Hard time going from LPN to RN????

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I am thinking about becoming a LPN and them moving into the RN program...can someone tell me if that is usually an easy transition or is it hard?

What can LPN's do extra to increase their chances in being accpeted into RN programs?

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Specializes in Army Medic.

It takes more time then going for a straight ADN.

I have no experience trying to find jobs as an LPN, but I'm told it's a lot harder than getting a job as an RN.

Are you doing it to get a job and earn money as you go to school for your RN? If you're not I would go straight for an ADN/ASN degree.

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

I'm an LPN/LVN with 4 years experience who is scheduled to graduate from an RN-ADN bridge program in a few weeks.

The most difficult part about my transition has been getting accustomed to earning decent money as an LPN/LVN, and then having to scale back my hours to attend school. I feel that the major roadblock for many LPNs who want to earn their RN licenses is life itself. Life happens. LPNs must deal with family life, employment, personal relationships, births, deaths, marriages, divorces, sick relatives, financial issues, and so forth. Anything can be an impediment to ever returning to school to become an RN.

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I think it all depends on your situation. I chose to do a regular RN program directly after I graduated from LPN school. I hadn't taken my NCLEX-PN yet when I started RN school. I'd applied to this ADN program before LPN school, so was on a wait list. During my wait, I finished my LPN. The real benefit is that my classroom work is online, so I comfortably work full-time as a LPN. The downside is that I have an "extra" semester because I could have done the bridge program in three semesters. Oddly enough though, due to wait lists and pre-reqs, I'll be done with my RN before any of my former LPN classmates who are working on their RN (or pre-reqs for RN school). I love being an LPN and would have done the same thing over again in a second...I feel my LPN program taught me the fundamentals of the kind of nurse I want to be. In addition, I love my job and make enough money to pay for RN school.

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I'm an LPN/LVN with 4 years experience who is scheduled to graduate from an RN-ADN bridge program in a few weeks.

The most difficult part about my transition has been getting accustomed to earning decent money as an LPN/LVN, and then having to scale back my hours to attend school. I feel that the major roadblock for many LPNs who want to earn their RN licenses is life itself. Life happens. LPNs must deal with family life, employment, personal relationships, births, deaths, marriages, divorces, sick relatives, financial issues, and so forth. Anything can be an impediment to ever returning to school to become an RN.

:eek: NEWS FLASH!!! RN's get to deal with all that fun stuff too!

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

My mother went the LPN-to-RN route mainly because she could get out and start working quicker. She was about 37 when she got her LPN. I was her oldest child, 14, and there were 4 under me. I"m sure she thought she would never be able to get her RN, but she did at age 47 and went on to a fine career in L&D until she retired. She found that working as an LPN gave her a lot of practical knowledge and studying for her RN filled in her nursing theory. She felt well-prepared for the NCLEX and she passed easily.

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I am thinking about becoming a LPN and them moving into the RN program...can someone tell me if that is usually an easy transition or is it hard?

What can LPN's do extra to increase their chances in being accpeted into RN programs?

depends on your definition of "easy". i'd say it's easy, but it's time consuming (that's really all any nursing school is). people that do lpn then adn in the area i live in, basically end up going to school one more semester (3 for lpn, then 3 more for the bridge, straight adn's go 5 semesters). some bridge programs also require that the lpn has at least 1 yr of lpn job exp.

if you have an idea of what lpn program you want to be in and the bridge program, you can take some classes that will satisfy both lpn and adn pre-reqs, kill 2 birds with 1 stone. for example, some lpn programs require lower level english, bio, psy, etc, (but will give you credit for higher level classes too), but the adn program req's higher level eng, bio, psy. so you just take the higher level courses that will satisfy both programs requirements.

also, once an lpn, you get a job some where, then when you're a rn, you're generally going to have a better chance of getting a rn job there over a newbie/newer rn. your a proven employee with them that won't require all the admin/hr work ($$$), employers prefer a proven employee (it's a gamble with a new employees) and saving $$$.

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Specializes in Geriatric, Pediatric, Hospice,Psych.

It's not a bad idea going to school to become an LPN before going for RN. This is the route that I chose because the amount of time that it takes to complete the LPN program is much less than the RN program. I worked full-time for two years as an LPN before returning to college. While in college I did agency work in order to have a more flexible work schedule, and make decent pay while in college. I found that being an LPN helped me adapt to the role of a nurse before getting in too deep. It also helped me in the RN program because as an LPN I felt that I was able to utilize the knowledge and skills I already had as an LPN. I definately think that when applying to nursing schools that it is an advantage to already be an LPN. HOWEVER, it was easier for me to find a job as an LPN than RN! I just don't get it! :uhoh3:

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hey, look everyone, i just went to a medical clinic in Lexington ky, and they have replaced the Rn clinic nurses with CMT--Certified Medical Technicians, not nursing assistance, not LPN's CMT's. I asked the CMT, where where the nurses, and she replied we only have one RN that works, the rest of use as MLT, and the RN in the supervisor.

So, there you have it, the Kentucky Clinic in Lexington KY, does not hire RN's.

I had never been so insulted in all my life, as a nurse myself, having to answer to a CMT, who does not have the same education as I do. What the hell is going on?

Does anyone know? Here in Lexington, KY, why CMT are being hired instead of RN's in the doctor offices? Good lord the little girl that took my pulse was wrong, and i confronted her and the RN about it and requested that they immediately change the wrong documentation of my pulse, she put down 72, my pulse is never 72, i knew there was something wrong.

hey, i know, i do not feel like watching my grammar at all tonight, i am studying for a hugh physics exam......will be starting medical school this fall....no.....not UK either......WVU medical school....yea!!!!!!!!!!

but, ya know, this is exactly why i did not go on further to be a RN.

Shoot, as an LPN i learned just as much as an RN, and applied a lot of stuff I learned in class in the clinical setting. I know some RN's that have never started an IV during their whole training as an RN....that is successfully start an IV.

So, I run, bike, swim / sharks yes with sharks......walk, eat healthy, see my doctor reguarly, live as healthy as I can, no red meat, no fat, no sugar POP!!!

no alcohol, no smoking, take vitamins etc.....son is in medical school to eye surgeon 23 and a good child he turned out to be........is in residency now with a surgeon in WV.....anyway.....i have been a B on here at times.....but I just get so mad when society tries to downplay educated people and replace them with these people who have no business dealing with other peoples lives like people I have to ask to wash their hands IN FRONT OF ME AS A PATIENT / A NURSE PATIENT ..... to someone who has less education than me who is call a Certified Medical Assistant? I wonder people....I just refuse to spend more money for nursing......for an assoc, for a BA or for a masters and yes i even refuse to pay another dime to a university for nursing degrees....it is time you come and join me and be the doctor!!!!!!! RN's are getting replaced......go for the big one!!!! people....it will pay off in time, and besides you can have your own practice, just make good grades like i do and you will do good.

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Specializes in Just school!.

Sweetyam01: I do believe the OP was asking about LPN to RN school, NOT whether to be a nurse or DR. While we are happy to see that you have made the decision to be a doctor (and given your horrid grammar that is probably the best choice for you), the OP has obviously decided to be a nurse. If you want to rip the nursing profession, you might want to find another place to rant and rave about it, because this site is filled with professionals who have made nursing their choice, and most of us really do love nursing!:twocents:

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Specializes in Just school!.

Many hospitals are no longer hiring LPN's, so if you are considering starting off with your LPN, you may have a hard time finding work. If you have the money, and are sure that a career in nursing is what you want, I would suggest going straight for your RN. It will be well worth your time in the end IMHO.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
:eek: NEWS FLASH!!! RN's get to deal with all that fun stuff too!
I never mentioned that RNs didn't have to deal with those things. You aren't bringing forth anything that is newsworthy to me.

I was simply discussing some very real impediments to LPNs ever returning to school to complete their RN degrees. Many RNs can complete their educations in one step if they were not LPNs first, whereas the working LPN must often take multiple steps to attain RN licensure.

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