LPN to RN- online or brick & mortar?

[LPNJess2bRN]

Hello all. Im brand new here and under a tremendous amont of stress. I JUST KNOW I'm the only one here, LOL. Anyway, I was set to begin a transition course in January in Palm Beach, FL, but it appears that has fallen through, and I'm hustling to locate either a complete distance based transition program, another program near me, or a partial distance program. I am extremely eager to hear about others experiances with distance programs, as I do have a few concerns, such as the lack of hands on clinical time and whether or not it will be difficult for me to find a job with an online degree. Any and all help will be more appreciated than you know. Thank you so much in advance,

Jessica

[Perpetual Student]

I'm in a traditional brick and mortar program right now. In a little under 8 hrs I'll begin the last day of the quarter, excluding finals. I've been very pleased so far with the quality and value. One of the reasons I chose a traditional school was that I expected to get a lot more clinical experience. Another factor was that my state is one of the ones that requires an extra preceptorship after graduating from an online program in order to get licensed.

During the first quarter, we did 6 roughly 5 hour shifts in an LTAC. Next quarter we will be doing six 8 hr shifts at the major level I trauma center in the area, but I'm not sure which unit(s) we'll be on there. In the 3rd quarter I'm not exactly sure what we're going to do, but it once again won't amount to all that many days. So really, the difference in clinical time isn't that big of a deal, IMO.

One thing to consider is how prospective employers will consider your resume against someone who went to a traditional school. Obviously, if you've got an unencumbered RN license and experience as an LPN somewhere will hire you, but it might make it more difficult to get exactly the specialty or location you want than if you had graduated from a traditional school. But that's pretty subjective based upon who's doing the hiring and what their opinions are. Personally, I think online education rocks and it's the path I'm going to take for my BSN.

Anyway, I need to get back to sleep so I can wake up and study in a while. I just got up to urinate and get a drink of water and somehow ended up here. :zzzzz Good luck.

[LPNJess2bRN]

I agree with you and those are my concerns with attending an online program. Here are my issues:

1. I can get into and begin an online bridge program sooner

2. I may be able to complete a bridge progam sooner

3. I am having severe issues with the nearest community college, whereas the gatekeepers dont seem to have a clue and I am well beyond frustrated

4. I could attend one of two other community colleges, but they are each 1 hour away either north or south, and again, I do not know when I could begin and when I would graduate.

I absolutely have considered and worry about the lack of clinical time with the online programs and how I would be considered by prospective employers versus another candidate who attended a tradidtional program.

I really just dont know what to do!