Re: Say NO to LPN Progams in Philippines
It is nice to see Hushdog’s answer especially as related to the many scams.
I’m surprised to hear people say that LPN’s are not transferrable to America, I expected otherwise.
From my point of view, I believe that the truly best approach to nursing is to go from LNA/CNA (Licensed Nurse Assistant/Certified Nurse Assistant) to LPN to RN.
When I decided to enter nursing just about 7 years ago I applied to various places to become an LNA and was repeatedly refused. I was told “go get a RN, you won’t be happy here.” So I did.
Now I’ve experienced a variety of nursing in the past four years. Since I entered nursing at the height of the US shortage it is probably fair to say that I got about twelve years experience in four years. I’ve gone through medical/surgical, through a fast-track Adult Intensive Care Unit program, and am now a Clinical RN Manager running an occupational health clinic in industry.
When I run into someone who wants to try nursing I recommend to them that they start as LNA or CNA (they are essentially the same). Why? Because as LNA one learns to ‘handle’ patients, one develops a touch, and learns the real basics and gains a true level of comfort in the physical handling realm.
Then I suggest that as they work as LNA they attend college (which many can do here part-time) and become a LPN. Why? Because since they now are very comfortable ‘handling patients’ now the transition to actual nurse responsibilities as LPN is very comfortable. Now they can easily move to the next level and become familiar with both their role and that of the RN as they work essentially for the RN (at least here in the US).
Then I suggest that while working as LPN they return to college part-time and do a transitional program (which is available here) and graduate as ADN (Associates of Nursing) which is sufficient to sit for the RN NCLEX.
Then as RN they are comfortable ‘handling patients,’ they are comfortable in the medical setting, and they can very easily and comfortably transition to RN.
If they then want a BSN, go and get one, or bypass that and get a Master's degree.
Now some here might scoff at my measly ADN thinking that the BSN is oh so much better but wait a minute please. I went to a very tiny community college here in the country. But my school's overall, multi-year NCLEX pass rate was over 97%.
In the entire country of RP from data looking at NLE (NCLEX) pass rates, out of the then 310 schools ONLY four achieved this pass rate. Do you still think that my ADN is insufficient?
See:
http://www.pcij.org/stories/2005/nur...rformance1.pdf
I almost paid a terrible price for my rapid gain of experience. I was literally ‘thrown into the fire,’ because they so desperately needed new hot bodies. On the day I decided to quit ICU I did so because on returning home after my 12 hour overnight shift I felt odd, and took my BP: 215/115! My rapid gain of experience was so stressful it almost killed me. Though I enjoyed ICU nursing, after leaving and moving to a sub-specialty my BP has averaged 116/66. In America some nursing can be dangerous.
So now I can look back (hindsight is always best) and see that my original plan of moving from LNA to LPN to RN was in fact, the best and safest way. My lack of gradual gaining of experience could have killed me. Had I gone the route that I intended I'd probably still be at the ICU.
So I think that LPN is a desirable way to go, if and only if the quality of the graduate LPN is such that the NCLEX LPN exam overall pass rate is >80%! If this does not occur, I agree with the negative sentiment.
For the rest of my views, if you are interested, please see my new post entitled “The State of Nursing Education in RP and the state of Nursing world-wide”
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