LPN or ASN

[IdianaCNA1993]

Im just looking for some advice on this topic.

right now Im a cashier and boy do I hate it I was a CNA before hand and even though I considered it like an abusive partner I still loved it. Im trying my hardest to get back in to CNA-ing (if thats a real word) I start school in janurary for my preregs and well Im just stuck I guess. my original goal was CNA-LPN-ASN-BSN in that order and take a few years between all those. and after I get my BSN its anyones guess after that.

Well I have been second guessing myself alot on weather I want to be a nurse or not since I lost my CNA job. when I lost my CNA job I was done I was going in to law or dental. but then I got to thinking just becuase I lost my job dont mean I cant go get another CNA job else where and try again because the facility I worked at that let me go was not for me at the time.

I really want to be a nurse but the question is am I right for it. I love the abuse I have been told from a few good nurses I worked with I was good at being a CNA I like having a set schedual and seeing the same people (residents) from day to day for the most part because I knew the peoples day to day routine and there preferences and they start to become family (im an only child so its nice to have more family). I think I am a LTC ALF type of person.

So Im thinking that at minimum I want to get my LPN now if I want to stay in LTC or ALF for awhile. I wanted to get my ASN then go for my BSN but to be honest if I could scoot by with an LPN for now just so I can get out of my parents house and see if I want to be a nurse and to live for a little bit and beable to get loans and what not because my parents wont help me in that department when it comes to education. I feel that getting my LPN first and living a little isnt so bad but Im just nervouse on the job market for LPNS also and if it would be the right move.

I also know if I went LPN I was going todo the ASN/BSN pre regs and get those out of the way too just to be safe. I know I was also told that the LPN program in my area is not competivie.

So I guess what Im trying to figure out would getting my LPN be ok for now If Im ok with working in LTC or ALF for a while and working my way up the nursing ladder? or should I just do my ASN. I myself just want to get done and be out so I can live a little and find out if its a definate sure thing but I just dont know.

[Davey Do]

So I guess what Im trying to figure out would getting my LPN be ok for now If Im ok with working in LTC or ALF for a while and working my way up the nursing ladder?

That's sorta the way I went (EMT > LPN > RN) and I have no regrets.

Good luck to you, IdianaCNA.

[bbuerke]

Good luck to you! It sounds like you have a good plan in place. As far as what is best - it really depends on what your priority is...getting out and starting work as soon as possible or the end job. That's what made the difference for me - I was a lot like you. Living at home, working as a cashier, just itching to get out on my own. I became an EMT and started volunteering at the hospital in my free time to get a feel for what type of patients I wanted to work with. I also had the plan to go ADN

That really left an impression on me, and made me reconsider my plan. I sat down with someone and worked out a timeline of how long it would all take. Basically I wanted to get into a nursing program and get out and working as soon as possible. The idea of spending an extra year or two in school was absolute agony, not to mention the extra cost. However, once I worked out the timeline, I realized getting the ADN first and then going for BSN would actually wind up taking more time and costing more money in the long run. That solved it for me - I went for the BSN instead. Even though I was in school a bit longer, once I started working, that was it. No more school unless I wanted to go. The other thing that weighed on my mind was the possibility of getting married, having kids etc. in the interim and I cringed at the idea of being pregnant or having little ones while in nursing school. Ultimately going straight for BSN was the best decision for me, but that doesn't mean it's the right path for everyone. My friend did the LPN

You sound like you know where you want to be, and if the LPN will let you do that, then it may be worth it to you. You seem comfortable with the idea of working for a while, going back to school, etc. And who knows? You may love what you do and decide you don't need to go back to school. Either way I wish you the best of luck and hope it lands you in a place where you can be happy.