LPN to RN?

RN2007 · Jun 12, 2003

Some of you nursing students sound so lucky that you actually have options to get into either a ADN or BSN Program to become an RN. Here in FL, where I live near Tampa / Clearwater area, I have very, very few options because there are very few schools that do not have at least 2 year waiting lists that are within my1 hr driving range. I have some lower back problems and sitting for more than 2 hrs a day continuously just for driving, when I have to still go to school fulltime and work is out of the question. The only RN program available within driving distance is the ADN offered at the community college about 45 minutes from here and I will not even be able to put my name on the waiting list till around Spring 04 because of the last prerequisites I am taking, and the nursing Program Director told me that it would be minimum 1 year after that, before I would be eligible to be enrolled in their program, so that means the soonest I could start nursing school is mid 2005, that is why I figure I would finish in 2007 which would make me 42 years old when I graduate. Oh, I decided not to first get the LPN because I would rather go straight for the RN, and from what I checked out it would cost less not having to pay for 2 degrees. Also, because I have other degrees - a non-nursing B.S. and a Masters Degree, it actually would have been better for me to be in an Accelerated BSN program, but again, there are none available within driving distance that I could realistically do with my schedule and of course since I do not have a LPN license, I cannot do the online programs available either. So, that is why I plan to into the ADN program. Anyway, I found it odd that Florida is sooo limiting in some places because I was told before I moved here that, "Florida is the Land of the nearly dead and the newly born", lol... but it is true when you look around at many of the restaurants that are decorated to look about like the "dayrooms" in hospitals, ha... Sorry, interior design and decorating is a hobby of mine and these things stick out like a sore thumb to me, of course in the more pricier restaurants they are not like this but in Florida due to the sun, surf, heat, etc., the attire is very casual around here which I guess lends itself to more informal atmospheres.

Sorry to get off track, but if I live, I would be the same age, whether or not I go into nursing. I just want to achieve this goal sooo much! I have had a lot of hardships over the last 10 years, and really need to do this for myself. Will some of you cross your fingers for me? I shall certainly do the same for all of you!!

AL*Nrs.pktnr · Jun 12, 2003

RN 2007:

Are there any possibilities that you could go to another state to get the RN? I am in Alabama, and the University here doesn't have a waiting list. I know it's too far of course to commute, but not impossible to go home on weekends. ( I know much depends on whether or not you have a family, kids, etc, but it is an idea).

Here you can apply for upper division even while finishing your last prereq's, provided the class(es) are finished prior to beginning the program in the fall. Just trying to find a way to help you make your dreams reality! Let me know if there is any way I can help.

Don't worry about your age. I am in my 40's and am graduating finally this December with my Master's in nursing as a Nurse Practitioner. I have come a long way from starting many years ago as an LPN, but I can tell you that the most important thing is not to lose sight of your dream, and to perservere in finding a way to make it reality.

ryaninmtv, ADN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 13, 2003

I was an LPN for 13 years prior to going back and getting my RN last year. You will find that your experience as an LPN will be a tremendous resource as you continue your professional development. Many of the theoretical processes you will study as an RN student you will have practical knowledge of for being an LPN. I found personally that I could stay a little ahead of the curve with my fellow students having practical nursing experience along with the classroom work. Good Luck!

RN2007 · Jun 13, 2003

Al Nrse, No, I have no other options. I have been married for 14 years and need to stay around the home base for many reasons, ya know? Going the ADN route is fine by me, I just thought that it was odd being here in FL, and not having more options closer nearby. After all, I live in a very "happening" place in FL where there are medical establishments everywhere, I just wish the nursing schools and programs would keep up... Thanks for the advice and your reply though..

hollysunshine · Jun 15, 2003

I'm an LPN who just started into the actual nursing part of an LPN to RN transition program. I think it's great that you are going back to school as well. For me, working in an acute care setting has been a big help. It will help you immensely in the clinical portion of your training. I've been very lucky that the nurses on my unit mostly started out as LPNs and have been very patient with me. An acute care setting will also give you a variety of diagnoses that you don't see in LTC. Good luck!

RNConnieF · Jun 15, 2003

I was an LPN for 5 years before starting a RN ADN program. This program accepted my Nursing 101, Pharm., and Nutrition. I had to CLEP A&P 1 and 2, and I had to challange NUR 102 and 201. I was lucky to have worked as a Pediatric nurse as an LPN, when I went to take the challange test 100 of the 150 questions where on OB and Peds. At the time I took the test it had been given 4 times and never passed. The time I took it only myself and one other LPN passed - and she had worked full time float in the hospital for 13 years. The time I worked as an LPN saved me 2 semesters in RN school. The only thing I wished I had had was a "Nurse to Student Nurse" transition course. I found moving from a working professional to a "Student RN" hard in the clinical area. Maybe that was just me though. As for LPN to RN- I say GO FOR IT!! Good Luck.

luvbug · Aug 8, 2003

Hey, I am back!! My internet acess had been down for so long, I have a ton of news to catch up on!! thank you all for your replies, very interesting. Here, if I were to go back to the same school I did my LPN training at, I have to go through all these hoops. We have to interview with each of the instructors, telling them why we think we would be a good candidate for the program, and do an essay explaining pretty much the same things. We also have to submit a bunch of other papers and things, and it sounds really stressful. honestly, I think that is one of the biggest factors in my pending decision. I mean, they are all teachers I have had in the past, but who likes to do one-on-one interviews? Ok, maybe someone out there does, but not me :) Anyway, I guess I will just take it one day at a time, and things will work out the way they should. Thanks again!!

hconv · Aug 8, 2003

Hey there!

I was an LPN on a medical floor at a big hospital for a few years before I got my RN and I'm totally glad I finished school.....It went by quick and was a breeze! :cool: I am still on the same floor now as an RN and found the transition smooth......go on and make the change...you'll be glad that your work options are better as an RN!

FullMoonMadness · Aug 8, 2003

Im starting my last semester in an LPN-RN transition program. I too feel that my years as an LPN have given me an edge with school, but only to a certain extent.Anyway, I finish in December.Go for it, you will be glad you did

Love-A-Nurse · Aug 9, 2003

count me in for being an active lpn and now in rn school.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2003

I also went LPN to RN. Certainly it is easier! You are already halfway there and with experience. Good luck!

Noney · Aug 10, 2003

When I graduated form LPN school in sept 1991, I said I would work 1 year then go back for my RN. That 1 year kept getting moved. I graduated in Sept 2001 as RN at same school.

I worked as an LPN in LTC as an LPN with a 3 months stint in home health. After I graduated RN I went to a hospital. I felt my years experience as an LPN helped not hindered me.

GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!