Associate in math&science and B.S. in Health science. working as lpn while in school (RN)?

[zerolimit1]

Hello, I was a westchester community college graduate and a Stony Brook University Graduate. I graduated with a 3.3 for my associates and a 2.71 for my university health science B.S. degree. As a citizen in NY, It is hard for me to compete with alot of inspiring graduate nurses in this state. I am currently volunteering and hoping to go to LPN program to get an LPN license. I am 25 and I really need to get a job, but at the same time...I want to complete to atleast RN.

I was wondering if there are LPN workers who actually went to work while in an RN school? I really need the money and the experience because my GPA is not good enough for many programs, even though the classes for nursing is way above 3.0 (core classes). my overall gpa is screwing up my future. Is getting my lpn license to work and hopefully work as a part time while in an RN program a good idea?

[caliotter3]

It is a good idea for your life situation, but not necessarily for RN program entrance based upon what you have written and my perception of the difficulty of gaining acceptance at NY nursing programs. But I certainly would not try to dissuade you from pursuing this path. Perhaps others can give you some encouragement based upon their own experience. Best wishes.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

What is the length of the LPN program that you're considering? Going to LPN school is not going to get you money 'now'. If you need money 'now' and can't find work using your current credentials, I'd suggest becoming a CNA for a faster track to putting food on the table and paying a few bills, as the LPN (+ NCLEX) is at least a year away AFTER being accepted.

Once an LPN, you will still have to leap the usual new-grad hurdles with job-seeking and hitting the 'experienced-required' brick walls, or hearing the usual "you're just an LPN, we want an RN" spill. Once you land a position as an LPN, you can enter into a 12-month LPN-RN bridge locally or online, (based on your state's requirements), and continue to work depending on how resilient you are and the flexibility/supportiveness of your employer.

I worked the bare minimum while obtaining my ASN/RN online AND sitting in a classroom simultaneously only because my job was cancelling most of my shifts. I do know of quite a few LPNs who managed to work full time and attend classes/clinicals full time. There again, this will vary based on your particular circumstances.

Experience as an LPN, though useful, is generally not a factor for acceptance into a nursing program for an ASN; but it will relieve some of your cashflow problems during the RN pursuit.