LPN school before RN degree to work my way up??

[RJ_STNA]

I am currently an STNA in a nursing facility. My coworkers attend different LPN schools such as Fortis, Akron public & Brown Mackie. Should I attempt a 15 month LPN LICENSE then bridge to RN? Are we judged by the school we graduate from? What do you guys think about Fortis College?

[AgentBeast, BSN, RN]

If your goal is to be an RN then start and finish a program that will let you sit for for the NCLEX-RN after completion. The whole STNA to LPN to RN plan will end up taking you an extra year. 3 semesters for the LPN program and 3 semesters for the LPN to RN bridge versus 4 semesters to just do a straight RN program . . .

[tainted1972, ASN, RN]

You have to look at your current situation and decide which is better for yourself. For me, I was able to get into a LPN program immediately, I would have had to wait an entire year before I could apply to an RN program ( pre requisites). If you can get into and begin an RN program right away, then go for it. I also suggest getting a BSN. It is cheaper to do it all at once.

[tainted1972, ASN, RN]

I also wanted to add that some schools give you the option of sitting for the NCLEX PN midway through the RN program. I think it is a good option especially if you are able to work as an LPN while going to school.

[Keep_Calm]

1) In my experience, you are not judged for where you go to school.

2) Go for your RN from the beginning--especially if your goal is RN and ESPECIALLY if you don't have kids right now.

[Mary C, MSN, RN, APRN, CNM]

I know of PN programs that are 12 months.

[MwtM]

This is a tricky sort of question. I was an STNA for a number of years after I finished my first bachelor's degree, and then went into an ADN program. The program I went into allowed you to sit for the PN after the first three semesters (four quarters at the time). Then we continued on in the RN program which I'm finishing the second, and final, semester now. Another thing to factor in, is that if it's not one continuous program (which can even be LPN/RN combined) then I believe the Ohio BON requires bridge students to work 500 hours as an LPN before returning for a bridge program. (This could also be a board of regents requirement too, not really sure...) I haven't heard much about Fortis, for better or worse. Didn't they buy out one of the old struggling for-profit universities?

[HippyDippyLPN]

In my experience where you go to school does matter. My BFF hires for Kettering health network, they won't hire nurses who graduate from non NLN accredited schools. Fortis is accredited but costs a fortune they were also recently given a warming by the NLN. I researched all the schools in the area and found the best option without a 3 year waiting list is university of rio grande's Lpn to RN bridge hybrid program. I refuse to spend $$$ and graduate from a place where hospitals in my area will not even hire me so I am sucking up the long clinical commute for two years to give myself the best chance..,I have read poor reviews on Fortis, remember its for profit.

[HeartNursing3]

15 months for LPN?! My RN was only 21 months. Seems like a waste of time to me.

[Natural510]

I would recommend against this, since you're already an STNA and have a feel for the health care setting (best if you're in acute care).

If you know for certain you want to be an RN, just go for the RN program. Otherwise you could be wasting time and money, unless you prefer to work in LTC while transitioning to your RN.