I just joined and I have to say this is a tremendous site and resource. My wife (she's not as adventurous yet wrt internet mb posting!) has her heart set on becoming a nurse...specifically a mother-baby nurse, although she realizes she may have to put in time doing something else to eventually reach this position. She went to a 4yr university about 15 yrs ago (she's 34) and took a bunch of classes but didn't finish. She probably has about 2 years worth of core classes. After researching, it seems that the most efficient/expedient way to get into nursing is through a Nursing diploma prgram at a nearby Tech college (West Central Tech, in west Atlanta). She will take core courses, many of which she can exempt by transfer, starting this fall and next fall her occupational classes, at which point she can test to get her LPN. This is where my questions begin:
1) Am a correct in assuming she will need an RN to be a mother-baby nurse?
2) Is anyone out there familiar with West Central Tech's (metro Atlanta) LPN/RN program and how it works? Can she complete the 2 year LPN program and go right into the 2 year RN program?
Any other helpful tips given the above would be most helpful!
V - Rosewood built our house too! It's too bad, but they went out of business a few months ago. We're having a few problems in our neighborhood because of builders going out of business. Oh well, I'm sure the market will turn around here at some point. So, what did your wife say about going into the RN program instead of LPN?? Is she going to do it? It's so nice of you to do research for her!! And MPCCRN is right. She'll need lots of help around the house!
V - Rosewood built our house too! It's too bad, but they went out of business a few months ago. We're having a few problems in our neighborhood because of builders going out of business. Oh well, I'm sure the market will turn around here at some point. So, what did your wife say about going into the RN program instead of LPN?? Is she going to do it? It's so nice of you to do research for her!! And MPCCRN is right. She'll need lots of help around the house!
JB, she is a little apprehensive about starting at the RN. She last took classes in 1997 I think before we got married but I think the biggest thing is that if you look at the LPN Occ courses and the RN curriculum, there doesn't seem to be much overlap at quick glance. The LPN occ has Med/Surgical/Obstetrics/Pediatrics Practicums but the RN track doesn't. Is that because the RN track assumes she knows all of that stuff or is it just covered more quickly in the RN track. She's worried about not being prepared if she goes straight into the RN track. What do you think?
No, they don't assume she knows anything going into the RN program. If you look at the course descriptions it tells you what the courses involve. Nurs 194 is Nursing Theory, Nurs 195 is Med/Surg I, Nurs 196 is Psych/Geriatrics, Nurs 294 is OB/Pediatrics, Nurs 295 is Med/Surg II, and Nurs 296 is Leadership/Clinical Practicum. Each of these classes has a clinical component to them where your wife will get to practice skills that she has learned. Here is the web page for these:
I don't know much about the LPN programs, but I do know that an RN is a higher level nurse, so the curriculum is probably more in depth and covered more quickly than the LPN curriculum. Associate degree RN programs are known for producing very clinically skilled nurses.
But if your wife wants to do the LPN program or feels more comfortable doing it, tell her to go for it! There are many opportunities for an LPN. She can also get to work sooner, and if she decides to go back to school, she can work while doing so. The reason I was saying she should just do her RN is because going straight through an RN program will be a less total amount of school than going through an LPN program and then an LPN to RN program. You all need to decide what works best for your family.
I was also out of school for a few years when I went back, so I know how your wife feels. But I was very motivated, and after my first quarter of prerequisites, I knew I could do it. I'm sure your wife will feel the same.
JenRN30, BSN
289 Posts
V - Rosewood built our house too! It's too bad, but they went out of business a few months ago. We're having a few problems in our neighborhood because of builders going out of business. Oh well, I'm sure the market will turn around here at some point. So, what did your wife say about going into the RN program instead of LPN?? Is she going to do it? It's so nice of you to do research for her!! And MPCCRN is right. She'll need lots of help around the house!