Finishing LPN school then going directly for RN

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I should start off by saying, I am starting LPN program in September. I was laid off from work in May, and decided to take the Teas. I was accepted into the LPN program and I am thrilled! But I do want to continue and get my RN.

I live in NY, and some of the RN programs have long wait lists, so I am trying to prepare and research now. I know about the LPN to RN bridge, but it seems these programs are geared toward a person who has been a LPN for a while - am I correct? How does someone go about just jumping directly into a RN program, is the "bridge" still necessary? I am trying to figure it out, so any advice, or recommended websites, etc, would be appreciated!

Kathy

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

In my area, the bridge program is not just for people who have been an LPN for awhile. In fact, its the other way around. After our pre-reqs are complete and we are accepted into the program, we have 1 year and we can exit as an LPN if we so choose, if not, we are automatically enrolled (no wait) into the RN segment which is the next year. IF, there are spots open (d/t drops or fails) then they open those spots to people who were not in last years LPN program. The students who are going straight through take precedence at my school, but my school seems to be an exception with a lot of things LOL. Good Luck!!

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if i were you go ahead and take the RN program. the bridge program is usually for those lpns that have been an lpn for atleast 1 year. why wait another year...when u can just wait a little longer and be an RN right away. good luck!:D

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Specializes in Trauma & Emergency.

I actually just graduated from an LPN program in March and am working now as an LPN. I was accepted into a BSN program for this fall. So I basically finished LPN and am now starting RN. I did not see the point in doing the bridge program because a lot of them require you to have one year of experience as an RN and have the pre req's completed. Well that would take at least a year. Instead of doing that I am entering a 4 year program that has all the "pre reqs" included in the four years. This was a better option for me instead of waiting a whole other year that I could be studying. Obviously this is your choice but I just didn't see the point in wasting a whole entire year.

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In the programs I have researched it seems that they want you to have experience as LPN and have a letter from a supervisor that you worked under. I am just starting LVN (TX) school and plan to bridge to RN afterwards. But I figured since I don't have all the required prereqs for the RN program I can work as an LVN and go to school for prereqs. By that time I'll have experience needed for RN bridge.

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If you want to be an RN, just do it.

4 year school BSN students don't work as an LPN...

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In my area, the LPN to RN bridge requires that you have 500 hours work experience as an LPN...so when I finish my LPN program in April, I'll be ready for the bridge program in September...

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Specializes in ASC, Infection Control.

At my school here in Michigan, I just finished the LPN program yesterday (yay!). I am starting the RN program at the end of this month. We have the option to quit after LPN and do what we want, or apply for RN seat and hope to get in. Don't need any experience. It's nice this way because you can just go all the way through while working as an LPN if you want to (which is my plan). Good luck!

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I applied for the RN program I'm currently in the semester before I started LPN school. I finished LPN school in Dec. 08, began a regular RN program Jan. 09. EVERYONE in my LPN class thought I was insane, with the "why do an EXTRA semester when can do the bridge???" being the question...as it turns out (AND DO feel sorry for my LPN grad buds) that the bridge programs in my area have wait lists, and at my school (has LPN and RN programs, I'm at same school for both) I will be FINISHED with my RN before most classmates from LPN even START the bridge program! DO YOUR OWN THING!!! Make it work for you, do all your pre-reqs, apply, and all you can do is SEE! I'm very thankful for all as I have done, as in the regular RN, a lot of classes are offered online, whereas ironically not the case for the bridge. SO, I'm able to work at my LPN job FT, attend RN FT school.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

after I finished the LPN Program I took the pre required and co required classes the next semester and was accepted into a Part time RN program. 1 evening a week the first semester and 2 days a week semester 2 and 3. All I had left to do was the core classes the last 2 semesters. I worked Full time from the time I started the LPN program to graduation of the RN Program.

The clinical experience that I gain during to 2 years I worked as an LPN was priceless

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I really think it depends on what region of the country you're in. In my area bridges are for LPN's who've worked for less than 5yrs and paramedics going for RN.

Lots of people go the LPN route in my area just to they can bridge. In my area a bridge bypasses the whole first year of nursing school. So I will be jumping into my RN program with the 3rd semester students and graduating this coming may (assuming I pass the NCLEX I just took yesterday :( )

For me it was a great option because I can work as a nurse while in RN school and if anything should happen and I can't complete my last year, at least I know I'm still a nurse and able to work as one. I was also able to shave about 6mo off the time it will take to get to RN because the traditional programs in my area all require ALL pre-req's to be completed by the start of RN, whereas LPN doesn't care and the bridge allows you to apply while still short on some prereq's. For example I took a&p II, nursing transitions, and dosage calc this summer (after LPN) so that I can start next week with my RN program!

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