LPN course that bridges over to RN...more overwhelming?

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Hi everyone, Can anybody let me in on some advice or facts about the bridge over programs? Is it more overwhelming then just doing separate programs?

LPN course here @ Lake Worth FLORIDA PBSC is 16 months then an option of extra 9 months to get your RN.

Well, which would be better education wise? I have a 99% A in my CNA course right now and I'd like to further education to LPN then possible RN.

I consider myself as an average learner although I am pretty quick in the CNA course, but thats basic common sense stuff, which I have.

I want to use stepping stones, since I think I learn better that way. Bridging to RN-sounds like they CRAM EVERYTHING IN 9 months time!?

what do you think?

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I think you are underestimating the LPN curriculum. I don't know what state you are in but I did an LPN program then did a bridge, it was an additional year but the first semester was more for LPN's to get acclimated to school if they haven't been in a long time.

In my opinion there wasn't anything "new" in the RN part. They say it was a little more in depth but my LPN knowledge made everything familiar to me.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

LPNs learn a pretty big percentage of what RNs learn, so it's not like you have a 2 year RN program crammed into that 9 months. 16+9 = 25 months--sounds about right for an RN. Here in Maryland, LPN-RN bridge programs essentially put you into the second year of a two year RN program--and even then, there's some overlap (e.g. in my LPN program we had a Psych Nursing class, and the RN program at the same school has Psych Nursing in the second year, so I'd probably have to retake it if I bridge there.)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I found the LPN program harder probably only because I was in shock at the whole culture of nursing school. :) The RN portion was challenging but not nearly as tense for me. So many of us have done it, you can too!

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Really Jules? I dont know I feel like Im doubting myself. I dont know if Im smart enough to get through RN school. I was average in HS. But I really want this badly and Im doing great in the CNA course. I want to learn, I spend my spare time at work researching everything! I hope I can make it as you say! Thanks for the info all of you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Just my personal opinion...if your ultimate goal is RN and you have the few extra months (and $$) to spend, why not go for it in the beginning? Don't be scared...motivation is half the battle. The culture shock will be the same, whether you start with LPN or RN.

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There's a year wait for the RN program and there are so many students fighting to get in! I know my CNA courses are points towards the LPN, I hear students jumping to RN without any similar education and backing out saying its to hard to comprehend. They totally wasted that spot! I would like to try for the LPN bridge over to RN program. Hopefully Rhone is right about the school not craming the RN program into those extra nine months! I cant retain stuff by craming!

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I found the LPN program harder probably only because I was in shock at the whole culture of nursing school. :) The RN portion was challenging but not nearly as tense for me. So many of us have done it, you can too!

Was it the measurements that was overwhelming? What do you mean by "whole culture" whats included in that? just curious...

My school has a Hospital setting room for the PN (hospital beds with heavy manicheans curtains, machines etc.)

I go in there on break time and look at all the books and everything is just so interesting. If I could I would spend a whole day in there just scoping the place. I find the Atlas of human anatomy very interesing as well.

Jules, what was the most challenging in both the LPN and RN courses? let me know if you have the time.

Thanks

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In my area, the LPN program focuses more on meds and med administration. The RN program focuses more on the actual nursing skills. Also, in my humble opinion, nursing school is a FAR CRY from CNA.

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU, Surgical, LTAC.

If you can make it through an LPN program (which like someone else said is basically the same thing as the first year of an RN/ASN(ADN) program, then you can make it through the RN program. wheather or not you go straight through or do the LPN first is totally up to you, but please understand that the first year will be the same curriculum in both programs. Its not about how smart you are, its about the effort you put into it and how hard you are will to study and persevere through the program.

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Okay this is great information! Thank you so much, I now have an idea about LPN programs I think I will go ahead and do the bridge route. I might end up doing the RN course at night, LPN they only offer full time days. So LPN is all medication dosages, mainly book work? Are there any skills invovled at all? Thanks you guys

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I learned all nursing skills that I needed to work in acute care and a Med/Surg unit. Trach care, wound care, dressing changes, inserting a NG tube, foley, even learned to insert an IV. The only thing we didn't learn was advanced assessment skills, and we briefly touched on reading an EKG strip.

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