If you had it to do all over again, which route would you take?

PhantomRN · Nov 12, 2001

I would bite the bullet and do the RN route. It sounds like that is your intended goal anyway. You stated you had some pre-regs to do, well you can do those while you wait.

When I first went back to school. I got accepted into an LPN, ADN and a BSN program. I chose the BSN because I knew that the BSN was my goal. I knew once I finished my program there would be little chance that I would want to go back to school again anytime soon, as I would have family, school loans etc to think of.

MRed94 · Nov 12, 2001

I got my LPN first, then my EMT and my OR tech. Now I am in ADN school.

20 years almost have gone by since I did my LPN, and I sure wish I had gone the RN route from the beginning.

I don't know if I will continue with school after this or not. I would like to eventually be a Legal nurse consultant, and I think I can get those classes on video or otherwise, but I know the program here is self-paced.

I just didn't know any better at the time.

Marla

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 12, 2001

I graduated from the LPN program in July 2000 and I am currently back in school for my RN. I'm torn about whether or not I did the right thing. I think it depends on your individual circumstances. I do think the experience as an LPN was good for me personally. I can really appreciate the role of CNA and LPNS, etc. Of course, not to say that you couldn't without being one first! You don't know how many people in my microbiology class I've heard say "oh gross! I would never change a diaper on an adult!" They've had no exposure to nursing and I guess they think they are just going to get a job where their hands "stay clean" so to speak.

In any case, you need to look at your situation and decide what time constraints or financial considerations you may be facing and go from there. If I had to do it all over, I probably would have went straight for the RN!

Good luck,

Christine

MRed94 · Nov 12, 2001

Maybe I would just have married a man with money, and just not have worked.....? :)

Marla

essarge · Nov 13, 2001

I am going the BSN route for a few reasons.

1. My age (46), figure I'll be good for bedside nursing for awhile, but eventually I want to be an instructor (at the school I now attend).

2. If I want some type of management position, and it requires a BSN degree, I will be educationally qualified.

3. I'm doing this not only for myself, but my dad (who is no longer with us) because it was his dream for me to go to college.:)

KristaB · Nov 13, 2001

I'm with Marla.

I'm in an ADN program right now, that ladders from an LPN after four quarters to an RN after 7 (20 months, total). I'll do my BSN immediately after, something that they *highly* encourage in my program, which will take an addtional year.

I've known I've wanted to be a nurse since high school, but my mom kept trying to talk me out of it (saying things like, "You're too smart to be an a**-wiper," something she still thinks, actually. It's unfortunate that that is how others see nursing...). Anyhow, I took most of the prereqs way back when, and even took the intro to nursing course about seven years ago. Luckily for me, it all still counted when I actually got around to going in the program, only 11 years after high school. I had intended to go straight for the BSN, but that was back before I had kids. Now that I do, I think I'm doing the right thing for myself and my family. Having done all of the corequisite courses, I can do the RN program at just barely full time, 12 credits per quarter.

There are lots of things to weigh when making the decision. It isn't always as cut and dried as we might like.

Krista

Cindy_A · Nov 13, 2001

I am now in an ASN program. Before I decided I wanted to get into nusing, I became a CNA, then I went to LPN school, and now I'm becoming an RN. I really don't think I would have done anything any differently. I think being an LPN has helped me a great deal in the RN program, I can relate to so many things. I think being an LPN first really helped because it let me see if I really liked nursing without a huge expenditure. Sometimes people have a glamourized notion of what nursing is, and then when they find out how it really is, they hate it!

Being a nurse can be very frustrating at times, but it's also very rewarding. I wouldn't want to do anything else! And I've done plenty of other stuff!

I already have a B.S. in Business Management, so maybe that will help me if I want to get into nursing management later, since I won't have a BSN, I'm not sure.

jschut, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2001

I am in an LPN program now. I will graduate in July, then have till May to get in two more pre-reqs before ASN starts. That will be another year. Then after that, I eventually will return for my BSN because my philosophy is that I KNOW I want to nurse. To work with my patients, but when I am older, and may want the "desk job", I'll have more oppertunity with my BSN. No, I don't think I would change it.

I was previously in a BSN program, but I wanted "instant gratification", and besides, couldn't really afford to be out of work for 4 years. So after much deliberation, my husband and I decided to go the route I am in now. We are both happier.

Julie:)

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2001

I am now in an ADN program that is a two-year program, not including the time it takes to get your pre-req's done. I had been in college for three years before deciding to change majors and go into nursing. The BSN was what I wanted, but it would have taken me an additional four-five years to complete it, and that was just completely unrealistic for me. Seven to eight years for a nursing degree? No thanks! I was SO ready to get out of school and start working and gaining experience; I figure I can always go back later when I get tired of nursing for a while and want a change. Everyone's circumstances are different; I couldn't bear the thought of being in college for that long after coming *this close* to finishing my original major and switching at the last minute. I evaluated the LPN and the RN programs at the school I attend now; to be honest, at first, I was planning to get the LPN. The program was 18 months long. When I asked around, I quickly realized that for six more months of school, I could have my RN, have more responsibility nursing-wise, be more independant, have more flexibility, and make almost seven dollars more for hospital nursing down here (it varies, I'm sure, from location to location.). It just seemed like a bad choice to forgo the RN simply because it took longer, and it was only six months, which in the long run, isn't a whole lot. If I hadn't had the money, or the time, or if circumstances hadn't allowed, I certainly would have gotten the LPN, with the personal goal of getting advanced degrees as money and time permitted down the road. I say, if you're up for it, and circumstances allow, go ahead and go as far as you can as early as you can- it will save you time and frustration later on. If the LPN program is best for you, go for it. If you can stick it out for the RN, go for *that*. If you're able to go ahead and get your BSN right off the bat, more power to you, but this is very difficult for many people to do. If I could have, I would have gone straight through to the BSN, worked a few years, then returned to school for NP education. Good luck!

Love-A-Nurse · Nov 13, 2001

I graduated from CNA in 1990, from LPN in 1991 and have just been accetped to the RN (ADN) program for Jan.2002.

I know this is the career for me. I wished I had gone back for RN sooner, however, this is the route I would have taken (one step at a time.)

I personally feel it is a individual situation.

My ultimate goal is to become an DON in LTC and I will get at least a BSN if not MSN (before the retiring years). After school, I want to work ER.

kewlnurse · Nov 14, 2001

Here in Hell, I mean Western NY, going to LPN school is kind of foolish, it's a 9 month program, you go all summer , and make about $5 less an hour to start with and about $12 and hour less after 15 years than RN's, at our facility new RN's make more than LPN's with 30 years, not fair but thats how it is, you have almost the same responsibilities. 2 Year RN programs allow you to take the LPN boars after the 3rd semeter, so if you wnat to get a head start and work as an LPN during your last semester for experience you can. LPN's have no room for advancement, you can't do critical care, cand push IV meds, can't hang blood and a few other things. When i worked on the floor we alwaysgave teh LPN;s the extra patient because we had to do all the stuff they couldn't. But thats how it is here , it may be different elsewere.