Need advice quickly

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jun 20, 2006

life is a series of lessons learned. educational opportunities broaden ourselves to large amount of information and many lesssons --both possitive and negative. if you have the opportunity to attend adn program minimum 2 years length over an lpn program averaging 12-15 months, which one will add the most to life lessons??

p.s.: not all states allow adn students who only complete first year to take lpn exam and be licensed as such. pa is one state

an applicant must have completed an approved registered nursing program to be eligible for registered nurse licensure/temporary practice permit an approved practical nursing program to be eligible for practical nurse licensure. completing part or all of a registered nursing program does not meet requirements to be licensed as a practical nurse in pennsylvania. provide the entire correct name of the school of nursing completed so that official documents can be matched. the term "school of nursing" refers to the name of the institution, school, college or university where you completed the education which qualified you for your original nursing license.
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/lib/bpoa/20/nurs_board/application_for_licensure_by_endorsement0304.pdf

weirdRN, RN · Jun 20, 2006

the quality of your nursing comes from you, not the letters after your name.

This is an excellent sentiment!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2006

Thanks for the advice. I wanted to go to the ADN, but have been trying for acceptance for three years so I applied to LVN. What I want the most is to be a really good nurse. ADN was my first choice, I didn't want to take the extra step of LVN. But if going there first will make me a better nurse I'll go there. I guess I'm just nervous about making the wrong decision. I thought about nursing for years before I got up the nerve to start taking the steps.
Y'all are great.

Get your LPN first if it will get you the RN quicker. If you've been waiting for a long time and you LPN to RN route is quicker, this is a valid reason for choosing LPN now. It is a very good way to go. Lots of people do it, with the ultimate goal of getting the RN. Sometimes the waiting list aren't as many years for the LPN as the ADN.

But don't do it simply because ADNs "don't get enough clinical time" or you think it will make you a better nurse. The LPN program is 9 months shorter and certainly doesn't offer more clinical time. The LPN is a tough, demanding program, and cranks out good nurses, but not necessarily "better nurses with more clinical time".

Edited. I just realized you were accepted to both. Go for the ADN for sure.

ragingmomster, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 20, 2006

This may not be quickly enough but...

Your choice depends not only on where you want to be, but where you are...

By that I mean, can you get the ADN without losing everything you have?

Do you have a partner, parents, family or friends that will support you financially while you are in school for 2 years, or are you trying to make it on some kind of assistance from the government and really need to get into the workforce?

I took a convoluted course to my RN, but what I did was based on where I was.

Good luck no matter where you choose!

weirdRN, RN · Jun 20, 2006

Life is a series of lessons learned. Educational opportunities broaden ourselves to large amount of information and many lesssons --both possitive and negative. If you have the opportunity to attend ADN program minimum 2 years length over an LPN program averaging 12-15 months, which one will add the most to life lessons??
P.S.: Not all states allow ADN students who only complete first year to take LPN exam and be licensed as such. PA is one state

Good point. That is the way that it is in a lot of states now. After my first two semesters of Nursing, I had to take three additional one credit courses during the summer to meet the SBON's reqs for licensure as an LPN. I am glad I went that route. I got extra experience by getting the LPN, and I stayed fresh for the fall when I started second year. Then during my second year, I had the opportunity to apply the concepts taught in class on my own while I was working. The RNs at the long term care facility where I worked were very helpful by letting me assess the residents and then validating my findings through their assessments. I was very fortunate.

PhoenixGirl · Jun 20, 2006

As an LPN I crush a lot of pills, push meds through a lot of PEG tubes, NG tubes, do "reassessments" all day long, dressing changes...and the biggie is learning prioritization. You will learn this in ADN school! And also as a new grad RN once you go to work. Go for the ADN. Don't take her advice, it sounds like she's just trying to justify her situation and make yours fit hers. I doubt anyone in their right mind would choose LPN over ADN.

The reason most people do LPN first is because it's fast while they are finishing pre-reqs, or they can't get into ADN school just yet d/t waiting lists. If you have an "in" GO FOR IT! You won't regret.

Good luck in school.

Rebecca

justmanda · Jun 20, 2006

I have been accepted to an LVN program and an ADN program. An LVN friend said that it's better to go into the LVN first, work for a few years and then go to ADN. The ADN training doesn't give enough clinical time. It made a lot of sense when she was telling me, but now I have the opportunity to go to the ADN program and I don't want to miss the boat. HELP!!

Go ADN....more money, more autonomy and you can get a job anywhere.

Daye · Jun 20, 2006

i have been accepted to an lvn program and an adn program. an lvn friend said that it's better to go into the lvn first, work for a few years and then go to adn. the adn training doesn't give enough clinical time. it made a lot of sense when she was telling me, but now i have the opportunity to go to the adn program and i don't want to miss the boat. help!!

another thing i don't know if you have read these threads or not but the are a lot of people putting in applications to adn programs and not getting accepted...you are blessed to have a choice and if the adn had not come through for you then yes a valuable 2nd choice would be the lpn but it definitely isn't what you would want for your first choice. even if you cannot take the lpn exam after the first year you may still be able to work as a tech and make the amount of money similar to that of lpn...again maybe as the previous poster stated it is just state to state on what you will be entitled to do but here is the thing why would you not give yourself the advantage when opportunity knocks? you probably have already decided but if you need one more boost in that direction here you go

Todd SPN · Jun 20, 2006

I have been accepted to an LVN program and an ADN program. An LVN friend said that it's better to go into the LVN first, work for a few years and then go to ADN. The ADN training doesn't give enough clinical time. It made a lot of sense when she was telling me, but now I have the opportunity to go to the ADN program and I don't want to miss the boat. HELP!!

Believe me, at your age, if you have the chance to do the ADN program do it vs going LVN first then going on. BTW, I advise any age to do the ADN program if possible. I went into a LPN program at 50 and have been nursing for 2.5 years. I am now looking towards retirement and how much I can save, not how much I will have to spend going to school.

chadash · Jun 20, 2006

Go for the ADN! If that is your ultimate goal, don't let yourself be side tracked. Good luck!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 20, 2006

Adn!

Late Bloomer · Jun 20, 2006

I am totally overwhelmed with the advice that so many people have taken the time to give me. God bless you people!! Yes, I have accepted the ADN position. Some lucky somebody will get the LVN spot that I declined.

I don't know why I make things harder on myself than need be, but this is very important to me and making the right decission is the first step. It was a red letter day when I found this website and the members that visit here. Thank you all for the push I needed.