LVN to RN...finally.

RN/Mom · Apr 30, 2012

For me, clinicals have been a lot easier in that I already know the basics of pt care, but also challenging in that there are many skills in the RN scope of practice that are new to me as an LVN (IVPBs, IV pushes, head-toe-assessments, documentation, etc.) In my LVN-RN program, we are treated no differently than the generic-ADN students and we go through clinicals together.

One instructor who knew I was an LVN actually gave me thorough instructions and a demonstration on how to do an Accucheck (which I do about 50 times per week as an LVN), but I played the fool and listened attentively in order not to come off as a know-it-all. So just be ready for that kind of stuff! :)

OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN · Apr 30, 2012

Congrats on going back to school. This is NOT an easy thing to do. I transitioned from a CNA to LPN to RN. I feel that it will make you more rounded ( even though some nurses forget when they were a cna or lpn).

You can decided whether you want to disclose your LPN experience or not in clinical. Even though you are LPN most instructor see you as a student just like the others.

I was often bored to death in clinical as a RN student because I would be given 1 pt. when I used to taking care up to 30 in LTC.

You will be fine.

PeepnBiscuitsRN · Apr 30, 2012

When I went through my LPN to RN program, our first 3 months were devoted to a transtion course, after which we would join up with the traditional students. We were in with the Paramedic to RN students as well during this time. Much of the summer was devoted heavily on the differences between the role of the RN versus LPN (not to fuel discrimination or anything but just the factual differences). So a lot of it was focusing on the mindset of the LPN versus RN; "here is where the scope of practice ends for the LPN and where the RN starts..." that kind of thing. To put it another way: here is a patient situation, here is probably what the LPN is expected to do/think and how they're supposed to act on their findings/ data gathering (because LPN's technically aren't allowed to assess :icon_roll) and here is what the RN should be doing- basically teaching us the different view points and getting us out of a *perhaps* task-focused limited scope mindset as an LPN and into a more..."global", more "bigger picture" mindset as an RN.

Nancynurse1983, BSN · May 3, 2012

Thank you so much for the replies. I was able to meet one of the instructors and tested with her to challenge two of my classes (we don't have a transition program, but I was able to test out of pharm and basic skills), she was extremely helpful and most of all didn't expect perfection out of my skills just because I'm an LVN, lol. This was my main concern. I"m a little rusty since my last job was at a clinic doing mainly patient assessments. I'm just very excited to be beginning this journey, and cannot wait for the opportunities ahead of me.

weesie1244 · Sep 6, 2012

I am in a rn program and i am a new lpn as of june 2011, i went straight from lpn schol to lpn to rn transition and now in the rn program, so needless to sayi didn't go o work i want my rn license and being an older student i am 51 and i feel that my instructors feel that i should know more just because i have a title of lpn. This makes me feel very insecure and awkward at times, i don't think this is fair what does everyone else think?

Nurse Lynette, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2012

My program is a transition program and every student in the program (there are 50 of us) are licensed LVNs. Some of us are considered "community LVNs" bc we have experience and the others, which came into the RN program directly from the LVN program are newly licensed LVNs without actual LVN job experience. However, we are all licensed nurses and the instructors treat and instruct us all the same and hold us all to the same standards. The emphasis is heavy on the transitional role and the only skills we went over and checked off on in skills lab this summer was IVs and trach care. Everything else (skills) is considered knowledge under the LVN role and we didn't review them or check off on them, we are expected to know it and be prepared at clinical. We graduate in 8months and 4 days, but who's counting?! :)

catlove · Sep 6, 2012

I am in the RPN (LPN/LVN) to RN program and in the final year. It is focused being and acting within the RN role rather then the RPN. Clinical has been exactly as @lvnmum has said... they treat you just like the regular RN students and do not give much exception to your skills and knowledge as an RPN. For my final year in clinical I was placed in a clinic-like setting which is quite disappointing to me because I have worked in a clinic for 1.5 years and feel as though I will not gain any new RN skills :| You'll do great regardless!