Need some advice, please

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Apr 17, 2004

If you work in a place were you can get some of the basic nursing skills, I'd bybass the LPN part. Finding someway to get the RN will get you farther. I'd def look into EC. I know many Paramedics who have succesfully completed the program and now work as Flight and ER Nurses.

lisaloulou · Apr 18, 2004

As a former LPN for 10 years, my advice would be to skip it and go for RN unless you are entering a program that articulates with an RN program.

I did the same job as an RN would for all those years for a LOT less pay.

Coldfoot · Apr 18, 2004

First off, congrats on the acceptance.

But......

I am going to conditionally agree with the others. I also have several years as a Medic with an equal amount of time Teching in various ER's. I have recently started with EC. Not to slight Nurses in any way but I have 90% of the skills as a new grad. What I lack is the Nursing Process (at least the format), ability to write care plans, and Nursing Diagnosis stuff. I know a lot of Medics that have never worked ER or in-hospital and it's a whole different world than pr-hospital.. Most can make the transition through the application of common sense, some of the trauma junkies probably couldn't. Only you know where you fall in that respect though I suspect you'll be fine.

The conditionally part stems form learning styles and self motivation. This is where I'm having trouble. The information is dry. It's not any fun to read or study. If you can't do that, go with a traditional program.

There is no comparison in cost. I have most of my core requisites so I only need something like 11 classes. For reasons of my own (motivation being a big one) I'm going Chancellors and will still get my ASN for less then $8K.

That was a little long but that's my take on it.

FROGGYLEGS, LPN · Apr 18, 2004

I would also reccomend going straight for the RN through Excelsior. I am an LPN who is working through the Excelsior program now. A lot of people who go through LPN training eventually end up wanting to return to school for their RN so if you think you would like to go a step further it could save you a lot of time and money to get the RN now.

As a side thought.....what kind of school is charging 8,000 dollars for an LPN program. Geeesh! I don't think you'd run up that kind of bill going to a 2 year college for your ADN or even Excelsior. I went through a state ran vocational/technical school for my LPN in 1999 and the cost was quoted to me as $1,200 which included tuition, books and uniforms. I am positive that we spent less than 1,500 even with the stethoscope and other supplies plus the insurance.

FROGGYLEGS, LPN · Apr 18, 2004

I'd like to add that I've seen several people on the EC student boards who were paramedics reccomend working for a short while at a hospital as a patient care assistant. According to them you can get the fundamentals of the things you will be required to do at the clinical exam from some experience doing that.