LPN?

AZMOMO2 · Oct 27, 2014

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

Not really actually... if you are applying to a program in the traditional route an LPN will not help you because you'd be at a different level... but prior medical experience sometimes gives you a leg up in an application process from being a CNA... as long as it's not required that all students have their CNA prior to application like some programs require. A high GPA and a medical background matters more in those placed by huge application pool selection process vs those placed from a waiting list, which only requires you to complete the pre-reqs and wait until your time stamp is called.

Doglover109 · Oct 27, 2014

So do you think going for an LPN is a waste of time and money if I would just be using it as a leg up for RN programs?

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 28, 2014

If you want to be a Registered Nurse, go for it.

Do not spend time & resources on an LPN license.

As as I mentioned in my previous post, obtaining your LPN license places you on a different educational track than non-licensed applicants

christina731 · Oct 28, 2014

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?

It really depends on the program that you're applying to. I'm not an LPN but I am a pharmacy tech and that helped me gain acceptance to my ADN program.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Oct 28, 2014

Have you discussed any of your ideas with an advisor for the nursing program you are interested in? I'd think the specific school would be better able to assist you in your decision-making.

Different schools will have different requirements. As I said before concerning my old school (and I can only comment on how my alma mater does it), LPNs had an advantage when it came to getting through the clinical components--they were already nurses, after all!--but had no edge when it came to acceptance or college coursework in general. They still had to earn the college degree.

Something to consider: you might be wait-listed at this moment, because maybe you aren't a great candidate. But once pre-requisite courses are done, and you do very well ( :) ) you're in the ballgame.

I guess I don't see the point in going through schooling, the time and expense and stress, just to use it to apply to ANOTHER school and spend more time and expense....plus stress.

I don't see going through ALL that it entails to become an LPN if you're doing it only because 'it might help me get into RN school'. That's A LOT of work (and time and money, did I mention that?) with no real guarantee of pay off at the end. UNLESS, of course, you really want to work as an LPN and if you get into RN school great, but if not.....that's ok too.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2014

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

Let me clarify things...

LPNs apply to LPN-to-RN transition programs (a.k.a. LPN-to-RN bridge programs), whereas students with no prior licensure apply to generic pre-licensure nursing programs. Therefore, if you become an LPN, you will not be competing with 5,000 other generic applicants, nor will you be applying to the same program as them.

You will instead be applying to the LPN-to-RN transition program (if your school offers one) and competing against other LPNs for admission. Is this clear?

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 28, 2014

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!

MA has nothing to do with the field of nursing. That's why there is no transition. Your local for-profit school will tell you otherwise as they try to sell you a $60,000 Associate's Degree in Medical Assisting.

OP, obviously there are widely differing practices among nursing school. I personally have never known an LPN who would choose to start their RN education at square one rather than enter a bridging program that takes advantage of their LPN license. I agree with the other posters who say, if you want to be an RN, go for it to begin with.

krrbrr, ADN · Oct 28, 2014

Let me clarify things...
LPNs apply to LPN-to-RN transition programs (a.k.a. LPN-to-RN bridge programs), whereas students with no prior licensure apply to generic pre-licensure nursing programs. Therefore, if you become an LPN, you will not be competing with 5,000 other generic applicants, nor will you be applying to the same program as them.
You will instead be applying to the LPN-to-RN transition program (if your school offers one) and competing against other LPNs for admission. Is this clear?

This! First let me say... every school and area is different.

The schools that are around me (in WA state) have RN programs that are 2 years. After the first year you are allowed to sit for the LPN test, with the instructors approval. If you already have your LPN and want to become an RN around here you have to participate in an LPN-RN bridge program or obtain acceptance to join one of the RN schools at the midway point (after everyone else has already been doing it a year). Therefore, everyone has the exact same education up until that point.

For me? I'm using the LPN route as a 'backup plan'. I want to become an RN and I will do everything in my power to become one first. However, if I am unable to get into an RN program I will seek out LPN programs instead.

Purple_roses · Oct 28, 2014

I almost did that, but here's why I didn't: 1) My school's RN program is only one semester longer than the LPN program. 2) The LPN-RN bridge program takes 3 semesters. That was a lot of extra time to get to my ultimate goal of RN, so I buckled down and chose the RN program. A major plus of doing the LPN program first would have been getting a higher paying job sooner. But after weighing the pros and cons, RN is what I wanted to go straight to.

marie4nursing · Oct 29, 2014

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!

I don't think LPN is a waste of time. I think is great for those who want to "test drive" the nursing field.

I am currently a CNA at a skilled nursing facility. I am going to school next year to get started on my general classes for my LPN. I plan becoming a LPN at the facility that I work at. I am taking the extra steps to make sure that nursing is for me. I don't want to waste time and money on a degree that I won't use. I am not ready to take the responsibilities of a RN.

Being a CNA and a LPN before RN will help me understand who is under my supervisor when I become a RN. Sorry to say but most RNs who never became CNAs or LPNs bully the people below them because they have a "degree". At my job, they refuse to hire RNs that never worked as a CNA because RNs used to bully them to the point where CNAs were quitting. They will fire that RN on the spot for bullying.

Sorry kind of rambled

valliloves · Oct 30, 2014

I found this online article that is helpful and informative: CNA, LPN, RN, ADN, BSN. Which Nursing Degree is Right for You? | Kevin's NCLEX Blog

It shows you the advantages and disadvantages of LPN vs going straight for ADN/BSN, etc.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Oct 30, 2014

Wow, learning about regional differences in nursing programs is really interesting. My first thought was what's the issue here? All the nursing programs in my area are RN degree with the option to sit the LPN NCLEX at the halfway point. This applies to both the ADN and BSN schools. I didn't even realize that wasn't always an option.

My opinion for what it's worth is if that isn't an option at any programs in your area go straight for the RN if that is your goal. On the other hand, going LPN first allows you to actually work as a nurse while getting your RN and that is invaluable experience as well a a paycheck while attending school. But I would say only go that route if you 1] need the paycheck during school and 2] have the determination to actually enter the bridge program after you are an LPN