[Gavsmom]

I have been struggling with figuring out if LPN is even worth? My family members say go straight for RN but easier said then done. Time is my biggest issue. I have a
2 yr old & I am the sole provider. I NEED to work full time to receive full benefits & pay. I'm hesitant about taking a loan out for the cost nursing school, I've worked hard to be debt free & loans raise concerns. Any advice on the cost & schedule differences. I'm currently a CNA & desperately want to transition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[pink74]

i went to an adult school that had a lpn program and qualify for a pell grant that pay for school , i work full time to pay bills , attended school 3-day per week for abotu 20 months, do some research w/any programs or talk to a school counselor they will help you better. good luck

[Jules A]

It sounds to me like LPN school would be perfect for you and maybe your employer would kick in some money for school. In a year you could be working as an LPN and then continue on if you want to work toward your RN. I respect the need and admire your desire to continue working. It is wise not to get yourself way in debt to acheive this goal, imo. I and many of my friends have worked 30+ hours a week all through school.

[sandiegojames]

I say go for the RN. The ADN program at the Comm. College near me qualifies people as LVNs half way though the RN program anyway.

If you are serious about being an RN, student loans are not bad debt at all. Plus intrest rates are really dropping b/c the economy is doing poorly. So your loan rate will probably be really cheap.

There are many, many more opportunities as an RN.

[santhony44]

I think you need to look at a variety of factors. How long will it take to get in to either program? Will your current employer provide tuition reimbursement or any other assistance? How are the classes and clinicals scheduled? What are the costs involved?

Get all the information about all your options, and sit down with someone you trust to help you sort things out.

LPN first vs. straight to RN really depends a lot on the particulars of your individual situation. Good luck in whatever you do.

[NewTravelingNurse]

I was an LPN for a few years. I wanted to do more and travel. As a LPN, I was lucky to get into a good nursing home. I worked and went back for my RN. Never regretted it once. Now I am traveling and looking forward to the next area...

Either way. Do what you think is best for you and your family. I can't remember a nurse that went hungry?? Can you.

[CookieCritter]

Originally Posted by Gavsmom

I have been struggling with figuring out if LPN is even worth? My family members say go straight for RN but easier said then done. Time is my biggest issue. I have a
2 yr old & I am the sole provider. I NEED to work full time to receive full benefits & pay. I'm hesitant about taking a loan out for the cost nursing school, I've worked hard to be debt free & loans raise concerns. Any advice on the cost & schedule differences. I'm currently a CNA & desperately want to transition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Do a lot of research and soul searching. Do you want to be an RN, do they hire LPNS in your area? Do you feel like your job choices will be limited in your area if you dont become an RN?

Debt can pile if high if loan money is mishandled. I have no kids and work but still ended up having to take out a loan because I simply could not cover all that I needed for school.

My school money is in a separate account and I never ever touch it for anything besides school. There are also loan forgiveness programs, the VA in my area is currently allowing a graduate nurse to come in out of school and they will pay up to 30k of the debt. There is also National health Services (you must already be accepted into a program for that one though) They will give you a stipend and pay for school, in exchange for that you will owe them a few years of service in an underserved area....could be Indian Health Services, could be a rural setting in an agricultural area, etc. How many years you have to give them depends on how much money they shell out for you.

Does your current job pay for people to go to school or offer tuition reimbursement? Will your parents and friends help you with childcare while you are in school for free? Will they be available when you need to study or even "gasp" sleep for a few hours?

These are things they have to be willing to assist you with if you want to be an RN and they seem to desire it for you as well.

Sit down and look at all the variables, there are also places that allow a 30 hour work week and still pay bennies. If that is not happening are there state or county programs where you are that will insure a 2 year old child even if the parent makes a few bucks or at least offer some type of sliding scale so that you can both get your health coverage?

I had to really consider all this and I don't have anything depending on me not a kid, cat, frog, nada. I decided yes it's worth the risk for me. I don't want to be spinning my wheels in a field I don't care for or a place where I cannot or am not being allowed to expand my knowlege and skills and it's been my lifelong dream to become an RN.

[pagandeva2000]

You need to investigate how competitive the RN programs are, the job outlook for LPNs in your area, money, and how deeply interested you really are in nursing. As another poster said, it is rare to see nurses going hungry. Of course, personally, I do not see an LPN program being a waste of time (since I am one, and don't intend to be an RN), but there are more reasons for that...you get to see if you can keep up with intense studying, you will see if nursing is really for you, most programs are shorter, so, you can get out into the workforce quicker and it is an honorable living.

Just see what the job market is like for LPNs in your side of the world. I do hear in this site that some areas do not use LPNs in hospitals anymore, or that long term care is the only option for LPNs. NO ONE wants to spend the time, energy and finances into a career that has no mobility for them. My area is not that way, at least not at this time. Good luck!