Pros & Cons of starting starting school as an LVN to be RN

annaedRN, RN · Jan 18, 2008

I just graduated in May with my RN from my local community college. I chose to do it that way because I wanted a more hands-on approach. Most community colleges offer a LPN-RN program - it lets you "test out" of some courses and start a few semesters into the nursing program. So, after a few prereqs - I only had 2 semesters to do. There was no waiting list that way - because like any program, they lose some students along the way. The openings let people "repeat" or let the LPNs jump in "mid-stream." I am now using distance learning for my BSN. Hope that helps a little. I found that my experience as an LPN was very helpful and yet I learned more than ever thought possible. Biggest adjustment was learning to become a student again after years of being independent! Good luck to you.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 18, 2008

I don't see any cons, personally. It has become so hard to enter into RN programs because they are competitive, expensive and are not enough instructors. Therefore, entering into an LPN program has become an option for people. It allows you to learn basic nursing, gain experience and decide whether or not going further into nursing is for you. Good luck in your program and your career goals!

nyapa, RN · Jan 18, 2008

I started RN, pulled out, did my EN (LPN) and then did my RN later via external study methods. I definitely am glad I did it this way.

You'll learn if nursing is what you want to do
You'll have a background plus working knowledge of health and nursing to help you with your RN studies
You'll already have an understanding of what field you are interested in
I imagine in the US the LPN course is not as expensive as the RN.
In your case, you will be able to do your nursing study NOW, instead of having to wait a year.

I don't know of any 'cons' except that maybe it is a longer route.

Hope the above helps

giddee78 · Jan 22, 2008

Thank you so much for all your responses! It really helps me decide on which route of education is best for me. Everyone who responded were so helpful!! Thank you again!!

I started RN, pulled out, did my EN (LPN) and then did my RN later via external study methods. I definitely am glad I did it this way.
You'll learn if nursing is what you want to do
You'll have a background plus working knowledge of health and nursing to help you with your RN studies
You'll already have an understanding of what field you are interested in
I imagine in the US the LPN course is not as expensive as the RN.
In your case, you will be able to do your nursing study NOW, instead of having to wait a year.
I don't know of any 'cons' except that maybe it is a longer route.
Hope the above helps

jgf805 · Oct 31, 2008

I would suggest taking all the non-nursing classes you can while waiting for acceptance into an RN program-everyone has to take English, Psychology, Math and the like. this way your school sees that you are serious about entering their program, and you will have a much easier time with your nursing classes when you can focus on them. Also, most hospitals offer employment to RN students as Nurse Techs or Nurse Externs-a great way to combine a salary with practical experience. Where I live, new RN's can start at $24/hour before shift and weekend differentials, with Nurse Techs starting at $15.50/hour. If you go into a LPN/LVN program make sure your local hospitals hire new LVN grads, as many in my area don't, as they prefer to hire Techs that will soon become RN's. Also make sure your program will let you transition into the RN program right away if that is what you want. Good luck!

picurn10 · Oct 31, 2008

I'm taking this route, rather than wait to get into RN school. For me I've found the pros far outweigh the cons.

Pro's:

Finish RN at least 6mo sooner than if I wait to get in to an ADN program

I can work as an LPN while in RN school (my local hospitals hire new grad

LPN's)

I can also work as a "nurse tech" at local hospitals while in LPN school and it pays a couple dollars more per hour

If something unexpected were to happen in my life, and I have to take a break at the 1yr point, at least I'll be able to work as a nurse

I'll have a lot more clinical experience than my 2-yr RN counterparts and I'm sure that will be a great asset to me.

I have my pick of 4 different bridging programs (since I will be able to gain entrance at all of them with no wait) including one that is a BSN program from a highly respected 4-yr university.

When it comes time to take NCLEX-RN, I'll have a leg up because I'll have already been through it once before with PN.

and I could go on :up: ... I'm just so excited that I discovered this route early this spring, because otherwise I'd still be working at my dead end job, taking a class here or there, and waiting to get into RN school. Instead I'm learning how to be a nurse, doing clinicals, and finally getting a taste of what I've wanted to do for so long :heartbeat:D

Cons:

many people "look down" on LPN's or think that LPN school isn't "real" nursing school, etc... I've had to check my ego a bit and just not let myself worry about it. I have SO MUCH RESPECT FOR LPN's now, and I think really understanding their scope of practice wil make me a better nurse in the end.

other than that I really haven't encountered anything yet that makes me wish I'd gone another way.

bluerthnu · Nov 13, 2008

I just finished the LPN portion of my LPN-RN bridge and I think it was a great way to go! If, for some reason, I could not continue school, I now have the ability to work as a licensed nurse. And lots of my friends in class who aren't already in a bridge program have been able to get into RN school now that they have finished LPN school and not had to have such a high GPA or wait a long time. I think it's a great way to go and can save you money, too (as opposed to university). Good luck on your journey, it's worth it!

Satori77, ADN · Nov 13, 2008

I'm taking this route, rather than wait to get into RN school. For me I've found the pros far outweigh the cons.
Pro's:
Finish RN at least 6mo sooner than if I wait to get in to an ADN program
I can work as an LPN while in RN school (my local hospitals hire new grad
LPN's)
I can also work as a "nurse tech" at local hospitals while in LPN school and it pays a couple dollars more per hour
If something unexpected were to happen in my life, and I have to take a break at the 1yr point, at least I'll be able to work as a nurse
I'll have a lot more clinical experience than my 2-yr RN counterparts and I'm sure that will be a great asset to me.
I have my pick of 4 different bridging programs (since I will be able to gain entrance at all of them with no wait) including one that is a BSN program from a highly respected 4-yr university.
When it comes time to take NCLEX-RN, I'll have a leg up because I'll have already been through it once before with PN.
and I could go on ... I'm just so excited that I discovered this route early this spring, because otherwise I'd still be working at my dead end job, taking a class here or there, and waiting to get into RN school. Instead I'm learning how to be a nurse, doing clinicals, and finally getting a taste of what I've wanted to do for so long :heartbeat:D
Cons:
many people "look down" on LPN's or think that LPN school isn't "real" nursing school, etc... I've had to check my ego a bit and just not let myself worry about it. I have SO MUCH RESPECT FOR LPN's now, and I think really understanding their scope of practice wil make me a better nurse in the end.
other than that I really haven't encountered anything yet that makes me wish I'd gone another way.

I am really considering this route, and you have pretty much stated every reason I have been thinking of it. I am tired of these waiting lists for ADN, doing pre-reqs, when I can get started this spring in a LPN program. I can't stand my job right now, administration sucks and they are cutting hours and firing people left and right. In a little over a year, I can be working as a nurse, finishing my pre-reqs for the bridge-RN program, and making decent money in the meantime. PLUS, I just found out that after I take my fundamentals of nursing course, I can take the CNA exam, and work as a CNA part time while in LPN school. This is great news to me since I can get experience while in school, and I will need the money...I will have to quit the job I have now to go to school. I finally feel like I am on my way. :yeah:

cher0407 · Nov 13, 2008

im in lansing illinois in between chicago and indiana i want to become a nurse but did not realize how complicating the process was. whats the quickest way to obtain certificateand start working as an lpn and later i will go for rn i guess. is anybody in illinois or indiana with info. on what route to go

Schatzi RN CEN · Nov 17, 2008

Good Luck to you :yeah: . I started out as a LPN and then worked for three years in a critical access hospital (very small rural). I took a bridge class to RN with 9 other LPNs at a distance learning site. Doing the bridge to RN was soo much easier than the initial year of LPN school, having some previous nursing education and a bit of clinical experience under my belt. It seemed endless, but really it's worth it when you get done.

I'm now going on and doing a RN to MSN program, probably just because I am already in the habit of going to school.