Is LVN to RN harder than trying to become RN from the start?

[lightsun]

I thought that becoming an RN was a better option, but my friend's mother told me that it was better to become an LVN and then an RN few years after.

Is it better to take her advice?

Is the transition from LVN to RN more difficult than trying out for RN from the start?

P.S. I live in California.

Thanks!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I bridged from LVN to RN, and it worked out for my lifestyle since I was able to work full-time while attending school full-time. However, California is one of the more difficult states in which to complete the bridge because other students get first priority.

I completed a private, fast-track 12-month LVN program in California and moved to Texas soon after graduation. I earned my RN license a few years after making the move.

[lightsun]

About how much did you make as an LVN?

Hoe many years did it take from LVN to RN?

And in your opinion, is LVN to RN an easier choice than starting ADN or BSN from graduation of high school?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

About how much did you make as an LVN?

My first LVN job paid $18.50 per hour in Texas in 2006. In my final LVN position in 2010, I earned $27.04 per hour.

Hoe many years did it take from LVN to RN?

Let's see. . .here's a rough timeline. I started the LVN program in September 2004, completed it in October 2005, worked full-time as an LVN for several years while completing prerequisite courses for the RN program, enrolled in the RN bridge program in January 2009 and graduated with an ASN degree in March 2010.

So from the start (enrolling in the LVN program) to the finish (graduating from the ASN degree program), it took about 5.5 years. Schooling is challenging to manage when you also work and have other responsibilities to attend to.

And in your opinion, is LVN to RN an easier choice than starting ADN or BSN from graduation of high school?

If you are in a situation where you can just focus on school, I would aspire to get admitted directly into a BSN degree program because it will open more doors career-wise.

[lightsun]

Thank you TheCommunter, for answering my questions. I was really wondering about them and now I think I'm pretty cleared up.

I was always worried about direct entry as a BSN because I'm really not the brightest student, and I heard that failure rate for BSN is pretty high.

Regardless, I'll definitely try to get direct entry!

Thanks!