Is LVN worth going to school for rather than RN?

[ChristineJC]

Hi, I have a question. I am starting college this fall. And I was wondering if LVN is worth going to school for rather than RN. Should I take the program for lvn so I could receive my license within a year and a half? The question is, is LVN worth it? (financial wise)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Are you in California or Texas? Since you used the acronym of 'LVN,' I conjecture that you're in one of these two states.

If you are in California, be prepared for a rather horrid job market for LVN new grads. Due to the thousands of people graduating from LVN programs across the state, you might be looking for your first nursing job for one year or longer.

If you are in Texas, your job prospects will be brighter. Many of the major metro areas of Texas have had tighter nursing job markets in recent years, but the employment outlook still looks excellent in midsized cities, small towns, and rural areas.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Honestly, I don't think this question seems more complicated than it actually is.

If your ultimate goal is to be a RN (or higher), and you can "make it" finically through four-plus of school, then I'd suggest skipping LPN.

If your situation is such that you need to begin making decent wages ASAP then, sure, go the LPN route and take it one step at a time. I had no intention of making CNA wages while going through four years of RN school.

Financially, a new grad LPN in LTC makes comparable wages to a new grad RN in acute care. Of course, your mileage might vary.

[Georgia peach RN]

When I went to LPN school I wasnt sure if I wanted to complete the RN or not. I have worked as an LPN for 10+ yrs and just recently completed my RN and would not trade the years I spent as an LPN for anything. I have always worked in acute care doing the same job as an RN and sometimes training RN's to do my job, the only difference was an RN could hang blood, but LPN could monitor after first 15 min, RN could initiate a PCA with and LPN witnessing and then she could monitor. The RN was charge nurse, 1st nurse in the unit, and ER. Now with that said, I work in a facility that has LPN students doing clinical rotation but my facility has quit hiring LPN's and so have alot of acute care facilities in my area.

This day in time if you want to work in acute care I would recommend going to RN school just because of the job market for LPN's. But if you want to work in LTC the LPN route is a great route to take. Like I said I wouldnt trade anything for the years I spent as an LPN.