Can an LVN enter 1st semester of an RN program?

[Lil'lee24]

I am an LVN graduate of February 2007 and passed my boards in June 2007. Since then, I have not worked as an LVN. I did however work for one month from March to April 2009 in a LTC facility and did not like the job due to various reasons. This made me re-think if Im even really called to do nursing all together. I currently work as a dietary tech in an acute hospital and have been for the pass 9 years. I was able to obtain a partial scholarship from the hospital to pursue my LVN degree, however, I would have a 3 year contract to work for the hospital. Since then, I thought I would be able to work at the hospital as an LVN, but now they have eliminated all the LVN positions in the hospital and some were even laid off. Now, I feel stuck having to wait till February 2010 till my contract ends. I feel down that I have no really experience and afraid that I have most of my skills as a nurse. I don't even no what to do. Evertime I search for jobs, they want experience. I thought about going for my RN, since maybe I didn't like working at the LTC, I would have better options like work in surgery. Since I haven't been using my skills for 3 years, I wanted to enter the RN program in solano community college in suisun, ca. 1st semester. However I was told that since I have an LVN license that legally they can't have me enter 1st semester even though i haven't been using my skills for 3 years and that I would have to do the lvn to rn bridge. So right now I feel lost, confused, and sad about this whole situation. I'm still having to pay off $20,000 in tuition, not using my skills as a nurse, and feel stuck being in dietary for so long. I don't know where to start. Please help. Any advice would be great. Just need to feel encouraged.

[caliotter3]

If they tell you that you have to do the LVN-RN bridge program, then go for it. You can get into your own review of the first semester on your own by being creative. Go ask some of the instructors if you can sit in a class that doesn't conflict with your schedule. Get the syllabi for the first semester and do the readings for your own edification. If you have questions, then ask you second semester instructors. There are usually several ways to skin a cat. Don't avoid RN school just because this one school won't let you start at the beginning.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Auditing a class is a great idea. Some schools charge a nominal fee to allow students to audit, and it is an advantage because you are seeing what they are working on, preparing in advance.

Most schools will not allow an LPN to automatically enter into an RN program because most times, there are college level pre-requisites that have to be taken and most LPNs that graduated from vocational programs have not had them, and then, there always seems to be some sort of weeding out process. There may be a transition course to take, also.

I agree with the above poster. If you really want to become an RN, don't let the blocks on the road stop you...ride around them or drive right through them!

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

i don't know if they would allow you to audit .. because they only have so many seats for the enrolled RN students and they rarely allow someone to audit the RN program. you need to find somehwhere to get a LPN job, LTC , Hospice , Home health because you need the expirence for the RN program.

you also need to find out what prereqs you will need to enter the RN program. it is a degree program so you will need to take some classes to apply. you cannot just enter a RN program you need to qualify .... good luck in your schooling and please keep us posted !!

[plaza]

your statement "I did however work for one month from March to April 2009 in a LTC facility and did not like the job due to various reasons. This made me re-think if Im even really called to do nursing all together" should raise a red flag in your mind.

if you went all the way thru school and worked for a short time at one nursing job, then quit, I'd look closely at the reasons. if you weren't passionate enough about nursing to find another job, why do you think that you'll be more passionate enough to pursue more education?

NS requires total commitment and there should be little doubt in your mind about whether to go forward.

good luck with your decision.

[momtojosh]

i went thru LPN school 2 yrs ago.......graduated in june,had my job that i am still at in july,passed boards in august......while at LPN school which was at a college i went to the RN advisor to see what i needed to enroll in the RN program,since i went to college at this college many moons ago it was easy to get my transcript......i only needed algebra 1 and chemistry.......i took algebra in HS passed with an 85 but still needed college alg,and i did not take chem in HS.....I hate math....i freeze when it comes to math....all my other classes transfer....he had it all planned out how i could graduate in 3 yrs going part time.....but first i had to do the pre reqs.....YIKES!.....so here i am an new LPN who loves her job and is scared to death of the pre reqs.....i am 47 and probably wont go on at this point........oh and as an LPN you can test out of NURSING 1......thats why it was only 3 yrs PT......but no one ever mentioned a waiting list which i am now hearing about......

since my LPN class was not part of the college,(it was an adult ed program held at college) there is no bridge program.....wish there was......but you still need the pre reqs for a bridge program right?? I am not sure how that works......can someone please explain the bridge program to me?? thanks

[ladybugme!]

at baptist.. i think the lvn grad goes into the second semester of the rn program..so as long as the lvn and the rn started there classes at the same time they should both grad with their rn at the same time regardless who started as lvn or rn!! :)