LVN/LPN to RN versus directly to RN

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Hello all, I'm currently a nursing student, and have a friend who wants to do the same. She's considering going LVN first, then transitioning later to ADN RN, with her rationale being that LVN schooling is shorter (by a year at least) so she could start working sooner, and being an LVN first would give her a leg up in RN school (which ain't easy). Also, our local RN program is tougher to get into (though I don't think she would have a problem getting in).

Now, who has done the LVN to RN route? Or did you start off doing this, and never went to full RN? Did you think being an LVN first did help you in RN nursing school? (did you struggle less than the other RN students did) If you had it to do over again, would you do it the same, or would you have gone strait to RN?

Not sure how it is other places, but where we live RN's make nearly twice what LVN's make, even though they generally do the same work if they're both working as floor nurses (same work load).

Thanks so much for any input or advice you may have. I'll pass along info to her to help her make her decision.

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Hi ByTheLake,

I have just completed my RN but considered being an LPN first like your friend. The biggest factor in contributing to my decision is that my mom has been an LPN for 20 years and she encouraged me to go ahead and get my RN so that you can get it done. I went to an ADN program which was only 21 months so it wasn't too long-very intensive mind you-but I would definetly say it was worth it.Though its not a BSN, I have my RN license and can practice at the same level as they do and only have to worry about increasing my theory education/Gen Ed.'s as far as school and not new skills.. (in school anyway!! but definetly while I'm working in the hospital) My mom tried to go back to school with me to become and RN, and though she obviously knew more about clinical skills than the beginning students, she couldn't work the 3 12 hours and go to school.. (many people can though that was just her situation..) Have your friend look into some ADN programs-they are often only 2 years to 2.5 years which isn't much longer than LPN and the extra clinicals help you I would imagine.. A lot of factors to consider, but ultimately both would work depending on your situation..

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Hello all, I'm currently a nursing student, and have a friend who wants to do the same. She's considering going LVN first, then transitioning later to ADN RN, with her rationale being that LVN schooling is shorter (by a year at least) so she could start working sooner, and being an LVN first would give her a leg up in RN school (which ain't easy). Also, our local RN program is tougher to get into (though I don't think she would have a problem getting in).

Now, who has done the LVN to RN route? Or did you start off doing this, and never went to full RN? Did you think being an LVN first did help you in RN nursing school? (did you struggle less than the other RN students did) If you had it to do over again, would you do it the same, or would you have gone strait to RN?

Not sure how it is other places, but where we live RN's make nearly twice what LVN's make, even though they generally do the same work if they're both working as floor nurses (same work load).

Thanks so much for any input or advice you may have. I'll pass along info to her to help her make her decision.

I am struggling with this same debate. I did complete the first semester of an LPN program, but I took a break when I found out I was pregnant. In the meantime, I did apply to a BSN program and was accepted. Now my problem is financing. My loan money has just run out since I already have a degree. I can get help thorugh our county to pay for my LPN school. I am looking into doing the LPN then go back and do the LPN/RN bridge. I calculated that I would be done a semester sooner doing it that way. The LPN program will go in the summer whereas the BSN is only fall and spring.

I did apply to a RN diploma program, but I guess I didn't get accepted they never contacted me. I am considering the community college, but they have a long wait list. The private BSN school doesn't have a wait list. I am completing my prereq's this semester and I hope that I will be able to get back into the LPN program which I don't think will be a problem since I could have gone this summer, but I still need to finish these prereq's.

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I went to an ADN program which was only 21 months so it wasn't too long-very intensive mind you-but I would definetly say it was worth it.
This is what's so funny to me, in a sense: I am in an ADN program. I started pre-req's last fall (August 04) and will finish December 06. So, our program is only 25 months, not counting our summer off, *including* pre-req's (of course, most people take *much* longer to do pre-req's LOL).

Yep, it's intense, but I don't have much left to go, and at least Pharm is behind me now ;-) Thanks so much for your input!

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