New To nursing - Fastest way to become an RN.

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Hello everyone,

Im new to this forum, and to nursing in general. My goal is to become an RN and im here for useful information, advice, and guidance. Ive been told first to become an LVN then to transition to an RN. Is this a good base to start with? Am I on the right track? All thoughts are welcome. Thanks.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I assume you're in California due to your use of "LVN" as opposed to "LPN."

Since generic RN programs in California are extremely difficult to get admitted into, becoming an LVN first might be a good idea. However, if you're in southern CA, be aware that there's a surplus of LVNs in the job market, which makes job-hunting extremely difficult after graduation. There are simply too many LVNs in certain parts of southern CA, and not enough jobs for everyone who would like to work.

Welcome, and good luck to you!

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Thank you very much for the input! Yes I am in California. So the first step would be becoming an LVN then transferring over to an RN. Any tips or advice? Is it a tough course, can the LVN courses prep me for the RN board exam?

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I am not sure where you live but if I had to do it over again in Georgia, I would go straight for my RN. Don't get me wrong, I love being a nurse but LPN jobs are hard to come by in middle Georgia. The ones that you can find don't pay what I think we are worth.

It took me about 18 months (with core) to become an LPN. My first job I took paid $12.50 an hour. That was after I turned down at least three that only wanted to pay me $10.00-$10.50 an hour. I just changed jobs to a 33 hour/week job that pays $30,000/year salary. The hours help me to go back to school (online).

The main reason I say go ahead for your RN is because so many schools are eliminating their LPN-RN bridge programs. That is the problem I am having. I live in Macon, Ga and there is no local school that has a bridge program. There is a school on Tifton, GA that has an accelerated bridge program that is one day a week but it has a 2 year waiting list. That's why I am doing it online.

If you can go thru a conventional program year RN program then I would suggest that. I couldn't because at the time I had 2 kids and I needed to do the quickest thing to start earning a paycheck. My poor husband supported us by himself for long enough!

Anyway, this is just my suggestion. Whatever you choose should be what is right for you and no one else. Good luck and I hope you enjoy nursing as much as I do!!

Gamom2three:nurse:

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Well a buddy of mine is an RN and he works in Dialysis, and he makes about 12 to 15k a month. And my mom was an LVN and she did alot of home health, and 2 years ago she made about 90k. But is there a bridge program lets say for example to start as an LVN then become an RN? If so how long is that course?

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Thank you very much for the input! Yes I am in California. So the first step would be becoming an LVN then transferring over to an RN. Any tips or advice? Is it a tough course, can the LVN courses prep me for the RN board exam?

The LVN courses will prepare you NCLEX-PN (the board exam for Practical Nurses). You will have enter into an RN program to prepare you for NCLEX-RN. Look at it like stair steps. You should be building on your knowledge base from the LPN to RN.

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do they have courses where they bridge from doing an LVN then becoming an RN? If so, how long is that process?

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For someone that is new to the nursing field, what is the fastest way to get your RN license?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
For someone that is new to the nursing field, what is the fastest way to get your RN license?
Move to a midwestern state where the schools are easier to get admitted to.

Have you ever heard of ITT Technical Institute? They have a private RN program in Oklahoma City with no waiting lists or prerequisite classes. It is expensive, but a super-quick way to the RN license. You can even bypass the LVN program.

Brown Mackie College in Kansas City has a private RN program.

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i guess the best thing to do is to check with the schools in your area, if they do offer bridge programs. After reading these boards I have found out that a lot of things vary from state to state.

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