My Big Fat Gripe!

[kristycarberry]

Hi! I am a lurker here...don't post a lot. I have a big gripe and would like some advice. I just got out of the Navy and am going back to school for my RN. My husband is still in the Navy and we just moved (April) from VA to Pensacola, FL. Before we moved from Virginia, I did all of the application, got my transcripts, etc for the ADN program here. I also contacted the nursing dept there and asked them when I would be able to start the program; it only starts twice a year in August and May. The lady that I talked to told me if I got all of my applications in and took my NLN RN pre admission once I got here, that I would probably be able to start the actual program in May 2004. That would give me this Summer, fall and Spring to complete all of my non nursing courses, which was fine with me. I took my NLN in May and got in the 89%, and only had to have 40. So, I went to the office to make sure that they had the scores and to ask once again when I would be able to start the program. They told me that I would be able to start in May 2005!!! 2005?! That means that even if I took all of my non nursing courses, there would be a year that I had nothing to do! This is not acceptable to me. There are no other ADN programs in my area. So I have researched my options. My school does offer an LPN program that starts twice a year, June and January, and has no wait. I just missed the June program, but I think that what I want to do is to continue taking the classes that I will need for my RN, then start the LPN program in January. Instead of the vocational A&P, etc, classes, I will take the college level classes instead. I would be able to get my LPN in January 2005. The Career Mobility (LPN-RN) program does not have a wait. I would be able to start that program in June 2005, which would essentially start me as a second year RN student. Basically, I would just knock a year off my waiting time if I do it this way. Does this make sense? Some of my family members do not understand why I would do this, since the LPN courses are not courses that I would need if I went directly through the RN prg. However, I do not want to wait all of that time to get my degree. I am only 25, but I am not getting any younger. So, all of you out there that know more than I do, please help me out! Thanks a bunch!
Kris

[imported_Aaron C.]

well, I think I'm pretty qualified to answer this one. I just finished LPN school. I had all of my basics except A&P and Micro but wouldn't be able to get into RN school for a year, so I opted to take the one year Day LPN program so that I wouldn't just kill a year waiting.

I did that, but then switched to the night program because it better accomodated my family situation/work/etc., so in the end it comes out to being the same amount of time for me, if I went to RN school in the fall.

I'm not going to do that, but instead will start my second year of RN school next year most likely. I figure the year of LPN experience will help me quite a bit in RN school.

Anyway, I know that any college classes that you have, ie. nurtrition, A&P, etc. should count in place of your LPN courses. Several of my classmates got to SKIP some classes because they already had them in college. One girl is actually taking A&P in college simultaneously with her LPN classes and she would be in "Body Structure and Function" (A&P equivalent) right now but does not have to take it as long as she makes a C or better in the college class. That will really speed up the time it takes her to graduate, basically cutting two or three months off.

We were also told towards the end of the school year that from now on any classes in the LPN program will count towards our college classes at the colleges that we can artricluate to. So...I shouldn't have to take A&P in college although I probably will anyway.

Sorry for being so longwinded. I hope I helped.

[TracyR]

Hi...Whatever you decide is all up to you, because either way you'll be embarking on a life long, fulfilling career. (Did that sound too corny?)

I really do mean it though. I love my work, and wouldn't trade it for the world.

[Judyd]

Hello Kristy, So good to see you post here. I have been nursing about 15 years or so, but when I went to school I did 2 prerequisits then started a 1+1 program here in Kansas. In one year we tested for LPN and most continued summer courses straight into the RN program and in 2 years completed an ADN course. They change required classes frequently and I took one class where I paid the fee took the test and opened a book and tested out of ever having to take the psychology class(feeling my reading studies and previous job had prepared me enough)I did lower my grade a bit but freed up more time,which was very important at that time.I was still able to keep my grade point average in scholarship range and graduated with honors. I had kids still at home and the way I did it worked out the very best for me. Maybe you can check around and see if any Jr. colleges have the 1+1 class. We tend to score higher than longer classes on the actualboards. Probably because we do not have to remember the first year so long before we take the test. I was also able to work holidays and breaks on the LPN wage while finishing the second year which helped my family out tremendously at the time. Wishing you the best of luck in all your goals

[kristycarberry]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I appreciate you taking the time to respond! I have talked with my husband and a counselor at the school and do feel that this is the best option for me. I have pretty much decided. I have an appointment with the Director of the LPN program (not sure if I mentioned that in last post) on July 2nd, and that will make my decision for me.

Just a shameless brag here...I just finished my Summer "A" classes (6 week classes) in Eng Comp and College Algebra and came out with an A and a B+! So I am happy, since this was my first term back in school, and it was so much info in so little time!

I start my A&P class today. Little frustrated, because I registered for a M&W 2:45-6:20P class and a T&R 3-5:20 lab. I got two phone calls between 7 and 8 AM (TOO EARLY) this morning to tell me that they were both cancelled because there were not enough people, so I will now be in the T&R 6-9:20 lecture and M&W 7-9:20 lab. Hubby won't be happy! I guess I will be cooking earlier than normal! It will be ok though. Only 6 weeks. Then normal fall classes!

Thanks again for all of your support!

[Terry]

I can understand your frustration, I went straight through RN school, but I taught LPN school for 10 years. I agree, you should not wait a year to start your classes and the year of LPN school will only strengthen your nursing skills. If you need to, you can always work as an LPN while in the RN Program for more money than you could if you did not have the LPN licenses. What ever you decide, go for it, do what you feel is best for you. Good luck

Terry

[Mila64]

10 years ago I was in the same exact situation. I ended up going for my LPN worked full time in a hospital that after 6 months reimbursed tuition for my ADN and I completed that in 1 year using an external degree program... was Regents now Excellsior. Either way you go you end up with your RN.

Good Luck

[kristycarberry]

Well hello everyone,
Wow, thank you for the recent replies. I appreciate all of your encouragement. Since my last post there have been some developments in my situation. I have met with the Director of Nursing at my school and discussed my options. She told me that she would be able to get me in the August 04 RN class if I wanted to get in that one, which would mean that I could start my clinicals in January 05 and graduate in August 06 with my AS. I also talked with her about the LPN program. She said that many students choose that route because of the increased experience with the hands on aspect of nursing. She told me that I could start that program in January 04 and would complete it in December 04 and then go for my boards and come back for the 14 month LPN-RN program starting in June 05 which would put me graduating with my RN (AS) in August 06. So, it would be the same either way.
However, I have also talked with the nursing department at the 4 year University here. It appears that if I complete all of my general studies requirements at the community college, I can easily go to the University. The enrollment there has not been that high the last few years and seems to be open. SO..(I know this is a lot to take in) I could probably get in the August 05 class there and go for my BSN which I could complete in 2007 (Spring semester)
After carefully weighing my options, and knowing that I want to get my BSN at some point, I do feel that this is the best option for me. I have contacted many nursing schools, including the online ones, and I just feel that this would suit me best. I am sure that the LPN classes would be valuable, but I don't think it would make sense for me to take so many classes that I don't really need for my BSN if I could be taking the classes that I do need.
Since I am a Veteran and have to comply with the VA regulations in order for my school to be paid for, I will have to change my major at the community college to general studies and use my electives to complete the large amount of science classes that are required. If I go full time, which I am doing and plan to continue doing, I will graduate with my general studies in Dec 04, transfer to the university in August of the following year. I am going to try to get on with a doctors office in admissions or something just to be in the environment while I am waiting for the fall semester to start.
I am going to apply for the nursing program at the University for August of 04, however, I am pretty sure that I won't be able to get in because I will still have about 3 classes to complete for gen requirements. But I don't think it will hurt to try to send in my app and ask if I can do those courses in my first semester in nursing. I know it would be tough, but I think it would be fantastic if I could just tough it out for one semester and knock off a year of down time.
I appreciate all of your advice on my situation, and am open to any comments on my decision now. Please feel free to let me know what you think...is this a wise decision, or do you feel I should comtinue in my 2 year? Thank you so much for all you of your help!
Kristy C.