LPN-RN Bridge Programs in Florida. New State Rule :( STINKS

[JenniferKverneland]

Hi! I have been an LPN since 1995. During the time I was applying to nursing school I could not get into the RN program because it was too competitive. So instead I applied at the LPN program at the same college and got right in. I had all intentions of bridging as soon as I could. I have taken enough pre-nursing classes to get into a BSN program. So All I had to do was work at our local hospital and wait to get in. Well, I did after 3 years. The same time I was pregnant with our first born son. I decided to "decline" my acceptance and raise a family instead. All of these years I have kept my license clear/active. I have also kept my foot in the door of nursing because the desire to bridge never left my heart. I recently went back to my local college that I spent the past 24 years taking classes only to be told that I was unable to apply to the bridge program because i have been out of school (their program) for over 5 years. The ONLY option open to me now in the state of Florida is to go through a traditional RN program. Another words- scratch my prior education and start all over. While my pre-nursing classes are "timeless" they are also not to be retaken. It is not allowed. Talk about being kicked in the gut. I contacted the Florida Board of Nursing- they knew nothing of it and told me that if my college did not meet my educational needs - "seek elsewhere" . I contacted my college again and asked them who shall I contact re: this new State :stipulation. They stated the Florida Board of Education and that Nursing has changed so much in the past few years - essentially my nursing knowledge is outdated. While I understand that our roles in the nursing community has changed- I DO NOT feel that the foundation of nursing has. Has anyone else out there been through this? Is there any way around it? By the way....after they pumped me up 8 months ago and told me to apply to the RN program because I have a high chance of getting in- I DID NOT GET IN. Geez. I would NOT change my role in raising my children as a stay at home mom for all the $ in the world. Or an acceptance into the program again so long ago. I missed nothing in their lives. But sometimes I feel like I may never get in at this rate. UGH! I'm not sure an online program is for me. I do not want to have to pay extra fines or work under an RN for countless hours after I have worked in Florida as a RN (if I were to go through the online program).

[swoodard]

If you want to go the lpn- rn bridge program online and clinicals are done locally. Look into it before you think its not for you. I thought it wasnt for me at first too. ISU will take all of your college credits and I believe excelsior will too but Im not sure. I'm looking into ISU now.

[JenniferKverneland]

Thank you. Will I have trouble trying to then advance for my Masters eventually? I worried about Excelsior because if I ever move out of Florida I would have to work under an RN for hundreds of hours and pay $ on top of that. I will let you know about Indiana :)

[granolatrees]

There's no other community college within feasible driving distance a few days a week? Maybe check out some other schools policies. Maybe this is more of a school policy than anything else as a way to filter such a high number of applicants.

[SOS XD]

It's Santa Fe College...isn't it? Try Rasmussen, Jersey or Taylor. Yes they are expensive but they are all professional. They are private. They have a vested interest in your success. Pretty sure they are all accredited and most go to BSRN instead of just ASRN. Best of luck!