Bachelors...go back to be an LPN first?

[WishfulThinking9]

I've been doing much research on going back to school to be a nurse...so far I've tried for 3 years to get into any program, community college, accelerated program, I am applying to a Direct Entry Master's this fall. All getting the same answer, too competitive, so many people are going back to be nurses...so my question is should I just start from the bottom and work my way up...get my LPN first and then bridge to RN and if I want BSN, MSN??? I just can't decide, I desprately want to go back to school and be a nurse, but I am starting to get discourage and I know I'm smart enough and motivated enough, hell I've come this far, which route should I go??!

Thanks for the help!!

[NGeorgia]

Have you thought of relocating? No wait lists here in north Georgia.

[WishfulThinking9]

Sadly no...Living in Maine for a while...

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

My friend took this route. She had a previous BS degree in a major unrelated to nursing when she enrolled in an LPN program 5 years ago. She has been working as an LPN for 4 years and recently completed an RN bridge program. Now she is simply studying to take the state boards to become an RN.

She took this route into the nursing profession because her grades in the prerequisite classes were not competitive enough for admission into most RN programs, since she had earned lots of 'B' and 'C' grades and had an overall 2.6 grade point average.

[WishfulThinking9]

I feel like it might be easier, since I feel like I'm wasting time applying to programs that simply won't take me, I have an average GPA (3.12) and have taken A&P and got an A- and B+, so I feel competitive, but it's just not happening. I feel like if I get my foot through the door this way, it will be easier to complete a LPN-RN program...

Thanks for your help!

[tainted1972, ASN, RN]

I was on a waiting list with a friend.. she is still on the waiting list.. I am an LPN now.. and I begin an LPN to RN bridge program this fall.

I will be done sooner, with more experience :)

[akayerich]

I had a bachelors degree in something else when I decided to become a nurse. I got my LPN and have been working ever since. I guess my situation is a little different than yours, because I didn't have plans to be an RN. But I think it makes sense to become an LPN first. That way you can work and make some money while you're in RN school- and get some experience before you're on the floor as an RN.

I'm not sure what the programs are like in your area. But my LPN program was done in a year (full-time) and then you can bridge to ADN and be done in like another 1.5-2 years. You could be an RN in the time you've been waiting on the list!