adn44

I too have gone back for lpn to rn transition. I am feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment. I have been an LPN for 1 year now and have a little anxiety. I worked in LTC over the past 9 months and did the normal or what is considered normal routines of an LPN in LTC. I worked the third shift and did not have the same experiences as some that worked on first or even second due to clients sleeping, etc. I have been reading a great deal of my nursing books and trying to put as much info in my head for the why's of nursing.

Hi mrsrlg, From my experience it would be very beneficial to have a lot of team spirit in this program. Unfortunately we did not have that, which was disappointing although not unusual in a nursing program. Some students do bond very tightly and help each other out, I hope that will be your experience. I studied by myself and did fine, some find group study to be helpful. It depends on each persons needs. The nursing guild is work, there are fund raisers, etc... to be organized and carried out on top of your regular studies. I was very disappointed in the lack of participation in our class, it made it very difficult as a few of us always had to be the people organizing and showing up to sell etc... Like I said earlier I hope that everyone will be enthusiastic and willing to help out whenever it is needed. Otherwise the few that do participate will end up doing it all.

I graduated from AH LPN program and belonged to the nursing guild, which is for nursing students only unless that has changed from last year. MA's etc.. have their own groups unless that has changed also

Hi mrsrlg, I hope I helped, it is certainly doable and we are the type that will do!

Hi mrsrlg, you are very welcome. Your story sounds a bit like mine, my children have all grown and my husband has been supportive and helpful through my 2 yrs of school. I actually started out at Baker of Flint doing pre-reqs then grabbed the opportunity at the LPN level. Yes it sounds as though the transition program may fly, if it does I will probably go in that direction. I found it difficult to get into other programs for LPN-ADN articulation, due to those waiting lists that are so discouraging to me. I have all the pre-reqs completed for RN program at Baker allowing me to begin without worrying about that part. As you have probably read throughout this site, different programs require different pre-reqs. I do not have the time nor energy to add any unnecessary classes going outside Baker. During our program the homework was pretty intense as far as chapter readings. In many instances we had 15-18 chapters to study for one test, and 5-8 for weekly quizzes and that was only one class. Do know that you can only hold so much info and the rest is up to that critical thinking skill you will hear so much about. It is true though because you truly need to be able to critically think things through to be a good nurse. It takes time to get the hang of it, but it does come along.

I graduated from the program last year, it was challenging in many aspects. For one it was a new program and we had many changes that went on throughout the program such as instructors and DON, which made it difficult to follow as everyone has their own teaching methods. Overall the program gave me the basic knowledge to get started in the field of nursing. I believe that every program has its flaws and strong points so Baker is no exception. GPA does matter while in school, especially in the nursing program. I set my goals for no less than an A and was able to achieve that throughout the program, others were at the B level with a great deal of stress. I am thinking of going on for the RN hopefully this year.

For those of you looking at respiratory therapy as an alternative, just a word of advice; go on a job shadow experience for this especially since your first choice is to be a nurse, find out what this field of work really entails. Prior to entering into the LPN program at AH Baker I went on a job shadowing experience. I thought RT would be a good second choice. I went on a job shadow at Genesys hospital with a class at Mott College that was graduating in RT the following week. It is a field of work that is quite different and worth investigating prior to that long commitment. Just some friendly advice

UofM flint has a wait list, they also do not take all of Baker's classes such as English 102, you will need to retake that, I believe their are more, I just cannot remember them all. Call and talk to an advisor and they will give you all the info.

I am an lpn graduate from the AH Baker campus. I started out on the rn track through Baker completing all pre-reqs for that program. I chose to go the LPN route in order to become a nurse and to begin working much quicker. Having my LPN license has opened doors that will afford me to go on to obtain my rn license a lot easier than to start off in the other direction. I applied to the flint program and did not get in, I found this alternative route and grabbed onto it. I am currently working in an rehab skilled nursing and have had many good hands on experiences. I feel that Baker afforded me to move along a little quicker to reach some of my goals but if I had it to do over I would have gone on to UofM and went on for the BSN. Do what you feel you need to and continue moving forward, do not let anything sway you! You can reach your dream if you want it.

Jules and Sandiesown, please pm me also if poss, as I too am an LPN in MI and am interested in the info on your nursing programs. Thank you

All the nursing programs are very hard to get into. Competition for example in Michigan is extremely stiff. I would recommend staying with a community college; financially alot more affordable, transferring credits will be a lot easier, as you know Baker is on quarter hours, where community colleges/universities are on full semesters (other schools do not recognize certain basic classes from Baker and you will have to retake them) U of M Flint does not recognize Baker's Eng 102, you will have to retake it for a Bachelor program as an example.

I would like to add that having CNA experience is of great help when training to become a nurse at any capacity. The knowledge that some of my classmates have from CNA training has allowed them to help me in my clinicals. If I had known that now I would have gone through a CNA program and worked to get that most valuable experience.

I had the same concerns regarding LPN vs RN. My situation worked out that I am now in an LPN program and very grateful due to the long wait for RN programs. I will begin working as an LPN and go for my RN online. This will allow me to make money and advance further in my nursing career. For me this was the best alternative as I did not want to deal with anymore waiting to begin my career. LPN's are being utilized in Michigan again, in fact there are multiple hospitals that have listed jobs in there employment adds. There will always be work for an LPN, check out salary.com to see the average median salary range where you live.

I am soon to begin the LPN program at Baker. Call for any updated pre-req info, as it may change from last year. The process is pretty simple; finish the required pre-req's, apply for the program, take the hesi test (entrance exam) and await the letter regarding acceptance.

Carebear, I went yesterday to the human resource to get my info and hand deliver the letter to baker same day. I also went to the web site and ordered a lot of the things needed. I was very impressed with the prices too! Do you feel real confident about the ADN program coming to fruition? I am not 100% about it yet but will keep my fingers crossed. Their has been quite a shake up in the baker flint nursing dept regarding most of all the instructors, who have resigned. From the top dog Ms Waite on down to Sandy Cook and so many others. a good friend of mine has been in the program since 1-07 and she told me about it last night. They are so short on instructors that for the fall she has one lab instructor and no one else assigned for the start up. She says that Baker cont's to say not to worry it will all be ok. I am hoping so for all those students. maybe this is where the ADN for Auburn Hills came into play, I thought that the timing was kind of interesting. Oh by the way I sat across the aisle in the second row in the green shirt/black pants. Be seeing you soon!