Working as an LVN during LVN-RN bridge program

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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Has anyone done this? I was fortunate enough to get accepted into my CC's 2 semester LVN-RN bridge program that was designed for working LVNs. I'll have clinicals 1 day a week, and lectures are recorded and streamed online. I'm happy to be accepted, as this is one step closer to my overall goal, but I'm a little apprehensive about the entire thing. I work 12-hour shifts, and my nurse manager said she will do everything she can to work with my schedule (I already get 6 days off in a row pretty frequently). Everyone says the last semester is the hardest, and by that time next year I'll have enough time in at work to have 10 paid sick days. Anyone ever do anything remotely similar to this? Am I in over my head??!! lol

Specializes in Geriatrics, MR/DD, Clinic.

My program is almost identical to what your speaking of. We have to also attend so many face-to-face days for mock labs, lecture, and testing days. One day a week clinical are very nice also, but it's like working another day lol.

I work 1-3 days a week depending on how much help they need at work. I also have 4 children, so it gets difficult to work more than 2 days a week. I can do it, but I wouldn't want to do it every single week. It gets diffifult to juggle the class work, work, clinical, and family and if you stretch yourself too thin things will start to give.

I would just make sure to discuss any potential issues with your employer so you have the opportunity to cut back if you need too. I think it is doable if you do it smartly!

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which schools are you guys speaking of that offer this type of schedule?

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Specializes in LTC.

My school schedule is going to be very hectic. I will be working PRN as lVN effective in 2 weeks. Where there is a will there is a way.GOd is my strength

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Specializes in LTC/ Med Surg.

I am an lpn and also in the 2nd year of an RN program at my local community college. Our schedule is very hectic we have two day a week class and two day a week clinical. I only have time to work a couple days a week and every other weekend. This program has been pretty challenging to me because the lpn coursework was so much easier than the RN coursework is. I would suggest not overloading yourself on work even though the classes are online it is still going to be challenging probably more so because it's online. Good luck to you!:yeah:

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I say go for it. Especially if you don't have kids or others whom depend on you. I am a single mom of 6. I don't have family or the father of the kids to help out either. I work 3 12's graveyard and find most of my studying is done on down time. I work in labor and delivery and go to school to obtain a BSN RN ...so it's just a day by day thing about studying. Above all else I search my King for strength and persevearence. (is that spelling right? it's late lol ) ...I hope you see my life as an encouragement. God bless you in your future...

WOW is all I can say, you have truly inspired me, I am also a single mom with little to no help from my sons father. My son takes alot of my time for help with his school work (he has ADD) but other then that he is pretty independent. Ive been wanting to go to school to get my LVN license and eventually get my bachelors as an RN. Ive been pretty aprehensive thinking I might not be able to handle working full-time and go to a parttime vocational school for my LVN knowing that it is taxing on time for studying and such but you've truly inspired me to just go for it. THank you so much for your post its really given me the confidence I need.:thankya::tku:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Well, between 2 day a week clinicals, and work (my manager hasn't been as flexible as I thought, but she has been flexible), I'm exhausted. I'm working six 12-hour shifts and one 8-hour shift each pay period. I try to study at least 4 hours on my 8-hour shift days. This gives me 3 days off every 2 weeks if I don't have a test.

I cannot go part-time, and I cannot quit because this is my best shot at a great paying job as a new-grad RN in a hospital. I think it's totally doable though since I work med/surg and my job directly relates to the stuff I'm learning in school, and clinicals are a breeze.

My once awesome social life is now non-existent.

I will keep you guys updated :)

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Specializes in tele, oncology.

I have a hubby and a total of four kids (two mine, two step kids). Hubby is a stay at home dad now. I've managed to get my pre-reqs done (anywhere from 6 to 14 hrs a semester) while working 4 12s a week.

I wasn't able to make it into the bridge program this spring b/c it was full, but starting next spring it'll be time!

I'm anticipating that since I've worked acute care for over ten years with the last seven being on a busy tele floor it'll make it a little easier. I'm also going to be bridging with the only other LPN on my shift, so that will help out too!

Both of us are strong nurses that are totally comfortable with anything that could come up...we've been there done that together for years now...whenever there's a rapid response, code, or just a pt doing poorly we're usually the first ones asked to jump in and help.

So I feel like we'll have a real advantage over the RN students that we're merged with. They'll have 1 1/2 semesters of nursing classes while we each have over a decade of hospital nursing experience. We both have to con't to work full time while attending school full time, so I hope it's enough of an advantage to lessen the load to a manageable level!

I'm certainly not expecting it to be a cake walk, but with hubby at home helping out with that end and a good friend by my side at school and work, there's no reason that I should have any problems juggling it all.

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Yes , Which school is this and in which state. I am looking for something like that in NJ/PA area. Help.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Hello! I'm about to embark on the last semester of my RN program. I've been working pretty hard towards this for the last few years, and it's very refreshing to finally be done. However, I have my work cut out for me! 5-10% of students usually fail this semester, and I'm attempting to do it while working full time. Quitting is not an option, and my chances of landing a job as a new grad increase exponentially since I'm an in-house candidate. It has been done before, and my manager is being helpful by giving me a little vacation time before tests, but I am nervous! An excited nervous!

I have to be a machine this semester! If I'm not at work, I'll be in clinical, or the library! 3 and a half months of hell! I'm excited about studying critical care since I really want to work in an ICU! Wish me luck!

Just trying to enjoy the journey..

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Best of luck. you can do it! YOU MADE IT THROUGH LVN SCHOOL! KEEP AT IT!

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Absolutley, Best of luck to you....hard work pays off, and it has been done many times before...

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Specializes in LTC.
Hello! I'm about to embark on the last semester of my RN program. I've been working pretty hard towards this for the last few years, and it's very refreshing to finally be done. However, I have my work cut out for me! 5-10% of students usually fail this semester, and I'm attempting to do it while working full time. Quitting is not an option, and my chances of landing a job as a new grad increase exponentially since I'm an in-house candidate. It has been done before, and my manager is being helpful by giving me a little vacation time before tests, but I am nervous! An excited nervous!

I have to be a machine this semester! If I'm not at work, I'll be in clinical, or the library! 3 and a half months of hell! I'm excited about studying critical care since I really want to work in an ICU! Wish me luck!

Just trying to enjoy the journey..

Good for you OP. We will all get through these last 3 and half months of hell together !!! I am so pumped and ready to get it done. I too will be working as much as I can while in school. We have bills right ? So we kinda have no choice. My family friends know that if I don't answer my phone I'm either in school, at work, clinical or library. Failure and Giving up is NEVER an option.

Thank God your NM is pretty flexible and going to help you through this. Yay for us. We are almost there!!!:nurse::):)

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