30 unit option very tempting...

Never heard of it. Can you give me more info on this? I too am interested in getting an Rn a little faster- Wonder how accredited it would be? Hope someone relpies!

I dont live in CA but I have heard (on this site ) that if you take this route you are only able to work in CA. Now please do verify this with some others more educated on the subject. I just remember hearing that...

I also heard that BSN schools will not take you if you are a 30 unit option?

anyway, it should not take you 18-24 months.

if you are a LVN, my school was only 2 more semesters, course we all had our LVN/AS degree, so maybe that was the reason.

If you really want to save some time ... take the LVN challenge exams. If you can pass them, you can skip the first year of nursing school and, also, any waiting lists.

And, unlike the 30 unit option, you get your full degree and don't have any issues with licensing in other states or, going on to bachelor's and other advanced degrees.

:typing

Hi Lizz,

Are these the ones through the NLN? Do most institutions take them? I've been going round and round with the local LPN to ADN bridge programs (only one in my area will take these and they are an in-county preference admission) and I haven't inquired with the BSN programs yet. That would be awesome.

Its frustrating that as an LPN I've had 3 full semesters and these CCs want me to take a full summer semester bridge program to join their RN students in start of their 3rd semester. I feel like they should have to take a bridge class to get up to speed with where I am, lol. Thanks, Jules

At my school the challenge exams are basically the final exams for first and second semester. If you pass both you skip the waiting list and the first year. If you only pass the first semester exam, you do have to take second semester but, at least you beat the waiting list.

In my class there were seven LVN's ... five passed the first semester exam but only two passed both.

Yeah ... you do have to take the LVN-RN transition course but, seems to me that beating the waiting list would be worth it since, at my school ... that's two years ... at least.

:typing

Here in Wisconsin LPNs can become ADN RNs in two semesters with no waiting list through some of Wisconsins Technical colleges. You graduate with an ADN and can get a license in ANY state and you beat the waiting list. I called the school (I was an LPN) on August 14th and was sitting in class on August 26th. Also very inexpensive. Cost me about $3200 including books.

Here is the web site for the school I went to: www.swtc.edu

Russ Thompson RN

Here in Wisconsin LPNs can become ADN RNs in two semesters with no waiting list through some of Wisconsins Technical colleges. You graduate with an ADN and can get a license in ANY state and you beat the waiting list. I called the school (I was an LPN) on August 14th and was sitting in class on August 26th. Also very inexpensive. Cost me about $3200 including books.

Here is the web site for the school I went to: www.swtc.edu

*** I wanted to add a couple things. All you need to be admitted is a Wisconsin LPN license. LPNs are given advanced standing for A&P I, and depending on your LPN program maybe A&P II (I was granted advanced standing for 8 credits of A&P based on my LPN school transcripts). That left only chemistry and microbiology as the only sicence pre/co requisits I required. I got advanced standing for chem. based on my scores in the natural sciences entrance exam (was pretty easy and I had never taken a chem or biology class in my life). That left only microbiology. I took it the first semester with my nursing classes for a total of 13 credits that semester.

There are of course the regular gen-ed courses one must have like 3 credits of english, 3 of speech, 3 of lifespan development, 3 of intro to phyc & intro to soc. All of these classes can be transfered in or taken on line. Go here: http://www.etechcollege.org. There you can take all the required classes except A&P and microbiology on-line and the classes are only like $265 plus the book. The site lists all the classes that are offered on-line through Wisconsin's technical college system (16 schools). You can take a class through any of the schools and transfer to any other technical college (or most any other college for that matter). All Wisconsin's technical colleges are fully acredited through NLN.

Any LPN who wanted to become an RN though Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (SWTC) but who lives out of state could do all their pre-reqs on-line or throught their local CC while applying for their Wisconsin LPN license (easy to do) then come to Wisconsin for 9 months (two semesters) and become an ADN RN. SWTC has low cost dorms available for those that need a place to live, including for married couples. SWTC is located in a very rural area but is about an 1 1/2 hour drive to Madison Wi for any sinning you need to do.

All 16 of the WI technical colleges have ADN programs. Most work pretty much the same, but there may be differences. I can only speak for certain about SWTC.

I am not connected in any way to any school excpet that I graduated in May of 06 from SWTC. Before I left I talked to the dean of nursing at SWTC and told her what a great oppertunity they offered to LPNs to become RNs and she told me to tell any LPNs I knew who might want to become RN. They really like LPN to RN students as they have a great record of succes in passing NCLEX and as good nurses. They have empty seats in the second year of the program anyway, though if you are interested I would contact them as soon as possible.

The program counseler is Cathy Witzig. Ask to speak with her, tell her you heard about the program from me (Russ Thompson). She is VERY helpful and will bend over backwards to get you in the program (or at least she did for me).

If anyone has further questions please feel free to e-mail me at: [email protected]

Russ Thompson RN