LPN to RN Bridge Difficulty

[drinkmoresoup]

I am about to enroll in school for pre-reqs and am hoping to become a nurse. The nursing program at my local college just opened up this year and it will be extremely competitive. I do very well in school environments and know that I can easily get A's in all of my classes if I apply myself. However, I am still worried about the competition and by the time I get all the pre-reqs done for the ADN program...they might already have a class and I'd have to wait possibly up to a year to get in on the first try.

I was thinking of taking the pre-reqs for the LPN and then do a bridge at a different school to RN. I am just concerned, though, because I have read that it's very hard to do that and I wouldn't want to set myself up for failure. Perhaps if I worked for a few months or a year as an LPN it would be easier. Working as the LPN for a little while may also be easier on my family since I am a stay-at-home mom and will have to put my son in daycare for this, which is an added expense. But, ultimately, I would like to go straight from being licensed as an LPN to the bridge program.

I guess I am wondering if it makes more sense to wait a while for a spot in the ADN program (I would hope I'd get in the first time!) or go for LPN first...wouldn't that give me a bit of an advantage over the ADN students I'd be entering 3rd semester with?

Just need some advice...I'd hate to do LPN to ADN bridge and fail because I was too far behind or something.

[CharleeJo.RN]

Hi,

I am in the bridge program at my community college. I got all my pre-reqs done before applying to the LPN (part I of the program), and it def gave me an advantage - I also took as many classes as I could that were in the nursing program but could be taken outside of it (Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, and some others) so that I could SOLELY focus on nursing classes. I did the LPN full-time (1 year) and I am advancing to the RN-ADN part-time (2 years). This way I can work as an LPN while I pursue the RN, gain experience and have a more well-rounded approach to the whole thing. From everyone I've talked to, that's the way to go - get experience before or while you go for the RN. There's no reason you can't sit for boards, get licensed as LPN & work (if you so choose) while you continue in the bridge program.

Ultimately, however, I think it's best if you meet with a nursing career specialist at your college - or really anyone in the Student Services. Voice your concerns and they should be able to help you figure out the best approach.

Good luck!!

[drinkmoresoup]

Thanks, that helps a lot! I have read 50/50 on here regarding the bridge programs. My only concern is the pre-reqs. Some programs I have looked at only require that you are a licensed LPN. Others require that you take additional pre-reqs and I just wonder if it would take longer that route vs. just going straight to ADN. But, I like how LPN isn't as competitive as far as getting in. Not that I think I wouldn't make it...but it would be nice just to focus and relax vs. worrying and freaking out over every little thing since I have 2 kids at home. Plus, the LPN program will be about a mile from me, while the ADN would be 20 miles. Once I do the bridge it would be 30, but it'd be worth it because I would already be working and have something to do on the side!

Thanks for the help. I'm going to speak to a counselor soon.

[CharleeJo.RN]

One more thought...

I don't know if this applies to the school you're looking at, but at my school, if you are in the bridge program - you can go straight from LPN to RN, regardless of whether or not you take the boards & are licenses. HOWEVER, if you do your LPN schooling separately and apply for RN-ADN at a later time, you *have* to be licensed for acceptance. Atleast in the bridge, you can go straight through, and still get licensed & work if you want to - but it's not a requirement. Just need to have a GPA 3.0+ at my school.

Just thought I'd mention it :nuke: