Totally new to nursing

bullcityrn · Oct 19, 2006

Hi Argy and Welcome!

You will certainly find plenty of members here who are taking the LPN route to their RN goals...I know I considered it myself. Sometimes it is easier to transition into the RN program once an LPN (shorter or no waitlist) or because employment is needed while finishing the RN degree (lack of time or money to do a 2 or 4 year program from the start). Do you have any other options besides the tech school in your area? Are the RN or other LPN programs near you impacted? The only possible negative I can think of right now is the fact that tech schools tend to be more expensive and many times, classes are not transferrable to other programs. So if you know where you would like to go to school for your RN, you may want to talk to them about the tech school curriculum and try to get some idea if they will accept all of the courses.

I know there are programs out there that require CNA or other health tech status prior to starting the nursing program, but I thought those were only about 12 weeks long? Seems that 9 months is an awful long time to spend learning health assistant skills before starting the main part of the program. That is nearly 2 years...you could be halfway finished with your RN at that rate (counting 1 more year for prereqs).

I would suggest posting your question in the LPN/LVN forums, I'm sure you'll get some really helpful advice there.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 20, 2006

I would definately look into all the options in your area before you decide. Weigh the pros and cons, cost, time, your longer term educational goals, distance, etc. You may find that this is the most suitable option for you or you may find something better.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Oct 21, 2006

Do you have any other options besides the tech school in your area? Are the RN or other LPN programs near you impacted? The only possible negative I can think of right now is the fact that tech schools tend to be more expensive and many times, classes are not transferrable to other programs. So if you know where you would like to go to school for your RN, you may want to talk to them about the tech school curriculum and try to get some idea if they will accept all of the courses.

This is one of the most important pieces of advice you will get....a lot of these "tech" schools credits will NOT transfer to either a cc or university....you do not want to spend the time or $$$ only to find out in 18 months or so that you have to do it all over....

Call or visit the schools you will be interested in for your RN and ask...be persistent...they're busy and not always the best about answering the phone or their voicemails....don't give up until you know for a fact that you won't be wasting your time going this route...

Also, check your board of nursing or licensing for your state to check out pass rates for the NCLEX....that will also be very telling about how good this tech school's program is...

Best wishes!

Irene joy · Oct 21, 2006

You will also wan't to check out the pre requs that the RN program requires to transfer. In my area there is a tech program that works with the local comm coll. The tech program for lpn is about 15 mo. and requires hardly any pre requ., but in order to transfer and move into your RN year, there are many pre requs to finish first to be accepted.

catzy5 · Oct 21, 2006

Hi! all,
I am 32 years old and am wanting to do something else with my life.
The problem is I have never been to college...I started working right out of high school. I am living in Georgia, and found a tech school here that offers a LPN program.
I believe that before beginning they require everyone to take a course as a Health Care Assistent "9 months" during this time you are supposed to finish all the pre req's. The LPN program is one year after this.
My goal is to become an RN and I was wondering if the tech college would be a good route to take? I was thinking I could finish the LPN there and transer to another college to take the RN program.
All of this is totally new for me..so I appreaciate any help/info.
Thanks again everyone.

If RN is your ultimate goal and you haven't been to school yet at all, I would suggest going to get the pre reqs out of the way, and possibly doing that CNA course (health care assistant) as well this way you an get a feel for what you want to do and have a job in the mean time to fall back on. Typcially LPN courses also require some pre requisites as well and you will need quite a few to do the LPN-RN bridge so might as well do them now.

metfan · Oct 22, 2006

I was in the same boat. I am 39 (almost 40..ugh). I looked into both the local LPN program at Questar and college. I chose the LPN program and I am so glad I did. I absolutely love my teachers. They make it so interesting. Well...except A & P but I am working on that. Credits can transfer to the local community college if I challange it. The hours go directly with the local school system which is great for me because I have young kids in school. The down side? It cost 8,000. I did not qualify for any financial aid. But I love it. The teachers make me so excited to start nursing. Colleen