to the dark side

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2006

Welcome. Good luck to you.

suebird3 · Apr 14, 2006

welcome to allnurses.com! i moved your post to the lpn forum, where it will get more responses.

good luck!

suebird

Drysolong · Apr 14, 2006

Hi. I'm a paramedic in CA and i'm looking to become an LVN first, then RN. Any RN's or LVN's that have done that? I need some help with how to start the process. please reply or email me - thanks

I haven't yet, but this is my plan. I completed a CNA course and worked 5 months as a CNA. I've just completed LPN school and hope to start RN school later this year.

SFCardiacRN · Apr 15, 2006

Before I found Allnurses.com, I would have told you it is crazy to do the LVN to RN route. Several threads have addressed this issue (do a search) and there are some pretty good arguments for this approach. Good luck!

icugirl33 · Apr 16, 2006

Hi,

At first, I too wanted to go for LPN & then RN. After I thought about it, I decided since to be an RN was my ultamite goal, why not just go straight for it.

Good luck!!

suzanne4, RN · Apr 16, 2006

In CA, you need to go the full route. In many other states, there is Excelsior College but it is not accepted in CA. So you will need to go thru a regular program for licensure.

With paramedic experience, not sure why you are wanting to go to LVN school first.

scallywags · Apr 20, 2006

Hi. I'm a paramedic in CA and i'm looking to become an LVN first, then RN. Any RN's or LVN's that have done that? I need some help with how to start the process. please reply or email me - thanks

Hi CAmedic,

I am currently in a LVN program. I decided to take this route since I was having a heck of a time getting into a RN program. I have done a bit of research on the LVN-RN route. There are several options once you have your LVN license. Some community colleges will allow you to enter the RN (ADN) program with advanced placement. This takes one year to complete, if you have the prereqs. There is also the 30 option unit, offered by both community colleges and State Universities - however this is only recognized in CA. Some of the private schools also offer a LVN-RN (ADN) program.

Good luck with your decision :)

misskesla · Apr 26, 2006

I think you have made a wise decision. I was an EMT/ER Tech for 5 years before going to LVN and I started RN school just 4 months after getting my LVN so it's doable and it does help keep you off all the waiting lists for RN in California right now! I know that your Paramedic training will serve you well but you will no doubt annoy the hell out of your instructors because you will "know everything!" Go on with your bad self!!!! Keep us posted!

:monkeydance:

Lamie · Apr 27, 2006

THis is the route I'm going. After looking at the ADN-RN programs at countless community colleges in my area, with their crazy waitlists, I am now going to a technical college to become an LPN first. This way, I only have four pre-reqs, and I can easily get into this program, which starts twice a year (spring/fall), versus only once a year or less at other schools offering ADN-RN programs. Also, I would like to get some experience as an LPN first, to see if this is really what I want to do. If it turns out I'm not suitable for the job, I'll have only wasted one year of college, not two or longer, depending on how long I'd have to wait to get into a nursing program.

So here, in a nutshell again, my reasons for going the LPN-RN route:

- easier to get in, far few pre-reqs (can be done in one or two semesters)

- get some work experience and get paid soon (only a one-year program)

- can become a RN online at my own pace (important to me since I have a husband and son)

I was elated to find out that this option exists - otherwise I would probably have given up trying to become an RN. At 36, I don't have as much time anymore to spend years for pre-reqs, only to have a small shot of ever being admitted to a nursing program. This route is my only option of ever becoming a nurse.

bmw804 · May 6, 2006

This is the route I am now taking also. I was in a LPN program, but took a leave to have my son. While on leave I applied to the RN program and got accepted right away. While in the RN program, I received a full grant to complete the LPN, so I decided to finish that up. I spoke with my advisor and she said that was a good idea. I can bridge over to the RN once I have completed the LPN. I thought I would be able to do both so that I could finish sooner with less classes to take, but that was too hard on me, so I figured I would just do one thing at a time. I need to start making some money, so I think that would work best for me.