NEW GRAD RESIDENCY Programs ( Lvn to RN scenario)

[Tima,RN]

Greetings, We are planning to relocate to the Houston area in about a year if all goes well. I'm currently in an ADSN RN (upward mobility) program! For those who may not know its a program that allows and LVN/LPN to prepare to sit for the NCLEX RN giving LVN/PN credit for knowledge already gained in the LVN program and nursing experience in a lot of cases! It's 12 months long! The question that I have is pertaining to these RN new graduate residency programs seeing that a lot of hospitals prefer/require New RN to attend them! I understand the rationale behind it pointing to the fact that You're really only get 2 years in a BSN program and 1 in a Basic nursing ADN Track , and once you graduate you don't know what you don't know until exposed! However, I have been working in an LTACH here in Louisiana for going on 2 years and have the med-surge/acute care experience because LVN/LPN are allowed to take ventilators and high acuity pt. We are also ACLS/BLS certified! My question is when I do earn my RN surely my experience as an LVN in this setting has to count for something. It's not the same as someone who has never had a patient of their vs. someone who can maintain a pt. load successfully and independently!! Anyone that has had experience with this or maybe knows someone, please let me know your take on it !! Thank you kindly

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Hi there.

I think you will discover that the major acute care hospital systems in the Houston area are only hiring BSN new grads. There are a ton of schools pumping out graduates every year, so it is becoming more challenging to get that important first job. Those restrictions are not in place in LTACs and non-acute settings.

That being said, it is common for employers to consider LV/PN experience at 50%... e.g., 2 years LVN = 1 year RN experience. I don't want to make light of your experience at all, but working as an LPN is not the same as working as an RN... in terms of the job role or level of accountability. If you are offered a residency or other type of Transition-to-practice program, grab it and hold on tight!

Welcome (in advance) to my home town . . good luck on your relocation & career transition.

[Tima,RN]

Thank you so much !!! That helped a lot! Moving from a small city where they still follow this I guess the old way , I was started doing a lot of research to prepare for what to expect then that question hit me! Texas has much broader line when it comes to what Lpn and RN roles ! Here Lpn take higher acuity patients on vents and we are able to do things that Texas LVN cannot do ! I got my LVN in Texas and will also have my RN there too ! The accountability remains the same however for RN's. . Now that I'm in school to obtain my RN I do see that there is a big difference in the amount of knowledge that RN's are required to know vs. LPN's who are taught first line interventions and then report to the RN!! Thank you again I'm so excited I love your state!!!í ½í¸í ½í¸