Ultimate question LPN or RN

U.S.A. Florida

Published

For the past few months or days I have been reading through a lot of post and debating whether I should do LPN or RN?? And I'm hoping someone once and for all answer this question. If it is worth going for LPN program or just wait for RN..?

Back story- I'm in Tampa, FL. I want to be CRNA, but I want to go for LPN and/or RN then BSN and then master. I got one more pre-req for hcc and apply for program fall 2015 or summer 2016(through lpn) or spring 2015-deadline june 2015, if i take the waiting game route for RN. Meanwhile since I got time and maybe get a foot on the door and get a feel for nursing I though i would go for the LPN program which starts in jan 2015, it's 14-15 month program.

So questions,

Should I wait for RN or should I jump into 2015 LPN program?

How is the job market for LPNS in tampa fl? How is the pay? where can I work after I'm out?

Any erwin graduates who could tell me where are they working now?

Please help I would really like to hear which path is good and yes I got time and that is not an issue. I would like to know really how it is out there for LPN's in Tampa Florida. Thanks for helping

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**question: Should I wait for RN or should I jump into 2015 LPN program?

My mistake, It's actually 2014 LPN or wait till Jan 2015 for RN. Which way is better?

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**question: Should I wait for RN or should I jump into 2015 LPN program?

My mistake, It's actually 2014 LPN or wait till Jan 2015 for RN. Which way is better?

You should do RN first. It will be too much time to do LPN first. Either way to get your CRNA you need more than 1 year of experience as a nurse on specific floors to apply.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Since becoming a CRNA is your end goal, here is my recommendation: Enroll in an ADN program, and do what you can to get an ICU job upon graduation. CRNA schools require at least 1 year of ICU experience, preferably 2 to be competitive. While working in the ICU, you can work on an RN-BSN bridge program. Work in the ICU until you have two years of experience, and after getting your BSN, study some for the GRE. Most schools require a GRE score (with the written portion) and consider it for admission. Be the best nurse you can be, because you will want professional letters of recommendation from your charge nurse/director of nursing. From many schools I've seen, two letters are requested. You'll also want professional references that can commend your nursing abilities, which if you stay in good standing with your coworkers, shouldn't be hard to get.

I agree that doing the LPN first will be more time than necessary. My friend is getting her LPN first and then transitioning to RN, but at the school where I'm in an ADN program, the LPN to RN program only saves you one semester of classes. So you still have to do 1.5years of school.

Also, a recommendation.. do not tell a potential employer that you have plans to go to CRNA school. It is expensive for hospitals to train new grads, and if they think you will just ditch them after a couple of years to go to grad school, they might be reluctant to hire you. Even if that is your intention, don't tell them.

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thanks for the advise. but if i do lpn won't that be plus to get a job in hospital for a new grad than lpn with experience?

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thanks for the advise.:)

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@elektrisk564...how is the job market for lpn? are you interested in the CRNA program as well?

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Specializes in CVICU.
@elektrisk564...how is the job market for lpn? are you interested in the CRNA program as well?

It really depends on where you are. Here in NE Oklahoma, the job market is good for LPNs/RNs. And yes, my end-goal is to become a CRNA, but I might go NP depending on how I feel after a few years of nursing.

Also, yes, I think you would have an upperhand having LPN experience vs an RN who does not have LPN experience, but the fact is that the scope of practice between LPNs and RNs is different and hiring managers will take that into account. It might not make such a big difference after all, but it always depends.

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I would just go the BSN route. You could always pick up a Certified Nurses Aid and work while in school or wait until you finish the Med-Surg course in your BSN program and then some hospitals may allow you to work as a student nurse (not sure about FL but I did that in AZ while working on my BSN).

Then you can find a job in ICU after obtaining your BSN. If you can get your foot in the door to an ICU doing something like working as a patient care tech or nurse's aid/student nurse or get a nurse internship etc. while in school then it will help you to get hired after you graduate. You will need a year or two of ICU experience as an RN (depending on which CRNA program) to get into CRNA school. Many hospitals are starting to hire mostly BSN due to wanting magnet status. I think this would be the shortest route for you.

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Unfortunately for me, my GPA was not high enough to get into the ADN Program because of classes 10 years ago I made all A's and B's in A&P, Micro, Algebra, etc... but the sociology/english classes killed my GPA.. So since i didnt get in, I went LPN route. It may take me longer to get where I am going, but the end is the same. Def go ADN if you get in, if not, LPN is a good backup plan. I live in Tampa too!!

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Definitely do your RN. I started as an LPN in 2011 and it is hard to find jobs as a LPN. Don't waste anytime. Only advantage of me doing LPN first, was that it made RN school a walk in the park for me.

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@ ryebread00 thanks I'm giving it more thought just that there is a waiting period thats my problem

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