skip right to year 2 or not??

HI all! I will be starting an LPN to RN program in the fall of 09. I have done all the pre-req's so I will just have nursing classes and clinicals. I have been told NOT to skip or test out of nursing 2 (med/surg) but I really don't want to take it if I can test out of it. If I can pass the test I will just have the last 2 semesters of the RN program like critical care, pedi, psych. etc. I have been an LPN for 10 years, I have done sub-acute, been a charge nurse, supervisor as well as worked in visiting nursing wich is all wound care and constant assessments of patients in the home. I draw blood, drain pleural caths, wound Vac, assess patients if they have any changes after surgery. I have done IV's given all types of injections via central/PICC lines etc. I feel confident skipping med/surg.

Has anyone else been an LPN for awhile and done the bridge program (just the last 2 semesters?)

[Jules A, MSN]

Who is telling you not to skip it and what reasons are they giving? I also had the option of doing an extra semester as a refresher and declined it. I have a real adversion to doing things over if they aren't absolutely required. It surely doesn't sound like you need the practical experience. I graduated among the top of my class and am happy with my decision to just do the last 2 semesters with the RN class. Good luck.

[travelnurse28]

Thanks so much! I feel so much better having hear that! I want to skip the first 2 semesters...I think I will be fine. I just need to brush up on med/sug. for the test. That's great you grad. top of the class! Congrats!

The person who does the registering said "the LPN's that chose to skip the first 2 semesters are struggleing" I'm sure they would all be glad to hear that.

[Jules A, MSN]

The person who does the registering said "the LPN's that chose to skip the first 2 semesters are struggleing" I'm sure they would all be glad to hear that.

I had heard that about previous classes also but in my class the LPNs did great and only 1 took the extra semester. She was super smart and wouldn't have had any problems if she had decided to skip it, imo. Definitely brush up on taking NCLEX style tests because in both my LPN and RN programs that is where we lost the most people. Very few flunked out because of failing in clinicals it was more about not passing the lecture portion. Good luck!

[metfan]

Hi. Just wanted to let you know my experience. I am an LPN who tested out of the first semester of my RN program. I did not try to test out of the second semester. I have only been an LPN for one year. I had a very hard time adjusting to the class. The other students had a "heads up" on what was expected at clinicals. I struggled in clinicals...not because of my skills....mostly I had a hard time understanding what needed to be done in the time allowed. For instance, we have clinical from 8 to 12. However, we have preconference for an hour. Then the teacher wants us off the floor at 11. I did not realize this the first week and was late. I actually went into the hall at 11:10 and nobody was there! They neglected to tell me that they meet in the lounge at 11. We have 2 patients and do total care including bed bath and bed made, head to toe, all treatments, and all 1000 meds. I have not done a bed bath in awhile, I was slow. (I am quick with my head to toe though). After that experience, I sat down with the teacher and tried to work things out. That being said, I am doing great in the classroom. I got 100's on the first 2 tests and a 96 on the third. I am sure you will do great...you just may want to sit down with the teachers and/or other students to get an idea what is expected especially at clinicals. My first experience with patient research and care plans took me a long time because I did not no what was expected also. Now, I know where to go and what my the teacher wants so I am much quicker. Keep in mind, I am a bit obsessive!. Colleen