LPNs and LPN Students ? 's

[WCSU1987]

I decided in my life 28 time to get going with my career. I want to work towards becoming a nurse. Researching the job market and routes to become one it's kind of despairing/bleak. Most hospitals are only hiring nurse's who completed a BSN or higher. I know my hospital has implemented a policy by 2020 a BSN or we let you go type deal with the nurses. Also shut down their diploma program, which I was really hoping to get into.

I mean BSN seems the most logical route to go. I already have a second degree. However, a BSN program or a ABSN program would cost a lot of money!

In my research be cheaper to do the RN to BSN or in my case RN to MSN. That is the route leaning towards.

If I can keep my 24 hour's at work I can come out paying nothing at a Community College for nursing school.

However, the crux is very limited job's for nurse's with associate degeees. Doing more research found most LTC facilities ratios are 5 LPNs to 1 RN on a unit where I live.

Additionally, there is 4 to 5 job openings at the hospital I work at for LPNs. As an LPN I can still work as a tech in the hospital don't have to vacate my position till I am RN.

Also with prerequisites I wouldn't be in the local Associate program till 2018. I finish LPN school by Spring 2017. Take a class over the summer enter a year ahead in the associate program at the CC in 2018 and graduate one year earlier. From there found a year RN to MSN program my hospital has a deal with I can complete by end of 2020, I assume the hospital I work at would keep me on since I am in the program.

Where as if I went directly into the Associate program I would have t look for work elsewhere at the end of the program.

The only downside is the LPN program is about $12,000. Its two years and I receive yearly from work $3,500 of tuition reimbursement. I have to pay $5,000 out of pocket found out no financial aid for the LPN program, but would look into scholarships to minimize that cost.

Not using financial aid would be beneficial since I could use it to find me through the associate program and then use my graduate financial aid for the RN to MSN.

Only concern is I make $24 an hour as a tech and believe pay is similiar to LPNs.

If you stuck around curious on what made you choose to be an LPN? You regret being an LPN?

Think it's doable dping 24 hour's my fiancé is struggling with 16 right now in the program due to it being every day. Only reason is staying 24 receive tuition reimbursement and full time heakth insurance do not want to loose.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

What I think you fail to realize is that if you do the LPN to RN route you STILL have to take and pass all the pre-reqs required of the RN program. You also have to be accepted into the RN program. As an LPN you are not automatically accepted into the RN program.

I did the LPN to RN route. In order to do the bridge program you have to do several things. You have to take all the pre-reqs required of the RN program (Chem, A&P, etc), then you have to take the on-line bridge class (was done though Charter Oak), then a transitional course through your school and then you can enter the 2nd year of the 2 year program. The only courses that transfer from the LPN schooling for the RN program are the nursing courses (which is why you skip the first year nursing courses of an associates program and enter in the 2nd year), none of the non-nursing classes you take in the LPN program transfer. If you have another degree you probably have taken some of the required courses. Since you mention needing to do some of the pre-reqs for the RN program, you will still have to complete them before you can even apply for the LPN to RN program. The community colleges require LPN's to follow and meet the application requirements that the non-LPN's have to.

Also, getting into the CC RN programs (as you know) isn't easy. Your first time applying you may get accepted, but there are far more people who aren't accepted that have to reapply the following year. So lets say you don't make it in the first time applying, you are still going to end up graduating a year later.

I don't get why you'd go through the LPN program but then stay at your current place and work as a tech. I don't see the point.

When I decided to do the LPN to RN route, the job market for LPNs was much better. There were listings everywhere when I began my program. In the short 15 months of my program, the postings became less and less. I landed job before I graduted however, not long afterward, I noticed there were very few postings for LPN's. Times are even worse now, I wouldn't suggest doing the LPN program. The job market isn't that great and you're limited to where you can work. While you may see LPN positions open for your hospital, they will be going to experienced LPNs.

[PediatricRN73]

I agree with CT Pixie.

Being a former LPN who bridged through the CTCCNP RN program I can tell you first hand being a LPN does not guarantee you acceptance and you still need all of the prerequisites to apply to the program.

Be aware that when you apply you are selected the same way as those applicants who are not LPNs. Once accepted THEN you get a nursing advisor who determines what is the best way for YOU to complete the program.

There were several LPNs in my class who the advisor did not give the option to bridge into the second year and they needed to complete the entire program, obviously they didn't oppose that because they would lose their spot in the program.

For NVCC there's first an extensive phone interview with your advisor about where you work as a LPN, skills, strengths and weaknesses. If the advisor feels that you are up to par to bridge into the second year, you then have to take the bridge course, and there's several tracks to start in the program. There also needs to be available seats in the program for you to enter after successfully passing the bridge class with a "B" or higher, AND pass the clinical LPN course at your school before you can begin.

It's not so black and white. They make it tough to bridge into the program. Not all LPNs are accepted and not all LPNs are allowed to bridge into the program.

The LPN market is fading MUCH faster than the market for ADNs. There are multiple private and community hospitals, state facilities, schools and camps, etc who still hire ADNs. Many bigger hospitals also hire ADNs as long as they are enrolled for further nursing education.

Many people are excited or eager to start their nursing career and jump to the quickest route but end up jobless for quite a while. The cost ratio is losing money on expensive school and losing money not working. Spending a little more money to bridge from Bachelors-BSN is 100% worth it in the end. Taking multiple bridge routes can add up to be just as expensive.

[WCSU1987]

Appreciate the insight probably consider the ADN route. Trying to find the quickest and cheapest route to go.