So I've been a PCT for 4 years and next semester I will be finished with my pre-reqs for Nursing school. I go to a community college that is affiliated with 2 nursing schools. Christ Hospital School of Nursing, and Bayonne School of Nursing (both have a bridge program to a 4 year university for BSN)

Christ Hospital is one of the best Nursing schools in my area... and it's hard to get in. I put in my application in April 2011 for the classes starting September 2012.... the entrance exam is the NLN PAX

The other, Bayonne does not have as good as a reputation as Christ, and the entrance exam is more of a cognitive skills test...

I'm not the greatest student, average at best. But I want to accomplish this so badly it's almost all I ever think about. I think it's only my determination that has got me this far because honestly I barely graduated high school

Question is... if I don't get into either school, should I just go for LPN first? I'm not really making enough money right now to go straight for BSN (I have no kids, I live with my parents but they are both on social security so money is a big issue)

That's why I went the ADN route... so i can get a better paying job to put myself threw the rest of school....

I'm just the type to always plan for the worst and hope for the best ya know?

I jsut don't know if the LPN will be worth it... if I don't get into the RN program... or should I just suck it up and find a 4 year university that I can't afford and get my bsn?

If money is a big issue at the moment then personally I would go for the lpn first. Work as a lpn part time while taking a rn bridge program.

If you don't get into a RN program maybe you should consider the LPN program. You can make a decent income and gain experience as a nurse while waiting to get into RN or BSN program. Good luck on whatever you decide.

i am from new jersey as well. like you, i waited for 1.5 years to get in an rn program but did not get in so i did lpn first and graduated in 2008. i made 60k my first year as an lpn in nj. i took an lpn-rn adn bridge last year and they increased my pay extra 10k/year.

so yes lpn is definitely worth it. i owe everything to my lpn license.

good luck!

Yes, you should definitely go ahead with the LPN program if you don't get into RN program. You will definitely have some experience behind you and that can't be bad. And, as said before you can work prn as an LPN while in the RN bridge, which would be better income than as a nurse tech or can. Good luck to you. Sounds like you have a good plan.

I definitely would! I think the LPN will be very valuable to you going forward. I envied the LPN's in my nursing program. They had experience and had confidence with patients.

You should do the LPN route first because you can start working sooner and make money while continuing your education. Some might propose other wise due to the economy, but where I live, there are an abundance of jobs in LTC for LPNs and a few of the hospitals do hire LPNs. I applied for the LPN program and also the RN program, if i get accepted into both, I will choose the LPN program first because it is much quicker, and then I can bridge right away while working the weekends( double shift fri-sat, and a single shift on sunday) while having free time to focus on school monday thru friday afternoon. It will help put you ahead of the game, and in my area, LPNs make mid 20s and hour, I personally know one that makes $32 an hr. Hoping you choose the best route.

Thank you all for your answers! I'm just worried cause I know LPNs are sort of being phased out and only a handful of places around here hire them anymore...

Also... say i do go the LPN route... are there any bridge programs for LPN-BSN or would it make more sense to do LPN-ADN? I know there's RN-BSN... but would they accept an LPN that already has all the pre req's for RN? All I have left to take after this semester is Micro....

I think I'm just think to much LOL! I haven't even been accepted/rejected yet, I just want to have my ducks in order! haha

Go for the LPN if you don't get into either of those nursing schools. You can do the LPN through your local community college at the lowest possible cost. DO NOT enroll in a 4-year BSN that you can't afford because you'll be crippled with student debt, which can destroy your credit and negatively impact the rest of your life. You said yourself that you barely passed high school - so if you enroll in a 4-year BSN and don't pass, you'll still owe tens of thousands in student debt and without a nursing job to pay it back. LPN is the best option, you can become a nurse for cheap, get a few years of experience, then do one of those other programs to become an RN (some 2-year RN programs let you skip the first semester if you are an LPN already and take only 3 semesters to graduate) possibly with your tuition partially paid for by your employer.

Thank you all for your answers! I'm just worried cause I know LPNs are sort of being phased out and only a handful of places around here hire them anymore...

Also... say i do go the LPN route... are there any bridge programs for LPN-BSN or would it make more sense to do LPN-ADN? I know there's RN-BSN... but would they accept an LPN that already has all the pre req's for RN? All I have left to take after this semester is Micro....

I think I'm just think to much LOL! I haven't even been accepted/rejected yet, I just want to have my ducks in order! haha

At the community college in my area, you can do the LPN program and then bridge at the same school to become an RN which is a year. they let the LPNs students into the second year of the RN program, so they are on par with the students who are going directly for their RNs. Its under 7,000 to bridge at the schools in my area. There are two universities that offer a LPN to BSN option which is expensive and you do a total of six semester if I am not mistaken.

I chose to become an LPN first so I could begin making money sooner. I also found that it is much easier to get into an RN program if you are already an LPN. And it is very simple to get into an LPN program.

When I was looking to start RN school, the waiting lists were out of this world! But to get my foot in the door, I went to LPN school- graduated in 09. Only problem was finding a job afterwards. Most of the facilities here want you to have experience, which of course you can't get until someone HIRES you LOL, but it worked out well eventually. It was definitely worth it. I just recently got into an RN program, but they don't accept any of the classes I took @ LPN school because they are clock hours (??) and don't transfer- which means I'm not eligable for a Bridge program. Luckily I already had a lot of the general ed courses; english, psych, etc, but still need A&P II and microbiology :chair:. So if you do go for the LPN, make sure the classes you're taking will allow you to do a Bridge program! Good luck!!

I would not pass on the LPN program if offered, if you do not make the RN program. There is something to be said for the expierience you would gain while waiting. Plus you will need the increased income to bridge over. Unless father time is beating down your door, then there is nothing wrong with going low and slow. Nursing will always be here so take your time and do what is best for you.