travel. Good luck to my friend!

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thats really good to know that the lvn program helped you not be so intimidated with the RN Program. I am ready and have all my pre reqs done for RN program but I am still going to apply for the LVN only because I was told at College of the Desert and Riverside Community College this may help me be chosen for the RN program quicker. I surely hope so.

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I'm in a pilot LVN to BSN program right now in SoCal and myself and all my classmates would answer this with a resounding NO.

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I took my LVN first in hopes of minimizing the wait time for an Rn program after sitting on waiting lists... fingers crossed!

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YAY glad I found your post. I needed this! I am still starting out and was unsure what route I should take but your post really helped! Thanks so much!

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Specializes in NICU( RN), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

For me it was worth it. Being a spouse of a military member, I was not sure I would be in one place for the entire length of an RN program. I was able to do an LPN program in 11 months that costs 6k (grad 11/2012 NCLEX 2/13), we pcs'd to Texas 9/13, started bridge 10/13 and will be graduating in a few months with my ADN (cost 17k). And rumor has it that we will be leaving here right after I graduate :-/. A lot of people will say yes it was worth it to them, and some will say it wasn't. I agree with the majority in that it depends on your circumstance. I will say that I have loved being an LPN/LVN and would not change my path for anything.

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College of desert and rcc said its easier to get in the RN program by becoming a LVN first?

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If you don't mind, where did you go to school for your LVN and RN.. I'm in Sacramento CA considering going to a private school to become an LVN then doing a bridge but I'm worried about how things will transfer over

I am an LPN and I recently finished my ADN. I found that getting my LPN first was the best decision for several reasons.

1) I doubled my income once I became an LPN ( it only took me one year)

2) I got into an RN program right away and continued to work while I went to school .. (I have a family to support)

3) Now I am at the point where I am looking for an RN position I have realized that I am not considered to be a new grad because I have 2 years LPN experience (some hospitals will consider me a new grad). So getting a job will be a tad easier than if I was not an experienced LPN.

4) RN school was MUCH easier than LPN school because I was able to apply my experience as an LPN to my RN studies.

From start to finish it has taken me 4 years to get my ADN, including breaks (I started my RN almost a year after graduating from PN).

Financially there is no way I would have been able to get my nursing degree if I had not got my LPN first.

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