1 yr LPN vs. Community College? Please advise

There are many colleges with LPN to RN schools. LPN is not a college "degree", but that's semantics. You will have to have a lot of related courses, like English, Anatomy, Social Sciences to continue to get your RN Degree. I'm fairly sure that the courses like English that you need for your LPN will transfer into college credit when you go for your RN. If you have the time while taking your LPN courses to take extra classes that will help you out when you go for your RN, do that. Always pick classes outside of your LPN that are going to help you with your RN, like sociology, or something like that.

Sounds like for you and your situation, you should take advantage of your year off, get your LPN. Then find a school with an LPN to RN bridge and go from there. Yes, internet classes at accredited schools count just as much as if you took the course inside a classroom. It's becoming more and more common.

Being and LPN is an honorable profession, but I always recommend getting your RN as soon as possible. The pay is so much better and the options so much more.

Are you already in an RN or LPN program, or just starting the pre-reqs and co-reqs. If your just taking pre-reqs and co-reqs by all means work towards those that will fulfill your RN requirements, and they definately fulfull the LPN requirements as well.

Good luck!!

my advice to you is to find out if you can qualify for financial aid and go for your RN because it is more pay and when you get out of lpn school you will just find out you will want to return to get your RN. when working as an lpn it will want you to work as an rn.lori

I did something similar. I was an LPN first. I went right into doing my RN soon after. But this way you can work as an LPN while doing your pre reqs for the LPN -RN transition program. Most community colleges offer this program, designed for working nurses. We all worked as LPNs while we were in the RN program, most classmates, had kids as well. My advice is to finish all non-nursing pre-reqs before starting the RN program full-time, this way you only have clinicals and lecture to worry about. TAke nutrition, developmental psych, Microbiology and Lab, Anatomy & phys 2 with lab, and your writing credit all out of your way before. It is doable. It is up to you! You can do it!

Hi,

I am in a similar situation, but I started LPN classes last year in October. I wanted to attend college to become an RN, but opted for the LPN course due to financial reasons. I will graduate February of 2005, so it's longer than one year. I was originally told the course was 14 months, but it's 15 and after it's all said and done...it may be April or May of 2005 before I start working.

I wouldn't advise anyone to choose the LPN course over the RN. Unless...it was a matter of finances. Like you, I didn't want to work, take care of the hubby, kids, and attend nursing school. The course I'm taking at Miami Lakes Educational Center in Miami, Florida is grueling. In January we covered 24 chapters of anatomy, (started off with 2 tests a week and went to 4).

We are in clinicals at Jackson Memorial Hospital here in Miami, and our first day on the Neuro floor a nurse said to us "I hope you guys intend on going back to school because LPN stands for low paid nurses." I never wanted to be an LPN. And I think that I'll only work part-time after I graduate so I can attend college full-time to become an RN.

Based upon my own experiences, I would only recommend the LPN to RN track for those who feel they will need to work in 15-16 months. And they don't mind being bombarded with a lot of information all at once...

Tell your husband I said he needs to be open to other possibilities. There are too many pressures associated with nursing school to have a spouse who adds to them.

Many facilities will allow you to work whatever hours you can, while accomodating your school schedule.

I worked full time while taking prereqs part time, but this process took way too long. The good part was that I saved enough money to pay for the nursing program without borrowing.

Your experience as an LPN will serve you well in nursing clinicals, but remember to follow their rules regarding protocols, rather than doing things the way they are done in "the real world."

DO NOT give up on the idea of becoming an RN! BTW, if you choose to take prereqs part time, perhaps you should do as I did and get a full associate's degree, then go to a 4 year college nursing program. You will end up with a bachelor's degree in nursing, with a much larger range of choices for your future.

does any one know how to prepare for the net test, I am in the process of taking the entry exam and I would like to be prepare of what to expect of the test.

I definately agree with eagleriver! "hubby" sounds DEMANDING and may not support you during this year of rigorous LPN curriculum. Sounds like first you need to have a chat with hubby... GOOD LUCK nonetheless!

Have you considered maybe taking the RN pre-req's part-time or online first? Such as your anatomy/physiology, English Comp, Math etc. Knock those out part-time basis while you are working then take the time off to concentrate strictly on your core courses/labs/clinicals. I did this when I went for my BSN and I also was married while hubby was also a full-time student and my oldest son was 3 when I graduated. I was able to complete everything on time and it seemed to be the most time efficent way for me while trying to care for a family. I worked during intersessions, summers and on weekends for the extra case on an externship during my junior and senior year. Also I worked each semester for pre-registration and registration for a few extra bucks. Also many hospitals/LTC will pay for your degree in return that you contract to work at thier facility upon graduation for equal time. We had CNA's that were going to school for thier RN and they hospital was paying for full tuition and books. If they were getting thier ADN then they contracted to work 2 years upon graduation or if BSN then 4 years after graduation. Just a thought.