Do you recommend bridging from LPN to RN?

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Hey. I actually made an account solely so I could request some advice from everyone here. This is really long, but I'd really appreciate some input... It would mean a lot.

I live in Ontario.

I'm currently 19. I graduated from high school last year with the intention of studying nursing at university. Sadly there were some personal issues in my life... and I went through a period of depression which lasted most of 2012 and 2013. This really affected my grades, so I returned to school to improve them.

Now, instead of applying to university, I have to apply to college for practical nursing because i'm currently taking college-level courses instead of university level. My grades for these courses are great.. I actually have the highest mark in each of my classes..

Anyways, I'm wondering what I should do after i've finished an lpn program. My choices are to use my skills to find a job somewhere, or continue onwards to RN, which was my original goal anyways. The problem is i'm afraid of not finding employment as a newly graduated LPN, so an RN seems like a better option for that. I don't really care if I work in a hospital or not though.. just caring for others is enough for me. The salary between an LPN and RN means nothing to me, also. I don't see myself having a family, so I think I can live decently with either one.

I'm not really sure if bridging to become an RN is what I want because the LPN programs are 2 years and becoming an RN would be an additional 3-4 years, culminating in 6 additional years of schooling. I've already stayed back a year in high school, which ends up being 7 years before I can finally work ? :l I doubt I can afford that anyways.

What would you recommend if you were in my shoes ? Thank you for your help, everyone.

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If your goal is to become a RN, and you don't have the required university level courses from high school then I would recommend you take them through adult learning/night school or through ILC (independent learning centre). I'm taking the university level biology and chemistry through ILC and it isn't too difficult. Bridging programs from lpn to rn can be quite competitive and you will end up being in school for longer. However, I'm sure gaining experience from the lpn program will give you valuaable nursing experience. It's really up to what you really want to do.... Good luck with everything :)

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If your goal is to become a RN, and you don't have the required university level courses from high school then I would recommend you take them through adult learning/night school or through ILC (independent learning centre). I'm taking the university level biology and chemistry through ILC and it isn't too difficult. Bridging programs from lpn to rn can be quite competitive and you will end up being in school for longer. However, I'm sure gaining experience from the lpn program will give you valuaable nursing experience. It's really up to what you really want to do.... Good luck with everything :)

Thanks. This means a lot. I haven't really decided yet but I still have time :)

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I am currently in a RPN program and I was in kind of was in the same situation as u. I stayed back in high school for an extra year and then applied for RN programs but I did not get into any, so I went to University of Ottawa for a Science program. After a year in the science program, I realized a science degree is not really useful so I decided to try to get into Nursing again. I applied to RN programs again, but this time I also applied to RPN programs. I did not get into the RN program again due to my high school marks being the same but I did get into the RPN program at Mohawk.

In my opinion, if you can get into the RN program then definitely go for it, but if not, then go for the RPN program instead of going back to high school to upgrade your marks. With the way the economy and the government is in Ontario right now, it is probably easier to find a job as a RPN anyway especially in urban areas. But of course if you ever want to continue on to become an RN thats always a choice, and you will have the choice to find a job both as a RPN and a RN. If you look in the forums, there are a couple posts of RNs asking if they can find a job as a RPN because right now it is harder to find a job as a RN than a RPN.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

If you go the RPN route you can always work as an RPN while doing the bridge. Nippising University offers a bridging program that is mostly online except for the clinicals which you can do in your own area.

If you are an RN you cannot apply for RPN jobs. ( different unions)

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