Career change

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi everyone! I am going to be changing my career path but have no idea where to start. I want to become an RN and evntually get my BS. I cannot go on a waiting list and I cannot quite my job. I was considering going to school to become and LPN then go to a LPN to RN program. It looks likes this would work out for me to avoid a waiting list and avoid going to a school like west coast univeristy (only because they told me I would have to quite my job). Any suggestions? Is this possible to be accepted to a RN program once you become a licensed LPN? ThanksA

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Hi I am a career changer too. I went from electronics technician and manager to nursing school. I already have a degree, so I wanted to get to school right away too. I decided to do an accelerated ADN and when I am finished I will do a part time RN-MSN bridge program since I already have a bachelors, even though it is in another field. It is important to me to become a practicing RN quickly and this is my best route for that.

I got accepted to my ADN program and just started it. There are a bunch of nursing schools in my area but the technical schools were the quickest route with little to no wait list. But I will say they are competitive, there were over 100 applicants for 60 spots at our small school. Just make sure your school is accredited! I would also check out NCLEX pass rates.

There are a few girls in my class who became LPN's and said it was a waste of their time, that they should have just went for RN from the get go. But I have no personal experience in this so I cannot give a valid opinion. I do however think you should shot for your highest goal since not everyone always makes it back to college in the future.

Hope that helps and good luck!

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Specializes in Med-surg, ER, agency, rehab, oc health..

Sure, its possible and a decent way to go. However not all classes in the lpn schedule transfer. For example at my school we would only shave off 6 months off of the 2 years for RN, even though the schooling for lpn takes between 1-1 1/2 years. Also as an lpn many facilities won't hire you, so you are usually stuck with LTC. Now this can be adventageous when you get your RN since it shows work experience and many hospitals won't hire new grad RNs. Also you run the risk of getting comfortable at LPN and it may take years for you to decide to go back for your RN if you ever do.

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Thank you for your response. Please help me understand a bit more... ADN? What exactly is that? I have no nursing experience what so ever and do want to get started right away...

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ADN- Associates Degree of Nursing same as ASN- Associates of Science in Nursing.

I have no experience either, none except volunteer work.

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Hi,

I'm going to be starting my RPN (Ontario) in Sept because my marks weren't high enough to get into the highly competitive and academically rigorous BScN in University. I do payroll now, I'm 27 and starting from square one. I too have thought about going the RN route once I'm done. I read in another thread that the college course is a good way to test the water if you've never worked in healthcare. Here, there is a bridging program that takes longer, but it is possible. I don't know if that helps, but it seems like a good option. Certainly better than the alternative (for me) anyway.

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Thank you for your response. Please help me understand a bit more... ADN? What exactly is that? I have no nursing experience what so ever and do want to get started right away...

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What are the requirments for a ADN? I live in chino, ca, any suggestions. Can I still keep my full time job?

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Fortunately I do not have to work and am able to dedicate myself 100% to school, plus my hubby is supportive. A lot of the women in my class have grave difficulties trying to work and go through an accelerated program. We lost half the class after the first mod and 90% of those people were the ones trying to work. You can work and get through school it is just much harder.

At my school the pre-reqs requirements are Chemistry, Computers, and College Algebra. We do some of the other classes in the program that other schools have as pre-reqs like A&P, Micro, etc.

I think the best idea would be for you to go speak with some academic advisers at the schools in your area. Every college is different and has different requirements.

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Different schools have different requirements. Depending on how flexible your job is, you may be able to go to school without quitting. Because I need to continue working, I have decided to take ALL my core classes first and then one nursing class per term. I believe I will be able to be successful in juggling work, school and family even though it will take longer. GL!

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Specializes in School Nurse.

An ADN is a 2 year degree, from a community college usually. Does anyone know if there are any hospital based programs still around? They were moving away from that when I graduated in 1991. A bachelors is obviously a 4 year degree.

Do you have a bachelors already? I do, and was originally planning on doing the "quick" route at a community college, but bless him, the counselor there said I would be stupid to go for a 2 year degree when I was a couple classes away from qualifying for entrance to the bachelors program.

Don' worry about lack of nursing experience. There will be both labs (classes given at the school on how to start IV's etc etc) and clinicals (at a hospital under the watchful eye of your instructor and a preceptoring nurse on the floor) to help with that.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

Oh, forgot to mention - both ADN and BSN programs allow you to sit for the RN exam. Degree vs license - both have an RN license, some employers don't care which degree you have, some do (usually more specialized nursing, or management, education etc)

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