Lpn before RN

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2009

I'm finishing up my LPN now for many different reasons including gaining experience. It would obviously help one in RN school, I would think. My LPN class goes over the topics that would be learned in RN school so I have basic knowlege and I'm sure once I start working I will gain more experience as a nurse period. At some jobs as a RN they may pay you more as a new grad. My mother was a LPN for 4 years before becoming a RN and recieved one dollar extra for each year experienced as a LPN. So she made way more then new grad RNs with no nursing experience what so ever. Good luck in your program.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2009

'm finishing up my LPN now for many different reasons including gaining experience. It would obviously help one in RN school, I would think. My LPN class goes over the topics that would be learned in RN school so I have basic knowlege, I know this because there are RN students in my class that failed the RN program and they said we learn the same things except of ofcourse in the second year the rn stunts go more in depth.... and I'm sure once I start working I will gain more experience as a nurse period. At some jobs as a RN they may pay you more as a new grad. My mother was a LPN for 4 years before becoming a RN and recieved one dollar extra for each year experienced as a LPN. So she made way more then new grad RNs with no nursing experience what so ever. Good luck in your program.

amjowens · Jul 13, 2009

I applied for both the LPN and RN programs at my community college the same day, thinking I'd do the LPN first if a wait list, as heard 2 years. Turns out, accepted for the next semester for LPN, and about a year to start RN. So, I graduated in Dec 08 for LPN and started in Jan 09 for regular RN. I now have 3 semesters left, and most classes are online (except clinical of course). I work full-time as an LPN in a nursing home/assisted living and LOVE IT.

As for experience, well, passing meds, dressing changes, caths,...pretty much all except in state of MI where working I'm not able to practice the IV certif. I have from my school in OH. I interact with docs, other nurses, do transfers, order meds, manage nurse aides,...right now LPNs aren't being given the credit they deserve in hospitals, and some people don't even acknowledge as nurses. Especially now with the competitive and fear-based environment of many RN settings, LPNs are a vulnerable bunch at moment. If you're willing to work in a nursing home during RN school, fine. Don't count on hospital setting until you earn your RN.

There's a lot of mis-information about LPNs. I mean, in my clinical RN 1st semester, half-through, a classmate gasped and shocked, "you mean, YOU pass meds at your job???.." She knew I was an LPN, but it never occurred to her that LPNs were nurses like the mighty RN. Haha, just have to keep it light and laugh with them, and if had not had LPN training, I probably wouldn't have learned this valuable bit of wisdom, as well as MANY other valuable bits that I've learned during practical nursing training/experience. I think my education for LPN prepared me much more for the real world (at least at job so far) than RN...only finished first semester, so I'm sure much ahead. Still, I'd do over what I did re LPN training in a second. Valuable time, pays my RN tuition, and love what I do. You got to go on for RN though, don't stop, as most LPNs deserve more respect, just need that extra piece of paper, you know. Good luck!