RN's vs LPN's

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 16, 2016

Where I went to school, the primary differences between the LVN and the RN programs were length (3 semesters vs 4), number of units per class (10 units vs 12 units/semester), and the depth to which subjects were explored. Over the years I have learned quite a bit from an LVN or two as they do get to know their stuff quite well.

The decision to become an LVN vs an RN is often quite personal. You chose to become an LVN and I think that's awesome! Since you're on a longer path to become an RN, you'll gain some very valuable experience along the way that often can't be taught in school and when you eventually become an RN, you'll have that experience base to draw from, even if it's (kind of) discounted during the hiring process. You probably will get up to speed in most med-surg and LTC areas faster than most other RN new grads because of this. You'll also have some (hopefully) minor issues transitioning to the new role but that should disappear quickly.

Keep working on getting through school and don't let any naysayers get you down. Why? You might have a shorter time to your first nursing job than your RN counterparts, though probably (usually) not in an acute care setting.

amoLucia · May 16, 2016

I admit, I don't know your associates/peers. But I will venture a comment - I doubt they make their opinions maliciously nor do they and mean to be haughty, superior or denigrating.

Knowing the state of healthcare industry as it is today and taking a guess at how it will function in the not-too-far-off future, perhaps they mean to offer advice for an uncertain future job picture. Maybe I'd call that foresight although I can see where you'd find it unwelcome.

Good luck in your future endeavors.

sailornurse · May 17, 2016

Yeah just ignore them. I started out as an LPN. When I taught in a BSN program sometimes other faculty would make disparaging remarks for example if a student was not doing well, they might say, "She should just try for LPN or the community college". I would explain that as an LPN and ADN that graduated from that same community college, that these programs have their own degree of difficulty. If a person is having trouble in one setting they may also have trouble at another program.

Nurse2b.lexii.p91 · May 17, 2016

Thank you all for yo comments and advise!

CoolVibesMawMe · May 26, 2016

Hi, I would LOVE for anyone to please clarify some things for me! I'm about to start LVN program in the Fall. I'm in Northern California. RN was my first choice, but like so many others, I tried for YEARS and did not get chosen in any RN lotteries. Please know that I am VERY grateful for the LVN opportunity, but here are my concerns (based on what I've heard from RNs and RN students): First, I'm being told that the LVN to RN bridge is not that easily done. Meaning, LVNs will ONLY get in IF a current RN student drops out or fails, which is rare. Second, I was told that the only LVN to RN program I'd be able to apply to would have to be at the SAME institution that I completed my LVN?? Third, I'm hearing that over the next few years LVNs will essentially become obsolete...that they simply will not be hiring LVNs-- only RNs and above. I have completed ALL of my prerequisites for RN programs. Now I am freaking out about the prospect of being unemployable as an LVN and/or not being able to move up to RN due to these obstacles - WHICH I HOPE ARE JUST RUMORS AND NOT BASED IN FACT! Please, if anyone can shed any light on any of this, I would be beyond thankful.

benegesserit · May 26, 2016

First, I'm being told that the LVN to RN bridge is not that easily done. Meaning, LVNs will ONLY get in IF a current RN student drops out or fails, which is rare. Second, I was told that the only LVN to RN program I'd be able to apply to would have to be at the SAME institution that I completed my LVN?? Third, I'm hearing that over the next few years LVNs will essentially become obsolete...that they simply will not be hiring LVNs-- only RNs and above. I have completed ALL of my prerequisites for RN programs. Now I am freaking out about the prospect of being unemployable as an LVN and/or not being able to move up to RN due to these obstacles - WHICH I HOPE ARE JUST RUMORS AND NOT BASED IN FACT! Please, if anyone can shed any light on any of this, I would be beyond thankful.

Went to school in Northern California about 5 years ago, now live elsewhere so not totally familiar with the current state of things...

1. There's yes and no to this. Yes, LVN to RN programs in the area generally aren't a separate program, but join the ADN class in the 3rd semester. "Rare" is, I suppose, a question of supply and demand. I wouldn't say it's rare for students to fail out in the first two semesters. But if there are 50 applicants competing for 5-10 spots (just making up numbers, they're not intended to reflect reality), then yes, it would be difficult to get in.

In my program, we had 3 or 4 LVN to RN students, and more than that who had failed out. I don't know if this is because that's all the applicants they got, or if they only accepted a limited number.

I will say that, where I live now, LPNs are pretty stuck. There are very few options for LPN to RN, all of which require a long commute. A lot of them did an LPN program intending to transition to RN later, ended up here, and discovered it wasn't a reasonable option. So, if you're considering moving out of the area, be sure you take that into account.

2. This was not true in my program. I know for sure that one of the LVN to RN students had become an LVN through the equivalency method. But it's possible this has changed. It may also be true of some programs but not others. But I can't see why, since the curriculum for LVN programs is regulated and should be pretty standard.

The program websites should be clear about entry requirements.

3. You'll hear that about every level of nursing constantly. ADN is going to be phased out and everyone will have to have a BSN. MSN-level NP will be phased out and everyone will have to have a Doctorate.

In the Sacramento area, hospitals do not hire LVNs. When I was doing clinicals, I met a handful, but they were experienced and grandfathered in. I don't know about hospitals in the more rural areas. However, I know home health still hires LVNs, and I can't imagine that LTC, doctor's offices, and other common LVN settings wouldn't.

It's possible that phasing out will happen eventually, but I wouldn't anticipate it within the next few years. Go into it with a plan to transition to RN as soon as reasonably possible, and you should be ok, even if it takes a few admission cycles to get admitted. At least you're earning money and gaining experience and networking opportunities during that time, rather than sitting around waiting.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 26, 2016

Hi, I would LOVE for anyone to please clarify some things for me! I'm about to start LVN program in the Fall. I'm in Northern California. RN was my first choice, but like so many others, I tried for YEARS and did not get chosen in any RN lotteries. Please know that I am VERY grateful for the LVN opportunity, but here are my concerns (based on what I've heard from RNs and RN students): First, I'm being told that the LVN to RN bridge is not that easily done. Meaning, LVNs will ONLY get in IF a current RN student drops out or fails, which is rare. Second, I was told that the only LVN to RN program I'd be able to apply to would have to be at the SAME institution that I completed my LVN?? Third, I'm hearing that over the next few years LVNs will essentially become obsolete...that they simply will not be hiring LVNs-- only RNs and above. I have completed ALL of my prerequisites for RN programs. Now I am freaking out about the prospect of being unemployable as an LVN and/or not being able to move up to RN due to these obstacles - WHICH I HOPE ARE JUST RUMORS AND NOT BASED IN FACT! Please, if anyone can shed any light on any of this, I would be beyond thankful.

First of all, congratulations on getting into an LVN program! Depending upon where in Northern California, my info may or may not apply directly to you. I attended RN school at Sacramento City College. They have an LVN->RN program that basically follows 2 tracks. One is their "Career Mobility" program where you must complete ALL of the RN prerequisites before applying to their transition program and, if selected, you will then take a transition course that will "update" you to where you will be able to enter their RN program in the 3rd Semester and you'd graduate with that class. In my class, we had a pretty large group of LVN mobility students (about 10) and most, if not all, passed the program and they all have an ADN. That's a key thing.

The other track they have is the "30-unit option" where you simply take the very minimum of coursework, attend the same transition course, enter the traditional program (just like the mobility students) in the 3rd semester but you do NOT technically graduate from the school. You complete the program and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN but you will NOT have a degree and as a "30-unit" RN (and will forever be one regardless of future education) your license will NOT be "portable" from state to state and you will NOT be able to state you graduated from a program because you didn't.

SCC very strongly discourages LVNs from taking the 30-unit option because of that issue. They highly recommend that LVN students take all the RN prerequisites so that they can actually graduate with a degree that will allow them to endorse their RN license into other states. The degree that I have is identical to the degree that the LVN Career Mobility students have and they're recognized identically because they have completed all the same requirements that I (and all other traditional ADN students) have for the degree and RN licensure.

It's my understanding that RN programs are effectively required to have a "30-unit option" for their programs but do be very, very aware that if you take that route, you will not graduate. If you did this program at Sacramento State, you'd still be a "30-unit RN" that happened to do it at Sac State. No BSN for you that way.

The one good thing about being an LVN before doing RN is that you'll get at least some experience as a nurse and the nursing process before becoming an RN. You'll have experience and that will show during clinicals and that should allow you to concentrate more on the "academic" part of being an RN. It won't be easy though as you'll have to learn to NOT be in an LVN mindset while you're in school and during your first few months on the job as an RN.

benegesserit · May 26, 2016

The one good thing about being an LVN before doing RN is that you'll get at least some experience as a nurse and the nursing process before becoming an RN. You'll have experience and that will show during clinicals and that should allow you to concentrate more on the "academic" part of being an RN. It won't be easy though as you'll have to learn to NOT be in an LVN mindset while you're in school and during your first few months on the job as an RN.

I agree with all this. The LVNs in my program all did quite well. They also expressed that it was much more challenging than they'd anticipated, given their previous experience.

CoolVibesMawMe · May 31, 2016

OMG, thank you SO much! And I just so happen to be enrolled at Sacramento City College! :) So all of your information relates exactly to my current situation. I can't thank you enough for the advice....I have been really hard on myself lately for not getting "drawn" in any of the RN lotteries after trying for so long (all pre-reqs are all complete already). There seems to be an overall attitude around here that it's almost a disappointment if you get into LVN rather than RN. Not sure why there is not the same level of respect...almost seems to be disrespected by some and that's very sad to me. It never occurred to me that there would be such a "divide" between LVNs and RNs. I thought the whole point here is to HELP PEOPLE, call me crazy.