Want to get into a LPN program

and welcome to allnurses.com

enjoy the forums.

LPN programs are fairly easy to get into, especially if you have a college background. Private LPN colleges are easier to get into, but the disadvantage is that they are pricey. Public LPN schools (adult education schools and community colleges) are significantly cheaper but tend to have lengthy waiting lists.

You'll need to apply to a school that offers the LPN course and take a pre-entrance exam that basically weeds out those applicants who possess reading, writing and math skills that are below an eighth grade level. Good luck to you and I really hope you are able to realize your dreams of being a nurse someday!

Once you're an LPN, you'll often receive priority entry into an RN program (provided you have earned all 'A' grades in the prerequisite classes). There's not really a pay difference between the ASN and BSN.

all A's grades in what prerequisite classes? the classes taken to become an LPN? what does ASN and BSN mean? Accelerated and bachelor? and what do you mean by pay difference?

I apologize for not being clearer on this issue.

1. I was referring to prerequisite classes that are needed to get into any RN program. Even though you'll have an LPN license, you still need to do well in the prereqs for the RN program.

2. ASN = Associate of Science Degree in Nursing; usually takes 2 years.

3. BSN = Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing; usually takes 4 years.

4. Under normal circumstances there's little or no pay difference between the BSN and ASN; they're both RNs. However, the BSN seems to provide more upward mobility because you can teach at the college level or do research.

thanks for clearing that up. I was curious to know are the prerequisite courses for the RN program offered as part of the LPN courses? I thought once you become an LPN you can apply to a RN program and as long as you do well you can start the RN or BSN program? please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not sure if you understand my question... I hope you do

I know I have so many questions

To my knowledge, no one (not even LVNs) can simply start an RN program without having previously completed the prerequisite classes. RN prereq classes usually consist of anatomy & physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and/or algebra. Once you have your LPN license, there are certain schools who will allow you to 'bridge' into the RN program.

For example, some BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) programs will admit LPNs as sophomores and allow them to complete only 3 additional years instead of the traditional 4 years required of generic students. The LPN therefore bypassed her freshman year.

Also, some ADN (associate degree in nursing) programs will allow LPNs to bypass the first year and attend the second year. Generic students without their LPN license would need to attend both the first and second year of the 2-year ADN program.

For both ADN and BSN programs, prerequisites are required before you can start the program. The LPN license simply permits you to complete one year less than your generic classmates who hold no license. In your LPN classes you will take basic anatomy & physiology. This anatomy & physiology might be accepted as a prerequisite course that counts toward your RN prereq list, but it might not. Each RN school has slightly different requirements and not all RN schools give accelerated admission to LPNs.