1+1 school...?

I have similar goals as you. I started a LPN program in Jan, and will be entering the RN program in Jan '09, probably before I even take my NCLEX-PN! I attend a community college, am in the same building as RN students, and have instructors who are also RN instructors. It's almost assumed that we will at least eventually become RNs, but it's not clearly a pressure, just a kind-of-a assumption that we all know about.

I'm really enjoying my PN program, though of course it's intensive. I do think LPNs deserve more credit, and it's within the nursing profession itself that seems to put LPNs down. That makes me mad. It makes me think that the RNs are doing the same thing MDs do to them sometimes--not respecting their intelligence or ability as much as they deserve. It's ironic, the way RNs tend to view LPNs. I definitely feel it, so you're not alone. Within, I'm pretty driven to become a nurse practitioner, so I fall back on that in my mind, but mostly I am very angry (and am getting more so as I learn more) about the disrespect that LPNs often experience. I don't tell people in my class (except one classmate who's becoming a very good friend) about my plans. I want to FULLY be a LPN student/LPN while I am one, and be PROUD to be a LPN. I won't forget this experience, I tell myself, when I (hopefully!) am in a RN/MSN position.

BTW, I'm finding the LPN program to be MUCH tougher than I imagined. Word is, the RN program is easier due to time completion issues. For us, we need to maintain a high GPA for future admissions. I study quite a bit more than I imagined I'd have to in order to maintain the grades I want. Not to scare you, but it's a consideration, and I almost wish I'd just done the RN JUST because of my GPA! I'm sticking it out, though, since I'll be glad to work as LPN instead of CNA during my RN.

Good luck!

BTW, I'm finding the LPN program to be MUCH tougher than I imagined. Word is, the RN program is easier due to time completion issues. For us, we need to maintain a high GPA for future admissions. I study quite a bit more than I imagined I'd have to in order to maintain the grades I want. Not to scare you, but it's a consideration, and I almost wish I'd just done the RN JUST because of my GPA! I'm sticking it out, though, since I'll be glad to work as LPN instead of CNA during my RN.

Yes, I know what your saying. I have a big background with school, I have been through A&P's at sinclair, medic school, and becoming a medical office manager/MA/Phlebotomist and I am finding the classes rather difficult, because they are so rushed.

The unit where I work is VERY supportive of me becoming a LPN, because they know I will go right into ADN but I have been a PCT for years now, 7.5 years. So I needed more money. We are planning to buy a house after I graduate LPN, so that when I get my RN it will be money in the bank and we won't be 'house-poor' if you know what I mean.

I have 3 small kids, so doing it in steps is whats best for us, right now.

Thanks for responding!

amjownes and Hoping2beRN, what schools are you attending? I am in a 1+1 program at Bohecker/Cincinnati.

I am in my second term and it is pretty intense. I do not have time for much else besides studying. I feel that our school pushes the ADN program to. Once I graduate I think we have a week off and then we start the ADN program. It is just assumed by all instructors that we will be going on. I have even heard an instuctor answer a students question with "oh you don't need to know that till you go on to the RN program so don't worry about it". It was a legitimate question on a topic I think an LPN should know. We also have to maintain a certain GPA in order to get into the ADN program so I am really working hard to keep my grades up.

I am hoping to work as an LPN while attending the ADN portion. Several of my classmates are wanting to stay at the jobs they have now all the way through and then hit the floor, so to speak, as a freshly graduated RN. I think the experience I will gain working as an LPN will be invaluable. Plus from what I have been told you get a lot more patient contact as an LPN. Which translates to experience to me.

Good luck to both of you in your programs :)

amjownes and Hoping2beRN, what schools are you attending? I am in a 1+1 program at Bohecker/Cincinnati.

I am in my second term and it is pretty intense. I do not have time for much else besides studying. I feel that our school pushes the ADN program to. Once I graduate I think we have a week off and then we start the ADN program. It is just assumed by all instructors that we will be going on. I have even heard an instuctor answer a students question with "oh you don't need to know that till you go on to the RN program so don't worry about it". It was a legitimate question on a topic I think an LPN should know. We also have to maintain a certain GPA in order to get into the ADN program so I am really working hard to keep my grades up.

I am hoping to work as an LPN while attending the ADN portion. Several of my classmates are wanting to stay at the jobs they have now all the way through and then hit the floor, so to speak, as a freshly graduated RN. I think the experience I will gain working as an LPN will be invaluable. Plus from what I have been told you get a lot more patient contact as an LPN. Which translates to experience to me.

Good luck to both of you in your programs :)

I am attending RETS in Dayton, Ohio.

I will get about a week in between LPN and RN, but you have a certain amount of time to pass the NCLEX-PN.

I am attending RETS in Dayton, Ohio.

I will get about a week in between LPN and RN, but you have a certain amount of time to pass the NCLEX-PN.

Our school is affiliated with yours. So the program is probably very similar. All of our paperwork, clinical uniforms etc... have RETS Tech School of Nursing - Bohecker College on them. I was wondering how long they would let us go before passing the NCLEX-PN. I know we jump right into the ADN course and you are actually taking that course, and therefore racking up even more student loans before you have even taken the NCLEX. Hmmm I wonder what happens if you do not pass the first time? Do you know how long you have to pass it?

I am in the second week of my first quarter PN school at a 1+1 school. (1+1 for those who are not sure what it is, is LPN the first 11 or 15 months, then RN for the next 15-18 months if you choose to go on to RN). And I am ALREADY sick of hearing about the ADN program. I plan to go on to get my RN, then BSN, then MSN, but doing it this way is the right choice for my family. I plan on getting my ADN at the school I am attending but some of the people in my class don't plan on getting their ADN there or right away or ever.

I feel that they should let us get to the end of the PN program before pushing the ADN program. I mean, we haven't even got to the second quarter where they 'weed' out the ones who will or won't make it. I feel it's disrespectful the the students that are going for PN, who plan on making this a career for them.

Anyone else go to a school that pushes for ADN? I feel it takes all kinds of medical staff to make a great care spectrum, not just RN's. So why is that that a PN school doesn't want you to stay a PN?

sorry just needed to vent!

I can totally relate to you. I loved the part when you said "but doing this is the right choice for my family". This is basically the same goal that I have and I hear things similar to what you are venting about from potential nursing students. Excuse me, but I am not one of the ones who can just jump right into transition. I have two small kids and a husband who is pulling all of the weight and I am not contributing a red cent and I plan on working as an LPN and find a part time RN program that can accomodate me and my family. That is the way things are sometimes. Good luck to you!!

I'm thinking of attending Bohecker but wanted to know if you can go on for BSN if you attend there?

Bohecker only has the LPN course and the RN Associates Degree course. They do have an agreement with Kettering if you continue on with your Bachelors with Kettering. But Bohecker/Cincinnati is accredited so if you get your ADN thru them your credits will transfer and you can go to other schools (other than Kettering) to get your BSN.

I got to RETS, I know that in order to get in the ADN program you have to have a 2.7 GPA in LPN school. Our teacher told us that you can start the ADN program without taking the NCLEX-PN but that you do have to take it ASAP and if you fail the first time you are placed on "hold status" in the ADN program until you do pass.

I got to RETS, I know that in order to get in the ADN program you have to have a 2.7 GPA in LPN school. Our teacher told us that you can start the ADN program without taking the NCLEX-PN but that you do have to take it ASAP and if you fail the first time you are placed on "hold status" in the ADN program until you do pass.

Probably a silly question but when you say "hold status" does that mean they do not allow you to attend ADN courses? Since we will jump right into the program about a week after we graduate from LPN I would imagine we would be at least 3-4 weeks into the ADN program before we even sit for our LPN boards. If we fail do they not allow you to come back and attend classes until you pass?

I am beginning to have second thoughts about jumping right into the ADN program. I wonder how I am going to have time to study for the NCLEX-PN and be studying for my current ADN classes at the same time. Sounds like a bit of a full load to me.

That's what I understood they meant by "hold status", that you would have to temporarily suspend taking the classes until after you had retaken the NCLEX and passed. Then you could restart the ADN program with the next starting date they had available after you passed. I was thinking the same thing as you... The ADN program starts really soon after I finish LPN classes, I don't know how I'd study for both, so I'm probably going to wait until future RN classes start so I don't kill myself studying.