Considering a LPN Program - but have a few q's!

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Hello Everyone,

I am a 39 yr old Mom of two, who has been a stay at home Mom since having my 2nd child. He is now just 16 months. Over the months, I have been considering a total career change and getting into nursing. there is a 14 mo program at our local Tech Vocational School (accredited) and Its 3 nights a week, 4-10pm each week for 14 months. This is a lot but I really want to do it and hoping if not this coming semester, then nezt Year I can enter and complete this in 14 mo to become an LPN. HAS ANYONE else done this, in a similar situation as I have been in (Mom, busy schedule -2 crazy kids, etc) :)

I have a BA in Psychology from a good college but never did much with my degree and immediately went into Sales out of college and have been doing similiar ever since. Its not fulfilling to me, I have aklways always wanted to do nursing...as I am more a ppl person (yes, cranky ppl even) and not wanting to sit behind the desk all day.

Any advice would be great. Anyone ever done a 14 month program to LPN? I know an RN is ideal but hoping that would come another day down the road. I also dont understand how the whole bridge program works for that (LPN to RN). Thank to all replies in advance!

Jennifer

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A 14 month LPN program is not much shorter than a 2 year RN-ADN program. If you can do 14 months you can do 24 months.

I have yet to meet someone that went through a LPN or RN program that did not have 14 kids, work 3 jobs, and went to school full time.

School is about perseverance more than anything else. How bad do you want to become a nurse is the question?

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Yes, you can do this. The key is great time management and a good support system. Since you already have a BA, have you looked into an accelerated BSN program? In NY there is a 1 year full time program but you end up with your BSN. Good luck in what ever path you choose :)

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Hi, thank you both. I have not looked into an accelerated BSN program. Can you explain exactly what that would get me? Sorry, I am very green at this and do not even know all the terms (BSN) assuming is Bach Science in Nursing - does that make me an automatic RN? Explain as much as you can, I do appreciate it - I am here to listen and learn and eventually make the deicsion that is best for me. Thanks again :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I am an LPN who did a 14 month program. I graduated Dec. 2010. If you did an LPN program, what kind of job would you look for? LPN jobs in my area are limited to nursing homes and home health care. I am currently in an ADN program and will progress to a BSN program when I complete this one.

I agree that since you already have a Bachelors degree, the accelerated BSN (Bacholors of Science of Nursing) program would be a good option for you. Typically they are one year long. At the end of the program, you would take the NCLEX-RN and would sign your name with RN, BSN after it. What is a good 4 year institution near you? Go to that college website, find the nursing page and look for an accelerated program. If that school does not have one, I know that Ohio State University does - check out there website for information.

In this market, a BSN will get you more opportunities in the nursing field. Good luck.

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A BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Yes you would be an RN, but lets back up a little. An LPN program varies from place to place it depends if your program is fullltime or partime. Once you complete your LPN you are a Licenced Practical Nurse. Then you could move to an ADN program Associates Degree in Nursing. then your Bachelors, Masters.

However you can apply right off the bat for a BSN program, but depending on where you do this some of your present Bachelor credits may or may not apply, the only way to find out is contact a school you might be interested in. If your previous credits do not carry over then you need to get some of your pre-reqs out of the way otherwise you may end up carrying 19 plus credit hours, some people can do it but not this old guy.:smokin:

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Thanks for all of your posts - they are very helpful. "Somedaypeds" - with your suggestion of a 1 yr BSN program - are all of those strictly on campus type programs or are there any online programs? Im assuming they are on campus but wanted to ask. Would give me more fliexibility as I have 3 kids under the age of 6. I think I may have to wait a year or 2 but dont want to if I find a perfect program. Thanks.

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