LVN School or Wait for RN?

jwannab · Sep 4, 2009

Hello.
I was in the same position as you are now. What I did was I went to LVN school first while on the waiting list to get into the RN program. In the middle of the LVN program I got called to start the RN school, but I was determined to finish the LVN program first. My clinical instructors kept telling us that we worked harder and got more hands-on experience as LVN students. So, I stayed and graduated because I thought I would know more when I started my RN program as an LVN. 2 weeks before I graduated the LVN program, the RN program called for me again. This time I accepted, but I had to start from the very beginning because they also had waiting lists to get in as an LVN. In my case, there would be a 2-3 year wait!! I was stuck!! I decided to not take the NCLEX and start the RN program from the beginning.
Wow, let me tell you! It's a great difference between the LVN and the RN programs. You work harder in the LVN programs because you put in more clinical time. It's very "task-oriented." You clean a lot of poop, LOL. I learned so much hands-on skills. In the RN program, it's all about care plans and assessing and reassessing your patients. It's more detailed paperwork and critical thinking. I feel more confident because of my LVN training, but during the 1st semester I had a hard time adjusting to this new RN role.
I go to Mt. Sac in Walnut and just started the 2nd semester of the RN program. For the LVN, I went to Hacienda- La Puente Adult Education. I have NO debt. Both schools have paid my way through. I think it all depends on your support system and what you eventually want to do. I've done it both and I say go for the RN program. Just keep working and saving money. You will need it for when you go to RN school because it's hard to do both. Remember, there are waiting lists for both programs and expenses that go with both. You'd still have to pass your LVN NCLEX exam before applying to the RN program. Some places don't have waiting lists but you have to pay lots of $$$ in the end. West Coast is about $60K but you graduate within 9 months. But is it worth it? That's up to you!
If I had a choice, I would have just done the RN. I'm glad I learned a lot in LVN school and am applying those skills in my RN program. Good luck and just think about your situation carefully.

Not to be negative, but this absolutely makes no sense to me. Your referring to the experience you gained while taking the time to sit thru LVN program, but you decided to not take the N-Clex. How much sense does this make? Why would you not take the N-Clex, get your LVN, then do a LVN-RN bridge? BON accredited schools offer this type of program. Why would you not do that? Instead you start nursing school from scratch?

Like I said, not to be negative, but this makes no sense to me.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2009

It doesn't make any sense to me either. Also, how can you say that you learned a lot more hands on during your LVN but in the RN it's more of assessment and care plans. I for one, am glad that I did my LVN, and I'm glad I have my LVN license. There's no way I'd put all that hard work and then not take the NCLEX-PN because I'm going to start the RN program from scratch. That really makes no sense to me at all. You say that you learned more in the LVN program, but if you had to do it all over you'd do the RN instead? That again doesn't make sense to me. There's no way that I'd start from scratch. It's LVN-RN bridge for me from here on out.

MaritesaRN · Sep 5, 2009

Hello!! Any help is appreciated as I am stuck and have no idea where to go next!
I've finished the pre-reqs for RN school and have been applying and looking into schools in California, mostly southern Ca. I am frustrated with the wait-lists and re-applying to get in and need to get out of my current job situation.
Would it be worth it to go to LVN school first? To get experience and get out of my current situation or should I wait to go to RN school? Anyone that has gone to LVN school in Southern Ca please let me know about costs and how the program was!
Also does anyone know of any Community Colleges in Ca that have LVN school without a super long wait list?
I'm tempted to go to a private school such as Concorde or American Career College and gain experience before I go to Rn school.
Please HELP!

:nurse: Hi , you can. I was in an RN program , and got out and almost lost all my training because of one crazy teacher ( for some reason she did not like me and was using her position to intimidate me - crazy person) , anyhow , I got out of the class and thinking of dropping out----if not for the nursing director in that school , I would have just abandoned nursing. The nursing director spoke w/ me and encouraged me to go to the LVN program of which will only take me a semester to finish vs. the RN of which will take a year............so I did and I love that class , the teacher was terrific and you know you learn a lot more and faster when you were not antagonized------------ I learn a lot more in the class and even more in clinical ! One of our rotation was not a regular med surg. We were rotated in a facility where most of the patients are semi comatose due to head injury, and most of them also have a trach-----------boy !!! did we get good in trach suctions ( our teatcher told us to hold our breaths while we are suctioning the patients ( the patients were turning blue) so that we can know when to stop when we ran out of air ourselves ! Also we became experts in when to dock when a patietn w/ a trach starts coughing !

Our teacher maintained a good sense of humor and that helps a lot! I could remember my desperation when I was trying to remember the "landmarks" of a womans private , so I can insert a foley. The landmark completely changed with the real big lady, almost a 400 pounder! I felt like I was in the middle of the desert lost in the deep valleys and huge mountains, and just can not find that particular hole !!!

But my teacher saved me and also put the patient at ease ---she was getting uncomfortable since I looked like I was swimming amidst her folds of skin !

Anyhow, sorry about the distraction, but LVN was good for me , and I did work a while until I decided to finish off the RN program where I left off.

LVN is a good investment , and if you feel like you want and ready to go RN , then do. Wish you the best!!

lesliehappy · Sep 10, 2009

You're very welcome. I know the wait for California residents is just rediculously BRUTAL! That's why I shared the whole pearsonvue trick with you. I also shared it with my classmates and it all worked for them.
Just keep looking for your results in the mail. Please do let me know when you get it. I know the exciting feeling after you receive your pass letter!!!!

sorry its taken so long to respond! i havent heard anything yet...my twenty one days i think since i took my test was yesterday...[08sept09] and nothing came in the mail. checked today, and nothing...hopefully by the end of the week!

ill keep you posted! =]

hope youre well!

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2009

Well California was running a bit quick with my results because I heard they can take anywhere between 4-6 weeks.