Should I wait to get into an RN program, or do LVN first then LVN to RN bridge program?

[caitlynrobison]

Hello all!

I wanted to get as many opinions as possible (especially from those who have done LVN first, then got their RN) before I make the decision to do LVN first. I have been told by so many LVNs I work with (currently working as a CNA) to wait and go straight to RN... However, here is my reasoning as to why I'm considering it.

1. Living in California, nursing schools are BEYOND impacted as I'm sure all of you know. I've been done with all my prerequisites for a year now, and I am so excited and eager to get into an RN program but the waiting is horrible. I keep applying no matter what with hopes of finally being accepted, but I know it could take years. My nursing GPA is about 3.65 which is good but not competitive enough for a lot of programs, hence a longer wait. I currently work full time as a CNA while I'm continuously applying to RN programs and I love my job, however I hate being out of school and I hate not knowing when I finally will be accepted into a program.

2. Money is NOT an issue for me, I'm blessed to have grandparents who pay for their grandchildren to go to school.

3. Many LVNs have told me if I do LVN first, I will get comfortable and most likely not go for my RN. However, I know my ultimate goal and I ONLY see myself getting my RN in the end and will do whatever it takes to get there. I know myself and I know for a fact I will not "get comfortable" with having my LVN.

4. In my opinion, LVN first would also be better because once I complete that, the LVN to RN bridge program would be faster to get into than RN, because not many already have their LVN already so there would be less applicants than all the RN programs that have 300+ applicants per semester...

With all that said, I would LOVE to hear other people's opinions on why they would or would not go for LVN first, then do the LVN to RN bridge program!

Thank you all!

[#Nurse2017]

First off, congrats on choosing to go further in your nursing career!! I was like you, I worked as a CNA for 10+ years, became a mental health technician, went to LPN school, took the PN NCLEX, worked as a LPN while going through RN school, took the RN NCLEX just recently (July 2017) and passed!! Whew!

Reasons I think you should bridge from LPN to RN:

1. Your a CNA. If you intend on working while you go to school (which I neither encourage/discourage) you will be able to practice a lot of the skills you will be drilled on during LPN school and you will be exposed to all sorts of medications-and Pharm is HUGE in LPN school. (a girl I went to LPN school with was a pharmacy tech and she ALWAYS had better Pharm grades than all of us lol-because she was exposed to meds all the time) Also, lots of nurses will drag you into to "assist" them when they find out your nursing student, while working as a CNA.

2. I don't know how it is where you live, but I bridged into my school's RN program easier than those applying outside of the program. I was already a nursing student there, I had graduated there. It was kind of like working for a big company and getting to "in-house transfer". Which was really nice.

3. In Illinois, LPN students that bridge over into the RN program do not require taking the PN NCLEX. This is good for those who do not intend on working as LPNs-because taking your nursing boards can be $$. I personally wanted to work as a LPN to get experience and also, because I was petrified that I would not pass RN school (I'm not stupid-nursing school is just REALLY hard-rewarding-but REALLY hard) and I also wanted something I would be able to "fall back on" if needed.

Look, I like you heard many LPNs say the same thing. Maybe they are burned out, maybe they are rubbing some of their regret of not furthering their own careers off onto you, who knows. I personally think it would benefit you the most. Most RN schools without the LPN to RN bridge are BSN programs...and that means you will do theory in the beginning and then clinic time at the end. Once at clinics, there was a BSN student assigned to the same patient I was assigned to, she was just assigned with a specialty nurse. I wasn't about to budge-this was my patient. When the nurse left, the BSN student confided that it had been FOREVER since they had learned what specialty the nurse she was following was all about-she was terrified of looking stupid-lol-which was the same thing as I was scared of. But, yep, this RN student was able to correctly answer all questions correctly, even got my suggestion put into the patient's care plan-I was PSYCHED!!

Long story short: sorry!

Just go for it, get your LPN school on!! I suggest however, sitting for the PN boards if you do bridge from LPN into RN school, because this will help lessen your anxieties once you are ready to sit for the RN boards!

Finally-good luck in whatever path you choose :)