LVN vs. ADN

[jupiter101]

What's the difference in curriculum between an LVN program and ADN? I have an offer for an ADN, but I'm kind of thinking it's going to be a lot of pathophysiology and intense study of disease processes, which I'm not the biggest fan of. Is the LVN more hands on and less disease process heavy? Or am I just fooling myself and are they 90% the same? I have my prereqs done for ADN. 

I'd appreciate replies from people who have done LVN, ADN, or both. 

[Psychnursehopeful, ASN, RN]

Almost any nurse would sya their first program was the hardest. An LVN/LPN who latered bridged or an RN who Bridged to a BSN or a BSN who completed a Masters. It makes since because the first program has clinicals and requires a change in mindset. That being said, someone else's subjective view of "harder" shouldn't matter much in your decision process. Consider the objective facts. As a RN you will have the ability to work in more acute settings, you will also have more responsibility and a deeper education. I'm personally satisfied to have chosen my RN program. I now have a college degree, can easily bridge to a BSN and was able to become a critical care nurse right out of school. My income earning potential and knowledge are much higher than a LVN/LPN. There is certainly a need for LVNs and I respect them as nurses. Make the vest choice for you and your family based on facts.

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

Where I am, you can test for your LPN after your first year of an ADN program (based on two-year program). So ADN takes all the same curriculum plus another year of more advanced classes and clinicals. 

[MomWifeNurseStudent]

On 11/26/2021 at 1:34 PM, londonflo said:

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Uneducated people, those not needing complex healthcare or even basic caregiving coordinated by an RN often get RN/LPN/CNA mixed up.  That is until they need  RN provided healthcare.

 

 

I actually heard this from an RN friend when asking her opinion between the two, and a Physical Therapist friend!  I distinctly remember those two b/c I valued their opinions since they are in the healthcare field. 

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

On 11/26/2021 at 2:01 PM, amoLucia said:

HPPY - I do continue to see current postings here on AN by nurses who are holding the 2 licenses. It's like they purposely maintain the LPN/LVN, even some time after they become RNs. I would say the higher level of educ would outrank regardless whatever position they perform. For which they would be performing expanded duties while receiving commensurate salary. 

Many employers use key word searches to even look at your resume. It is possible to be ‘over qualified’ or thought to be too expensive so they will not even look at an RN application if they can fill the job with an LPN for less money. It is rather cheap to maintain both licenses. Sometimes money isn’t everything and a different job may be a better fit. It just depends on the circumstances at the time. I had an employer that said they really weren’t looking at RN applicants because they didn’t think they could afford them. At the time, they were paying about $3 more per hour for The position than hospitals were paying for new RNs. There were some that would happily take that M-F desk job. It just depends on where someone is at in their career and where the want to go over time.

[rndavu, ADN]

I was an LVN first then ADN RN now. I would recommend that you go through the ADN program. I did it the way I did because I was in a small town in TX that only had an LVN program. A year later they started their ADN program, or I'd have done that first. The RN has more leadership and community info. Yes. the disease processes may be a little more in depth, but you are going to need to learn them anyway. You have a whole lot more options and opportunity for jobs as an RN.