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Discussion

33 Y/0, would you wait for RN or jump to LPN?

I have a BA in Theater received in 2001. I was young and dumb as they say and blew off my sciences so I already have two W's in my pre-reqs needed for NS. I passed a+p1 on the 2nd try with a B (too much partying when I was 19) and withdrew from a+p2. The program I'm going for (the only affordable one in my area that has a decent NCLEX pass rate and also participates in the federal loan system), MDC, is very competitive and I'm afraid that my B along with my two W's will drown me in the applicant pool. Because of that I'm considering the LPN course as a plan b, and then bridging over to the RN later. I would have to take out the same amt of loans to attend either program as they are similar in cost and length. I could push my luck and hope that I could handle working FT as an LPN while attending an online bridge program to avoid taking out loans. I don't know if I could handle that as I would have a 5 yr old in the house by then (daughter is 2 1/2 now). My question to all of you would be: would you just go for the LPN if rejected from the RN to get into the field quicker and deal with the bridge later? Would you wait and re-apply over and over to get into the RN? Time is of the essence - I am 33!

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    I did what you did, although at a younger age without kids. I couldn't wait money wise for the RN, I went back and got that later. So it depends, can you wait for a maybe? Or can you go ahead and do LPN, work full or part time, and finish your RN? Either option will be hard with kids. But doable.good luck!

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    I totally would and did.

    In 2009 I applied to an RN program and an LPN program as back-up. Had a few pre/co reqs to complete before I could apply into the MAJOR RN program around here, but of course I would have been sitting on a wait list for 2 years if I had, well anyway. I was accepted into the LPN program first, the other RN program changed their requirements and I did not meet their new all co-reqs completed points system, so I didn't get in.

    So into my back-up I went. Started LPN in January of 2009- finished in December, starting working in March 2 weeks after taking my NCLEX.

    I got my LPN. began working, finished all the co-reqs, applied into the MAJOR RN program as Advanced Placement a few months ago, then I started working this semester on my BSN pre-reqs while I waited for a spot. I start the Advanced Placement (aka bridge) next month.

    So while others were waiting I was making really good money as a nurse and getting experience. So yeah I recommend having the LPN program as a back-up if by chance you don't get right into the RN program you want.

    It was my back-up plan that got me to where I am today!

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    Thank you for the comments and encouragement! In my understanding, the LPN is pretty much or very similar to the first year of an ADN program, is that correct? I am wondering approximately how many hours to plan on devoting to studying a week. I want to attempt to project whether or not I can juggle working, a two year old and LPN school. I am a dedicated student, detail oriented, but sciences are not my easiest subject. I can receive an A or B if I work harder than the average student for it, which I am willing to do, it just takes longer. I know the formula is 3-4 hours of study for each credit hour, does this hold true for vocational credit hours as well?

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    Hello,

    I'm 42 years old and a current nursing student pursuing my ASN to test for NCLEX-RN @ Herzing University. My school is private, costs about $650 per credit hour, and it offers an accelerated program for both LPN to RN and a student starting from scratch to RN (like me).

    An LPN degree will get you working sooner, but many hospitals are moving towards RNs... some have even started to require BSN to hire you. But that's a topic for another day.

    Yes, LPN will get you experience, but the journey to going for the RN is very much harder than LPN. If science is not your strenght, you should go for the LPN and get familiar with everything on the floor before you venture into a totally new way of thinking. Those who have gone through the RN route know what I mean. It is not a walk in the park.

    I do not recommend you the RN accelerated program having two small children, even if you have a husband and family to take care of them while you study. It is very rough and you'd be sacrificing precious time with your little ones. I'd recommend you to go through the LPN route and then go part-time RN studying.

    Don't get me wrong, it is possible for you and anyone to do the RN in your circumstance... I have a colleague with five small children that made it through the entire program, but her husband decided to divorce her at the eleventh hour! So much for being so supportive of her career choice. I wish her nothing but success and strenght as she moves forward with her life.

    I guess, what I'm saying is that it all boils down to your circumstances, your support system, your drive, your time, and committment. Time will go by no matter what, so don't even worry about you being 33. If that's what you want to do and you feel you are called to be a nurse... make it happen while you still take care of yourself and children.

    Best of luck !!!

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    jmiami

    thank you for the comments and encouragement! in my understanding, the lpn is pretty much or very similar to the first year of an adn program, is that correct? i am wondering approximately how many hours to plan on devoting to studying a week. i want to attempt to project whether or not i can juggle working, a two year old and lpn school. i am a dedicated student, detail oriented, but sciences are not my easiest subject. i can receive an a or b if i work harder than the average student for it, which i am willing to do, it just takes longer. i know the formula is 3-4 hours of study for each credit hour, does this hold true for vocational credit hours as well?

    yes and no lpn is similar to the first year of rn. much of the hands on stuff is done then (bathing, taking vitals, etc) but you also do the whole body system just not as in depth maybe as the rn. if you look at the actual classes you do in lpn and compare to rn there is a lot more community health type classes, research classes, etc. many things to make up that extra time that was not stuff you already went over. i felt that my rn classes were review, and that my bsn classes were things that did not apply to my daily care of pts, but gave me knowledge of healthcare in general. nursing classes are like your a&p classes in difficulty-might not be that hard to understand but the sheer volume will get you. i worked 2 part time jobs while in lpn school but did not have kids-it was hard and i was an a student in sciences before nursing school and am a good test taker.

    good luck! you can always try it and if you need to cut back on work or quit do so.

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    I understand money is a really big issue for most people as is the amount of time invested.

    The way the industry is moving, magnet being one of the factors, is to have as many RN's with BSN as possible. Many hospitals right now will not hire you unless you walk in with RN, BSN

    Something to keep in mind.

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