Transition or full RN program?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've been aLPN since 2009 and only worked five months in LTC right after getting my license. That's the only experience I have. My daughter was born with major health issues and I had to quit working to take care of her through multiple surgeries. Now I have my prereqs finished, but should I do the transition program or start from scratch with the full RN program?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Why would you do a full RN program when you're an LVN?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Why would you do a full RN program when you're an LVN?

Maybe to get a fresh start? She only worked 5 months, over 5 years ago.

OP, I can only say what I would do. I would start over because I would constantly be doubting myself. The transition course flies through material, or so I have heard. So either a refresher course plus transition program or start from scratch would be my advice.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Maybe to get a fresh start? She only worked 5 months, over 5 years ago.

OP, I can only say what I would do. I would start over because I would constantly be doubting myself. The transition course flies through material, or so I have heard. So either a refresher course plus transition program or start from scratch would be my advice.

Still, she worked & has her LVN license. I couldn't imagine putting myself through two years of the RN program. I would go through the refresher course & the bridge program.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

It would be a waste of time to complete a generic nursing program when you qualify for an LVN-to-RN transition program that will cut half the time off.

Nursing programs in this day and age are designed to get graduates to pass NCLEX. Your experience will come when you secure your first RN position.

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Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown, PCU.

First off, what are transition requirements? I know to transition into my school's program you need to take some sort of LVN entrance exam thing. It doesn't much matter that you have your LVN or not, it matters if you know the information. How comfortable do you feel on that information? Do you have your old material's to review? Note that some of it might be out of date. Also, are you going ADN or BSN? For my ADN program the LVN's come in at second semester. So staring new would only set you back a semester. Most LVNs that transition, especially after a period of time out of school, are actually floored by the chaos of the program and it's demands. Second semester is one of my programs unforgiving semester. Are there nursing students currently in the program you can talk to? Ask them about the program. Especially a transition student.

I would at least look into your option for transition. At the most, they'll say no, and if nothing else.. you just go in enroll new.

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It would be a waste of time to complete a generic nursing program when you qualify for an LVN-to-RN transition program that will cut half the time off.

Nursing programs in this day and age are designed to get graduates to pass NCLEX. Your experience will come when you secure your first RN position.

Unfortunately this is true. Few teach you what you actually need to know.

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