Has anyone successfully completed an LVN-to-RN program?

[Megn510]

Has anyone successfully completed an LVN to RN program? If so, how difficult was it? Did you feel like you were catching up, or did the education that you received as an LVN provide you with a solid foundation in nursing?

Please advise ;-)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I completed a private trade school LVN program in California in 2005, and recently graduated from a private RN program in Oklahoma. The RN program was, in my honest opinion, easier and not as challenging as the LVN program that I attended. I would say that my LVN program provided a solid foundation and quality springboard for jumping into an RN program

[ItsTheDude]

i was a lpn that bridged to a rn program (req lpn's to have worked as a lpn for at least 1 yr), so the lpn's were way ahead of the straight rn students.

[kathy48]

I received my LVN in 1984. Worked hospital throughout the mid to late eighties when we were not able to do I.V.'s or some other tasks now available to LVN graduates. I went back to nursing school in 2003 (20 years later!!) challenged all of the modules to accelerate past the clinicals until my senior year. I was the only one of 12 LVN's that successfully passed all of the modules (saved alot of $$) until I had to take psych/tele and ICU. I graduated in three years and had a good GPA. What I didn't have however, was the ten plus years the other LVN's had on the floor since I went into the business end of nursing doing healthcare marketing and sales because I was a single parent and needed a 9-5. I was terrified I was just too old, even though in theory I was prob the most adapt at knowledge application and critical thinking skills of my LVN to BSN co-students, as was the insight gleaned from my clinical instructors. I think if I was younger and had more experience in clinical I would not have been so scared. I still 4 years later feel unprepared for acute facilities. I am afraid of the number of patients and some of the procedures I have never done because as an LVN we were not allowed to. I wish I did it sooner, however, because I can honestly say, there was hardly a subject matter I didn't know because of my LVN education and past hospital experience.

[A New Start]

You sound like you still have one foot in and one foot out. Are you too afraid of critical care or not called

You have done what you wanted to do. Now what you want to do. Decide,. Then put them BGPs on and do it!

Your admirer,

A New Start

[kathy48]

Dear "A New Start";

Are you talking to me?? LOL. I know, now I want a hospital job but at my age and in this economy, with no acute care med surg or tele experience, I am finding it very hard to find a job. I actually even told HR managers; I would be willing to do Er tech work, ect, whilst I completed a CCRN course, and stay on after the successful completion, just to get the opportunity to be considered. I am in a quandry, I want to do critical care, I was the highest grade earner and question answerer, LOL, in my clinical rotation, but I seriously have applied to EVERY hospital in 100 miles over the past year, I finally went back to graduate school, because no facility except SNF will hire me:idea:

[Xavier01]

I bridged into an LPN to BSN program and completed it in under three years. I feel that the education I received as an LPN properly prepared me for the role as an LPN. However, there was a lot of unlearning to do transitioning to an RN. Overall I believe prior experience as an LPN definitely helped.

[ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN]

I just graduated from an 11 month course that the LPN's bridged into last June. I feel that if I hadn't had the solid foundation from my LPN classes, I would have failed as a traditional 2 year student.

[BobbieJo]

I was an LPN for two years and I am graduating in just a few days with my RN. I definately learned so much more of nursing in my RN program. It was more difficult then the LPN program. The LPN gives you the foundation but the RN program had you look deeper as to the question "why". My critical thinking skills, organization skills, and just my overall thought process has improved. It was difficult working, raising a family and going to school. I finally had to reduce my working hours. I believe it is going to be well worth it.

[Miss Kitty00]

My LPN program prepared me. However, I worked at a hospital where the scope of practice between LPNs and RNs is very narrow. So I felt like having hospital experience helped me tackle RN school.

[showmegirl]

I have been a LPN since 97 and I have one semester to go for my ADN. It has helped and hurt me, helped me because i can go to clinicals and not second guess myself. My promblem has been when I walk into the class room I have to remember to take th LPN hat off and rethink what I am going to be doing as a RN and this was coming from an instructor LOL. All we can do is take things one day at a time and when we graduate we will have our RN but with lots of experence behind us ( most places will give us credit for that ).

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I just want to say that I am in an RN program. Next semester we will be joined but a bunch doing LPN - RN. I am really excited to have them as an addition to the class. They will bring some nice experience to our group. If any of those joining us need help on other stuff -- I hope there rest of us step up to do so.

My advice...get a hold of your course syllabi now and look over the objectives/competencies. Maybe even start a little background reading when there is no pressure (this summer before semester starts).