LPN or RN school...serious help. :(

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Ok guys so let me give you a bit of background. I am CNA/Phleb cert and I got my dream job at my hosp of choice as a PCT. They forced me to resign *or be terminated* after 3 weeks on the floor because a patients family said I violated HIPPA and called another patient something. I never did that...I would NEVER do that. I come from a big medical family and volunteered many years of my life to the hosp to know all about HIPAA. Anyways, It's very hard for me to find a job now at my area hosps and it's bumming me out because I know I didn't do anything :(

It left a sour taste in my mouth and really made me emo because I went way above and beyond for every one of my patients :'(

So onto the schooling aspect, my dad offered to pay for my wedding in the fall...but after speaking to my fiance, I would much rather him pay for school + help with a house than a day that I may not remember that well. He agreed and here's my predicament...

In my area of TN, there is a BIG wait list for the schools that offer both LPN+RN programs even with your pre reqs. I have a 90% chance of getting into this other school for LPN for the fall. The good thing about it is that the program has amazing results and the students are really happy with it and it take 1 yr. The Bad, it's more expensive and the credits don't transfer. :/

If I took one pre req class each sem *for the rn* I may be able to APPLY for Fall 15.

But I may not get in...so I'd have to wait a whole year to reapply...and it goes on and on.

If I did the LPN route, I would be able to work as a Nurse in a doc office or hosp, *while getting my yr experience* take the pre reqs for the bridge program and then I may be able to apply for the bridge program Summer of 16.

I'm not looking for an argument about LPN/RN *Oh the RN is SOOOOOO much better than the LPN and I shouldn't waste my time* I don't want to stop at the LPN and I know the RN is more in demand.

I'm bilingual with medical terminology and jargon in spanish so I believe either route I go it will benefit me greatly to find a job.

Because of my situation and schooling ordeals in my area...what would you recommend?

Thanks guys :3

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Specializes in GI, ER, ICU, Med/Surg, Stress Test Nurse.

Hello! I just finished a LPN -ASN program. No one can tell you what to do in this situation but it looks like to me you have made your decision. I dont know what the job market is like for you where you are in TN but here in North Ga the job market for LPN is pretty tough. Not many hospitals hiring LPNs for acute care, Most jobs available are in LTC. I was in a position that required me to go back to school or be transferred to a less desirable position in the facility, while I was in school I had to train a less experianced RN to take my place while I wasnt there. The facility I work at is only hiring RN's now and encouraging all ASN to obtain their BSN.

Hope this helps you in making your decision.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Hello! I just finished a LPN -ASN program. No one can tell you what to do in this situation but it looks like to me you have made your decision. I dont know what the job market is like for you where you are in TN but here in North Ga the job market for LPN is pretty tough. Not many hospitals hiring LPNs for acute care, Most jobs available are in LTC. I was in a position that required me to go back to school or be transferred to a less desirable position in the facility, while I was in school I had to train a less experianced RN to take my place while I wasnt there. The facility I work at is only hiring RN's now and encouraging all ASN to obtain their BSN.

Hope this helps you in making your decision.

Thx Georgia Peach RN :) I'm in SouthEast TN so my options were NWGA, CCTC, Southern, and Cleveland. I did a bit more research and I might as well suck it up and stick to the RN plan. I looked into UTC and their pre reqs are the same as the ones for ASN...so I'm going to get those out of the way and focus hard on them. I will then apply everywhere for the ASN and also the BSN for UTC :3

Thanks for your input...I think just sticking it out will be best seeing there will be more job options for me and while im Bilingual I am looking to get a job in Atlanta, NY or Boston as a surgical or ER nurse :D Thanks a bunch!

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I recently got accepted to chatt state rn program. I don't have an lpn, but from what I understand the transition program is not as competitive. I really love chatt state. I transferred from dalton date, and hated it. I don't have much info on the transition, but if you to to the website they have a lot of information.

Utc is a good option, but it is so expensive.

I actually live in Dalton & drive to chatt. Dalton has a program for transition also, but Dalton takes way less students so it is extremely competitive. I would honestly do chatt state if I were you, but I know you missed the deadline for fall. The transition is 3 semester. Fall, spring, and summer.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I recently got accepted to chatt state rn program. I don't have an lpn, but from what I understand the transition program is not as competitive. I really love chatt state. I transferred from dalton date, and hated it. I don't have much info on the transition, but if you to to the website they have a lot of information.

Utc is a good option, but it is so expensive.

I actually live in Dalton & drive to chatt. Dalton has a program for transition also, but Dalton takes way less students so it is extremely competitive. I would honestly do chatt state if I were you, but I know you missed the deadline for fall. The transition is 3 semester. Fall, spring, and summer.

Congrats!!! I really want to do chatt state *currently taking online nutrition there* i still plan on taking the pre reqs and plan on applying for the fall 15 program. Chatt state is my primary choice..but for fall im going to apply everywhere when i get those pre reqs outta the way.

I grew up in pa and i went to penn state...the tuition even in state was more than in state here in tn. My dad is going to help mw with me bsn degree anyways so if i get accepted hes going to help at utc. Hed muh rather i do the bsn program straight out because he knows i want to be an np.

Again congrats on getting accepted!

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Thanks! I'm just cheap! Lol! So I'm doing my rn at chatt & bsn (I only need 6 classes after the 4 for rn) at dsc. it's so much cheaper! Lol.

Thank you!!

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Specializes in Neuro Intensive Care.

It all boils down to how much money you want to spend. Baby steps are fine, but those steps are gonna cost you. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Med Surg/MICU/Pediatrics/PCICU.

I haven't read the other comments my only suggestion would be go with what is in demand in your area. In my area they aren't really hiring LPN's and are actually phasing them out.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Get your LPN, and work your way up, it will be better to get RN, but as an LPN you get to practice alot of hands on clinical skills which will make you a more versatile RN, I was a CNA then MA, and now I'm an LPN and working to get into a LPN-RN bridge program at Darton college fall 2015. Ive found as a former CNA, the more helpful nurses use to be CNAs so they truely understand the hard work and low pay that involved and are more likely to lend a helping hand when its not being taken advantage of. Who wants to wait a full 2 years to get to the money, yea, RN make more, but at this point in life as an LPN, Ive made the most ever in my life thus far as an LPN. Ive been a LPN going on 4 years years, and my end of year wages in GA ranges from $24,000(took a pay cut to get experience) to $50,000 a year, home care was the best money maker for me. Plus as a lPN i was able to work around some smart and great RNs to help better me as a nurse.

Off on a TANGENT FOR A MOMENT:

I found working with an RN who was not helpful, did not have much common sense was a killer being new nurse at the time and developing professionally, Luckily I knew it was hurting me in growing professionally and I quit that job and found a better job with more smarter RN, not to mention this Lacking of an RN would suggest to the other techs to skip LPN and get RN instead, she may have benefited more from being a LPN first.

Long story short, I never thought i would ever "waste" my time going to school for LPN, after waiting over 8 years to find and RN school who constantly rejected me, I got in LPN on my first try, plus it made getting into RN school now more easier with all the bridge program, who are not so focused on the highest grades and GPAs. Before going to get my LPN, I possessed my CNA, cert, registered MA, a B.S. degree in community health education and a MBA in healthcare mgmt. only gaining experience as a CNA, while all the other fields turned me down due to lack of experience needed for those jobs, After getting my LPN license Jan. 2011, I landed my first nursing job 04/2011, after getting a year experience in as a nurse, finding a job as a LPN became less difficult. So if you need to get to the money sooner, plus gain great clinical skills, go with the LPN route. I advise all the CNAs I work with do at least more up to LPN if nothing else,you really cant go wrong if you are looking for better pay, plus having a passion for nursing is a must on all levels.

Lastly, it is a good idea to see which is in high demand in your area, hospitals in my areas are phasing out LPNs but there are plenty of doctor office, nursing homes and home care company that are still using LPNs.

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