Is it possible to work as a practical nurse once I finish my ADN degree?

Enza · Jul 25, 2011

so i other words, if I complete my ADN I will be considered over qualified for a LPN position in most cases?

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

so i other words, if I complete my ADN I will be considered over qualified for a LPN position in most cases?

ADN programs = RN.... evidently there are programs that results in an associates' degree that lead to an LPN, but this is not the same as a 2 year RN program.

I don't know where the Associates programs are that lead to LPN boards...If going to an ADN program (I did, and was very pleased with it), I expected to be RN prepared.

:)

Enza · Jul 25, 2011

xtxrn I remember you saying you have an ADN like I will have..

What job do you currently hold? and where? i.e: hospital.... etc.

What does your job entail?

I want to figure out what I would exactly like to do with my future once I obtain my degree.

trauma_lama, BSN · Jul 25, 2011

I am at a CC getting my ADN right now. My CC has a close clinical relationship (and good reputation) with 2 of our local hospitals (one of which is a level 1 trauma center) so they absolutely hire ADNs...remember that ADN is a degree, RN is a license. so ADN prepares you to take exam that one must pass in order to GET their license. But just getting an ADN does not automatically make you an RN- you have to get the degree, take and pass the exam, THEN you are an RN. What part of the country do you live in? I have heard about many places in my area that prefer ADNs to BSN because the educational curriculum is more "nursing-centric" (not as much general ed classes).

Does your CC have a guidance department? I had some of these questions when I was starting out and my guidance counselor was able to directly answer or refer me to resources that could answer my queries.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

xtxrn I remember you saying you have an ADN like I will have..
What job do you currently hold? and where? i.e: hospital.... etc.
What does your job entail?
I want to figure out what I would exactly like to do with my future once I obtain my degree.

I've been disabled for years- but worked for 19 years in many areas- neuro, pediatrics (hospital), psych, drug/alcohol rehab, nursing homes- and as staff nurse, charge nurse, supervisor, and administrative. You can do a lot with an ADN.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

It might be really helpful to talk with an instructor or advisor at your school, and ask them what graduates of that program generally find for jobs in that area. :)

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

so i other words, if I complete my ADN I will be considered over qualified for a LPN position in most cases?

no you will not be able to work as an LPN because you will be an RN. that is not to say you can not get a job in a peds office and do exactly what an LPN or MA does, but you have to find an office that hires RNs, and you will most probably get paid considerably lower.

my advice is to go through clinicals. you will experience a lot of different things and may gain new interests. maybe working on a peds floor in a hospital?

IMHO working ina drs office is extremely boring. i did a two day rotation in one and you litterally just call peoples names, take their weights and BPs and tell them the dr will see them shortly. over and over and over for 8 hours. not stimulating enough for me, and a waste of all the skills im learning.. but hospital nursing is not for everyone, if you experience a dr office setting and love it, go for it!

oh and good luck with nursing school!! :)

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

There is a post in this thread that stated that someone had gone to an AD program, and got their LPN.... just commenting on a comment to that post :)

I know, I was responding to that post, too. You had said that nobody said that ADN=LPN, so I also quoted the post that said "I actually just received my ADN from an LVN program" to show where someone did, which is why there were people clearing it up. That's all. :)

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

I know, I was responding to that post, too. You had said that nobody said that ADN=LPN, so I also quoted the post that said "I actually just received my ADN from an LVN program" to show where someone did, which is why there were people clearing it up. That's all. :)

Ah, got it :)

cpl_dvldog · Jul 25, 2011

I am at a CC getting my ADN right now. My CC has a close clinical relationship (and good reputation) with 2 of our local hospitals (one of which is a level 1 trauma center) so they absolutely hire ADNs...remember that ADN is a degree, RN is a license. so ADN prepares you to take exam that one must pass in order to GET their license. But just getting an ADN does not automatically make you an RN- you have to get the degree, take and pass the exam, THEN you are an RN. What part of the country do you live in? I have heard about many places in my area that prefer ADNs to BSN because the educational curriculum is more "nursing-centric" (not as much general ed classes).
Does your CC have a guidance department? I had some of these questions when I was starting out and my guidance counselor was able to directly answer or refer me to resources that could answer my queries.

Ummm... I'm going to throw the BS flag on this one. An employer would rather hire an nurse with an AND over a BSN because the BSN nurse has had Chemistry, Nutrition, an Ethics class, etc? That does not even make any sense.

HR: I'd love to hire you but you have had Chemistry.

BSN: So?

HR: We prefer our employees not to have too much education.

See what I mean? :rolleyes:

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

My ADN curriculum had chemistry, micro, sociology, psych, English, and nutrition, A &P (other than nursing students also took these), as well as electives like medical biology.... but the nursing classes were 'nurse-centric'..... I thought the whole point of an ADN was the non-nursing classes to make it an actual degree, and not technical school without transferrable credits ..... :confused:

cpl_dvldog · Jul 26, 2011

My ADN curriculum had chemistry, micro, sociology, psych, English, and nutrition, A &P (other than nursing students also took these), as well as electives like medical biology.... but the nursing classes were 'nurse-centric'..... I thought the whole point of an ADN was the non-nursing classes to make it an actual degree, and not technical school without transferrable credits .....

Apparently an ADN is regulated per state. The only core classes needed in my state for ADN are English Comp I, Intermediate Algebra, Intro to Psych, A&P I and II, Microbiology, Speech, Human Growth and Development, and a Fine Arts (30hrs). To get BSN we need to add English Comp II, Organic Chem, Inorganic Chem, Philosophy, Pre-Cal Algebra, Statistics, Nutrition, Literature (3-6hrs) or History sequence (3-6hrs) an additional 32hrs. With ADN we have 30 hrs of core classes, with BSN it is 59 hrs.