Becoming an LPN/RN - I have a dumb question!

[RedKat]

OK, I have what may be a really dumb question... but bear with me, I'm still not even in school yet (going to switch careers, but haven't started the process yet).

I know some people become an LPN before they go to school to become an RN... but if you just go straight to becoming an RN, does that automatically give you LPN status also? Or as you're going through school to become an RN, is there some point along the way at which you can test for LPN?

Sorry if this is as dumb as it sounds to me, but I guess if you don't ask, you never know.

Thanks!

[emily_mom]

You don't automatically get LPN status if you go for straight RN. However, you can work as a Nurse Tech at that time and make about what an LPN makes.

If you want to be an RN, I suggest just going for it right away. In my school, there is one class, Clinical Concepts that you need to take in the LPN program that you don't in the RN program. Without this, you can't test for LPN.

This is what it's like where I am. Things may be different where you are. Good luck to you!

Kristy

[nursedawn67, LPN]

Where I went you take the LPN class, then you can test and recieve your LPN. Then continue on with the RN program, you can even do the RN program part time (after you have worked 1 year as an LPN.)

[emily_mom]

I forgot to add that if you go LPN to RN at our school, you have to pass NCLEX-PN before they will allow you to apply to the RN program. That will slow you up.

[essarge]

The community college near me allows students to sit for the LPN after the first year of nursing and then continue (if they want) to Associate's RN. My school does not offer that so it is only a four year RN program.

[Jennerizer, ASN, RN]

I believe at my school we are eligible to test for the LPN license after our second semester in the RN program.

[colleen10]

Are you asking that if you are an RN can you work as an LPN instead of an RN?

I think I read somewhere on the board about how if you have an LPN license and an RN license but have a job as an LPN it gets a little messy with what you can be legally held accountable and repsonsible for.

My school offers both LPN and RN classes but they are seperate. So, you would have to take different classes for an LPN, pass the licensing boards and then re-apply to the nursing program and ask for "advanced standing" to get into the LPN to RN Bridge program. The school would consider your grades from the 1 year LPN program and work experience and if they felt you were ready they would allow you into the 2 year RN program but you would only have to complete the last year of courses.

[SingingNurse2]

Mastiff - There are no dumb questions, that is the first thing to always remember in school! I actually had wondered the same thing about the LPN/RN tests. Keep asking, if you are wondering so is someone else out there!

[cna on her way]

I think that most schools now will allow you to sit for the LPN test after the first 3 semesters of the ADN program. You really need to check with your particular school. And then again you can get your LPN and then bridge over. Then you only have one year left and you can work as a LPN in the meantime. That is exactly what I plan to do. At the community college here, you can even do the ADN bridge over online and only do clinicals one day a week for 12 hours on Saturday.