Is LVN/LPN really harder than RN?

[Brandi8]

Hi,

My school makes the LVN program sound so much harder than the RN program. They say its very intense and the director even told me that the RN was easier and more manageable. I was thinking of doing LVN first since it doesnt require pre reqs. I was enrolled for two classes but decided to drop my classes. I have a 2 yr old and a 5 yr old so it was really hard. It was mainly the algebra that was kicking my butt. I have no idea about how to do that stuff and don't get it very easy. It was taking many hrs a day for just that class and I had my 2 yr old standing at my door crying for me the whole time I was studying. It was rough so I have decided to wait till she is in kindergarten to do anything. I have not taken the accuplacer test yet and hope I can learn the algebra enough on my own to pass that test. Then I would not have to take any dev algebra classes at all.

Anyhow, is LVN really harder? Its crazy that it would be but I have heard it from a lot of people. I thought this board would be a perfect place to ask this since most have already been to LVN. I am so unsure of what to do first. I hate wasting time but there is not way I can study with a 2 yr old. My 5 yr old is fine and plays on her own or with her dad but the 2yr old is such a mamas girl. LOL

Brandi

[eccentricRN]

at my school the program was the same for lvn & rn, the only difference was once you completed all your pre-reqs you did one yr of nursing classes for lvn & the rn was 2 years of classes. i don't think you're avoiding the pre-reqs if you are required to take algebra, as math was a required pre-req if you didn't pass out thru the accuplacer test.

i don't feel the lvn part was harder than the rn, however, the rn portion of our program merely expanded on what we'd already learned in the 1st(lvn) year. hope this helps.

[Jules A, MSN]

So far I would say both I've attended were about the same when it comes to difficulty.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Because I did the LPN first with little to no medical knowledge, yes the LPN was harder. However, if I had done the RN first then it would have been just as hard because you have to learn the basics first before you can move on.

The bridge from LPN to ADN was a piece of cake.

[Brandi8]

Thanks. How many days a week is RN? I guess they say LVN is harder because its 5 days a week. From the programs I have seen though, RN is 4 days a week so there isnt a lot of difference.

Do you guys find that the pre reqs for RN are hard?

One more question. IS the math on the accuplacer difficult to pass or is it just basic stuff? Is there algebra on it?

Ok I think I am done asking questions. LOL

[allie136]

I'm currently in the LPN program and it is hard. What makes it hard is the fact that you have so much info to learn in so little time. We completed our Nutrition class in less than 2 weeks! I know what you mean about studying, I have a 2yr old also. if it wasn't for my mom keeping her, I wouldn't be able to study! Hope i helped and good luck.

[Jules A, MSN]

Do you guys find that the pre reqs for RN are hard?

The pre-reqs for the LPN program were the same except the RN program also required Statistics.

[pickledpepperRN]

To me the LVN program was harder.

It was five days a week, 2 classroom and 3 full shifts in clinical.

We often had to study on the days we had clinical and do care plans on the weekend.

We had no prerequisites except a high school diploma. Because one year is not sufficient to really learn the schience there was an immense amount of memorization.

Years later I took prerequisites a few units at a time. Then the last year of the RN program was four days a week. It was not as difficuly partly because I had been working in the hospital for years.

I do think having preschool kids, a two year old especially, it would be very very hard to study.

You just have to have another loving adult to help unless you can study when they are sleeping.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

One more question. IS the math on the accuplacer difficult to pass or is it just basic stuff? Is there algebra on it?

I took the Accuplacer in 2006 at my community college, because they use your test scores to determine whether you can enroll in college level classes. If you fail the Accuplacer, you are placed in remedial classes.

The math portion of the Accuplacer determines whether you can enroll in College Algebra. When I took the Accuplacer, it had elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, and arithmetic. If you do poorly on the elementary algebra section, the Accuplacer will have you take an arithmetic test. If you do well on the elementary algebra section, the Accuplacer will have you take the intermediate algebra test. If you pass the intermediate algebra section, you are eligible to enroll in college level math classes. If you fail the intermediate algebra section, the school will usually mandate you to enroll in remedial math classes.

[DebanamRN, MSN, RN]

My LPN program was harder because it was 10 months as compared to 2 years for the RN.

All colleges make you take placement tests and remedial classes. I think a lot of what they require are money makers, but if you want the degree, you don't have a choice. I would check out online classes thru your local college - you can get a lot of prereques out of the way by doing online classes.

[picurn10]

just so you know there are RN programs that don't require algebra. One of the schools around here makes you take algebra or math for health professions which is much, much easier than math. I've actaully had stats as a Psychology major, so I don't need algebra, but I was glad to see so many options where I didn't have to have it.

[Brandi8]

The program here does not require it either but the college required me to take it because I didnt pass the math part of the Tasp test. Here in Texas they passed laws that you have to meet TSI requirements so I have to take it or pass the math section of the entrance exam for college. So I guess I am kinda stuck. Uggghhh