LPN to RN Transition Program (Broward College)

labrador4122, RN · Sep 9, 2008

Hi Everyone,
This site has been extremely helpful. However, I notice that there doesn't seem to be many threads discussing the transition program at BC. Is anyone currently enrolled or a graduate from it?
I'm sure much of the information is the same as the generic program, but I just had a few specific questions. I am currently taking CHM 1032 and plan on applying to the May '09 program. The advisor I spoke to told me to apply by the January '09 deadline, and then take Micro and the lab while I'm waiting for the program to begin.
So, does anyone have any information on the transition program itself? Is it offered at the same campuses as the generic? Is it harder to get into? Is it taught by the same professors?
Since it starts in May, do we get any time off in the summer? What is a typical day like? For instance, would I be able to work part-time?
Sorry for all the questions, but I just want to be prepared. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks! :)

Let me tell you,

the LPN-RN program at Broward College (formerly known as BCC) is the same as the generic RN program except for one semester. After the first semester you join the generic RN program students, or if your group is big enough you stay together in one big group.

I don't know if it is harder to get into or not, but the LPN's that I knew in my class were treated just like the generic students.

I don't know about the program that starts in may, when I was there it was only jan or aug.

the school days are short. only 9-12 m&w and 1 day clinicals

labrador4122, RN · Sep 9, 2008

I forgot, and also you get exactly the same instructors as the generic students

EmmyBee · Sep 9, 2008

Thanks, Bumblebee. That's all I wanted to know. I just wanted to make sure the information I was reading was the same for both programs. I didn't expect to be treated any differently. I have no doubt I'll experience the same abuse as everyone else. :chuckle

As far as the start date goes, I was going by what the advisor told me, as well as what I got from their nursing site. All of the dates listed said Generic RN Program, but the one below included the transition program:

Application Deadlines for Nursing Program Options

May Generic RN Program

LPN-RN Transition Program, applications will be accepted

October 1-January 31

(This program is for those students who currently hold a valid LPN License)

Either way, I will definitely verify this prior to beginning the application process, because I know things change. Again, thanks for the reply!

labrador4122, RN · Sep 9, 2008

funny story--- that is not so funny.

my peds teacher in the south campus is not that great. so there was an LPN student in my class-- and she treated her the worst, this teacher would give us non-licensed students very easy patients with only one med-- and the LPN student the hardest patient, with TPN/LIPIDS, NG-tube meds, IM injections & all these other problems.... and this student got very upset because she worked at a nursing home where she never saw all these things so this teacher said "come on, you have your license, you can do this" ---- that's a nice way of putting it what she said.

this student passed the class, but unfortunately she ended up failing the next class after peds, which took her out of the program because it was her second failure. I don't know what happens after that because for us genetic students after second failure you are out and have to come back with LPN license.

good luck, and apply in the beginning of the acceptance of applications! and call every day or every week to see where your application is -- to make sure it is not lost or in another pile.

LeavingTeaching4RN · Sep 9, 2008

The LPN students have fewer clinical days during the rotations. For example, I'm in peds now and the generic students have 3 campus lab days and 6 clinical days, but the lpns have the campus lab days and only 2 hospital clinical days. Per the associate dean on north campus, it is easier to get accepted to the lpn-rn program. She told me that the number of applicants is usually low for the transition program, so everyone gets in.

EmmyBee · Sep 9, 2008

Thanks. That's encouraging to hear. I was told I wouldn't have a problem getting in (for the same reasons you mentioned), but I don't want to take for granted that it's a done deal. So I wanted to hear from others, to see what their take on it was.

Also, I wanted to know how feasible it was to work at least part time. I would love to keep my current job until I am done with the program, because it is very flexible and allows for me to work at home for extra money. So for the most part, the program hours seem like they would work out fine.

I have been an LPN for a long time (mostly in the military) and worked everything from ICU to Community Health Nursing. However, I'm well aware that I don't know everything and won't go into it with that attitude. Regardless of how the professors are, the bottom line is that they have what I want. So I have no problem humbling myself, learning from them, and doing as I am told. :)

ex1140 · Sep 10, 2008

Bumblebee wrote>>>

"and the LPN student the hardest patient, with TPN/LIPIDS, NG-tube meds, IM injections & all these other problems.... and this student got very upset because she worked at a nursing home where she never saw all these things so this teacher said "come on, you have your license, you can do this" ---- that's a nice way of putting it what she said."

With maybe the exception of the NG-Tube the TPN and IM injections are done a lot at LTC centers...are you sure she didn't work for an ALF?

mewsacct · Dec 9, 2008

BumbleRN,

I just passed my NCLEX pn and after researching the onlineprograms, Broward College (BCC) looks good only in that I was in the RN program previously, failed clinicals in term 2 and had to get my LPN to get back in, anyway.. I have my prerequisites so that part is done. My question is: Is this program possible to do and work at the same time? They say no, but.. in the real world people have to survive. Did you work while you were attending Broward College? Any information along these lines would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

mewsacct

labrador4122, RN · Dec 21, 2008

Bumblebee wrote>>>
"and the LPN student the hardest patient, with TPN/LIPIDS, NG-tube meds, IM injections & all these other problems.... and this student got very upset because she worked at a nursing home where she never saw all these things so this teacher said "come on, you have your license, you can do this" ---- that's a nice way of putting it what she said."
With maybe the exception of the NG-Tube the TPN and IM injections are done a lot at LTC centers...are you sure she didn't work for an ALF?

I'm not sure exactly where she worked, but I know she told me she did not do any/some of these things at her place of employment.

But evenso, the teacher just made the student super upset & extremely nervous.

This particular student moved on to the next course, then failed out of the program. I don't know what happened afterwards if she continued on to school or what.

labrador4122, RN · Dec 21, 2008

BumbleRN,
I just passed my NCLEX pn and after researching the onlineprograms, Broward College (BCC) looks good only in that I was in the RN program previously, failed clinicals in term 2 and had to get my LPN to get back in, anyway.. I have my prerequisites so that part is done. My question is: Is this program possible to do and work at the same time? They say no, but.. in the real world people have to survive. Did you work while you were attending Broward College? Any information along these lines would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
mewsacct

Hi,

I actually worked per-diem as a nursing assistant while I was at BCC plus I also had a baby during the middle of second semester.

I knew a lot of students who worked, in my class we had LPN's, one social worker, one flight attendant who worked because they had to pay their rent or mortgage, & bills.

Congrats on getting your LPN, yay!!

I think that it is doable to work and go to BCC ----- as long as you use your time wisely.

on the days that you go to school, go a little early, the library opens at 7:30am so get there at the time, and get one of those little private study rooms and go there and read (I used to do that, sometimes I would get there, but by 8am I usually was there unless there was a lot of traffic becasue I was coming from miami).

and if you don't have to work the afternoon-- then brown paper bag your lunch and stay after school to study.

On the days you work--- when you come home review your notes you made from studying, I made notes in my study lectures because that's how I liked studying--- then after I was done, I would do questions in an nclex-rn study book, and I bought a whole bunch because I had work or big belly, a new born-- and frankly I studied better at home or alone in a room at the library......

I read slow because I did not want to miss anything, and I was also taking notes at the same time. so sometimes, it would take me 1 hour to read half a chapter or even more time.

I would read and read and answer questions on the topic, until I understood the questions & answers I was getting right or wrong.

I spent a lot of time reading the same thing over and over------- and there were times, when I felt that my brain could not take it anymore, I felt exausted- :cry: -- but I still needed to study because I did not want to fail. So during those moments, I would type my notes.....

yes, when I felt very tired, I would take my notes that I made and start typing them, then I would review them, and cut them down to what I thought was more important.

I still had to take care of my little baby, so I would do this while she was sleeping :saint:at night, and would be up untill 2am studying, making notes, typing.

I tried the best I could for this, and sometimes I felt like I wasn't going to make it:bluecry1:, sometimes I literaly had only 4 days to study.

but the point of my story is that if you work really really hard at nursing school, you could make it no matter what life stresses may bring.

BCC wasn't the best school, but I thought that it was good that I was accepted, and that I finished and completed my "RN dreams".

PS, there is a girl I know from my class that failed out, went back to bcc and just finished this december! now she just has to study for RN boards, and she had to work to support herself :clown:

12214ever · Feb 8, 2009

i have all my requirements except micro,i will end up with a 3.0. Should i hold off and apply to the generic and see what happens or go the lpn route and transition in when i am done thanks to anyone who can help me make this decission.