LPN to RN without the bridge option

Peditra · Aug 1, 2019

I chose to do the entire 2 year program instead of doing the bridge. It was because I needed to have finished A&P I and II before taking the bridge program and I i didn't have it done in time. I would have had to wait an extra year to start just so I could test out of the first semester. I decided waiting one more year for one semester wasn't worth it. I ended up taking A&P II in my first semester of the RN program. I didn't regret the decision. I felt like going back to basics was helpful. In LPN school, doing a 40 hour a week program meant a lot of cramming and not enough info retained. Doing the RN program from the start made me realize how much I had forgotten! I was able to help my fellow classmates a lot and being a LPN made the RN program (relatively) easy, especially pharmacology.

There were LPNs who came on in the second semester since they did the bridge and they struggled a bit. I had the benefit of having a whole semester (the easiest semester) of getting to know the teachers, getting used to the hours, and getting in the mindset required for nursing school. I had time to adjust. They didn't because they came into a harder semester and had to start new when the rest of us already had months to get into the routine. I also developed very close friendships with my clinical group because we all started out together.

Go for it, girl! Passing the NCLEX RN and seeing my name pop up on the BON was so exciting! And the two years flew by, for me and for the LPNs who came later in the program...

Peditra · Aug 1, 2019

I just realized I said "Go for it, girl!" and I don't know if you are a male or female, but I figured the display name Aspirational Beauty is a female...?

mchlstvn · Oct 2, 2019

@Peditra I recently got accepted into RN program. I've been working as an LVN for almost 10 years and beyond excited to start next spring for my ADN, RN. After reading your post I feel much better about making the decision to do the generic program (two years) than the bridge LVN-RN. Just wanted to thank you for sharing.

Peditra · Oct 4, 2019

On 10/2/2019 at 2:34 PM, mchlstvn said:
@Peditra I recently got accepted into RN program. I've been working as an LVN for almost 10 years and beyond excited to start next spring for my ADN, RN. After reading your post I feel much better about making the decision to do the generic program (two years) than the bridge LVN-RN. Just wanted to thank you for sharing.

Congratulations!! You are going to do great, future RN:)

EV1518 · Dec 4, 2019

On ‎8‎/‎1‎/‎2019 at 10:04 AM, Peditra said:
Doing the RN program from the start made me realize how much I had forgotten! I was able to help my fellow classmates a lot and being a LPN made the RN program (relatively) easy, especially pharmacology.
There were LPNs who came on in the second semester since they did the bridge and they struggled a bit. I had the benefit of having a whole semester (the easiest semester) of getting to know the teachers, getting used to the hours, and getting in the mindset required for nursing school. I had time to adjust. They didn't because they came into a harder semester and had to start new when the rest of us already had months to get into the routine. I also developed very close friendships with my clinical group because we all started out together.
Go for it, girl! Passing the NCLEX RN and seeing my name pop up on the BON was so exciting! And the two years flew by, for me and for the LPNs who came later in the program...

Thanks for this! I started a post a few days ago wondering if the LPNs going into the bridge seemed to have it easier or not because of their experience. I'm a LPN going into a full 2 yr program and people are all about scaring the crap out of students, so I was just trying to get an idea of what it would be like going in with some experience under my belt.

kesha1128 · Dec 11, 2019

Hi Guys

I am LPN and I recently got accepted in a bridge program, for me I accepted the bridge as opposed to the 2 year. I simply spent the entire month reviewing fundamentals and basic information, on most of the Hesi review exams I did pretty well, I refreshed my memory but working in the field helps a lot. Im excited and scared at the same time. Good luck to everyone.

mchlstvn · Dec 11, 2019

@kesha1128 I think that's smart to review the fundamentals before hand, that alone I know you will do well in school. To be honest I didn't even give the idea of doing the bridge because I knew I needed a to go through the generic program. I see it has building a stronger foundation to what I may already know or forgotten. As far as clinicals I know I will do well from working bedside for years, but going through it again from a RN student perspective is a good way of getting rid of old habits. To be clear this is my own personal opinions and I give high respects to those who do the bridge. Plus, my program is really close to home, affordable, and I have great support at home. So why not take an extra two semester if all it can do is benefit me more, at the expense of more suffering. haha.

kesha1128 · Dec 12, 2019

That sounds like a great idea as well !

Nursing pursuit · Dec 16, 2019

I'm an LPN and I started from square one by choice. I just found out today that I passed all my classes. The reason I started over was because I failed out 6 years ago but it has worked out better for me since I did better even on the classes that I did pass. There was a spot open for me for second semester and I chose to do first semester over because the weight of those grades would stay on my transcript and I couldn't have that since I spent so much time and money trying to build my GPA up to get into this program in the first place. I wouldn't recommend people to do this since it's nursing suicide but to me it was personal with the grades I had from years ago. It was stressful and during the semester I was wondering if I made the right choice but I think I did now that it's over. Also, since I took the NCLEX-PN days before the RN program started, I was familiar with most of the content especially the precautions and lab values.

P.S- I also had the choice to file for an academic amnesty but since I'm not familiar with the process, I didn't bother with it.

Harp Dhillon · Dec 28, 2019

@Peditra Which state are you in? and which college? I'm an LVN and have been working as an LVN for 7-8 years. I have completed my pre-requirements for RN bridge program. I need help if anyone can suggest me names of schools that are accredited in California and easy and fast to get in the program. Mt GPA is 3.6 and I'm giving teas exam in few weeks. Please help..Thank you!

kesha1128 · Jan 2, 2020