L.P.N. to R.N. is it that much harder?

jkaee · Jul 20, 2005

I can't tell you what extra classes there are for an RN degree compared for an LPN, but I do remember from school that LPN's that were in my class did have a *slightly* harder time only because they gave real life answers on tests, when the instructors were looking for "book" answers. But, they all graduated and passed NCLEX, so I don't think that's something you really have to worry about.

Good luck to you!

LaShell · Jul 20, 2005

Is it really that much harder to go for you R.N. license? I heard for the most part you take the same classes. I know you need a year more for R.N. but can someone explain what the rest of that year consist of?

I have been an LPN since June 2003, started my RN prereq a year ago and now will be starting the real RN courses and clinicals next month.

I've heard both sides... one is that LPN's have a slight edge because we're much more comfortable and experienced with patients and so clinicals are a little easier. The other side I've heard is that LPN's jumping in halfway through the program have a tough time because teachers will refer to something the other students learned the previous semester (the example I was given was the teacher referring to a "bruit" and the LPN's didn't know what it was).

I had a short LPN-RN transition course and clinical which I think most colleges now offer and it warmed us up a bit. They advised reading the textbooks and subject materials that were covered first year. I am doing this and find it's mostly review (and good to review!).

I'm not too worried, just plan to be on my toes and open-minded... like a sponge!!

Fiona59 · Jul 20, 2005

Humble and happy LPN that I am, even I know what a bruit is. Covered in my basic assessment course.

LaShell · Jul 21, 2005

Humble and happy LPN that I am, even I know what a bruit is. Covered in my basic assessment course.

Thank you! That's what I thought too. Even if you didn't know, it takes two seconds to look it up, then 'wallah!"

wanna-b-R.N. · Jul 21, 2005

yvonneladonna · Jul 21, 2005

I am in my final semester of the lvn to adn program, the toughest challenge so far has been the priority questions, because now you're the rn-good luck and you can do it!

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jul 21, 2005

I was never an LPN, but my school also had a lpn-rn transition. there was a transition course, 1 semester i think? and they had to take the rn pre reqs they never took, like a&P.

then, they joined us in our 2nd year. they had a hard time in class, b/c they werent usedto it, the way our school tested. We had 14 lpn transitions start 2nd year with us, and 4 graduated (and all 4 passed the nclex, too).

they had the benefit of being more comfortable with pt's, but they were at a big disadvantage in class.

Nurseinthemaking · Jul 21, 2005

It's funny you guys are talking about this, because I came here tonight wanting to ask the question about online RN.

Has anyone done that. I know several LVN's doing this and it seems to be going well for them.

Is there more then one online School? Is it just Excelsior?

TracyB,RN, RN · Jul 21, 2005

I think it depends on your mindset, what kind of student you are, how many pre-reqs you actually have out of the way, micro, speech, a&p, & how many hours you need to work. I did the LPN to RN trans program, summer session for the actual transition portion, then jumped into the second year of the AAS (RN) program.

I wouldn't say the program was easy, by any means, but I had my pre-reqs completed, & only had to work part-time. But I also knew what would be required of me & was mentally prepared & had been wanting to do the transition for several years prior to entering. I was extremely comfortable with the skills, as were some of the other LPN's in the program with me. My LPN program had 2 days of clinical & 3 of classroom, so we were comfortable with both classroom & clinical.

As far as LPN's having a big disadvantage in class, I think it depends more on the TYPE of student one is. Some learn better by doing, or seeing, or hearing. That is true for any profession.

I learned VERY early in my LPN program what a bruit was. I was very surprised to read that.

BGSRN · Jul 21, 2005

I also started as an LPN and returned for my Associate Degree a few years later, then my BSN and now working on my MSN. Going from an LPN to an RN - having some courses out of the way was a big help. Also - clinically much less stress r/t experience as LPN.