Straight 2 RN or LPN to RN?? Which is better?

Lisa7 · May 17, 2012

Hello All-

I too am debating on LPN then jumping right into my BSN bypassing my ADN. My ultimate goal is to have my BSN. But in Va Beach I'm finding it really hard to get into even the ADN program and all schools that offer that are telling me to go LPN first and just do the bridge to BSN when I'm done. Im sooooooooooo confused! I want my RN but wih the community college it'll take a year to get pre-req's and with a private university it take 15 weeks (like MCI etc). But I am NOT guareenteed a spot in the RN program even if I pass pre-req's, essay and my interview with the DON. I was told that say I pass all those someone could come in days before the class starts and get excepted before me cause I wont finish my pre-reqs til a few days before classes start for the ADN program. Honestly, if I have to wait a year to get into the ADN program I would just rather take the LPN class then to sit around and take no classes. I still have to be a fulltime mom to an almost 2 year old and 12 year old.

Any ADVICE/DIRECTION to point me in is greatly appreciated!

MoniqueS · May 18, 2012

It would depend how fast you want to be a nurse. In TN, I know there are colleges who do NOT give you credit for your LPN status.

I think this is wrong, but that is one of the reasons that I am going straight to being a RN. The preregs took me 2 years, taking 2 or 3 classes at a time and now I am starting nursing school in the fall. I will go for my BSN too, but I decided to go for my associates first.

do what you feel is best. :)

baldee · May 18, 2012

To get the RN, you will still have to have pre-reqs. The difference is you will have to have at least a 3.5 gpa minimum and 4 nursing semesters (2 years no Summer predominantly) ADN. The bridge with LPN may get by with a 2.75 gpa minimum enter on a Summer and 2 more Semesters (1 year predominantly). LPN is more competitive than before these days and a boot camp atmosphere for 10 months (and getting longer up to 15-18 months at some places already, but may be with breaks).

The LPN by some accounts is a waste of time since CNA job wages but no LPN jobs (I can't confirm this). The LPN would help at clinical skills, but if you are a female, it is easy to fly under the radar with most clinical instructors (CI): guys have to be more perfect with some females who have passive aggressive tendencies who built up these defenses to compete with aggressive males. So as a female, you have the choice of the ADN if you have 3.5 gpa+ or LPN if you don't. But beware the LPN may expose themselves to may hospital born (nosocomial) diseases they do not understand fully.

With your kids, you are already blessed but they are an overtime occupation I understand. Good luck and be safe, and keep exploring before you rack up a huge education debt (to get what you want the first time hopefully). It's a racket!! Look at Retention rates (there is none in C.C.'s usually), demand, future demand, and alternative programs. Weigh it out, get in, get out, and be happy.

JacAn001, BSN · May 18, 2012

Hello All-
I too am debating on LPN then jumping right into my BSN bypassing my ADN. My ultimate goal is to have my BSN. But in Va Beach I'm finding it really hard to get into even the ADN program and all schools that offer that are telling me to go LPN first and just do the bridge to BSN when I'm done. Im sooooooooooo confused! I want my RN but wih the community college it'll take a year to get pre-req's and with a private university it take 15 weeks (like MCI etc). But I am NOT guareenteed a spot in the RN program even if I pass pre-req's, essay and my interview with the DON. I was told that say I pass all those someone could come in days before the class starts and get excepted before me cause I wont finish my pre-reqs til a few days before classes start for the ADN program. Honestly, if I have to wait a year to get into the ADN program I would just rather take the LPN class then to sit around and take no classes. I still have to be a fulltime mom to an almost 2 year old and 12 year old.
Any ADVICE/DIRECTION to point me in is greatly appreciated!

Lisa -I attend South University in SC. I think they have a campus in Virginia Beach and do the same program as I am doing which is straight to BSN (RN). It is private so more expensive. I can e-mail you more info if you would like.

Angela

student forever · May 18, 2012

Its easy, now that I'm in, I'll spill the beans. The LPN gets immediate hands on expertise, which the RN may take a while to master; and reducing liabilities is enhanced with repetition expertise (LPN) and knowledge (RN).
Also do a present value analysis of cash flows. Say the average of $42K and $54K, for LPN and RN, and map out working during your ADN (etc...). My CC will reduce one semester, so the year for LPN is offset by half in LPN to RN bridge program. Now you may have slippage of one semester taking LPN test, but look at the probablity of getting in ADN with 3.8 average??? That may take unknown semester delays, while changing diapers as CNA? And taking A & P I/II in LPN may help breeze through ADN courses both in Summer semester - ???
In addition, multiple ways to get RN after LPN and making money too! Eyeballing without probabilities analyzed, it looks like more experience, at least $60K more cash, and a more broad based experience to get in market smoother.
Now I'm not the sharpest pencil in the stack, but sheesh, if you have to work to get through anyway, come on guys!

This post really helped me come closer to a final decision! Thanks baldee!!!!

student forever · May 18, 2012

Hello All- Honestly, if I have to wait a year to get into the ADN program I would just rather take the LPN class then to sit around and take no classes.

You have answered your own question! Go for it!