B.S. in Communication Sciences to LPN?

[MiiSzAshley]

Hi everyone! This is my first time on allnurses and I decided to post about my current situation. (This is kind of long so I apologize in advance!) :)

I am about to graduate this Saturday with my B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders (also known as Speech Pathology). Around my sophomore/junior year in college, I was beginning to feel that speech pathology was not for me anymore. I know some of you may be thinking, how come I didn't change my major to nursing? But, my family already been putting in money for me to be in school and not to mention, the nursing program at my school (Molloy College) is one of the best and most competitive nursing schools in NY. My GPA wasn't good enough to compete to get into the program and I would've made my parents pay more money and waste more time to switch degrees. I decided that finishing my bachelor's in speech was the best for me.

So now since I don't have a good GPA to get into speech school (2.9) I also do not have particular interest in being a speech pathologist anymore. So I been doing a lot of research online and I know I want to stay in the healthcare field still and I looked at Radiology, Cardiovascular Tech, Social Work, Respiratory Therapy etc. but I did not see myself really doing those jobs either but when I came across nursing, it really sparked my interest and I decided I want to be a nurse!

Now, I know there are accelerated BSN programs but:

1. I do not have all the prerequisites done for the program. I would have to go back to school, spend more money and take more time to do the prerequisites.

2. Applying to the ABSN programs are not easy, they also very competitive and I do not want to have done my prerequisites and not get into the program.

3. The ABSN is also only at 4 year schools and financially, i do not have money to go back again to a 4 year school where tuition is more expensive than community college or vocational schools.

4. Along with #3, I do not want to go and have another bachelor's degree.

So I researched and found that the LPN route would be best for me because:

1. The programs I found are 11 months compared to 15-16 months ( I would be able to enter the workforce faster)

2. A lot of the jobs in NY for RNs all require having months of experience, I have no healthcare experience outside of school so for me to do the ABSN and become an RN and not find a job would be devastating/ with the LPN I will gain experience and also find jobs much easier and faster

3. The LPN programs do not have any prerequisites. I only would need to take a pre entrance exam

4. Financially, if I still decide to become an RN later in life, I will be working already as an LPN and will be able to money-wise apply for a BSN/MSN programs online.

5. Lastly, I just do not want to waste time in having to do all these steps to become an RN. I am not getting any younger, I want to be able to work right away as I know I will want to have a family as I get older. Being an LPN will provide me with experience and money and I know I will be happy in the long run.

As for the bachelor's degree I have now, does anybody think that will also help in salary increase especially since it's a bachelor's of science degree in speech pathology. I gained a lot of beneficial experience in how speech pathologists work with other health professionals like nurses and I think it might make me more creditable. Also, If I decide to not do my master's in nursing I can also do a masters in another health related field just so I can gain more education and having my bachelor's put into good use.

Overall, I just want to know everyone's opinion about me becoming an LPN after already having a bachelors.

I know some other nurses posted about this problem too in the forums and I'm glad to know I am not alone. I just believe this route is smarter, shorter, I am able to work as a nurse quicker and is more financially feasible than having to do all the required steps to become an RN and not even have the experience...

[imhorsemackerel, LPN]

Hello! I graduated from Stony Brook with a BA in Psych. My initial intention was to get a dual degree in Psych and Nursing, but things didn't pan out. I decided to go for the LPN program at Eastern Suffolk Boces in Brentwood, and I enjoyed it. I was working two jobs at the time, so I had to opt for the Part-time evening program. I graduated April 21 and just got my ATT to take the NCLEX in June. The information gets thrown at you quickly, but I'm sure you can handle it. I had an issue with tests. All tests are multiple choice. You will find out your grade, but you will never get the chance to see which questions you got right or wrong. So after the test my classmates and I had to remember what the question and answer choices were.

Also, I'm not sure if you know, but there's a new program at Suffolk for LPNs. By the end of the program, if your GPA is 3.1, you're automatically admitted into the SBU nursing program and can get your BSN this way. I know the LPN portion is 3-4 semesters and offered at both Selden and Brentwood campuses. There's a new rubric to determine who will be considered for the program. At SCCC's school of nursing site, click the A.S. Degree Admissions Rubric. There's a total of 100 points. 75% of the points depend on your TEAS results (If you already took the TEAS, make sure they were taken within a year). TEAS tests that are Exemplary (90.7-100) are guaranteed to get into the program (I believe even without the "Relevant coursework" classes). The other 25% are "extra" points and are under the "Relevant coursework" section. These 25% are gotten from your grades in A&P 1, A&P2, ENG 101, etc. So basically there are no prerequisites, but if you decide not to take these "Relevant coursework" classes, you will have to take them along with your nursing classes. Also good grades can give you more points (A= 4, B+ 3.5, C=2) and a better chance at getting accepted. So if you can take a class online (assuming you need a class or need to retake one), on weekends, or during the summer while going to Boces, it can cut down on your stress and time!

I actually wrote out a huge explanation for my peers I graduated with. Not sure if anyone put it here, but if you want it, I'd be happy to post it here.

[murse92017]

It depends on what you want to do as a nurse. In order to specialize in anything specific you'll need to be an RN. As a LVN/LPN you'll mostly be in LTC, SNF, clinics, and outpatient settings. While you may not have all the pre-reqs, you probably have the basics. Doing a acclerated program or an adn program will save more money/time in the long run. Already having a Bachelor's degree makes you competitive for entrance to a program, but won't bump up your pay as a LPN/LVN, because pay is based on Nursing experience. Figure out your endgame then choose. If your plan on being a advanced practice nurse, pursue your BSN. If you just want to be a nurse you have options ...