Advice needed 4 LNA to RN - steps to take?

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2006

hi, angela1336!

i'm assuming your lna program is the same as a cna (certified nursing assistant), just called lna in your neck of the woods. if that is so, then as a lna you would be licensed in your state, correct? (for others reading this, some states call their nursing assistants, licensed nursing assistants--it's a state law thing) then, you should be able to work anywhere that your state allows lnas to work. i would assume that if it is like all other states it would include nursing homes (ltc facilities), acute hospitals, and perhaps even home health care agencies. when you chose a place to work, ask about a tuition reimbursement benefit that can help you pay some cost of the classes you will be taking on your way to getting your rn. do you know how to access the website of the state agency that administrates the lna registry for your state. you would find the specific information there. since you haven't listed your state i will give you a website that lists all the states and where you can find the name, address and phone number of the agency in your state.

http://nursingassistantcentral.homestead.com/nurseaideregistries.html

the classes that you need to complete before applying to an rn program is a little trickier. i say this because each school of nursing has requirements that are a little different than most others. it helps if you have an idea in your mind of which rn nursing program(s) you are aiming to get into. what you should do is either get a copy of the college catalog for those schools or you can go to their websites. you want to look at (1) what is required to earn an aa degree and (2) what the nursing program requires in order to be accepted into their nursing program. look very closely at the math and science requirements. in the college catalogs (many of which are now online) are descriptions of all the classes and what is required to be able to take those classes. some classes in math and science will require you to have taken more basic math and science to get into them. so, in some cases you may have to start with some simple math or biology in order to eventually take anatomy and physiology or a certain level of algebra. some schools may have a higher division science or math requirement than another. this is why you want to see what each individual school requires. one school may only require you to have taken a basic algebra class. another school, like the one i went to, required we had taken college algebra, a much higher level of algebra that requires geometry and intermediate algebra in order to take it. this is sometimes a tedious and tiresome process, but it pays off in the long run when you don't end up having to suddenly take a class that you didn't realize you needed in order to get into the nursing program at the school you want.

best wishes! and, welcome to allnurses!

Angela1336 · Jun 21, 2006

Thank you Daytonite for your reply.

I do live in NH. I absolutely LOVE the website you recommended above it helps elevate lots of pressure off of me of the unknown.

I have been looking at various colleges in the area and have noticed a difference in the prereq classes. In your opinion should I start to inquire now about getting into an RN program? How long does one wait to do this?

Thanks again for your response I am confident that others who read this will help them as much as me.

arciedee · Jun 21, 2006

Have you gone to one of the info sessions @ NHCTC? I don't know when they are, but here's a link:

http://ms.nhctc.edu/NHCTC/Stratham/nhctc_admissions_nursing.php

I think attending something like that or meeting with someone there (or other schools you are interested in) would help with deciding what your best course of action is from here. Good luck!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

angela. . .

i don't think it's ever too late to start looking into information about an rn program. the way some schools work their waiting list is different from other schools. some will get you on the list the minute you apply and then as you finish all your prerequisites you get moved to the top of the list. others won't even put you on their list until you've gotten all your pre-reqs done. pre-planning never hurts. so, if you know what rn program you are interested in i would go ahead and get information about their nursing program from them. most colleges today have websites. if you go to the department of nursing on the web site of the school you like you should find information about applying for the nursing school. or, you can phone them. they will tell you when you can apply for the nursing school. the more informed you are, the better off you will be. your best source of information is to always contact the school itself or read their official publications like their college catalog. don't be too quick to take to heart what you hear from other people in casual conversation.

http://www.state.nh.us/nursing/education/registered.html - here is a link to your state's board of nursing official listing of approved rn programs. you can find all the rn schools close to you and links to their web sites. happy hunting!