LPN to RN

So, how does a person become an RN, and what is the easiest and most convenient path to take?

Over the course of this article, you have not only learned the differences in job descriptions between a LPN and a RN, but have also learned the possible career choices and income potentials of each. What we have not discussed in detail are the educational choices that are available to those wishing to step into a career as an RN. As an LPN, students can enroll in bridge programs designed to consider the students previous educational and work experience and to adjust their program schedule accordingly. Those with no previous nursing education also have numerous opportunities when it comes to choosing the right school for their nursing degree.

When considering a career in nursing, one may think that the educational requirements are just too lengthy and the course work is just too difficult to handle for their current lifestyles. In an article titled "Better Late Than Never: Workforce Supply Implications of Late Entry into Nursing", featured in the Jan/Feb 07 issue of Health Affairs, Dr. David I. Auerbach describes how a large portion of modern nursing students are entering the nursing profession later in life than years previous. While this is good news for the nations nursing shortage, it also demonstrates that a good many nursing students in coming years will be in their late 20's and early 30's. What this means is that those entering into nursing programs will most likely have previous financial and social responsibilities, and may not have the time or the freedoms needed to enter into traditional campus based nursing programs. Many may be married and have children that they must attend. As any parent knows, school aged children provide a great many responsibilities for their parents, such as school events, after school social events, health needs, and just time that each parent must spend with their children on personal levels. Other responsibilities that older students face revolve around dedication to spouses and community events, as well as current job requirements. Let's face it, in today's society, it is almost always necessary for uneducated persons of their 20's and 30's to maintain employment.

In response to the need for more convenient and flexible educational schedules, many colleges are stepping forward to offer alternative means for students to acquire accredited college degrees that fit into the busy schedule of most adults. By developing degree programs that can be attended through the use of the Internet, schools can offer students the ability to complete their studies from home. These schools have set up a type of correspondence program that allows students to interact with instructors, as well as with each other. What makes these programs beneficial to most students is that they allow students to use this correspondence at any time of the day or night. This means that those attending online nursing classes can work or spend time with their families during the day time hours, and then complete their studies and submit their correspondence in the evenings. Since nursing programs almost always require students to perform clinical rotations, working at a healthcare facility to gain hands on experience, schools offering online nursing programs have set up clinical rotations for students at locations nearby for the student. This gives the student the opportunity to not only do their rotations close to home, but it also allows the student the chance to work closely with other nurses that may eventually become co-workers. Students can form invaluable bonds with future employers and co-workers in this fashion, and gain important knowledge about upcoming hiring processes.