Could someone explain the ladder system to me?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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Hello Everyone, I could use some help on understanding this ladder system that a certain community college uses. Ok, one of the prereq's for being able to start the associates degree in nursing there is takeing the lpn course. Now, the lpn program looks like two years to finish, prereq's the first year, then the actual core classes (nursing) if you are elected to go into it. So, let's say someone finishes their lpn program, two years have passed, now they are eligible to start takeing the prereq's for the associates in nursing there. Take those prereq's for that program, then if elected, you can continue with the nursing core classes for the associates. I am seeing close to 4 years here. Which, normally in 4 years you could get a bachelors. Am i not seeing the right picture here? Please help me understand the ladder program.

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Specializes in LTC/SNF.

That is confusing...my community college is a 3 year program for the Associate's. You do all the same pre-reqs regardless of whether or not you want your LPN or RN. After the 2nd year you have your LPN (and a certificate) and after the 3rd year you have your RN and ADN.

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Specializes in LTC/SNF.

...and I guess the advantage to a 3 or 4-year ADN program at a community college over getting your Bachelor's degree would be the much cheaper cost. Plus so many schools have completely online RN to BSN bridge programs these days that are designed for you to be able to complete while already working fulltime as a RN.

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From 0 to ADN in 4 years at a community college?? Must not be anywhere near so cal!! Out here you're looking at 6-8 :/

I'd really like to add, make sure nursing is for you. Get a job in the medicl field, working with pts even just to get a feel to see if it is something you might actually wanna do. I've known of a number of people who take their pre reqs and sit on the wait list just to end up deciding to go more of a 9-5 career route, wasting precious space on those waiting lists..

The best advice is to go to your local JCs nursing department and find out the needed info specific to that school so that you know EXACTLY what you need to do

But good luck in whatever you do decide!

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I earned my ADN from a community college with a similar progression. I spent my first year taking prerequisites for the nursing program (A&P, Microbiology, etc.). I was then able to enter the nursing program, which was 22 additional months to earn an ADN--a total of approximately 3 years. However, I already have a bachelor's degree in another field, which meant I did not have to take other courses that were required for the associate's degree, such as English, history, algebra, etc. Had I needed those courses, an ADN would have taken 4 years or more. Now that I have graduated and become a licensed RN, I'm having a difficult time finding a job because everyone in my area is looking for nurses who have a BSN or experience.

That said, I'd advise you to check the job market in the area where you want to practice before starting school. Considering the time it takes to complete an ADN and the difficulties you may encounter in finding a job with that degree, it may be worthwhile to pursue a BSN if that's feasible for you.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

6-8 years for an associates degree??? I got a bachelor degree in 4.

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Yup. 2 years pre-reqs, 2-4 year wait list, 2 year of actual program. Its utterly rediculous. But its the only affordable way for a lot of people.

I agree 100% look into bsn if you can, the JCs have gotten out of hand and more and more employers are wanting a bsn anyways

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If you want to understand a particular school's curriculum and requirements, your best bet is to talk to an advisor at that school.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
From 0 to ADN in 4 years at a community college?? Must not be anywhere near so cal!! Out here you're looking at 6-8 :/

*** From 0 to ADN regularly done in 2 years here in Wisconsin. Some people stretch it out more for their own reasons. Some school have waiting lists, some don't. That's how we end up with so many 19 and 20 year old RNs showing up in the hospitals. Couple years ago I recepted an RN who was 18 years old.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
6-8 years for an associates degree??? I got a bachelor degree in 4.

*** I know a bunch of nurses at my hospital who did ADN in 2 years and online BSN in one.

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I know a University for 4 years or more...could end up being very expensive. They say that the new 4 year degree is actually almost 5.

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I took your advise TerryGvl....i did some searching around at our hospitals in the area and such and was finding that most of the open positions were requesting "BSN preferred". So...looks like i will be searching a different path.

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