Why in the world would you go lvn route???!!!??!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2014

My LVN experience is the foundation upon which my nursing career has been constructed. At the time I enrolled in an LVN program in southern CA, I had no prerequisite courses completed and could only attend school for no more than one year.

I am now an RN with an ASN degree and have 7 more credits to earn before I receive the BSN degree.

However, the transition from LVN to RN is not as seamless as it appears on the surface. LVN-to-RN transition programs have fiercely competitive admissions processes and many applicants are not accepted on the first, second or third round. Therefore, bridging from LVN to RN can actually take longer than bypassing the LVN and pursuing the RN, especially outside of California.

Jen_Loves_Nursing · Nov 29, 2014

I'm a southern California based student. I am wait listed for an RN program which is why I'm choosing LVN first

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Nov 29, 2014

I became an LVN first because I wasn't sure nursing was for me. I'm happy I became an LVN first, especially with how I job hopped & didn't stay any where for a year. But I learned a lot in my four years & that I really do want to continue my nursing education. Everyone has their own reason as to why they choose the LVN route.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2014

I am not planning on staying an LVN, this is just the route I am taking, there are many roads to the top of the mountain. The hours are great and when I'm finished I will advance place into a RN program.... cutting off the first year of RN school...
I also know when i graduate RN school Ill have a year or more working under my belt and will not be a "new grad with no experience", SO ill get that great job i really want!!

I want to address the two bolded statements. First, like your LPN to RN program, mine cut out the first year of NURSING courses. However, I was still required to complete the pre-reqs for the RN program as well as the first year non-nursing courses. In my program if you had no transferrable college credits toward the pre-reqs as well as the 1st year non-nursing courses, you still had to complete them. The pre-reqs had to be completed before you began the nursing courses. While it did shave off several of the nursing classes we still had a year (or more depending on how many classes you could handle at once) or better before you could begin the RN program.

As for the 'new grad' status..you will still be considered a 'new grad RN'. Some hospitals will consider LPN/LVN experience and see you as a new grad RN with LPN experience, while others still see you as a new grad with no experience as they are coming from the position of looking at you as an RN with no experience as an RN. I had 5 years LPN experience and it took a very long time to land an acute hospital position.

I went the LPN to RN route because while more expensive (I did a for-profit LPN school) it was much quicker for me to get to my ultimate goal of RN. Trying to get into an RN program in my area can take years. Very few people are selected for each school and if you don't get in one year, you start all over again trying to get in the 2nd time. I have friends who were trying to get into RN school. I was able to complete both LPN and RN school before they ever got into RN school or they were in the RN program with a year or better left to go. It was easier to get into the 2nd year of a 2 year RN program (more seats available due to people dropping out or failing out the first year) than it was to get into an RN program.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2014

My BSN program gave us the option to take LPN NCLEX after the first year. I did and passed on the first try. I got a job in a jail, and finished up my final year of school. Now granted, when I finished my BSN, some interviewers weren't all that interested in my LPN experience , but others were- including my current job. I enjoyed my time as an LPN and I recommend it to anyone.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Nov 29, 2014

I was an LPN/LVN for about 15 years before my RN degree. I worked acute care via the registry at the time.

I was forced to go through a new grad RN program for an entire year at the hospital which hired me. I was told that my LVN experience did not count, and that I was a new nurse.

schnookimz · Nov 29, 2014

I was an LPN/LVN for about 15 years before my RN degree. I worked acute care via the registry at the time.
I was forced to go through a new grad RN program for an entire year at the hospital which hired me. I was told that my LVN experience did not count, and that I was a new nurse.

I was told the exact same thing. My LPN experience did not count toward RN experience at all. I was still "just a new grad" all over again.

Raviepoo · Nov 29, 2014

I chose to become an LPN first because I needed to start earning quickly. Full stop.

I have learned things as an LPN that will make me a better RN. In long term care I have met people I will treasure for the rest of my life. That's all I need to know.

SWM2009 · Nov 29, 2014

First, as others have also pointed out, you will be considered a new grad RN, even with LVN job experience and getting that good job will likely not be easy.

That said, if you are confident and sure about your decision, then stop explaining yourself to these other people, yes even your husband. Sit down with him and have one last final discussion about your reasons why and then explain that you need him supporting you, that bringing home all that information about you making a mistake going the LVN route isn't helping.

caliotter3 · Nov 29, 2014

Each one of the several students in my BSN program who obtained the LVN license before graduation, stated that they did so because they needed to get a job. There is nothing wrong with that reason and no reason to be ashamed.

Red Kryptonite · Nov 29, 2014

I'm going LPN first, starting in January, for many good reasons.

Tell your husband to have faith in you, trust you, and to STOP bringing home the negativity. Why would he constantly chip away at you like that? My own husband would have gotten a big loud KNOCK IT OFF a while ago! Just because he hears it doesn't mean he needs to pass it on to you. Tell him to tell people that you know what you're doing and it's not open for discussion.

I'm a 39 year old CNA with no prereqs completed (and I don't need any for the program I'm starting). I came to this career after earning a BA in my early 20s, then getting married and being a SAHM. LPN is the quickest, easiest, cheapest way for me to start working as a nurse and earn a higher paycheck while working my way up than if I stayed a CNA while doing prereqs and waiting out the 2 to 3 year waiting list for RN programs. My employer gives tuition assistance and hires LPNs, so this path makes sense for me. Naysayers can take a hike.

Good luck!