Switch from 2nd year LPN to RN student....Is it possible?

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Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if any of you decided half way through the LPN program to transition to the RN program. I just finished up my first year of the LPN program and have decided I don't want to finish it. In fact, I wanted to enter the RN program all along. Unfortunately for me though, the part-time RN program only accommodates a limited number of students, and I was passed over last year. I have decided to take the admittance test again, as I know that if I improve on my scores from last year I'll have a chance to get into the program.

I sat down with an advisor yesterday and he told me that I am a unique case, as he has never heard of anyone doing this before. He gave me another advisor's number to call and I left a detailed message, but she hasn't got back to me.

So my question is this....Have any of you made the transition from the LPN program to the RN program before completion of the LPN program? If so, were you able to apply credits and clinical time from the LPN to the RN program? I mean is this even possible?

I plan on doing this so I will not have to face the challenge of taking the NCLEX-LPN at the end of the year and then waiting to get accepted into an advanced placement ADN program. Who knows how long that could take!

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From my experience bridge programs are less competitive than straight through RN programs. You are not guarenteed a spot in the RN program so I certainly wouldn't drop out of your current program until you are officially accepted. RN was my initial goal as well but I was able to get accepted into an LPN program 1 year or more before I would have been able to even apply for the RN programs in my area, so it was just the best route for me. Plus I can actually afford to pay for my tuition (and rent, food, and other needs) far better than when I was working as a CNA.

Think you need to speak with a counselor, are any of your nursing classes going to count toward your RN? or do you just have to start all over? Also consider the amount of time/money/energy you have invested in you current program, IF it will count as nothing, can you life with that having been wasted time? How far along in the program are you so far?

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Hi Starfish

I heard that the RN bridge program at my school is very competitive because there are a limited number of seats. I spoke to an advisor today and she said she has to e-mail the head of the nursing department to find out if transferring from LPN to RN mid-program is a possibility. I just finished my first year of the LPN part-time program and have one more to go.

I also preferred to get into the RN program originally, but when the I got into the LPN program I chose to do it rather than wait around for another year. Similar situation to yours.

Anyways, the advisor is gonna find out if my credits will transfer from the LPN program to RN program. I have a feeling I'll have to take the entrance exam again and start all over. If that is the case I will finish the RN program in 2 years. If I continue the LPN program I will be done next June, but then I'll have to take the NCLEX-PN exam and apply and get accepted into an RN program. That might take even longer than 2 years. If my credits don't transfer from the LPN program, I'll just chalk it up as a learning experience, not as time wasted. I think it's a win, win situation. I look at it this way, either way I'll be paying for two more years of school and I won't have to take the NCLEX-PN exam.

I'm definitely not gonna drop out of the LPN program until if/when I am accepted into the RN program.

Thanks for your advice. I'll let you know what happens!

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Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Geri, Hospice, MedSurg.

Wow!! Sounds like, besides the pre-reqs, you may have to start all over again. This is the way our program works...

Our RN program is 2 years. At the end of the 1rst year, you have 2 options, keep going onto year 2 and get your RN, or stop and you are an LPN (I really like the way they worked it out). In between year 1 and 2 is where the transition students come in.

Our bridge program is HIGHLY (and I mean HIGHLY) competitive. There was over 100 applicants, and I think only 20 accepted. We have to go through the summer transition program to get us up to speed to begin year 2. Then we have to compete to get placed in year 2 where there are slots, so just because you finish the transition program, doesn't mean you get into year 2 in the fall! So, it is competitive on 2 fronts.

If they have an option like this for you, it would be easy. They just transitioned to this cycle this year... It makes sense and makes things easier for those who potentially need to stop after a year (at least they will have their LPN).

Good luck. Let us know how it goes for you.

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Yep, Looks like I'll have to start over again as a new student if I decide to take the RN route. I guess I'm just gonna stay in the LPN program, finish it up next year, take and hopefully pass the NCLEX-PN exam, and apply to RN programs in my area. I've heard that our bridge programs are very competitve as well. In my current school they are based on an admissions test and grades in the Fundamentals class. I'm not sure exactly how many applicants and seats there are in any given semester, but I do know that applicants almost always outnumber seats.

That is great that at the end of your RN program you have two options. I'm not sure if that is true of my school; it makes sense though. So, are you saying that out of the 20 that are accepted more are weeded out before the fall? If so, that sounds really intense! How many slots are there for the fall? I think I read on another thread that you were accepted into the program. Are you going through the transition program now?

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Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Geri, Hospice, MedSurg.

I start the transition program on the 13th.

The slots are those who have stopped at the LPN level, dropped out, or failed out before the 2nd year... so, basically they fit you in where there is room, at the campus where there is room (there are 5 campuses within a 1.5 hour drive, I could be placed in any of them - or not be placed until the spring!). That is why I want to keep my grade up so I can get my first choice (10 mins away).

Sorry you have to change your plans... but going through the LPN will give you a step up. And, if something happens (you have to stop school), at least you have it!

The way the ranked us for the transition program is this. Your GPA x 10 + your Teas / 10 + your ACT / 10. If there is a tie, then the ACT reading is the tie breaker, math a further tie breaker. GPA is ranked the heaviest...

Good luck!

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Oh wow...5 campuses!?!?! That's a lot....It's great that they fill the empty spots before the second year though. I wish you luck in getting your first choice!

You are right...By next year I'll finish the LPN program and possibly even find a job before getting into an RN program. I'll just have to do really well in school beginning in September to get my GPA and Fundamentals grades up from last semester.

I believe our school bases admission into the RN program on Reading Comprehension first, then Sentence Skills, then Math. We use the Accuplacer Exam. I don't think the GPA and Fundamentals grades are factored in until afterwards.

Thank you for the good luck wishes! Right back at you!

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