LPN to RN

heathert_kc · Mar 10, 2011

I am currently doing my bridge after a year and a half of working as an LPN and doing the remainder of my general education. I just sort of fell into it, while doing my RN prerequisites, my friend had encouraged me to apply as she was going to also. I was young working as an aid making peanuts and had no idea how I would pay for school. I think it is the best option for me. Nursing school is intense and I don't know if I could have afforded nor stomached two full time years of it (@ that time anyway). If RN is your ultimate goal, be sure you are motivated to keep going. A lot of LPNs finish school tired, in debt, and get comfortable, then never go back or wait forever... I went to a program at a CC so it was less than $5,000, grants/scholarships covered the majority of it. On a personal note I don't think any certification is worth $20,000+. You would be better off just going to a state university and doing a 4 year degreee, plus debt from private loans can slow you down in achieving your end goal (RN); I know people who did that too. I have found at least in my area that lpn-rn bridge programs tend to be easier than straight through Rn programs to get into.

nantce · Mar 10, 2011

I, too am going the bridge route at Herzing Univesity. There are several Herzing campuses across the country that offer the nursing LPN to RN bridge. I worked 17 years as an LPN simply because I didn't want to go to school for 2 years to become an RN. The bridge program is expensive, but worth it. If you have Psychology, Speech, A&P, and Micro, then all you will have left are the nursing courses. I didn't qualify for grants but I did get federal aid.

sierra101504 · Mar 10, 2011

i am going though excelsior to get my RN. i really enjoy the flexibility of it. if you go under the students tab and then distance learning you can find out about it or go to www.excelsior.edu .

MyLady23 · Mar 11, 2011

Check out the LVN-RN corner for more info!

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Mar 11, 2011

I'm doing LPN-RN. It works for me. I can't earn a decent hourly pay and experience while obtaining my RN degree. If God forbid I fail, I have a stable career to fall back on while waiting to get back in the program. Ofcourse I'm praying that I will pass RN school though.

fancyhen · Mar 11, 2011

I became an LPN in 1984 and a RN in 1988. At first I was Ok being an LPN however I remember exactly when I decided to become an RN (even 25 years later). I was working in Long Term Care and doing CPR on one of our favorite patients. The RN on duty showed up and, per policy, took over the code. I heard her crack three ribs due to improperly performing the CPR. I still remember that sound. I also had the same patient load etc and wasn't paid nearly as much. LOL.

Going from LPN to RN worked really well for me. I was fortunate to attend a really great hospital based LPN program and was given lots of hands on experience. I learned most of my basic nursing care in LPN school.

In RN school you learn more in depth information, critical thinking, unit management and related information. After my LTC gig as an LPN, I worked on a Med-Surg unit while going to RN school and I was WAY ahead of most of my fellow students who only had the academic skills. Most of the things they struggled with was really easy for me because I had already done them for 4 years.

RN school can be rough. There are lots of Care Plans, research, reading and hard work. You probably won't understand why you have to take certain classes but believe me, no education is ever wasted. You'll have a big advantage because you're already an LPN.

Good Luck.

nantce · Mar 11, 2011

Be careful with the excelsior program. I'm sure you've checked it out with your nursing board. In Alabama where I am, taking the excelsior program is fine. going through the preceptorship is fine as well, but when it comes to sitting for boards, Alabama state board of nursing states that the excelsior program doesn't not give enough clinical hours for one to sit for RN boards. You would have to go to Georgia or New York to sit for boards. How horrible to pay that money, spend all that time working towards a goal, only to find out that you couldn't even sit for boards in your home state!!!

sierra101504 · Mar 11, 2011

i called the TN board of nursing and they said excelsior was fine. i also know several people who have done it with no problem. you should be able to sit for boards in TN. hope it doesn't change anytime soon!

nantce · Mar 12, 2011

That's awesome! Good luck with the program!

CrazyGoonRN · Mar 12, 2011

I am a new LPN hoping to start a LPN-RN program later this year. I do think that it will give you an advantage while working toward your RN. I considered excelsior when I was choosing a school and I decided against it. I am a hands on person and it would not give me that clinical experience that I need. I live in TN and had a teacher who was a long time LPN who went through excelsior and got her RN. She already had her clinical skills and the program was great for her. I know for a fact it wont give you any problems in TN but there are some states where it will be difficult to get your license with your degree from excelsior. Also if you are interested in travel nursing you might have a problem. Look it up on this site and you will find a lot of useful info and can read about others experiences with excelsior. Good luck in your future plans! :)