Here's my plan - Advice and comments are welcome

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 12, 2005

Matt,

I advice you to do whatever suits your life at this point in time. It is better to so the LVN (if you know the ADN is not flexible for you at this time) and always go back and pursue it later when it is a better time in your life.

Do what you know and feel you will succeed at or will fit to your schedule. The LVN offers night classes and that is a plus right?

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck :)

MattP · Jul 12, 2005

Matt,
I advice you to do whatever suits your life at this point in time. It is better to so the LVN (if you know the ADN is not flexible for you at this time) and always go back and pursue it later when it is a better time in your life.
Do what you know and feel you will succeed at or will fit to your schedule. The LVN offers night classes and that is a plus right?
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck :)

Yeah, I am really excited that they offer night classes. I make decent money with what I am doing right now, I am just not happy. I would go to school during the day and work nights, but I don't think I could find a job that would support me financialy like my current job.

Alot of people outside of this forum have told me that I would be treated differently as a LVN and would not like it because I would be bossed around. No matter where you go, you will always have superiors though. That is just something you have to accept. I have seen several LVN's on here that are happy with what they do and don't mind being under an RN. I look at it as a stepping stone and a learning experience. I know there will be a ton of information and experieces obtained while being a LVN that I will take with me as a RN.

Thanks for the kind words. :)

CHATSDALE · Jul 12, 2005

if this suits you right now go for it

there is more respect between nurses rn/lpn than you probably realize right now...if you are a good nurse anything that you learn in lpn school and working as lpn once you get a license will serve you in good stead when you go for a ad or bsn

once you get a lpn license there are many facilities who will pay for you to go to school and advance yourself...try and pick a hospital when you get out of school because they are more likely to pay tution etc

also you can learn a lot working on a busy floor...always take the pts with the toughest dx and you will learn a lot and your fellow nurses will know that you have what it takes

RedHeadNurse2B · Jul 12, 2005

I'm at Concorde right now myself, in the full time program and it is very time consuming! like 7-8 hours a day you are there plus 1-4 hours of homework a night. I am so fortunate that I don't have to work while I am going to nursing school. It sounds like you know what will fit your life best at this time. Alot of my classmates like myself were taking pre nursing classes for RN, but either didn't get in or were on a long waiting list and could not afford to spend years waiting. Yes I want to be and RN someday soon, but I think LVN is a good stepping stone. Oh plus if you decide to work in long termcare, the LVN is the charge nurse on the floor and basically runs the show. Good Luck in your decision!

MattP · Jul 12, 2005

I'm at Concorde right now myself, in the full time program and it is very time consuming! like 7-8 hours a day you are there plus 1-4 hours of homework a night. I am so fortunate that I don't have to work while I am going to nursing school. It sounds like you know what will fit your life best at this time. Alot of my classmates like myself were taking pre nursing classes for RN, but either didn't get in or were on a long waiting list and could not afford to spend years waiting. Yes I want to be and RN someday soon, but I think LVN is a good stepping stone. Oh plus if you decide to work in long termcare, the LVN is the charge nurse on the floor and basically runs the show. Good Luck in your decision!

I thought that was you that was going to Concorde. I didn't want to put you on the spot on the forum or anything though. Were you in class today? You may have seen me. I was taking a tour with one of the Admission Reps. around 8:30 this morning. I was the guy in the black slacks and yellow, long sleeve shirt peeking in the classrooms. That is a really nice school. I wanted to start in August but I am going on a cruise and class starts on the day of the cruise. We have had this cruise planned for three years and my wife would kill me if I backed out. The Admissions Rep said that she thought there would be another class starting in October or a little after, so that is when I will more than likely start. So, how far along are you in your schooling there? Do you enjoy it? I was so excited when I was up there today, I just wanted to walk into the classroom and sit down and start learning. Hey, how was the NET? I took the 12 minute assesment and they said they thought I would do fine but I would be so down on myself if I didn't pass it the first try. The Admissions Rep. told me you can only take the test once a year. I'm sure I'll do fine though. Hopefully I'll see you up there someday soon. :)

So long term care is the way to go for LVN huh? Is that what you plan on doing.

MattP · Jul 12, 2005

if this suits you right now go for it
there is more respect between nurses rn/lpn than you probably realize right now...if you are a good nurse anything that you learn in lpn school and working as lpn once you get a license will serve you in good stead when you go for a ad or bsn
once you get a lpn license there are many facilities who will pay for you to go to school and advance yourself...try and pick a hospital when you get out of school because they are more likely to pay tution etc
also you can learn a lot working on a busy floor...always take the pts with the toughest dx and you will learn a lot and your fellow nurses will know that you have what it takes

Yeah, I was thinking that would be another perk as well if I could get a hospital to take care of my schooling while I continue on as an RN. That's a way down the road but I'll keep my eyes focused on the long term goal.

Thanks for the advice. :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2005

Sounds like an excellent plan for you! Good luck to.

To be 100% sure, I would check the credentials of the school your in (NLN is the standard for nursing schools that transfer), as well as ask the schools that offer LPN to RN programs if they accept from this school. That way you can be certain you can advance.

Good luck to you!

MattP · Jul 12, 2005

Sounds like an excellent plan for you! Good luck to.
To be 100% sure, I would check the credentials of the school your in (NLN is the standard for nursing schools that transfer), as well as ask the schools that offer LPN to RN programs if they accept from this school. That way you can be certain you can advance.
Good luck to you!

Thanks Tweety, I appreciate your response.

RedHeadNurse2B · Jul 12, 2005

Yes I was there at 8:30 am in that big classroom in the middle with no windows.... I just started level 2 last week, so that means I am scheduled to graduate in March. I like it so far, it is a big commitment for sure. I don't find the actual material or tests to be overly difficult though, of course some of my previous college classes were helpful in my understanding. There is just ALOT of stuff in a little amount of time. The NET was not difficult at all. I scored very well on it. If you make a good enough passing score on it, I think you are guaranteed admission basically. Ask to purchase the study guide, it helped me with what to expect on the math part.

Another poster said to check the credentials - it is accredited by the Texas BNE so you will be able to bridge into RN programs later on. The only thing is that you don't receive college credits for courses like A&P, so when you bridge, you still have to take those prereq's before entrance into the RN program, then when you get in, the actual nursing school part is shorter since you are already an LVN.

I would like to work in the hospital someday, but I think I am going to start out in LTC because from what I've seen, it pays much better for new nurses and I have to support my husband while he goes to college FT. I'm planning on bridging to BSN at TSU....

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

I am a LVN and do not regret a bit going to LVN school. It gets your foot in the door and gives you some great exposure and experience. If you can manage it go for it, sounds like you have a great plan. The only thing I wished I would have done different is go back to RN school faster. Keep your head up and your nose in the books. It will be over before you know it!!!!!!!:)

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

I am doing the LVN to BSN at TSU as well. I start 8/29... WHOOO HOOOO

Yes I was there at 8:30 am in that big classroom in the middle with no windows.... I just started level 2 last week, so that means I am scheduled to graduate in March. I like it so far, it is a big commitment for sure. I don't find the actual material or tests to be overly difficult though, of course some of my previous college classes were helpful in my understanding. There is just ALOT of stuff in a little amount of time. The NET was not difficult at all. I scored very well on it. If you make a good enough passing score on it, I think you are guaranteed admission basically. Ask to purchase the study guide, it helped me with what to expect on the math part.
Another poster said to check the credentials - it is accredited by the Texas BNE so you will be able to bridge into RN programs later on. The only thing is that you don't receive college credits for courses like A&P, so when you bridge, you still have to take those prereq's before entrance into the RN program, then when you get in, the actual nursing school part is shorter since you are already an LVN.
I would like to work in the hospital someday, but I think I am going to start out in LTC because from what I've seen, it pays much better for new nurses and I have to support my husband while he goes to college FT. I'm planning on bridging to BSN at TSU....