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I applied to two programs and got into one. The first program required hesi. I'll be honest and say my score wasn't competitive. The program I was accepted to doesn't require Hesi. They went off GPA, pre reqs and letter of recommendation. My undergrad gpa was 3.8, mostly A's in pre reqs and I had good letters.

How long did you wait to bridge from LPN to RN and what was your experience? I graduated in 2013 and will start an accelerated BSN program soon. So around three years since I've been in nursing school. I'm very nervous to start. Just looking to read other experiences.

I know a CNA who makes almost 26/hr. She has been at her job for 25 years. Absolutely, she deserves the money. She put in 25 years. For reference, we're in NJ. It's not uncommon for CNAs to make 14-15 here. Ive been offered 22-28/hr as a LPN. It is what it is. I could go from facility to facility making decent pay. High earning CNAs cant. She is only going to make that money at one facility. So knowing the full story and seeing what she puts up with, I cant envy that. Now if the question is... should a brand new CNA make more than a brand new nurse? Of course not. CNAs work hard. But its a different kind of hard. A CNA is not calling a doctor, giving meds or basically medically responsible for a patient. I always use the example that when things go south, the CNA is screaming "Nurrrsseeeeee" and leaving the room where you cant be sued for malpractice.

I went the LPN route in 2012 and got my license. The program was a year and it didn't require a bunch of pre reqs. For me, I wanted to get in and out because I didn't know how long I'd have until orders came down. Also, I needed to make money ASAP. Another issue was price. My program was 4,000 and most of it was covered by mycaa through military one source. Look into mycaa if you haven't used it. I don't know that I'd pay a bunch of money for LPN school because the job opps are so limited. When my husband got out the military last year, I wasnt worried about the financial transition. Life happens and I'm glad I didn't wait around trying to get into RN programs. Thats something else to consider. If orders come midway through RN school, what would you do? I doubt you can just transfer classes. I just got accepted into an accelerated bsn program for fall. So bridging should not be a problem as long as your grades are good. I have gotten comments and stares. (shrugs) Not everybody has the same straight path. Not everybody has the same goals. I needed to make money and waiting around for RN school would not have worked. You have to do what works for you. Ive learned a lot as a LPN and I dont regret it. My advice is to go in with a plan. Plan when you will take your pre reqs for RN school if you need to. Try hard to keep your grades up in LPN school, since RN schools may consider them. Go in knowing your opps may be very limited. I've worked LTC, group homes, home health. All areas that most people don't seem to enjoy. Is this something you're willing to do? Wherever you end up, just make the best of it. You can learn something from every nursing job. But I will say... if RN is your goal- don't get stuck. Three years in, and I cant wait to get RN behind my name. I am very limited in what I can do. Working with RN's who do the same job, but they make much more (as they should, they have the education) gets old. Most nurses want more pay, more opps. Thats where Im at. I would not want to be a LPN for life in today's market. Although there is nothing wrong with that!

I'm applying for the Wall campus and submitted my app yesterday. Good luck everyone!

Anyone applying? Have you taken the HESI? Thought it would be helpful to share experiences.