In Florida, one can sit for the LPN boards following completion of second semester of RN school. I will have covered two semesters of med/surg, some OB and some Peds by the end of the year. However, I'm concerned about readiness. As an LPN, I'll be responsible for everything the RN does except, I believe, hang blood. I haven't even inserted a foley into a real live person yet.
There are only a couple of people at my facility who have been offered the LPN orientation following second semester. I'm told I may be next which makes me feel honored. I'm afraid I will be putting too much pressure on myself at a time when I should be concentrating on school if I do it then. Another choice would be to wait till I complete third semester. I'll have a whole summer to take the boards and concentrate on orientation. OR, I can just work as a PCT till I graduate which is a mere 6 months up the road. I'll have to put out money for all of these state exams. Would it pay?
Have you had opportunity to precept or observe a second semester RN student/new LPN?
2 semesters of RN program qualifies to sit for LPN exam. Ok...I'm still with you there...don't agree with it, wouldn't do it, but I've heard of this before.
Only one more semester of RN program (3 semesters total)?? For real?? Is that the norm there?
Seems too short to me. I've never seen a program less than 4 semesters, have even seem some that are 5 (after prerequisites for both).
2 semesters of RN program qualifies to sit for LPN exam. Ok...I'm still with you there...don't agree with it, wouldn't do it, but I've heard of this before.
Only one more semester of RN program (3 semesters total)?? For real?? Is that the norm there?
Seems too short to me. I've never seen a program less than 4 semesters, have even seem some that are 5 (after prerequisites for both).
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
The difference in pay is about $4 an hour. It's significant enough. Instead of having to work every weekend, I could work every other weekend. That would free me up for more study time. Finances is the only reason I would do this.
Third Shift Guy brings up a good point, not too many take that road. I believe, as another poster pointed out, it's because most facilities don't want a half-way RN to function as an LPN. An LPN that has completed school is prepared for the job. Even my facility frowns on the general practice of hiring student RNs as LPNs. The patients deserve better.
Thanks guys :) You all confirmed my feelings on the subject. I don't want to go the LPN route unless I have to. This is out of respect to LPNs who have studied for their craft, to patients who deserve a competent practitioner and to myself who doesn't need to have a nervous breakdown before graduation.
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
The difference in pay is about $4 an hour. It's significant enough. Instead of having to work every weekend, I could work every other weekend. That would free me up for more study time. Finances is the only reason I would do this.
Third Shift Guy brings up a good point, not too many take that road. I believe, as another poster pointed out, it's because most facilities don't want a half-way RN to function as an LPN. An LPN that has completed school is prepared for the job. Even my facility frowns on the general practice of hiring student RNs as LPNs. The patients deserve better.
Thanks guys :) You all confirmed my feelings on the subject. I don't want to go the LPN route unless I have to. This is out of respect to LPNs who have studied for their craft, to patients who deserve a competent practitioner and to myself who doesn't need to have a nervous breakdown before graduation.
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
Off-topic, but I'm a little confused...
2 semesters of RN program qualifies to sit for LPN exam. Ok...I'm still with you there...don't agree with it, wouldn't do it, but I've heard of this before.
Only one more semester of RN program (3 semesters total)?? For real?? Is that the norm there?
Seems too short to me. I've never seen a program less than 4 semesters, have even seem some that are 5 (after prerequisites for both).
No, please forgive me if I've confused the issue. We have a four semester program. I mentioned the third semester because, if I did take the LPN exam, it would be better for me to take it after third semester because I would be out of school for the summer.
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
Off-topic, but I'm a little confused...
2 semesters of RN program qualifies to sit for LPN exam. Ok...I'm still with you there...don't agree with it, wouldn't do it, but I've heard of this before.
Only one more semester of RN program (3 semesters total)?? For real?? Is that the norm there?
Seems too short to me. I've never seen a program less than 4 semesters, have even seem some that are 5 (after prerequisites for both).
No, please forgive me if I've confused the issue. We have a four semester program. I mentioned the third semester because, if I did take the LPN exam, it would be better for me to take it after third semester because I would be out of school for the summer.
Thanks for clearing that up - I was getting worried for ya. If RN programs had to teach it all in just 3 semesters, they would have to CRAM stuff in your heads so hard and so fast it would ooze out your ears...and adding on trying to work as an LPN to that --- you guys would be spontaneously exploding left and right.
Thanks for clearing that up - I was getting worried for ya. If RN programs had to teach it all in just 3 semesters, they would have to CRAM stuff in your heads so hard and so fast it would ooze out your ears...and adding on trying to work as an LPN to that --- you guys would be spontaneously exploding left and right.
RN4NICU, LPN, LVN
1,711 Posts
Off-topic, but I'm a little confused...
2 semesters of RN program qualifies to sit for LPN exam. Ok...I'm still with you there...don't agree with it, wouldn't do it, but I've heard of this before.
Only one more semester of RN program (3 semesters total)?? For real?? Is that the norm there?
Seems too short to me. I've never seen a program less than 4 semesters, have even seem some that are 5 (after prerequisites for both).