LPN to RN is it worth it?

my lvn school was 25,000.00 maybe you know som tricks to keep costs down, but even so later in life (50) it's a little harder without the aid of others. As a man in nursing to some extent you are on your own "cause hangin around with 20 year old women is at best inappropriate. That being said ignore the costs financially and just do it!

I think it is worth it to upgrade if you want more options, more responsibility and of course $. At your age, you will have a good long career if you stick it out. I would be concerned with two things: one would be, how will I afford this program and will I be able to get more loans, here in Ontario, there is a maximum amount you can borrow from government student loans, the next thing would be is to ask yourself if you know what you want to do when you become an RN and really research the areas you are interested in in your area. Getting into a specialty area is not always guaranteed, many hospitals only offer less than five new grad spots per year in some specialty areas, so you may have to work in a differing area. In addition, I would make sure your school of choice does a good job and that students can pay back their debts.

It also may be a good idea to work a few years before going back as you may have to in order to bridge and you will gain invaluable experience.

According to BCNU, they foresee RNs adopting a more administrative/education/resource/advanced practice (coming soon: suturing) role in the future.

Which brings us back to the PN becoming the entry point to Canadian nursing which the CNA has been floating, with a 10 step career ladder up to the Phd level.

i say its worth it! go for it! that is what im doing. Im young just like you and really want to be a RN. In my area i have to work certain hours or a year of work. Sure it will cost money! but in the long term since you are still young will be worth it! I don't think i can live with 17.88/hr starting in alberta i rather have that extra $12 and have a opportunity to presue MSN and teach later on. My LPN instructors even recommends to get you BScN and sociology teacher always says to go for the degree!..just my side of things

LPNs with an education degree can teach in Alberta.

I work as an LPN now whilst I finish my RN degree (we can challenge the LPN exam in our 2nd year of the BSN). It's tough to really see the difference between scopes of LPN and RN besides the IV and critical care stuff. Although, RNs do get a lot of theory which is priceless. A lot of students say the "touchy-feely" classes are useless, but in my short LPN career I've come to realize those classes are essential in being a great nurse.

Back to topic here, I think it'd be worth it to upgrade to an RN role. It definitely opens up alot more opportunies - specifically to the critical care areas, maternity, and possibly even into graduate programs if you'd like.

Well, education is a wonderful thing and should be pursued lifelong.

Having said that, the PN scope of practice varies so widely across Canada, a nurse has to know her provincial practice inside and out.

Here in Alberta we PNs are in critical care, icu, postpartum...

The only place I haven't found a PN is NICU and some areas of specialized peds.

We are starting our own IVs, hanging our own meds. I've been told by the end of summer that we will be doing our PICC dsgs. and meds.

I know of five PNs who have degrees in areas other than nursing. The second degree programme didn't exist when they trained or their degrees are from overseas and not acceptable.

I really do see the day when the BScN moves totally away from the bedside.
"A lot of students say the "touchy-feely" classes are useless, but in my short LPN career I've come to realize those classes are essential in being a great nurse" I actually find this an arrogant and offensive statement to my co-workers who were trained in the hospital RN programmes.

A great nurse doesn't need a course in sociology. They need people skills.

You are more than likely working as an employed nursing student or accredited care worker. In my experience, second year students work more or less as NAs while third years work to the same scope but with a smaller patient ratio than a LPN.

You can not "challenge" the PN licence exam. You are required to graduate from a practical nursing programme or a similar programme overseas.