RN one class at a time, but what about now?

hospitalstaph · Jul 17, 2006

If I read your post correctly you want to complete your LPN one class at a time? I don't think that's possible. You will have clinicals with an LPN program to. You can take co-reqs and pre-reqs one class at a time but once you are in a program you have to take the nursing classes and clinicals as the program has them set up. Call the schools that you are interested in and see if they have a weekend/evening ADN or LPN program.

Good luck:)

T

hospitalstaph · Jul 18, 2006

Sorry just wanted to clairify you *may* be able to take your co-reqs and pre-reqs one at a time. I am in an RN program so I am not exactly sure how an LPN program works, but I do know that they have clinicals.

T

career#3 · Jul 18, 2006

Right-O, there will be clinicals. The technical college I'm looking at would allow me to take all the pre-reqs one at a time, then I'm hoping to find a way to get a year away from working to tackle the clinicals, which you have to do full-time. Thanks!

nursemelani · Jul 18, 2006

As an LVN who is now going for her RN, I would advise you to skip the LVN part and just start taking pre-reqs for the RN program. The pre-reqs are tough science classes, and are actually better taken one at a time. Meanwhile you could get certified as a phlebotomist. That is a quick (sometimes just a weekend) course and the pay is decent.

Even if you already took science classes the first time you were in college, they are only valid for 7 years.

If you are taking your pre-req classes one at a time, it will take you about two years, at which point you could hopefully enter a full-time RN program while your wife goes back to work.

Just my 2 cents.

luvmy3kids · Jul 18, 2006

As an LVN who is now going for her RN, I would advise you to skip the LVN part and just start taking pre-reqs for the RN program. The pre-reqs are tough science classes, and are actually better taken one at a time. Meanwhile you could get certified as a phlebotomist. That is a quick (sometimes just a weekend) course and the pay is decent.
Even if you already took science classes the first time you were in college, they are only valid for 7 years.
If you are taking your pre-req classes one at a time, it will take you about two years, at which point you could hopefully enter a full-time RN program while your wife goes back to work.
Just my 2 cents.

I "second" that thought! That is what I'm doing..... I have a BS in Corrections and Law Enforcement :trout: (that's what someone should have done to me 10 yrs ago....LOL).... anyway, I have been a SAHM for almost 7 yrs now and I finally have realized what I knew all along.... I want to be a nurse! Because I have 3 kids under the age of 7.... I will be going for my ADN but taking my time when it comes to the pre-reqs.... For me... there are 5 courses I need

Anatomy

Physiology

Chem I

Chem II

Nursing Asst.

I am planning on taking them one at a time so I can still hold down the fort at home.... once I am finished, I will apply and hopefully be accepted for the following school year...

If it all plays out how I'm hoping it to, it will take me 5 years to complete the whole thing....

So....... I'm guessing the same would be for you as well. Because you already have a Bachelors degree... a lot of the courses you would normally need should already be completed (arts and humanities, engish, math etc).... You could just take your pre-reqs slowly one at a time and then go right into the RN program....

It would save you a lot of money and actually time (even though it would be about the same start time for you).... KWIM???

I hope I'm not confusing you too much.... But I would really consider just doing your RN. Some science courses have to be retaken if it has been so many years.... so you really need to watch how long you spread out the program... Good luck to you! Sorry I rambled so much! :uhoh3:

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 18, 2006

I am sorry to tell you this, but I do not think you CAN take one class at a time. In my program they sent me a letter telling me the three classes I had to sign up for (not including each had a lab) my only option was which time I wanted to choose from.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 18, 2006

I am sorry to tell you this, but I do not think you CAN take one class at a time.

Sounds like the OP has checked into it for his particular program. See post #4.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 18, 2006

Right-O, there will be clinicals. The technical college I'm looking at would allow me to take all the pre-reqs one at a time, then I'm hoping to find a way to get a year away from working to tackle the clinicals, which you have to do full-time. Thanks!

well paint me sill. Way cool.

BernieRN · Jul 18, 2006

The idea of taking phlebotomy is a good one. In Indiana, Ivy Tech has a phlebotomy class that is maybe 6 months long. Then, you go to work at a hospital and there is a good chance they will pay (and accomodate) your further education. You would also have health insurance in most cases (benefits in general). I am presently taking one class at a time until I get in to the nursing program, taking all classes that I can that have no prereq. Then, if/when I get in to the program, it will be fewer credit hours each semester to mess with. Also, with Ivy Tech, your grades don't expire for 10 years, so check and make sure what the policies are where you are at. Different schools, different policies.

Keep in mind too that there is always a chance for another child to pop into the picture within the next few years. It might make a difference in your plans.

allthingsbright · Jul 18, 2006

This is a very helpful forum, I appreciate all the insights.
My story is familiar. I have a BA in history and have spent the eight years since college sitting in various cubes with a horrible feeling that my life is wasting away. A year ago I was laid off from one such job and the same month found out I was to be a dad. Today I have a wonderful son, a wife who stays home with him, a soul-sucking cube job and, finally, a real sense of what I want to do: be an RN.
I plan to take one course at a time to become an LPN so I can start working in the field sooner than later. Then continue with an LPN-RN progression, maybe a BSN someday. I have to work full-time, at least until my son starts school in four years. I hope to have enough stashed away by then, and with my wife working, take a year off for clinicals.
My questions:
1: In the four years until I can take clinicals, whilst taking one course at a time, where should I work? I was thinking of getting certified as a CNA and doing that on weekends, but for $9 or $12 an hour, I can't afford to make that leap full time. I work in insurance during the day, but would like to get out of that. I'd like to do something that pays the bills and parlays into healthcare nicely. Suggestions?
2: How are second-career nurses treated by other staff? I have this fear of uber-achieving doctors and nurses who have known since they were 6 what they wanted to do looking down on a lost wannabe like me. Any experiences to share?
3: Do I want to do this? I love helping people in need, I want to work on my feet and think I can hack the science. I don't mind blood and other nastiness. What other questions should I be asking myself?
Thanks and good luck to all.

Since you already have a bachelors, you need to check out 1 year accelerated RN programs at your local university! You take the science pre-reqs, then cliincals and theory for a year and WHAM! You have a second Bachelors!

The LPN route wont work--it is a program that doesnt divide itself into separate classes usually (they have to be taken together).

Good luck-explore ALL your options!