Lpn- Lvn- Rn

Dolce, RN · Oct 16, 2008

I think that you need to decide where you want to go to school. It will be extremely difficult--if not impossible--for you to start nursing school in NJ and transfer to a school in Texas. Nursing programs vary from school to school. Some have peds the first semester, some have geriatrics the first semester, some have psych and med/surg the first semester. You can't really start at one place and expect to transfer to another program. Also, nursing schools are extremely competitive and will likely give first preference to students who have completed the pre-requisites at their school.

The shortest amount of time possible to get a nursing degree would be going to LPN/LVN school. Although the program is supposed to be one year (or 11 months), many schools either have waiting lists or require prerequisites. RN school is a "two year program" that requires at least one year of prerequisites. BSN programs take 4 years. Most LPN-to-RN programs are one year.

My suggestion would be to research specific schools in NJ or Texas and decide which ones you are interested in. Also, try to get into a guidance counselor while you are still in NJ.

texasboi · Oct 16, 2008

Thanks Dolce but my guidance counselor in NJ tells me different things all the time. Do you think if I become an LPN/LVN in NJ I could find a job in TX doing that and finish my schooling as an RN in TX. And would that two years to become an RN be shorter since I already completed some of the courses as an LPN/LVN

philanurse74 · Oct 17, 2008

Sure you can find a job in Texas as an LVN, once you pass boards. It would also be only a year, after pre-req's, to do LPN-RN wherever you move, approximately. Just to clear up a point, an LPN and LVN are the same kind of nurse, just in Texas and California (I think) we are referred to as LVN's rather than LPN's. Whether you go the LPN-RN route, or right to RN, you still have to take a considerable amount of Prerequisite classes. I choose the first route because I could make good money as an LPN while working towards the RN. (Boards next week!)

texasboi · Oct 17, 2008

thanks philanurse.....

so i'm going to take that advice, become an LVN here in NJ and take the NCLEX in NJ and then move to houston and finish for my RN. I know I can make good money doing that and roughly a year later even more. Is the NCLEX test in NJ the same in TX? just don't know anything so i'm sorry if these questions seem stupid

Dolce, RN · Oct 17, 2008

thanks philanurse.....
so i'm going to take that advice, become an LVN here in NJ and take the NCLEX in NJ and then move to houston and finish for my RN. I know I can make good money doing that and roughly a year later even more. Is the NCLEX test in NJ the same in TX? just don't know anything so i'm sorry if these questions seem stupid

That seems like a wise idea. The NCLEX is a national test so it will be the same where ever you take it.

suzanne4, RN · Oct 17, 2008

LPN and LVN are the same, it is just that the states of Texas and California use the title Licensed Vocational Nurse and all of the others use Licensed Practical Nurse. The training is the same for the LPN/LVN. Both will get permission to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam from their respective BON.

The RN sits for the NCLEX-RN, and it does not matter what type of RN training program that they go thru, all will sit for the exact same exam and have the same two letters after their name, RN.

The NCLEX is a national exam, and it is what is called a CAT exam. This means that it is computerized and you are randomly given questions by the computer based on how you answered the previous question. Your exam would be the same no matter which state that you wrote it for or the locale of the testing center that you use.

Best of luck to you on your career.

texasboi · Oct 17, 2008

Thanks Suzanne4, but you'll have to excuse my ignorance on the following questions but what is BON? And how does the NCLEX-PN differ from the NCLEX-RN?

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Oct 17, 2008

The NCLEX PN is the licensing examination for LPN's. The NCLEX RN is the exam for RN's. Not sure what you're asking, other than that....

mama_d, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2008

I just wanted to add in that depending on whether or not your pre-reqs will transfer and how old the classes are may impact how long it takes to bridge from LPN to RN.

I did my LPN at a vocational school, found out afterwards that my credits will not transfer to any useful schools, and had to start out all over again. So it's taken me three full-time semesters and will take another three part-time semesters (since I refuse to take more than one science course with lab at a time) to fulfill pre-reqs. Once I'm done with the pre-reqs, it will take me three full-time semesters of nursing classes to bridge.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 17, 2008

LPN/LVNs earn a certificate in nursing, usually (there is one school that I did hear offers an associate's degree in practical nursing, though) earned in a vocational school or community college. It is the first entrance into being a licensed nurse. We are considered to be basic nurses who care for stable patients with predictable outcomes (although that doesn't always happen). The BON stands for the Board of Nursing in your state-each state has their own. All licensed nurses must sit for state boards and pass in order to practice after successfully completing a nursing program.

mama_d, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2008

Pagandeva...I'd be interested in finding out if your statement is state or facility related, since it's not the case for me.

I'm a LPN (on tele) and get the same patient acuity as the RNs do and even float to step-down...so I've had my share of unstable patients.

My floor actually has quite a few LPNs (for a hospital anyway...) and we rotate who cares for each team...example is RN got them on days, LPN gets them on nights, RN gets them on days. I actually get stuck on high acuity teams sometimes b/c they know I can handle them and still get out on time. I don't think that's necessarily fair, but it's an arguement I know I'm not gonna win, so I don't fight it.