Do nursing students seeking a BSN have to take additional classes to become an LPN?

[studentnurse5]

Hi,

I am a nursing student in my second semester. I really desire to have more experience in the medical field this summer since I could really use it, and since I have never really volunteered or worked in a hospital setting (besides the once a week clinicals we have). I am interested in becoming an LPN and was wondering what all I have to do to become one? Is it true that I HAVE to take a year-long course in order to become an LPN? I am already taking classes now that I'm sure are similar (if not the same) as the ones I would be taking in the LPN program anyway, so is it really necessary for me to have to take a year-long course? I just want to know how feasible it will be for me to become an LPN without having to take an LPN course. My friend said she went around an applied to a bunch of places without having taken a course and was able to find a job just like that! Has anyone else heard of someone being able to get a job just like that? If not an LPN, what other jobs would you suggest that I search for if I want to further my nursing education and get some extra experience? I am paying for school and everything else so unfortunately, I can't really spend my time volunteering because I need a job that pays. Any of your comments or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks! :)

[drgngnr2002]

At my school, after you have finished your first year of nursing, you can take an LPN class (5 credit-hour, offered during the summer), once you pass that, then you can take the LPN board exam.

[studentnurse5]

Thank you so much, I will look into that! But maybe it's just easier to become a CNA. I don't have to take any classes for that really, so I may just do that. Anyone think this is a better idea?

[elkpark]

Some states permit nursing students in RN programs to sit the NCLEX-PN exam after they've completed some specific amount of their RN program, and some don't. Your school could tell you whether or not that's even an option in your state.

In my state, the state BON allows it, but some school curricula are set up to meet the BON's requirements and some aren't, so whether or not you're eligible depends on what school you're at.

I used to teach in an ADN program in which students could sit the LPN exam after the first year of the ADN program, but I found that the students who did this often ended up in serious trouble in school after they got an LPN job. (And I strongly encouraged the students who asked me about it not to do this.) The local nursing homes would spin them a great tale about working with their school schedule, plenty of orientation, etc., but, the next thing they knew, they were responsible for medicating 50-60 clients a shift and the nursing home couldn't care less about their school schedule. They felt completely overwhelmed. It is extremely difficult to adjust to the role of a working nurse (whether RN or LPN) and go to nursing school at the same time. Some of our students ended up flunking out of nursing school because they were so overwhelmed by adjusting to their new job. A few of them managed to both flunk out of school and crash and burn as new LPNs, which was really sad.

If you really want to do this, I'd encourage you to go with the CNA idea. I work with plenty of CNAs who are nursing students. Lots of hospitals go out of their way to employ nursing students as CNAs, and are willing to be flexible about accommodating your school schedule. Make sure that a potential employer understands that your school requirements and commitments are your first priority ...

Best wishes!