LPN?

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Hello all!

Just wondering if it would be a good idea for me to go to an LPN program before going into a nursing program. Will this help me in nursing school? Will it give me a leg up on applicants who aren't an LPN? Will it just be a waste of time and money?

Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

LPN IS a nurse. It's not necessarily a stepping stone to RN. LPN's have separate bridging programs to RN, so the technically correct answer to your question is no: Having an LPN license will not give you a "leg up" in your application to nursing school because you will be applying to an RN program along with other LPN's.

And no, becoming a LPN is most definitely not a waste of your time or money. It is a licensed nurse. However, I some areas, the role of LPN is somewhat limited. Do some research here on AN.com regarding the role of LPN/LVN.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I wouldn't; I would just go straight for an RN if that's your end goal.

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I'm just thinking that nursing schools will always take someone with a better background than someone with not as much. I am a freshman at a community college. All I've taken so far is basic English, elementary math, and speech. I'm applying to nursing school in February but my chances are so slim compared to one who has been to an LPN program. And could credits be used from the LPN program towards the RN program? Thanks.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I'm applying to nursing school in February but my chances are so slim compared to one who has been to an LPN program. And could credits be used from the LPN program towards the RN program? Thanks.

But you're not applying to the same program as LPNs would be applying to. They start at a different point (usually halfway through the program). So you are not competing for a spot in your RN program with LPNs, you're competing for a spot with other non-nurses.

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Yes but say Student A has community college very basic classes. Student B has their LPN licensure. In a nursing school who's only accepting 100 out of about 5,000 applicants, I think the clear choice would be Student B.

And most applicants at the nursing program are already LPNs.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

That doesn't make sense to me - most RN programs that I'm familiar with do not require LPNs to start at the same place as non-nurses. Every LPN program I've been familiar with was simply the first year of an ADN/RN program, with one or two extra summer classes, and then they exit out after the first year and take the NCLEX-PN. So an LPN wanting to get their RN would NOT be starting at the same place as other students who are just doing an ADN/RN program. They will start further ahead (usually in the second year of the 2-year program). Therefore, they are not competing with the non-nurses for a spot. They're only competing with other LPNs.

ETA: It appears that programs differ vastly, so I imagine it depends on your individual program.

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But you're not applying to the same program as LPNs would be applying to. They start at a different point (usually halfway through the program). So you are not competing for a spot in your RN program with LPNs, you're competing for a spot with other non-nurses.

Actually, in my RN program, there were three LPNs who all started at the same point as the rest of us. One of them told me she could have 'challenged out' or something like that for just the Foundations class, but seeing as it was just one class out of an entire program, she didn't bother. Being an LPN helped them with the clinical material, obviously, but it didn't give them a placement advantage in the program.

The LPNs did not have college degrees, just the usual tech-school certificate of completion before taking the NCLEX-PN. They still needed all the college nursing coursework for the ASN.

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In my program LPN experience/licensure gives you a leg up compared to the competition. This also goes the same for a CNA/EMT/Pharm Tech with experience and a license/cert.

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That's what I was thinking. Everything I've read up about this has told me that it will in fact give me a leg up but I'm just now hearing everyone disagree on this website so I'm a bit torn. Basically, I feel like if I were to do an LPN program, it will play a part in my being accepted into an RN program in my favor. Are you in a nursing program with an LPN certificate?

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

My LPN gave me a huge leg up to getting into the RN program because they allow an advanced placement application and I did not have to sit and wait on a two year long waiting list... for example... our RN program was 4 Blocks... I was able to bypass Block 1&2 in the RN program because I had already completed those topics in the LPN program. MA to RN is harder because they don't cover the same topics... but LPN to RN is an easy transition :-) Good luck!

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Yes but say Student A has community college very basic classes. Student B has their LPN licensure. In a nursing school who's only accepting 100 out of about 5,000 applicants, I think the clear choice would be Student B.

And most applicants at the nursing program are already LPNs.

This was my thought process. Is this an accurate thought to go on?

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