How do you go from LPN to RN?

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 10, 2002

Congratulations. You are just starting out. Hope you like the ride! It can be a bumpy one at times.

Check with your school to see if there is a transition program from LPN to RN. Sometimes you can just continue school for another year or so and become an LPN first and then an RN with no gap in education.

Check with you r state board of nursing to see the differences in scope of practice between the two nurses.

For example in SC LPN's can start IV lines, give IV meds but not give blood. Other states they may not be able to do these things or they may be able to do more.

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PS to ALL HERE. PLEASE NO ADN/BS arguments OK? Just make a link to a previous thread if you wish to give the info.

colleen10 · Jan 10, 2002

Hi Cricket Prince,

Like you, I am just starting my pre-req's. for nursing school this semester and I'm also only two years younger than you. I am still somewhat undecided about going LPN or RN. I am attending my local Community College which offers both. At my school the only difference between LPN and RN is that RN requires:

- 1 extra year of clinical work (LPN's do 1 year of clinicals, RN's do 2 years of clinicals)

- 1 microbiology class (3 credits)

- a 1 credit computer class

- 1 Chemistry class (3 credits)

- 1 English class (3 credits)

Other than the above course work the LPN and RN programs are exactly the same in regards to pre-requisites and requisites. As a matter of fact the LPN's one year of clinicals and the RN's first year of clinicals are the same class. I've researched other schools in my area and they were all pretty much set up like this.

I was really going to go for the LPN but my advisor and my aunt who are both nurses are telling me to go for the RN basically because the pay will be better and I will have more job options when I graduate. Also, I allready have a Bachelor's in a Science related field and I allready have a lot of the requisites for RN. In fact, if I don't take the RN option now the classes that can transfer over to RN may expire. So, I think I'm just going to go for it. If you have a Bachelor's Degree allready or some college experience you may want to look at this option too.

Good luck with everything and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 10, 2002

Because my husband was in the military and we moved so much, I did the lpn program first and then at our next base, completed the rn. Since I knew all along I wanted the rn, I planned my prereqs that way. Each state is different, so check it out carefully.

Teshiee · Jan 10, 2002

I would like to say WELCOME TO ALLNURSES.COM FORUM and good luck with your nursing career. I was a LVN/LPN for 4 years and went back to get my RN. If you do your preresqs while working as a LPN it is easier. I notice in California some schools make LPN/LVN take an entrance exam to place you in at least second semester or third. I was very fortunate that my school placed me in third semester where LPN/LVN's should be. Just make sure whatever school you are applying that your classes are transferable and are evquivelant to what they want.

Differences in California LVN's can start IV's hang IV fluids for hydration and blood but not piggy backs, pushing IV meds in a line. Depending what floor or unit. Your assessments must be consigned by a RN. The pay is usually a 5-15$ stretch depending on experience area of expertise. You will find many of us were LVN's first before we decided to go for our RN. Again good luck and hang in there :-)

princess_64 · Jan 11, 2002

Way to go! Nursing is a great job. I have been an LPN for 8 years and am in my last semester of an ADN program. different states have different regulations, but you can usually find a school or university , as I did, with an LPN to RN program. Everyone keeps asking if I have noticed any differences, and since I am an IV certified LPN with ACLS and PALS , I haven't noticed many differences in the work. You can get into the whole 12 month vs 2 years thing, but in my experience I have had much less clinical days in RN school than LPN school. This semester we only have 6/12 hour days. During my med-surg I class we had 10/4 hour days. I challenged and passed Fundamentals, OB, Psych, and Peds, but opted to take med-surg I instead of challenging again when I missed it by 3 points. School is just as hard and stressful as it was 8 years ago, only now I know that I can do it! Just keep your eyes on the goals!

Find out the laws in your state. Anything is possible!