What's the difference ?

Nurses General Nursing

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Ok, i'm an older male looking to get into nursing. I think i want to go to a one year practical nursing program to start and hopefully after that continue online to eventually become an RN.

What I need to know is, what's the difference between a two year LPN program and a one year program ? Couldn't I take the test to be licensed after a one year program ? I guess the two year program would give me an associate degree but is it needed if I would be licensed after a one year program anyway ? Isn't the license the important part ? I'm kind of confused so please help !!! Thanks

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There is no 'degree' for an LPN. LPN programs lead to licensure, not associates or bachelors degrees. The only way to get an associates degree is to go through an ASN program to become an RN.

Now about the one year vs. 2 year. All LPN programs are really about 2 years long. You have prerequisites you must complete before you get accepted into the program, and you have corequisite classes that you must complete in addition to the year of LPN nursing courses. All of these classes make for a 2 year program. Indeed, the program itself is 1 year, but with all the requirements it is 2 in all.

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Thanks for your help. I am interested in two schools. Both only have an entrance exam. There are no prerequisites at either school and both are one year programs. Maybe that's why I'm confused. Actually, I chose both schools because there are no prerequisites other than the entrance exam and both are one year and done. Neither is really a college but more like career centers for adults. Hopefully they will prepare me enough to get my license ! Now I'm kinda leary. Maybe those schools aren't the best choice.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

http://www.dsu.nodak.edu/digest.asp?ArticleID=564

This, is, in fact, an assocate degree LPN program told to me by one of the staff members, TheCommuter.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f99/choosing-between-lpn-lvn-rn-316118.html

This is the original thread in the LPN forum, for those that are interested in reading it. It was a surprize to me, as well.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Deva's correct. There are Associate Degree PN programs available.

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A lot of LPN programs are one year. Mine was. I know of a few in NY that are one year. OP, why spend 2 years to become a LPN if you can do it in one. I just finished an eleven and a half month LPN program....no pre reqs needed. I hope to start Excelsior as soon as I pass my boards. Good luck on your decision!

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A lot of LPN programs are one year. Mine was. I know of a few in NY that are one year. OP, why spend 2 years to become a LPN if you can do it in one. I just finished an eleven and a half month LPN program....no pre reqs needed. I hope to start Excelsior as soon as I pass my boards. Good luck on your decision!

Woo Hoo !!! That's exactly what I was wanting to hear. Thanks !:loveya:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I suspect that the two year programs are part time. Sometimes, a full time worker has to get it the best way they can. RN programs are in colleges, and the schedules are set up in ways that most can still work (although it will be hell on wheels to do it, but MANY have), while the LPN programs are usually fulltime programs, at least 4 days a week from 8-4 or 9-5.

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another thing to consider is that some ADN (associate RN) programs allow you to take the LPN exam after your first year. they're specifically structured to qualify you for the LPN exam after the first year. at that point, if you pass you will have an LPN license and no degree. once you complete the program you'll have your ADN. once you take and pass the RN exam you'll have your RN license as well.

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