LPN Program Easier than RN Program?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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I was wondering what the main differences between an LPN and RN program are (besides length). Is an LPN program any easier than an RN program? Are there any LPN classes that have a reputation for being intense? Do LPN programs go less in-depth than RN programs? Do LPN programs have a higher graudation rate than RN ones?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I'm trying to figure out exactly what type of information you are looking for - hope I have guessed correctly.

LPN programs have much less content than RN programs because the scope of practice for LPNs is much more limited. There is a wide range of LPN programs, some are college-hour based and some are strictly 'clock hour' programs with no associated college credit. Both types of programs can be fully accredited, however graduates of clock-hour programs will have to start from scratch if they want to go on for their RN degree. LPN programs really focus on the development of clinical skills (tasks) than knowledge acquisition.

From a subjective stance, both types of programs may be equally difficult for the people enrolled in them.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I completed an LPN/LVN program in 2005 and an RN program this year. In my humble opinion, the LPN program was actually more challenging and difficult than the RN program that I attended.

I attended a full-time LVN/LPN program at a for-profit trade school where I and my classmates had to attend school five days per week for 12 months. We attended clinical rotations on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays for 8 hours per day. We attended classroom (theory) every Thursday and Friday for 6.5 hours per day. We had tests weekly and quizzes sometimes twice weekly.

Don't be fooled. LPN programs are no easier than RN programs, but the focus and content is simply different. Imagine having a boatload of information crammed down your throat in 12 months, rather than having 2 to 4 years to soak it in.

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Not necessarily easier, but shorter and to the point. My program was a year long and we only had nursing classes--no philosophy, art history, phys ed, or trigonometry. We did have some math/algebra as part of Pharmacology and had to take a med calculation competency test each term, but it was about applying math knowledge to nursing. I was happy learning things I'd actually USE in my career, rather than taking classes to make sure I'm a 'well rounded person'. In my previous college experience, I did the bare minimum to pass gen eds; in nursing school I busted my butt to learn everything because it was all relevant. This was at a career training school, though, so I don't know what prereqs/gen eds may be required at a community college.

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I am completing my RN now. My LPN program was far more INTENSE. It was 40 hours a week of non stop information with daily quizzes the first semester as a weeding out process. You have to really want it.

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Specializes in CNA.

Glad I seen this post because I can't make up my mind either on which one I wanna do..but the ADN program is looking better to me each day.

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I am planning to do an LPN program before going on to RN. The LPN program I am leaning toward at a community colelge is 2 years so being that it is spread out that long, I can't see it being that difficult. On top of that, I plan to have all of my prerequs done before I ever step foot inside the school.

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As an RN student, I would just like to say that we don't have 2-4 years "to sit back and let it soak in". That statement is REALLY offensive. I have worked my ass off in school and have NEVER had the chance "to sit back and let it soak in" :madface:

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I am currently in an LPN program and want to pursue LPN-RN or LPN-BSN in the future....i chose LPN over ADN because of my financial situation, I need to start working right after i graduate, so I went for something that was faster (its 1 yr)....but if you go to a private school like i do you'll end up paying alot more....so you pay the price. Also, if i pursue RN in the future, it won't be as hard since I would have some experience and knowledge prior to the program... :)

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.

My LPN program was 40 hours a week for a full year, with a total of about 3 weeks' worth of breaks thrown in. The average ADN program is 12-16 hours a week for two years with summers off and spring/fall break. Homework is about the same for both. On hours alone, the LPN program far outweighs the RN program in terms of difficulty.

Coming to the end of my RN program, I've found that 90% or more of the material is a review of what I learned in LPN school. RN isn't really much more in-depth and isn't really a broader scope in terms of what you learn in the program. BSN may be different. I can only speak from the ADN side.

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So RN school must be quite easy for you since your already an LPN? If everything is just a review of what you know, you should have gone with Excelsior this way you can test out of classes instead of learning the same thing twice.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
So RN school must be quite easy for you since your already an LPN? If everything is just a review of what you know, you should have gone with Excelsior this way you can test out of classes instead of learning the same thing twice.

Donald 11, RN school isn't just a review of LPN school. None of the classes I've taken so far in my BSN program are repeats of what I learned before. I attended LPN school for 2.5 years (an ADN program) so we had all the pre-reqs in addition to nursing classes and clinicals. LPN school was pretty intense for me since I had absolutely no exposure to the medical field before beginning school. The classes I'm taking in my bridge program are building on the information I already have...much more in depth. The only thing "easier" is that I already know the termonology. There are 2 classes we test out of (Physical Assessment and ACE-1).

Also, being an LPN doesn't make school any easier because you have to switch back and forth from "the nurse" to "the student". Many LPN's work in a certain area of nursing and don't really pay much attention to the rest after we pass boards. For instance, I've been a hospice nurse for over 10 years (even obtained certification) and I'm a good hospice nurse, but please don't ask me to prepare a pt surgery or attend a birth. I mention these two because they are things I was introduced to once upon a time, but not have done since LPN school.

One final thought, I usually agree with much of what "The Commuter" says, but I must disagree with her here.

Don't be fooled. LPN programs are no easier than RN programs, but the focus and content is simply different. Imagine having a boatload of information crammed down your throat in 12 months, rather than having 2 to 4 years to soak it in.
sorry, with the occasional gander at AllNurses, it's study, study, study.
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