Confused HS Student

It won't be any easier to get into an LPN program vs RN program grades wise. Plus you have so much time to do better in school. Focus and do your best. Get your RN, now while you're young, you won't regret it.

Here in Chicago some of our high schools have an LPN program, so students can graduate highschool with their LPN license, maybe you should see if your school system offers this type of program because that will make your journey to RN a whole lot easier

Thanks guys!! I have some serious thinking to do.

The school where I received my LVN training only required a high school diploma or GED, a passing score on an entrance exam, and an essay for acceptance into the program. No prerequisites were needed; therefore, no attention was paid to prior college coursework. Many trade schools have admissions criteria similar to the school I previously attended.

Aww that sounds kind of disappointing. But I still think it would be difficult once in the program, or at the very least, upon taking the NCLEX.

The school where I received my LVN training only required a high school diploma or GED, a passing score on an entrance exam, and an essay for acceptance into the program. No prerequisites were needed; therefore, no attention was paid to prior college coursework. Many trade schools have admissions criteria similar to the school I previously attended.

NJ requires a HS diploma or GED as an admission criteria to any PN program. Most NJ HS have an agreement with the vocational or specialty HS for dual enrollment in a preCNA/CNA or pre-health careers program. The pre health career programs are heavy on science and often include collegiate level math & science as a prep for health majors whether dietetics/nutrition, allied health (PT, OT, SLP, RRT, radiology tech--all require AS, BS, MS or doctoral degrees), nursing or pre-med.

The difference between a nursing program and high school is this-YOU WANT TO BE THERE...The entrabce exam will point out your weaknesses. I am lousy with math, had NO idea how much would be involved in the program (this was before computers) I came home crying the first day of class. I was in a small group of math challenged students,the program offered us plenty of remedial help and I excelled. You will too. Look at your vo-tech options,many offer some entry level training.Become a CNA when you graduate high school,you may find an employer offering financial assistance with school.Good Luck

No, the LPN program won't be easier to get into or easier to complete. Check the requirements for both RN and LPN and if you do decide to go LPN you can always bridge to your RN if necessary. Three of my classmates got their LPN then bridged over before they could even start their RN program at a larger university. The reason LPNs feel like second-class citizens is because of some of the responses in this thread, that you can graduate high school with your LPN. My state does have a nursing career pathway but you graduate high school as a CNA and have some prerequesites toward your LPN but not your actual LPN. My nursing school, a technical college, had at least a year of pre-requesites (college English, college math/algebra, a computer class, intro to healthcare, Spanish for Allied Health, A&P, medical terminology, and intro to psychology) plus a year of the actual nursing program full-time. We had 700 hours classroom and 700 hours clinical in that year. It's hard work but it's so worth it. I don't want to come across as trying to dissuade you, I just wanted to paint a more accurate picture. Bottom line is, start checking with both LPN and RN programs in your area and brush up on your math/science skills. Good luck--you can do it!