LPN to RN (no bridge)

[slj27]

Hello All! I have been thinking very seriously about going straight into the RN program and by-passing the bridge. I have tried twice to get into the bridge program at our local community college unsucessfully. I feel that maybe I would become a better nurse if I had a review of all the info I learned from the lpn program. I'm just wondering what others who have been in this position might think. Did you continue to try to get into the bridge program and felt comfortable upon graduation or have you started back at the beginning with doing just the RN program like any other brand new nursing student. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

For me starting at square one in the RN program was a waste of a year+ time and lots of money. I had already done all that and wasn't about to redo it while digging into my pocket to pay for it.

Our LPN to RN bridge students have an easier time getting into the bridge than they would into the RN without the bridge. With our bridge (and the bridge for all the communtity colleges) you take an online class and a 1 credit class at your 'home school'. Upon successful completion you then enter the 2nd year nursing classes.

So let's say there are 100 seats for nursing 101..by the time they get to the 2nd yr classes there are quite a few 'empty' seats due to people dropping out or failing out. The only people who could get into those 2nd yr seats are LPN's bridging or a transfer student (honestly we have had NO transfer students). So then you are only 'competing' for a seat with other LPN's.

If you start from square 1, and there are 100 seats available you are now competing with possibly hundreds of other student's trying to get in. Not as easy to get in.

I graduated LPN school in 2008 and started working in LTC immediately following. I am currently 2 wks from the end of the semester and in January I start my last semester of the RN program.

I felt at ease entering the program at the the 2nd year. I have fellow LPN's in my classes. there are some who have been out of LPN school for years and years and we have others, basically, who's ink is still wet on their LPN license :) Of the new ones, a few have worked less than 6mths as an LPN, and a couple have zero experience working as an LPN. We are all doing well. I haven't heard any of them stating they wished they started from the beginning.

If I were in your situation, I'd apply again to the bridge. Have they given you a reason your acceptance was denied? Do they require a class or classes that you haven't taken? I'd inquire with the program director and see what it is that's blocking your admittance. Could be something as small as they just don't have the seats. If they don't have the seats for you to enter the program at the LPN level, they sure as heck probably aren't any easier to get into at the beginning of the program. Can you apply to another LPN to RN bridge program. There are only a handful of programs available to do the LPN to RN bridge that the State approves. But I did have options on going to a school other than the one I decided on.

[Kimynurse]

I'm doing the same, it's only a semester longer.

I graduated may 2009

Started working as a LPN October 2009

I start the RN program January 2013 graduated December 2014.

Good luck