[MrsCD]

Ok, so I got accpeted to an LPN 18 month program and a 2 yr RN program. My heart tells me to go with the 2 yr RN because it will a much easier schedule for me. I need to work full time and I have a 1 yr old son. My boss already approved me to work 7am - 3 pm two days a week and the other days I have to work a regular schedule 8am-5pm. My schedule for classes would be Monday 5:20-9:20, Tuesday 6-9 and Thursday 4:30 - 10:30 (clinicals). As for the LPN its a straight 18 months, no summer off - Monday - Thursday 6-10pm and every other saturday 8am-3pm.

I need some thoughts if I making the right decision and if I am can I handle this???? I am scared but I want this so bad I can taste it ........

[msdobson]

Then eat up, girl! Take the RN program.

[amyk_ncsu]

If I were in your situation, I would choose the RN program. Chances are you will eventually want to go for the RN anyways, and it will probably take you a year instead of just the extra 6 months. Besides, if you work schedule fits now, just go for it. You may not be able to go back to school again later.

Good luck!

[mspetite]

Congratulations on the acceptance!

My LPN program was 10 months Mon-Thur 4-10p and every other weekend 7-3 ,your 18 months LPN is almost as long as the 2 yr RN program, I think you should go straight for the RN program.

I was sort of in a similar situation I have two young children and it was either LPN program for 10 months without working (which we struggled) or RN program for 2 years. I couldn't not work for 2 years, so I chose the LPN. Ive graduated and been working so now my foot is in the door and I can work towards my RN. That worked better for my situation.

Let us know what you choose.

[threehairs21]

I'm graduating LPN school in two weeks. If I was to start over, I would go straight to the RN program.

Congrats on your acceptance.

[Alternator81]

This would not be a hard choice for me to make! Take the RN program!!

[SAHStudent]

RN program...

It's not that much longer and you already pointed out that you think the schedule would be better. So go for it!

[allthingsbright]

RN program is my vote--you will have many moe doors open to you as an RN. LPN is a great alternative if you cant get into an RN program or want to do things in smaller steps, but if you are already accepted for RN, run with it!!!

Good luck!

[Daytonite]

MrsCD. . .you will have many more job options as an RN, so I would go to the RN school. HOWEVER, I doubt very much that you will be able to continue working full time and attend a full time nursing problem whether it is an RN or LPN program. Problems are going to come up depending on where you decide to place your priorities. Nursing school is a full time job in itself, so you will, in effect, be working two full time jobs. Where do you plan to fit studying in? Most colleges will tell you that for every hour of class time you should plan at least 2 hours of study and prep time to just pass the class. You don't want to just pass nursing classes; you need to really learn and understand the nursing stuff in order to pass the NCLEX (or the NCLEX-PN for LPNs) so you can get a license to work as a nurse. It would be a shame to just pass your nursing classes only to ultimately fail the NCLEX or NCLEX-PN. If you can't pass the NCLEX, you can't work as a nurse.

To do this schooling you will really need to budget your time and have practically no personal and family demands. How are you going to make time for your son? And, who is going to care for him because you are going to be very, very busy. Nursing school is not like other classes where you can often get by just sitting, listening to lectures and spitting the information back out on exams. Doesn't work that way in nursing school. Much of the learning is done on your own time with your nose in a book and a million questions floating around in your brain that you need to seek answers to.

When I went through my AA program of nursing I was single. I worked part time as a nursing assistant during my second year of nursing school. When I went back for my BSN I started out working full time. However, when I got into my last year of clinical classes I realized that the demands of the university program were too great and I cut back my hospital work to 2 days a week in order to keep up with assignments. So, I've been there and know what the realities of nursing school are.

My advice would be to look at your financial situation very closely and see where you can cut corners really drastically. I would work at your job until you realize it is no longer feasible. Only then, see if your boss would be willing to let you go part time. Otherwise, you'll have to consider the very real prospect of quitting. After a semester of nursing school you should be able to take the CNA certification exam and easily find part time work as a nursing assistant. Most facilities will take on nursing students. Work part time during school and full time during breaks from school. Save money where you can and spend it miserly. If you are a single mom you should also talk with someone from social services, your state department of education, or your college financial aid department and see what kind of assistance you can get. You should see what getting on welfare involves because you may have to in order to complete school. I believe that MedicAid has special assistance in place for single moms who are going to school to study for a career. You can plan this all out ahead of time.