LPN to RN, or ADN (need advice)

[kellysmom]

Hi,

I'm a new forum user-my name is Candace and I live in northern Ohio with my dh, four year old daughter, and four dogs. It's nice to meet all of you. I've been reading these forums for about six months now-ever since I started applying to nursing schools-and you guys are so supportive and full of great advice. I hope you can help me decide what to do:

I have wanted to be a nurse, ever since I was a little girl bandaging up my mom's basset hound while playing "Nurse". I got sidetracked when I was younger, however, and wound up going to undergrad school and law school for all the wrong reasons-I followed the almighty dollar and not my heart. I have a bachelor of liberal arts degree and a doctor of law degree. Now I finally have gotten my nerve up to go back to school one more time to do what I've always wanted to do: nursing. I have applied to two different nursing programs. One of the programs is an RN program in which I can earn an ADN in three years. This same program also offers a FastTrack program leading to an RN for LPNs (but no ADN). The other program I am considering is a straight LPN program-just a diploma, no degree-in one year. I figured that if I went that route (the LPN route), I could go back to school parttime and get my RN and BSN later while I'm working as an LPN.

My ultimate goal is to be an RN. But do I need the ADN, or should I just skip it and work as an LPN for awhile while finishing the RN and BSN? I'm in my forties, and we need me to start making a decent income asap.

Any advice is very much appreciated, and again it's nice meeting all of you.

Candace

[weytn]

Hi Candace, I am new here too. It seems like the LPN would get you in the work force quicker since you say you need the income asap. You would then still have the option to do the LPN to RN program. I have applied to both ADN and LPN in my area, where I am getting in the LPN program is quicker, but i didn't want to close the door on the ADN program altother so I applied for it too. Hope this helps.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Why is a two year associate's program three years?

I would go for the ADN, but I'd also find a program that I could do it in two.

[kellysmom]

I have no idea why it's three years (other than that it's a way for the school to make more money from tuition)-you made an excellent point.

[tookewlandy]

couldn't you find an Accelerated BSN program. I hear some of them only take 18 months. If it was possible for you id look into that because you already have a bachelors degree

[Nat_gagui]

couldn't you find an Accelerated BSN program. I hear some of them only take 18 months. If it was possible for you id look into that because you already have a bachelors degree

We have a Nursing Day in our school and 4 representative from different well known University are there for question about transfer opportunity and, somebody ask about accelerated program since it only last a year. they give some overview on how the program work and what is the requirement which they dont recommend it to anybody especially if you have a family to feed since it very fast and stressful. they even say you're not gonna have a Life with this program.

Nat

[sunnymarie4]

I would definitely do the straight RN (ADN) track which SHOULD only be two years. I would do this because it seems like you are talking about two different schools for these program;. one for LPN and one for the LPN to RN. There will probably be a waiting list for the LPN to RN so it could take longer than just going through all at once. Plus, you would only have to do the whole registering thing at one school one time. It just seems easier to do that to me. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

[suzanne4, RN]

The two year programs have a year of pre-reqs to complete before you can get accepted into the two year program, they may be including it.

There is no reason for you to go the route of the LPN at all. You can go with the two year ADN, or the accelerated BSN. It is going to depend on what pre-reqs that you already have completed. Figure on it taking you about two years to get thru a program, but that is once you get in to it.

Either one will give you the RN after your name.

You already have a Bachelor's degree and even more, so there really is no issue which program that you go with.

[kellysmom]

Hey, everyone-Just an update.

First of all, thank you for all the great advice. I ultimately decided to go with the ADN program, since I really want to become an RN. I start August 28, and I can hardly wait. Now I need to find a job for the summer to raise some money for tuition. I'm considering taking a course to become a CNA or STNA, but I've already read on this board that such a course of action may scare me away from nursing all together.

Anyway, thank you again for the words of wisdom.

[Balder_LPN, LPN]

I have chosen to become an LPN then do an LPN to RN Bridge, then a RN to BSN program. Locally we have NO WAIT list for the LPN to RN bridge and that means that is about the quickest I can get employed and still complete my RN quickly.

Since you already have a degree, there are also programs to earn your BSN as your second bachelors degree. Maybe someone has more info on those programs. Seems like that would be the quickest way to get furthest along that path. You already have completed your GUR's and could likely get your BSN in 2 years.