Would It Be Better To Be A Lpn First, Then Go For Rn?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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HI.. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE?? WOULD IT BE EASIER TO GO FOR LPN FIRST BEFORE JUMPING INTO RN PROGRAM?? IM NERVOUS ABOUT ALL THE MATH AND CHEMISTRY CLASSES FOR RN THEY SEEM TO BE REALLY HARD. SO NOW IM WONDERING IF I SHOULD EASE INTO THIS SLOWER..??

HELP PLEASE!:rolleyes:

THANKS! wannabaRN

I am currently an LPN and I applied into a BSN program a couple of months after graduation from LPN school. I received an instant entry into the BSN program based on my LPN status and the fact that I had about 3 electives to take along with the rest of the BSN curriculum (I also have an AA in Biological Science). Now that I am taking the BSN courses, I work as an LPN 20 hours a week, and the BSN program will take me a year and a half to complete. It has worked out in my favor! Working as an LPN is giving me plenty of nursing/ supervisory experience, and I am paying for my tuition (and my other bills!) as I complete the BSN program.

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I also am doing the LPN to RN route. I also questioned if this was the best way for me to become an RN but in the end the endless waiting lists made this the way to go. I'm excited about becoming an LPN and I think it's a great way to enter the nursing world.

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Selene006,

May I ask where you will be doing your BSN program? Your post inspires me because I am planning on going the LVN to RN route. I just got into an LVN program and will be finished next May. I have taken all of the general eds and prereqs for the RN program and have been waiting for a year+ to get into a program. To no avail... So it is encouraging to hear that you were able to get into a BSN program right away AND be able to work as an LVN at the same time. Your situation is the best case scenario to me... thank you for your post!

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Miss Cre,

I am doing my BSN at Salem State College. Before becoming an LPN, I too, applied to mulptiple RN programs as a generic student and became frustrated with the waiting lists and excuses. While I was waiting to get into RN school, I ended up just earning an AA and I happened to get accepted into LPN school at that time. Being delayed into an RN program has certainly paid off!

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Selene006,

That is so funny. I did teh same thing.. that is, while waiting to get into an RN program I pursued another AA degree (and completed it!) in the interim. I also agree with you that being delayed entry into an RN program has turned out to be a blessing for me. I am going to wind up spending much less money and I believe that the experience of working as an LPN first will only serve to make me a better RN later.

Good luck to you!!!

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Miss Cre,

The likeness of our experiences is so refreshing! Good luck to you and see you on the other side of obtaining a new title!

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Specializes in none yet.

Although I have already completed about 3/4 of all of the PRE and CO-reqs required for the RN program at my local college, I have decided to get my LPN license first to insure a spot in the program. Since I have already taken some college level courses such as Nutrition, Human Growth and Development, etc. I am exempt from having to take some of the classes required in the LPN program. I will dedicate the time that would've been spent on those classes by taking the remaining few co reqs so that upon admission to the RN program all of my courses that I take will be specific to nursing.

My friend has completed all of her Pre and Co reqs and has a 3.4 GPA and she is still on a waiting list for RN. Admission to our RN program is based on a competitive point system and having your LPN certificate is good for 20 extra points towards admission. By the time I finish the LPN program (next May) I will have nothing left to do but bridge on over to the RN program.

One thing is for sure whether you choose LPN or RN first, it is gonna be a long difficult journey that will require much time and effort spent studying. The only advantage I think you would have by getting your LPN first is more clinical experience and of course upping your chances at getting accepted into the RN program. Whatever you decide I wish you the best, good luck and God bless. ;)

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Right now I am completing (hope I spelled that right :eek:) an MA program but when I finish I want to continue on to become an LVN then RN does that sound like a good plan? The reason why I opted for the MA program first was because I have no medical experience and I was pretty sure I would fail my community college's LVN program but I am doing well in my MA program I just really need to work on my math!!!!! I want to become a nurse so bad but I want to make sure I do it right plus I haven't even started on my RN pre-reques yet:eek::cry::imbar!!!!!! I think do the LVN program first will help me in the long run for the RN program plus there are few options to jump from LVN to RN at my community college. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks:D:specs:!!!!!

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I think it depends on your situation and what you are comfortable with doing! Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Right now I am completing (hope I spelled that right :eek:) an MA program but when I finish I want to continue on to become an LVN then RN does that sound like a good plan? The reason why I opted for the MA program first was because I have no medical experience and I was pretty sure I would fail my community college's LVN program but I am doing well in my MA program I just really need to work on my math!!!!! I want to become a nurse so bad but I want to make sure I do it right plus I haven't even started on my RN pre-reques yet:eek::cry::imbar!!!!!! I think do the LVN program first will help me in the long run for the RN program plus there are few options to jump from LVN to RN at my community college. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks:D:specs:!!!!!

You have to do what is best for you. Most MA programs seem to focus on office skills, versus nursing programs, which cover 4 main domains of nursing; psych, med-surg 1 & 2, pediatrics and women's health. I think that the MA course would possibly prepare you for vital signs, diagnostic procedures, maybe a bit on common medications, etc. The difference is that the MA is under the license of the physician; each individual provider decides what skills he wants to trust the MA with. The nurse has her own license and is governed by the state board of nursing. An LPN is not usually considered as an independent practitioner; she works under the auspice of the RN, physician, or another licensed provider. If she makes a grave error, either by omission or commission, she has to answer to the BON if it is reported.

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Specializes in med/surg, postpartum, nursing home.

I am an LPN and am starting my LPN to RN mobility in spring 2010...I feel that I am better prepared this time around! I also have been a LPN for 5years, I have worked in a nursing home then to postpartum then to med/surg then back to nursing home to help w/ the schedule thing while doing the "going back to school" thing! I am very excited and am looking forward to sprin 2010..untill them on to my basics!!UGH

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hi.. Does anyone have any advice?? Would it be easier to go for lpn first before jumping into rn program?? Im nervous about all the math and chemistry classes for rn they seem to be really hard. So now im wondering if i should ease into this slower..??

Help please!:rolleyes:

Thanks! Wannabarn

is it true that if you do your lpn then you can be placed into the second year of nursing school and skip the first year? I think you'd have to take an exam and then you would be placed but if the lpn courses are very similar to nursing school's first year then passing the bridge exam would be doable and you can enroll into the second year (3rd semester) of nursing school correct? Anyone done this or experienced this? Let me know!!!

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