LPNs that became RNs...

[SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN]

Did you find yourself somewhat freaking out towards the end of your bridge program? I graduate in April and have been, up until this point, 100% certain of my choice to get my RN. I worked my butt off in school while working as an LPN, and now with graduation approaching in April I am surprisingly getting anxious.

I think its the transition of roles. After working as an LPN for 8 years, I am sure of my role, scope, and have confidence in my nursing skills. But becoming an RN is kind of like square one again and I know it's going to be rough the first year. I have gotten to a point in my LPN career where I can secure a job easily and going back to the bottom of the totem pole as a new RN is a scary thing at times.

I think I am starting to psych myself out during a time I need to be full steam ahead!!

Any words of wisdom, similar experiences?? I didn't expect to feel like this so close to completing one of my life goals.

[Scottishtape]

I was literally *just* having this talk with my husband. I graduate (hopefully) in April from a bridge program too, and the fear is creeping up more and more the closer I get to graduation.

Im holding onto the hope of getting into a new grad residency at one of the large hospital systems around here. It's a full year of preceptorship, classes, "clinical" like simulations, etc. I feel like that will help lessen the stress of having a new scope of practice and increased responsibilities.

I hope some can offer some words of wisdom on the transition.

Good luck!!

[SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN]

I was literally *just* having this talk with my husband. I graduate (hopefully) in April from a bridge program too, and the fear is creeping up more and more the closer I get to graduation.

Im holding onto the hope of getting into a new grad residency at one of the large hospital systems around here. It's a full year of preceptorship, classes, "clinical" like simulations, etc. I feel like that will help lessen the stress of having a new scope of practice and increased responsibilities.

I hope some can offer some words of wisdom on the transition.

Good luck!!

Thank you!! You as well.

I work in ambulatory care for a hospital system and hope to just do an internal transfer to more acute care. They do not have a structured new grad residency though to my knowledge so I think that makes me a tad more nervous.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I think its the transition of roles. After working as an LPN for 8 years, I am sure of my role, scope, and have confidence in my nursing skills. But becoming an RN is kind of like square one again and I know it's going to be rough the first year. I have gotten to a point in my LPN career where I can secure a job easily and going back to the bottom of the totem pole as a new RN is a scary thing at times.

With 8 years of nursing under your belt, you are not "at square one." You have simply expanded your role and yes, more will be expected of you. But you have a huge advantage over a new grad who has not worked as a nurse before. Don't underestimate what you bring to the table.

[AliNajaCat]

Small recommendation, kindly meant so please don't anybody take umbrage...

Don't advertise your previous licensure until you are well-settled into your new role, which could be a year or more. This will prevent anyone from looking at your normal new-grad struggles through the (admittedly unfair) lens of, "Oh, just another LPN who just wanted the credential and can't make the transition."

Better to let your actions speak for themselves, in terms of your obvious patient-handling, time management, and other skills many new RN grads are still developing. Later on when you are an established RN and somebody mentions that a year ago when you were new you did very well compared to many new grads, you can casually say why. But have your new role well in place first.

[SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN]

Small recommendation, kindly meant so please don't anybody take umbrage...

Don't advertise your previous licensure until you are well-settled into your new role, which could be a year or more. This will prevent anyone from looking at your normal new-grad struggles through the (admittedly unfair) lens of, "Oh, just another LPN who just wanted the credential and can't make the transition."

Better to let your actions speak for themselves, in terms of your obvious patient-handling, time management, and other skills many new RN grads are still developing. Later on when you are an established RN and somebody mentions that a year ago when you were new you did very well compared to many new grads, you can casually say why. But have your new role well in place first.

No I think that's great advice to give and something I had not really thought of,

thank you!