Advice on the bridge?

[Brooke2013]

I am a newly graduated lpn. No work experience. Long story short, I am taking prereqs for my RN.. If I did the generic route I could finish the program in two years. I have to take another semester of core after this one if I want to do bridge so I would only be finishing up a few months before the generic. Which route should I take? I'm also wondering how hard is the bridge? I know it's more fast paced but is the book work more challenging? I mite have an opportunity with the hospital after this semester because I'm taking full credit hours and I will have time to work.(can't find a weekend position yet). So I'm wondering if I need to get work experience before I even attempt to start RN. Advice asap please!

[Idaho_nurse]

I just finished my 3rd week in my bridge program and it is seriously accelerated. its 5 days a week, horrendous reading, workbooks, NCLEX style exams, etc... If you can get away with NOT working, I would advise not to work during it. I have to work, and it is seriously difficult. I went back after 9 years of working as an LPN, and I am an older student and a single mother, so balancing all this is NOT easy. DO NOT STOP.. continue with your education now because I have found that I have to retake all my pre-req's because I waited to long. My advice? once you are in, get with others in your class. study groups etc.

Good luck to you.

[Brooke2013]

Thank you! I am glad I can get advice from a person with so much experience. Good luck to you. I'm sure your years of experience will really help you in the long run. You got this!

[NurseEmmy]

I'm in a bridge program after being an LPN since 2006. I too have young children and MUST work full time to keep our lights on. It is tough, but doable for the most part. I would just finish now. I waited 10 years because every year I made excuses of why I couldn't that year. There will always be a reason not to.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I graduated from an LVN program in 2005. I worked as an LPN/LVN for a few years before completing an LPN-to-ASN bridge program in 2010.

In my opinion, the bridge program was easier than the LVN program. I should also mention that I worked full-time as an LVN while completing the bridge program.