What are my chances? Advice from experienced LPN/LVN appreciated!

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Hello nurses!

First off, thank you for your dedication and service.

I am a soon to be graduate from Texas A&M, and am thinking of becoming a LVN in Texas. I would go through a one year community college if I did, maybe Blinn. I've always been a more liberal arts person but have found a passion through nursing. My worries are that I might not be able to keep up with the program since I am not inclined to the sciences. My Bachelors degree is in International Studies and Spanish, I have also studiedo at the University of Belgrano in Argentina. I'm good with memorization and language learning. I don't want to jump into a program and blow all of my savings on schooling if I'm not sure I will be able to succeed! Please let me know your opinions and your experiences with nursing school!

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Nursing is one of those studies that u wouldn't know your capability till u get there.

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

It sounds like your an expearenced student. I wouldn't expect that you would have any problems with the coirse work for an LPN program. Clinical is another beast all together, but everyone in your class will be new to that expearence. If you want to do it...go for it. Just do me a favor and talk to a few working LPNs and make sure you have a good feel for the job itself and the job market where you plan on working. Otherwise you risk ending up one of those LPNs who thinks they will leave school and immediately get the job in a speciality area. Which is not very likely.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Experienced LPN here. My advice: Don't do it. If you are already about to graduate with a BA or BS degree, and you are interested in nursing, I would suggest looking into an accelerated RN program. These programs are for people who already have a BA / BS, and usually take 12 - 18 months to complete.( the same amount of time most LPN programs take). At the end of the accelerated program, you would be able to take the CNLEX RN. Job prospects for Rns are always better than for LPNs, and there is more you can do with a RN degree if you decide that bedside nursing is not for you.

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Hi, I would LOVE for anyone to please clarify some things for me! I'm about to start LVN program in the Fall. I'm in Northern California. RN was my first choice, but like so many others, I tried for YEARS and did not get chosen in any RN lotteries. Please know that I am VERY grateful for the LVN opportunity, but here are my concerns (based on what I've heard from RNs and RN students): First, I'm being told that the LVN to RN bridge is not that easily done. Meaning, LVNs will ONLY get in IF a current RN student drops out or fails, which is rare. Second, I was told that the only LVN to RN program I'd be able to apply to would have to be at the SAME institution that I completed my LVN?? Third, I'm hearing that over the next few years LVNs will essentially become obsolete...that they simply will not be hiring LVNs-- only RNs and above. I have completed ALL of my prerequisites for RN programs. Now I am freaking out about the prospect of being unemployable as an LVN and/or not being able to move up to RN due to these obstacles - WHICH I HOPE ARE JUST RUMORS AND NOT BASED IN FACT! Please, if anyone can shed any light on any of this, I would be beyond thankful.

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Specializes in SNF, Home Health & Hospice, L&D, Peds.

In terms of being able to get through the schooling especially if you have a heart for nursing you should be fine. As an LPN with 27 years experience I highly suggest you become a CNA first and work in either a skilled nursing facility, home health &hospice or a clinic position (if applicable) for at least a year because then you can get a good idea of what the nursing job entails while working in a position you would someday supervise as a nurse. I also think that would help in terms of experience when you apply to the nursing program.

Best of Luck! I have loved every second however chaotic and crazy the work can get. I have been a nurse since I was in my early 20's and have never wanted any other career to this day. :)

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Specializes in SNF, Home Health & Hospice, L&D, Peds.
Hi, I would LOVE for anyone to please clarify some things for me! I'm about to start LVN program in the Fall. I'm in Northern California. RN was my first choice, but like so many others, I tried for YEARS and did not get chosen in any RN lotteries. Please know that I am VERY grateful for the LVN opportunity, but here are my concerns (based on what I've heard from RNs and RN students): First, I'm being told that the LVN to RN bridge is not that easily done. Meaning, LVNs will ONLY get in IF a current RN student drops out or fails, which is rare. Second, I was told that the only LVN to RN program I'd be able to apply to would have to be at the SAME institution that I completed my LVN?? Third, I'm hearing that over the next few years LVNs will essentially become obsolete...that they simply will not be hiring LVNs-- only RNs and above. I have completed ALL of my prerequisites for RN programs. Now I am freaking out about the prospect of being unemployable as an LVN and/or not being able to move up to RN due to these obstacles - WHICH I HOPE ARE JUST RUMORS AND NOT BASED IN FACT! Please, if anyone can shed any light on any of this, I would be beyond thankful.

I can't speak to the other questions but as to the LPN/LVN becoming obsolete believe me I have heard that for the last 30 years and it hasn't happened yet so I wouldn't place to much in that. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in LTC.
Hi, I would LOVE for anyone to please clarify some things for me! I'm about to start LVN program in the Fall. I'm in Northern California. RN was my first choice, but like so many others, I tried for YEARS and did not get chosen in any RN lotteries. Please know that I am VERY grateful for the LVN opportunity, but here are my concerns (based on what I've heard from RNs and RN students): First, I'm being told that the LVN to RN bridge is not that easily done. Meaning, LVNs will ONLY get in IF a current RN student drops out or fails, which is rare. Second, I was told that the only LVN to RN program I'd be able to apply to would have to be at the SAME institution that I completed my LVN?? Third, I'm hearing that over the next few years LVNs will essentially become obsolete...that they simply will not be hiring LVNs-- only RNs and above. I have completed ALL of my prerequisites for RN programs. Now I am freaking out about the prospect of being unemployable as an LVN and/or not being able to move up to RN due to these obstacles - WHICH I HOPE ARE JUST RUMORS AND NOT BASED IN FACT! Please, if anyone can shed any light on any of this, I would be beyond thankful.

I'm also from NorCal, same story, unable to get into RN, no matter how great my grades were, became an LVN instead. No, you don't have to bridge at the same place. Yes, we are employable, but you are going to most likely work SNF or office. A few rural hospitals still hire us, but those jobs aren't always easy to get. The thing is, if you do it, you can be a working nurse, and you can just keep applying to bridges. I was hoping to get into a bridge first year, but it didn't happen for me. My never filling bridge seats at my local CC got 60+ applications this year. You may end up being an LVN for awhile.

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Specializes in Psych, case-management, geriatrics, peds.

An LPN is very basic. It is a vocational program so it is pretty much the same level as a high school diploma.

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.
An LPN is very basic. It is a vocational program so it is pretty much the same level as a high school diploma.

Disagree. This was not my expearence. My LPN was just as rigorous as other college level classes I had.

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Specializes in Hospice.
An LPN is very basic. It is a vocational program so it is pretty much the same level as a high school diploma.

Wrong. LPN programs require college level course work. Courses in Anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, etc., in addition to college level courses in english, psychology and human growth and development.

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Specializes in LTC.
An LPN is very basic. It is a vocational program so it is pretty much the same level as a high school diploma.

Yeah, no. My LVN course replaces the first year of RN school. That's what a bridge is.

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