LVN before RN? Should I? Help!

pedsnursetlc · Nov 21, 2009

I am an LPN (almost finished with my LPN to RN program now) and I would have to say if I had it to do over again I would not have gotten my LPN first. I knew what the wait lists for the RN/BSN programs in my area were like... and had already taken several classes pre-veterinary school before changing majors... so I chose to get my LPN first so I could get some experience in the field while working on my RN/BSN instead of spending time on a wait list. Overall I would have to say that it was a poor choice considering I knew when I started that I wouldn't be happy until I at least got my BSN. I did bypass the clinical wait lists... by doing the LPN then LPN to RN (and there will be no wait for my BSN clinical rotation) BUT it really drew out the length of time and will end up costing a solid amount more for ending with the same degree.

I would recommend working as a CNA while doing your RN... but if you want to do the LPN knowing you want your RN... it is possible to have it work out to your advantage in some ways if you plan ahead. I say that I would have gone straight through... but my LPN introduced me to my peds job that I :heartbeat more than I ever thought possible... so I can't say that my LPN was a waste of time since I will be staying on even after finishing my BSN.

Make sure that classes at the school where you do your LPN will transfer to the school where you will do your RN (the nursing ones won't you will get advanced standing for those... but where I got behind was because my psych, anatomy & physiology, etc did not transfer so I had to retake them for my RN... which was an expensive waste of time :hdvwl: ). The transferring between schools can be complicated.... so make sure you talk to everyone and get confirmation that the credits will transfer and what credits you will then need for your RN. If I had really taken my time and not rushed it just because I was tired of waiting and feeling behind then I think I would feel a lot more positive about the progression of my nursing education.

One thing that sucks... is having to sit for the NCLEX twice lol :vlin:

Good luck to you... if you live in the OH area I could be of more help

RITA2007 · Nov 21, 2009

Phased out where? Hospitals yes. Nursing homes, subacute facilities, md offices, clinics, and assisted living facilities will certainly have a need for LPNs for awhile.

This is correct. I work at Healthsouth rehab and work with A LOT of LPNs. I look to them for guidance a lot because they have a lot of experience. But we need RNs too to admit patients: ie, do their physical assessments and push IV meds (some patients have PICCs).

SilentMind · Nov 21, 2009

I'm currently facing this decision as well. So I did a bit of research.

LPN classes takes one year to complete, and costs about $4000.

RN classes at the community college take (I THINK its 18 months, but it might be 2 years.) and run about $6000 for the program.

So I looked into the LPN-RN transition option, and honestly...it was a joke. For your one year of classes you took for the LPN, and obtaining your state license, you'll be awarded a whopping 9 credits. And you'll pay a fee to have those accepted. Furthermore, you take ALL the same classes as the generic RN program. The only difference is instead of taking nursing process I + II, you take transition nursing I+II. And they still charge you 6000 for the program.

So it's considerably more expensive to go the LPN-RN route. Also, I remember reading somewhere that after the first year of the nursing program, you're qualified to perform LPN functions anyways.(This may vary by school/program) So either way, one year after you start you can begin working.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 21, 2009

I am in the LVN program right now. If you want to be stressed out, worried about passing checkoffs by instructors who expect you to teach yourself, and who rush you to finish said check offs...then fail you for not getting them done perfectly. Or, if you want to stress yourself to death with a test every week on four or five and sometimes even seven chapters of pharmacology. Or better still, watching as classmate after classmate are getting kicked out and its not even the end of the first semester...then come and apply to the LVN program. I suggest you take the RN maybe it is less intense and you might be able to learn something from and instructor rather than clueless classmates.

Welcome to nursing school. Don't kid yourself that the RN programs are any different.

OP,

I did my LPN first and was happy with my decision. It was nice working while continuing on in school. My bridge program was 2 1/2 semesters long and virtually painless. Good luck!

Citigyrl · Nov 21, 2009

As I suggested before, I think everyone has their own experience and unique life situations. See what programs your state offers and the Board guidelines of practice. In Louisiana LPN classes don't transfer because they are not the same classes it's just the same subjects but a more simple version. I think the bridge program requires @ 37 hours of general studies classes. I know in La. you can not work as a LPN regardless of how long you have been in RN school. You must have a license and sit for Boards. You are only allowed to work as a CNA after you've been certified. If you have the time & don't need a steady income do the RN. RN Nursing requires alot of reading and ability to critical think. LPN's don't focus much on critical thinking. They are more consumed with bedside care and patient needs. This is why most RN's say they make good nurses. Their clinical skills are usually pretty good. Good luck in your choice.

SilentMind · Nov 21, 2009

As I suggested before, I think everyone has their own experience and unique life situations. See what programs your state offers and the Board guidelines of practice. In Louisiana LPN classes don't transfer because they are not the same classes it's just the same subjects but a more simple version. I think the bridge program requires @ 37 hours of general studies classes. I know in La. you can not work as a LPN regardless of how long you have been in RN school. You must have a license and sit for Boards. You are only allowed to work as a CNA after you've been certified. If you have the time & don't need a steady income do the RN. RN Nursing requires alot of reading and ability to critical think. LPN's don't focus much on critical thinking. They are more consumed with bedside care and patient needs. This is why most RN's say they make good nurses. Their clinical skills are usually pretty good. Good luck in your choice.

You're right. It was CNA you can work as. Not LPN. That was my mistake.

I don't have any experience in the field as of yet, so I still mix up the titles sometimes.

Citigyrl · Nov 21, 2009

That's ok

NursKam, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 23, 2009

thank you. yeah i could use the financial assistance of LVN before RN because i can't afford not to work full time. looking at it that way changes things. and i don't want to be a cna for too long.

NursKam, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 23, 2009

look into some of the adult schools in your area. thats what i am doing. the are usually free and you pay for the supplies/book etc. or they can range from about 2k-4k. Good Luck!!!

RN-4Ever, DNP · Nov 27, 2009

The RN program in my area (Baltimore) is 2 years and has an LPN to RN program (CCBC Dundalk/ Essex). It was recommended to me by the college to apply to the LPN program and the RN program. I will be applying for the LPN program this fall first, because I am one class short (Micro) to apply to the RN program. I too need to make decent money quick. I am married and a mother of two. I too was juggling LPN first or straight for RN. The deciding factor for me is that I will be able to work part-time as an LPN while going into the second year of nursing school.

I wish you the best of luck and hope find what you are looking for.

pink2blue1 · Nov 27, 2009

I am an LVN in California and I do work in Acute care, however when I graduated (3 years ago) There were not very many hospitals hiring LVN's (Mine included, but I was a CNA and transitioned to LVN) I truly feel that if I had not already been working at the hospital, I would not have gotten hired there. Yes there is always LTC or MD offices etc. But I wanted acute care. I have been on the same floor for 3 years and love it. I am working on my RN right now through a distance learning program. There are times that I wish I had gone straight for my RN, but I am SO glad I did this when I did, or I still would not be graduated from the RN program by now. At least I have been working and gaining experience. I do get frustrated from time to time. It is hard for me to take direct admits, or ER patients for admission because the Charge Nurse has to do my admission assessment, since LVN's cannot do an initial assessment. I can also no longer take patients from surgery who have had dura-morph or have continuous epidurals. I cannot do IV push meds, or hang IV piggy backs and I work on a post surgical floor where 95% of all pain meds are either IV push or PCA and most post ops have IV antibiotics running. So I do feel at times that I am a strain on the charge or other RN's who have to hang my IV antibiotics or push my IV pain/anti nausea meds. Would I do it differently if I had it to do again? No WAy! I love my job.

It's all a matter of personal preference and needs at the time. I am glad I did it, I just can't get my RN fast enough!