Taking prereqs for RN while in an LVN program?

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 30, 2007

Would I be overloading my schedule by attempting this? I start an LVN program in Sept and would like to start on the prereqs for the bridge program. Would anyone recommend this or am I asking for trouble? Thanks everyone!

I think you are asking for trouble. I don't know your schedule; I can just answer the question based on my personal experience. The LPN program is very demanding. They have their own core requirements and expect them to be done. And, the college level classes will certainly demand your time (especially anatomy and physiology). Again, I am answering from experience moreso than knowing much about you and your school. Best wishes!

caliotter3 · May 30, 2007

I had multiple irons in the fire while in school and it did not work out when I became sick and ran into employment and other life problems. While you might be able to pull it off with superior time mgmt skills and excellent health and stress mgmt skills, I do not recommend it. My daughter worked at least part time while she was in LPN school as well as being a single mom. She told me that she barely made it through school d/t the amount of daily work and grueling schedule. Think about this again. Good luck with your decision.

Added thought: Should you start to have academic problems, you will not encounter sympathy if you say anything about your outside activities conflicting with your schoolwork. Nursing school instructors/administrators are notorious for this.

Sensoria17 · May 30, 2007

Thanks everyone. I had a feeling this wouldn't be a good idea but thought I'd check to see if anyone had attempted this.

Shantae · May 30, 2007

I was in the lvn program and got 4 prereqs done for the RN program. They weren't major though. Just English, Sociology, and 2 Psychology classes and I passed all of them with 1 c and 3 Bs. I think anything is possible. Now, it was hard but I wasn't working and I dont know if you are. If you are, I wouldn't recommend it, but if you aren't then do whatever makes you comfortable.

luv4nursing · May 31, 2007

The first semester isnt too bad (before you start clinicals). If I had it to do again, I would have finished my last 2 pre reqs for the RN program during the first semester of LPN school. I would have been able to start the bridge program a year sooner if I had done it that way.

GoldenFire5 · May 31, 2007

I took extra classes all the way through my LVN school, which was a full-time program. I did not have to work though, and I'm single.

From this board, I gather that some nursing programs are harder and more intensive than others. Ours was easy at times and crazy busy at others, depending on the instructor.

I would wait to see how difficult your program is before you attempt to double up with RN pre-reqs. I started off by adding P.E. classes in the beginning, just to get a feel for things. Then, once I was used to the pace of my LVN program, I added Anatomy, Physiology, Micro at night. When I did the LVN program plus the 3 pre-reqs, I ended up having a test or a paper or a presentation due about every 2 days.

So, I did it, but you have to be organized and you cannot fall behind. There were times when all I was doing was school, school, school and I missed my friends. I was tired.

In the end though, I'm very glad I did it, because now I AM DONE with school while I turn in my apps for the LVN-RN bridge programs, and I am free! All I have left for the RN program is the nursing classes. (Soc and psych etc all done from a previous degree.)

deleern · May 31, 2007

I Did the LPN In 3 semesters and began work, and then did my Prereqs and Coreqs, My friend did her LPN in 2 years while doing the prereqs and coreqs. we both graduated from the RN program in May (in 3 years). do what is best for you. be kind to yourself. I think it is important to keep your grades up it helps to be accepted into a program.

Sensoria17 · May 31, 2007

Thanks everyone. I have a BA in Sociology so a lot of my classes have been taken care of except for the hardest ones such as micro, anatomy, etc. I expect the LVN program to much harder than obtaining a BA degree in said major. I would go for one of those accelerated RN programs but my GPA isn't so hot and they are very competitive.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · May 31, 2007

It's been a long time ago now, but I went into an LPN program with a BA degree already behind me. I did start taking prerequisites for the ADN program before I finished the LPN program. However, I waited until near the end of the LPN program, when I pretty much knew I had it made. Also, I took less strenuous classes, I think it was a history class and a human growth and development class, and waited to take Micro and A&P after I finished the LPN program. I was married but no kids and didn't work until I got through the LPN program.

So, it depends on the schools and what else you may have to do in your life. Waiting to get your feet wet in the LPN program sounds like a good plan. You might also want to look into taking an online course if there's one you need that will work for you; that wasn't an option back then.

Good luck!

Jules A, MSN · May 31, 2007

Hi,

I did a couple of "fluffy" ones like Growth and Development but wouldn't have wanted to do Micro for example. Good luck with whatever you decide. Jules

kat7ap · Jun 1, 2007

My LPN program was very time demanding 40+ hours a week not including studying time. I didn't even work and know I would never been able to pull off taking additional classes at the same time. Plus you want to make sure that you make excellent grades in any prereq's to be accepted to an RN-LPN program. It's just seems pretty risky, but it does sound like from OP's that it can be done.