Is it necessary to be a LPN before applying to nursing school?

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A few days ago I posted about being conflicted as to whether or not I should go into nursing, and one of the people who replied suggested that I become a LPN first to see how I like it. I thought this was a great idea, but I do have a problem.

The thing is, when I was still in high school I decided that I wanted to study the humanities in university, so I stopped taking math and science after grade 11. Now that I've changed my mind, I'm missing those pre reqs for nursing school or a LPN program. So in order to do any of those, first I'd have to take a pre health course (which is one year) to get all my credits in order. Then we can add on another year to become an LPN. Then if I decide to go to nursing school, that's another four years. So we're up to 6 years of schooling to get my bachelors. It's not so much the amount of time that bothers me, I'm a pretty patient person. But that is a LOT of money and a LOT of debt.

I'm not really sure I want to go through all of that :/ Should I go for it anyway? Are there any of you who went straight to nursing school without being an LPN? How did you decide that nursing was for you?

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Are you in Canada?

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Yes, I am

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Thought so, the information is different for Canada. There is a Canadian nursing program forum here. In Canada LPN/RPN is a 2 year diploma program. In the US it's a 10-14 month vocational diploma (some schools offer a 2 year associates degree ).

There is no year of pre-health in the US (this was my clue you are Canadian plus the term "grade 11" in the US it's usually 11th grade or HS junior) In the US an RN can be a 2yr ASN, 3 year diploma or 4 year BSN or post-bac ABSN or DEMSN. In Canada BSN is the entry to practice degree for RNs.

The moderators will likely move your thread to the Canadian forum to get you more targeted responses applicable to the Canadian nursing system. Most respondents in the pre- nursing forum are US based so the advice may not apply to your situation.

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Whoops, sorry I never knew that. I appreciate the information, thank you

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Whoops, sorry I never knew that. I appreciate the information, thank you

No biggie. This way you can get a more targeted response. Canadian nurses may recommend going right to a university BSN program depending on your province. Go peek in the forum. Yellow bar on top. Click world nursing, nursing in Canada, Canadian nursing programs. There is a lot of good insight & info there

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Specializes in Public Health.

Becoming an LPN requires you to go to nursing school as well. LPNs are very much nurses.

Also, depending where you live, there are bridging programs that will allow you to get your BScN with some transfer credits from your LPN diploma. They are typically 3 years in length.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

LPNs ARE nurses. If you take an LPN program you ARE in nursing school.

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Sorry I should have been more specific, when I said nursing school, I was talking about going to school to become an RN. Where I live, the program to become an LPN is usually one year. I suppose my question really should address whether or not it's wise to become an RN without first working as an RN

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Specializes in Public Health.
Sorry I should have been more specific, when I said nursing school, I was talking about going to school to become an RN. Where I live, the program to become an LPN is usually one year. I suppose my question really should address whether or not it's wise to become an RN without first working as an RN

There is no 1 year LPN program in Ontario. There are no LPNs in Ontario actually, it is called an RPN. The shortest program is 4 terms and some colleges have increased their programs to 5 terms.

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Okay, so clearly I've got some of my acronyms misconstrued. It's difficult when they differ per region, you know? Anyway, from what I understand, the duties and responsibilities of an LPN and RPN are quite similar. And I did double check and you're right, RPN programs are two years typically. That really only means my problem is more complicated than I originally thought...

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Glad to see this thread moved and my Canadian colleagues are stepping up to offer their expertise and insight. I feel bad when someone posts in the general forums regarding a Canadian education or practice issue and ends up confused by inapplicable US information.

Thankful for our northern most colleagues, I've learned a lot about Canadian nursing from these members.

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