Glad to be LPN first

carol72 · Jul 15, 2007

Count me in. I am happy I waited years before going back to school. It worked for me.

kgkarma · Jul 22, 2007

Hello,
Everyone I am a pre nursing student hoping to start LPN program in Jan 08. I realize that getting into RN program first is very hard to find a program without 1,000 plus student trying to get in. I have decide to go for the brand new LPN @ my cc due to not many students knowing about the LPN program yet so why not start now. Wat I wanted to know how many of you are glad that you started off as a LPN first? What I am also thinking that that nursing school would need up being a little easier. I am not talking about the course load but I am thinking that it may be a little less of a headach because you are doing one year of nursing school now and the last year a little later. You do have a break for a little while of the hard course load of nursing classes. I think this wil be a little easier for me to deal with because usally for me after year of school I fell a little burn out. I can only think how I would feel after 2 years of nursing school maybe just one year @ a time would ease the pain.

I just graduated from LPN school and I don't think I could have taken another year right away. I think it's a great way to go.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jul 23, 2007

i was a LPN for 21 years before becoming a RN and i am happy i had the expirence. it really helped w/ RN school.

BethLPN47 · Jul 23, 2007

I started out in the nursing program at the local community college but ended up graduating a few weeks ago as as PN from another college. I passed boards the 1st time and am interviewing several places.

I have the option after working as an LPN for 1 year to go back to the college I graduated from, take the 2nd year of their RN program (3 qtrs), which I can take the classes online if I want and go in only for clinicals. I decided this is the way to go for me. Between the waiting list at the 1st college and all the time I spent taking classes, I was in school for 5 years. I definitely need a break!

If your school offers something like mine does (become LPN and go back later), I'd go for it. Plus, you will have the experience and confidence from having worked as an LPN, which should greatly help transition into RN role.

GOOD LUCK!!!

PrincessAnnie · Jul 24, 2007

I am also taking the LPN first because I have a family to support.

I work in a half way house now and the way stinks. My aunt also did the LPN program first and thought this was a great way to become a nurse and get plenty of experience.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Jul 28, 2007

I am in my second Summer session of transition RN Program. Have been an LVN for 17 yrs. My experience has been invaluable so far...

Shannaikook · Aug 16, 2007

Hello. I have been an LPN for 4 years now. I was just accepted into an lpn-rn program and I'm excited. I know that when in clinicals I'm just a student but I feel that being an lpn first will help with the transition. Good luck to everyone out there following your dreams.

Boston-RN, RN · Aug 17, 2007

Hello,

I became an LPN first and I did start a bridge program (excelsior) just months after graduating from the LPN but I'm still glad I did the LPN first. I have been able to work full time and get my RN part time through excelsior and have a year of experience under my belt when I do finish the RN so I don't have to worry about fighting for the ever coveted NEW GRAD RN positions that are scarce around Boston. I feel it's helped my knowledge with the bridge program as well.

Have not regretted it yet. (and i'll be done w/RN in a couple months)

kgkarma · Aug 17, 2007

Hello,
I became an LPN first and I did start a bridge program (excelsior) just months after graduating from the LPN but I'm still glad I did the LPN first. I have been able to work full time and get my RN part time through excelsior and have a year of experience under my belt when I do finish the RN so I don't have to worry about fighting for the ever coveted NEW GRAD RN positions that are scarce around Boston. I feel it's helped my knowledge with the bridge program as well.
Have not regretted it yet. (and i'll be done w/RN in a couple months)

In the last semester of my LPN class we had about 6 or 7 people join us from the RN program that had not passed their last semester. I think if they had to do it over again they would have done the LPN first and at least be making money as an LPN instead of a CNA when they go back. I heard but am not sure that they'll have to do the complete bridge program instead of going directly into the 5th semester again. I think that is so wrong because they had already passed the 4th semester. I think the school is making them go back to 4th just to make extra money. Currently. they've done 2 more semesters than the students that started as a LPN with no more to show than we do. It's really kind of sad.

DebanamRN, MSN, RN · Aug 21, 2007

I'm very glad I got my LPN first. I knew nothing prior to LPN school and feel much more confident as I prepare to enter RN school. I will be a licensed nurse for another two years before I get my RN. Lots more time to gather experience and to learn. I am proud to be an LPN.