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 Rehab.

u can and u will do it

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

10 weeks left and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I got an A on exam 1, which gives me a lot of breathing room. I was considering quitting my job if I couldn't handle this, but all I need to pass the class (I'm still shooting for an A though) is a 71% average on the next three exams which I think is easily attainable.

Working full time through nursing school has been difficult, but it's very doable. It's all about time management. The hardest part of this has been my lack of social life. I'm either working, in clinical, or studying. No time for friends/family.

I already applied for boards and a BSN program. Hopefully the next time I post here I'll be graduated

:smokin::D:cheers:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I'm DONE. So glad I did this. I'm ready for my NCLEX. Working full-time through nursing school is possible, and I'm proof. Felt like this day would never come.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Got the good pop-up w/ the Pearson VUE trick for my NCLEX-RN. The PVT trick worked for my NCLEX-VN, so I'm hoping it works this time.

I ended at 75 Q's and had about 20 SATA questions. All of my family, friends, and coworkers knew I was taking the test, so I was REALLY nervous about failing. So nervous, that I woke up at 4am this morning with palpitations.

I didn't study nearly as much as I could have because I work full-time. My ATI predictor said I had a 97% chance of passing, and it was accurate for my VN, so I figured the sooner I took it, the better. The majority of my studying was done by doing questions on the Saunders CD, which made me nervous because all of my coworkers were telling it was a mistake to not do Kaplan, but I thought it would be wise to save my money and just rely on my test-taking skills. Another big help was the Random NCLEX Fact-Throwing thread here on AN.

I averaged about 70% on the Saunders exams. I probably did

I feel like I could not have studied for a lot of the questions that were asked. There were some medications I've never heard of, and the majority of the questions were not very specific. Understanding and applying concepts was key. To be honest, I felt like I was doing a lot of guessing, and was never really 100% sure about any answer.

The biggest difference between the NCLEX-VN, and NCLEX-RN is that the NCLEX-RN required a lot more critical thinking. However, the VN required that you know more specific facts. IMHO, both tests were equally difficult given the level of education required for each test. Taking the NCLEX-VN before this one helped BIG TIME. Just my two cents.

Anyways, good luck to all future LVN/PN-RN students. This journey is not easy, but very doable, and your experience will help with everything you encounter along the way.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med/Surg, hospice.

Thank you for sharing and congratulations! I will be doing the same thing you have just finished. Scheduled to take my NCLEX-VN on the 12th, starting my last RN pre-reqs the 18th and will be starting my new full time LVN job on the 17th! Hoping I will be accepted to my school's RN bridge program this August where I will be working as close to full time as I can. I am so nervous but already anxious for the next step. Thank you again for sharing :)

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Just got an offer for a new grad ER position. So happy.

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@ thecommuter WOW that sounds tough! good job doing all that! I am starting my RN program this fall and I will continue to work as an LVN.

was the program hard for you? I hear people saying for hard it is and I am wondering if its easier if you're already an LVN?

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