Another One of Those Advice Threads...

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Hello nursing students or prospective nursing students in Massachusetts. I have been lurking around this forum, and it is a great resource! Everyone is so helpful and kind. I finally registered, so here I am. I would like some input on my situation. I guess if this were your situation, what would you do? I was in another field for the past five years. I got laid off, so I decided to go back to school. I didn't know what to do, so I took Gen Eds and some business classes. I finally decided to pursue a career in nursing. I was accepted to the LPN program for Fall 2010 at Mass Bay (so this gives you a bit of what area of MA I am from). This Spring semester, I took A&P, Microbio, and Nutrition for LPN Program (just to get them out of the way). My ultimate goal is to get a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (RN). I would like to goto the Mass Bay 2 year Associates RN program though. We all know how competitive it is to get into these RN programs, so that is why I wanted to do the LPN first. This summer I am taking Bio and Chem - pre reqs for RN program. Here is my dilemma, someone gave me the idea of being a CNA so I can work while taking other classes for RN program, then apply for the RN program in Fall 2011 or maybe night program. I should skip getting the LPN, and just go for the RN. My problem is, it seems like Mass Bay is very competitive to get in. There are some old threads on this forum that say that it is based on a point system, there is a wait list, and people who have gotten in have 4.0 GPAs. I probably have barely a 3.0. I am a male, so I'm not sure if that will help me. So what would you do? Would you get an LPN then RN, or get a CNA work for a year or so while taking some other RN classes then apply to the RN program. My grades aren't stellar, so LPN would be perhaps a fallback. I'm not sure. I would love to hear your opinion on this. Apologies for the long post. And, if anyone knew any more information regarding stats about getting into the RN program at MassBay, that would be helpful. If you need anymore information about me, please let me know. I am 26 years old. I don't have parents to support me financially, in any way, except I still live at home. Thanks so much in advance!!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, Geriatrics, home infusion.

Since you've already been accepted to the LPN program I would go that route. The program is a year I'm guessing so you would have your license by fall 2011. You might want to apply now for the RN program to get your name on the list. The experience and salary of being an LPN will probably help you more towards getting your RN than being a CNA would plus probably they share a lot of the same pre-reqs? Good luck :)

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thanks for your response scribblz. there's not much action on this MA forum huh! I will probably do the LPN since I am accepted. However, what stinks is, none of the LPN course coincide with the RN courses! Like, A&P and Micobio -- for LPN it's "Fundamentals of A&P" but for RN it's "A&P 1". Lame huh!

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I am going the same route as you, I am starting an LPN program this September and am planning on going on to RN later. At my local community college they have an LPN bridge program, you only have to do the 2nd year of the RN program if your an LPN, of course you still have to have the RN pre reqs done though. I'm going this route because when I went to an info session, the dean said that about 900 people apply for the RN program and only around 70 or so are accepted. If you are an LPN they have 10 separate slots that aren't included in the 900 and he said only about 20 LPNs apply, so it's a better chance of being accepted. I am taking A & P I right now which is one of the RN prereqs and I finished a chem and bio class in the spring, then I will have to finish the rest of my prereqs next year after I finish the LPN program. Good luck!

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Hey Sheryl, congrats on starting the LPN program this Sept! We should share experiences! Anyway, which community college are you talking about that has this LPN bridge to RN program? Those stats (for LPN) are more promising than other ADN programs which have waitlists, etc!

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The college is BCC (Bristol comm. coll.) I'm guessing it's not close to you. Your CC doesn't offer that LPN bridge? I didn't know it was set up like that until the Dean mentioned it, so yours could be like that too. That's one of the reasons I decided to do the LPN route. Good luck!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, Geriatrics, home infusion.

good luck to both of you! lousy that they do that w/ the pre-reqs : / however being an LPN will give you nursing experience and an income on your way to being an RN. In my area at least almost every rehab/subacute/ LTC has hours avail esp on 3-11. Like Sheryl mentioned many colleges offer bridge programs so I would shop around for the best one and apply now. Also I believe the national guard offers assistance if you join up. If I didn't have 2 small kids that's likely the route I would go.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Ortho, Subacute, Homecare, LTC.

I would also like to mention that after 75 clinical hours in a Nursing program you can apply to take the CNA exam.

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excellent, thanks for the tip redsoxgal. What program are you doing?

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