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!

Me! I went to a four year university straight out of high school but never finished. I worked at a series of dead end, stuck on stupid jobs before I realized that what my father had always told me is exactly right...you really can't get anywhere in today's job market without an education. When I decided to go back to school to become an RN I figured the local community college would be relatively easy to get into. Wrong! What I've discovered is that most ADN programs attract a ton of applicants because 1) the tuition is cheap and 2) it only takes two years to graduate. However, because of a lack of qualified instuctors, they can only accept a small about of students each year. So the admissions process is highly competitive. I finished the pre-reqs, took the entrance exam and all that jazz but still wound up getting wait listed. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. But instead of sitting around being depressed I decided to do the next best thing which was LPN school. Granted, a LPN doesn't make nearly as much money as a RN and the opportunites for employment aren't as great. But the program only takes about a year to complete (I'll be done in the spring) and more and more schools are offering LPN-to-RN courses that allow students to earn an associates degree in nursing in about 12-18 months. I plan on enrolling in one of those as soon as I finish LPN school and pass the NCLEX. Then I'll work as a LPN until I can become a RN, which will allow me to gain valuable experience and make a decent salary.

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Specializes in TELEMETRY.
Me! I went to a four year university straight out of high school but never finished. I worked at a series of dead end, stuck on stupid jobs before I realized that what my father had always told me is exactly right...you really can't get anywhere in today's job market without an education. When I decided to go back to school to become an RN I figured the local community college would be relatively easy to get into. Wrong! What I've discovered is that most ADN programs attract a ton of applicants because 1) the tuition is cheap and 2) it only takes two years to graduate. However, because of a lack of qualified instuctors, they can only accept a small about of students each year. So the admissions process is highly competitive. I finished the pre-reqs, took the entrance exam and all that jazz but still wound up getting wait listed. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. But instead of sitting around being depressed I decided to do the next best thing which was LPN school. Granted, a LPN doesn't make nearly as much money as a RN and the opportunites for employment aren't as great. But the program only takes about a year to complete (I'll be done in the spring) and more and more schools are offering LPN-to-RN courses that allow students to earn an associates degree in nursing in about 12-18 months. I plan on enrolling in one of those as soon as I finish LPN school and pass the NCLEX. Then I'll work as a LPN until I can become a RN, which will allow me to gain valuable experience and make a decent salary.

VERy true with an LVn you can get into a RN program faster and a little easier. Just the route I took. RN in months BABY!!!

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I started my LPN program because it is a lot harder to get in an RN program around here. I plan on starting a LPN-RN program as soon as I finish in December. Most all of my classmates are doing the same thing.

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hmmm...things are looking hopeful :)

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my question is...how hard was it for you guys to get into an lpn program. don't they look at your gpa? or is it all about scores? what gave you an edge?

i know the rn programs are insane! but i'm starting to think if so many people are thinking like us then the lpn programs would be just as hard to get into right? was anyone waitlisted for a lpn program? i'm in nyc and it seems just as hard to get into here. well..not as hard..but not easy by any means either.

my lpn program was all about net scores and the interview.

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Specializes in TELEMETRY.
I started my LPN program because it is a lot harder to get in an RN program around here. I plan on starting a LPN-RN program as soon as I finish in December. Most all of my classmates are doing the same thing.

I went to a private school out here in california. Yes, they are jammed pack too in the community college system and they also look as schore. So Private schools just make u pass an entrance exam and interview.

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I'm from California, but living in NYC @ the moment. Can you all tell us where you ended up going for Nursing school and what the tuition was?

:)

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Specializes in TELEMETRY.

I am going to west coast university in Los angeles. I live in Ontario so I take the train to school. They just opened one here about 5 minutes from my house. I tried going there right after LVN school 2006 but decided not to go because I had all the pre reqs and they wouldnt take them. When I went there last may to see if there were in changes, They said that they take pre reqs less than five years old. So I was able to tranfer most of my science courses and such. Now they even started a straight BSN program if you have no medical experience. For the LVN to ADN the cost is sbout 65000 The program is 18 months ong and accelerated. Check it out at www.westcoastuniveristy.com

its also approved by the BRN. I am so glad I went this route cause I will be done IN october this year!!!! GOOD LUCK!

ps.

I went to SD MARIC COLLEGE , they too have a LVN to ADN program 40000 but they seem to have a long process to get in and gave me trouble giving me a straight answer..... So i opted out. there are lots of comments about WCU here on this website, some good some bad, But I really like. I love the fact that I know when I will be an RN!!! GOOD luck to you and let me know if you have questions about WEST COAST, I will answer what I know

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I agree with hethbearpoo; I passed the exam to go for RN, but due to transatlantic, scholastic impediments, I am now an (older) LVN student, due to finish in August 2009. From there, I want to pursue my BSN online, while I work as an LVN. It CAN be done! Don't ever give up, if this is what you want!

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Specializes in Rehabilitation; LTC; Med-Surg.
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!

Here's how I see this. I could either:

A.) Work at Home Depot earning $8.00/hr for three years (one year prereqs+two years ADN) while I am working toward RN, possibly getting knocked out in the meantime then having to start all over.

or..

B.) Work as a nurse (LVN) earning $16-$20/hr WHILE I finish one year of prereqs then one year of ADN, lessening my chances of having to completely start over since I'm more "in tune" with nursing.

To me, working as a nurse while I finished my RN was the best choice for me. There's no way I would submit myself to three more years of retail! LOL

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Specializes in Rehabilitation; LTC; Med-Surg.

Here's how I see this. I could either:

A.) Work at Home Depot earning $8.00/hr for three years (one year prereqs+two years ADN) while I am working toward RN, possibly getting knocked out in the meantime then having to start all over.

or..

B.) Spend 11 months of my life in an LVN program so I can work as a nurse (LVN) earning $16-$20/hr WHILE I finish one year of prereqs then one year of ADN, lessening my chances of having to completely start over since I'm more "in tune" with nursing.

To me, working as a nurse while I finish my RN is the best choice for me. There's no way I would submit myself to three more years of retail! LOL

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I'm doing LPN so it will be easier to do my RN...i start my first clinical course on Monday...wish me luck....i think it is easier to be working as a nurse while doing your rn because u will be getting the experience in class and some @ work.

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