Anyone take LPN program just to make it easier to become RN?

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I really want to take an ADN program but it is several years waiting list and very competitive in my area. However the LPN program has openings for August and it is only 12 months. There's not many LPN openings here but I've seen a lot of LPN to ADN programs with no wait-even online courses. Is this a good idea? Anyone else have any experience with this? Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

I was an LPN for 17 years. Wasn't sure if I wanted to go on.....but in the long run, it gave me valuable experience. I would say go for it.

Suebird :p

PS: Am an RN now.

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I am in the ADN program and I had to wait two years to get in. Our first year is the LPN year, we have to graduate as a GPN, sit for licensure before we can begin our 2nd (RN) year. I wouldn't have it any other way. I was in clinicals and had to "share" a patient with a BSN student who was due to graduate and was just seeing patients for the first time. She didn't know how to clean a wound, she didn't know how to dress a wound, set up a wound vac, calculate IV drip rate, do HEENT assessment etc. I was appalled at what I saw. Do the LPN program first, the learning experience and the skills are worth it. Our LPN program doesn't require the full Anatomy and Physiology I&II (10 credit) but when we got into the nursing classes, I was extremely thankful that I had taken them in advance. Good luck!

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I am in the ADN program and I had to wait two years to get in. Our first year is the LPN year, we have to graduate as a GPN, sit for licensure before we can begin our 2nd (RN) year. I wouldn't have it any other way. I was in clinicals and had to "share" a patient with a BSN student who was due to graduate and was just seeing patients for the first time. She didn't know how to clean a wound, she didn't know how to dress a wound, set up a wound vac, calculate IV drip rate, do HEENT assessment etc. I was appalled at what I saw. Do the LPN program first, the learning experience and the skills are worth it. Our LPN program doesn't require the full Anatomy and Physiology I&II (10 credit) but when we got into the nursing classes, I was extremely thankful that I had taken them in advance. Good luck!

One day, when I was doing clinicals in my LPN school. I was assigned to follow a staff nurse who has a big "BSN" abbreviation following her name on the badge. I had high hope since I was expecting somebody who will be very knowledgeable and highly skilled. But I was completely disappointed.....

.....One of our patients needed to start an IV. She poked the pt 3 times, couldn't get it. She even forgot to unclip the pig tail (t-connector) when flushing and I had to "kindly" remind her about that. Then another pt C/O of chest pain. She competely freaked out and asked me to get another RN (who has an ADN degree but very experienced and always gives good rationale for actions). Basically, I was learning the least from that nurse compared to all other nurses on that floor that I had been assigned to....

...(fast forward)...I worked as a GPN after I grad in a local hospital. One day, the floor was very busy and my manager (of course has a BSN) worked the floor and I was under her umbrella. Basically, she couldn't do anything and I was actually helping her to take care some of her pts.....

Yes, in my opinion, doing LPN school prepared me better to become an RN.

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Sounds like a great program. Since I am as old as dirt, they did not offer a program like that. I would have gone on and received my RN. I am still thinking about doing that even though I graduate this July with my Masters in Health Administration. Every time, in all the years since I became an LPN, when someone asks what do I do and I say I am a nurse, their reply is always, an RN? Might be nice to say yes!

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Specializes in LDRP.

You know what guys, I think looking back maybe I should have gotten my LPN first when I was accpeted five years ago. I got into both programs, but with pre reqs and everything (and an out-of-state move thrown in there) I am still working on my ADN. I think with all the waiting lists and the hoopla, any way you can get things accomplished is the way you should go!

Good luck everyone! :)

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It all depends on your situation. My story is I wanted to be an "RN" and decided to research what programs were available in my area (Los Angeles). I quickly found out as with all community colleges there is a big wait.In my case time was a factor I was in my thirties and had a family to look after. My wait for the RN program was going to be about 3 semesters so I went ahead into the "LVN" program at a private college here. I finished obtained my license and almost immediately applied to an RN program and was accepted and placed in the 3rd semester. To make a long a story short...there is no disadvantage to that route. I later pursed my "BSN." I graduated in the summer of '2005." at the old age of 42.

Nothing is impossible...I went thru all of nursing school with a not so supportive spouse, and 4 children under 11 years of age. The rewards are far greater than any hardship along the way.

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Specializes in LDRP.
It all depends on your situation. My story is I wanted to be an "RN" and decided to research what programs were available in my area (Los Angeles). I quickly found out as with all community colleges there is a big wait.In my case time was a factor I was in my thirties and had a family to look after. My wait for the RN program was going to be about 3 semesters so I went ahead into the "LVN" program at a private college here. I finished obtained my license and almost immediately applied to an RN program and was accepted and placed in the 3rd semester. To make a long a story short...there is no disadvantage to that route. I later pursed my "BSN." I graduated in the summer of '2005." at the old age of 42.

Nothing is impossible...I went thru all of nursing school with a not so supportive spouse, and 4 children under 11 years of age. The rewards are far greater than any hardship along the way.

That is really encouraging to me as I want to get my BSN, but I also want to have another kid in there somewhere and I am 33. 42 isnt old, but I had this idea in my twenties that I would have done it all by 30! HA!!!:lol2:

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that is really encouraging to me as i want to get my bsn, but i also want to have another kid in there somewhere and i am 33. 42 isnt old, but i had this idea in my twenties that i would have done it all by 30! ha!!!:lol2:

oh honey, didn't we all back then?! ;) i'm 32 and know exactly what you are talking about!

topcat

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[Good morning...Just a little about my background related to my reply: I am a dually certified Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant with a M.Ed. getting a MS in Nursing Education. (I am also a grandmother of 15). Currently my professional position is as the Coordinator of the Practical Nursing Certificate Program at a two-year pivate college with an ADN Program that has existed for over 30 years. I am writing the curriculum and teaching the courses. My three adjunct faculty and I share the clinical for the students. The course is weekends only to accomodate the working, parenting population and we are in the last semester of the first program. For the students of this LPN Program, after graduation, they can enter the second year of the two year RN program and finish both in the same two years as if beginning the RN program from scratch. The advantage is that with an LPN license, they can work, get experience which makes the RN program a little easier. Also they do not ever have to go on the waiting list for our RN program since they are considered"continuing" students rather than "new admits". I would suggest you look for a program like this or one that has an articulation agreement between the LPN program and the RN program to eliminate the wait. Good luck...Coolgramma

CoolGramma,

This is informative and encouraging, thank's for the information. I will be starting my LVN program this May, i'm almost done with my pre-req on my CC only 2 science left, A&P which i don't know if i will take it again because they offer this on my private school for LVN.

Nat

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Specializes in Medical Telemetry, LTC,AlF, Skilled care.

I would also encourage anyone on waiting lists of LPN programs to find a nursing assistant class and become a CNA. It lets you really develop your basic nursing skills not to mention the experience you earn from doing so, plus for some it may mean making more money than what you are currently. In my area nurses aides start out anywhere from $9-$12. Being a CNA and while going to nursing school has really helped me out A LOT.

-Ben

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apply for both and take the first one...being an rn is better financially and is not so limited in what you can climb to after grad but with the waiting list what it is in so many parts of the country it can be frustrating

we have an accelerated rn course, lasts a year, and only lpns can apply, it can be rough, because they believe in weeding out but even if they do you will have the lpn license to fall back on...be sure and check with the on line courses about what will be accepted by your college, how much you can clep, and what courses will be accepted b y your state to allow you to sit for accredition

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I'm so glad that someone posted this option - going from LPN to RN. I'm 50 and really don't have the patience to wait for nursing slots to open up if I can be dong something else educationally. I never thought about the LPN route until now. I have most of the pre-reqs done. I'm currently in Michigan but will be relocating to Maryland in the Baltimore area. Can anyone tell me how I can find out what schools teach the LPN program in a particular state, especally in Maryland? Thanks

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