Thinking of applying for LPN program (in MA) and have Q's

Hi!! I am an LPN and live in MA, I graduated last year and took NCLEX in Aug., and am working in RI at an assisted living facility. I have applied at my local CC for the LPN to RN Bridge program, that would start in the fall of 2012. For me that was the best plan, that way I could work and be getting experience while working toward my RN since I didn't have all of my prereqs done. I did the full time days LPN and it was intense, I have 3 kids and was able to manage. LVN is the same thing, the V is for vocational, around here I've only seen LPN. Your BA will definately help with any path you choose, I'm sure some of your prereqs will transfer for the RN program, (english, math, history, pysch obviously). Look around at your local colleges and see what they require for courses. I'm guessing you don't have microbiology or possibly A&P done, so those would have to be done. For the RN programs: ADN is associates in nursing, BSN is bachelors & MSN is masters (that would be the highest). I hope I helped you a little, good luck!!

I just completed a 2 year RN program, started the program when I was 18 weeks pregnant and finished with the baby at 18 months old. If you stay focused on your goal and have good child care you can achieve your dreams of becoming a LPN or RN.

thank you both! wow, you guys did great - you should be proud. Sheryl18, I live close to the RI border and would def consider work in both MA and RI once I (if I ever) become an LPN. I am honestly not in a rush to get my BN right away but it seems like many who become LPN's - 99% are going for their RN's as well. Maybe down the road. Do you like your work at the Assisted living facility? Is it stressful? tehre are 2 right in my town that i weould be interested in applying to someday but was wondering how the day to day is from an actual nurse that works at one. Is your bridge program full or part time? Thanks again for answering all my q's!

I did my senior practium at a long term care facility. There is a lot of passing medications out, there is more of a routine day to day, but I still was able to do a ton of nursing care. For example, removed staples, took out a PICC line, packed a terrible pressure sore, and used nursing judgement with medications including SQ injections.

I do like it but an assisted living is very different from LTC in that we can't do skilled nursing, if a resident needs any skilled care we have get an order and have a visiting nurse come in, so I kind of feel like I'm losing my skills. Assessment is huge there though, so I feel like I'm learning alot with that because you never know what they are going to call you for and you need to assess then figure out what your going to do, something we can handle ie: give a PRN med, or I may need to call their Dr. or sometimes have them sent out to ER. We have med techs who do the meds, so mostly I'm assessing, doing tons of paperwork, calling Drs, pharmacies and dealing with families etc.

I'm not sure how my bridge program will work, we go for 3 weeks in August and I'm not sure what is done there and then in Sept. classes start, it will start right off with med surg, as an LPN you don't have to do the 1st year of the RN classes. I'm not really looking forward to med surg again or clinicals, and I definately don't miss care plans, lol.

Good luck!