LPN/RN the big picture???

UCLARN · Sep 15, 2004

Unfortunately ADN programs have too many applicants than it can handle. So with that said, if you feel that going the LPN to RN route fits your life, I say you should do it. Plenty of people have done that and it is not a waste of your time nor money. You will gain valuable experience that you could use in the RN program. Don't worry, your goals are not naive. Many hospitals pay their LVN's education to become an RN. Good luck!!

P.S. DON'T let what others say bother you, they are not in your shoes.

Been advised numerous times to skip the LPN and go for an RN (especially on this board). Other than the money and the responsibilities , why wouldn't I want to be an LPN first? I have to work quickly, it's easier to get into the program then the RN program (Note: I didn't say stay in!) and I can bridge to RN while I work and maybe have my employer pay for my ADN school. Am I too naive? Be honest and let me have it.

bmuldoonlpn · Sep 15, 2004

Been advised numerous times to skip the LPN and go for an RN (especially on this board). Other than the money and the responsibilities , why wouldn't I want to be an LPN first? I have to work quickly, it's easier to get into the program then the RN program (Note: I didn't say stay in!) and I can bridge to RN while I work and maybe have my employer pay for my ADN school. Am I too naive? Be honest and let me have it.

hi my name is brenda, i have been working as an lpn for a yr, its good experience, if you go for the RN ,best of luck, i am going for round 6 on the RN exam, take your time

Bren:balloons:

Trauma Columnist · Sep 15, 2004

It all depends on your situation and what's right for you. I did do the LPN to ADN to BSN and now (june 2005) MSN. However, I do wish now (age 46) that I would have done the BSN first. However, hindsight is always 20/20 and at that time, it wasn't possible. Good luck with YOUR choice! Take care.

allnurses Guide · Sep 15, 2004

I think it depends on what your goal is. LVN's for the most part in my area only work in long-term care. Is that your goal? Do you want to work LTC until you get your RN? We do have LVN's that fill in on our acute side when short-staffed but the RN does all the assessments, IV meds, and anything else not in a LVN's scope of practice. One LVN I work with was encouraged to go RN first and decided against it and now regrets it. She has a young child now, recently divorced and school is more difficult to manage.

When asking for advice remember we are only telling you our own experiences. No one is telling you what to do. The comment from another poster about not letting others comments bother you stuck in my craw a bit . . .if you are asking for advice, be prepared for advice.

Having people share real-life experiences is helpful, in my opinion, when making your own decision.

Good luck with your future plans.

steph

luv4nursing · Sep 15, 2004

hey there! I am also in a similar situation, but Ive found that LPN first is the best option for me. For one thing, I am already currently enrolled in an LPN program while it would take me another 1-2 years to even GET IN an RN program. By then I can already have my LPN and only one year left to get my RN, AND I can work part time as an LPN while going to school to finish my RN. I feel like I really cant go wrong with this plan. Also, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel taking it one thing at a time. If I were to get into an RN program, who knows what obstacles can come in those 2 years. With LPN, I know I can make it through this one year, and have it under my belt. Ill already be what I want to be, which is a NURSE :) Then I will be working on my ASN, and eventually my BSN and MSN! but after the ASN Ill be taking my time :)

fullerlvn · Sep 15, 2004

Hello, I have been an LVN/LPN for over 25 years in 2 states & still love it. There are times it is difficult but all jobs will be. LVN school may be a great choice for you. I love taking care of patients & am very blessed & have great RN's as charge nurses. I do not know what area you are in but in TX LVN still work in all areas including critical care. But ***NO** LVN or RN for that matter should work in a speciality area at first, do 1 - 2 years in MED/Surg you need to know how to take care of a wide variety of patients & you will get great skills in MED/Surg. I personally stayed an LVN because of family & school issues & not everybody can stay in school or excell in school for 2-4-6 years. I have never been sad about the decision i made & have always been able to support myself. We need great nurses & you sound like you will make a great LVN/LPN or RN get with it girl, time is a wasting.

lisamc1RN, LPN · Sep 15, 2004

Sometimes it just isn't possible to take the direct route to the finish line. :) Taking a different path isn't a bad thing. You may even find that you enjoy the scenery more this way.

LPNalmost! · Sep 16, 2004

Maggie,

I'm doing exactly what you're thinking about doing. And I finish the LPN program Friday!!! I struggled with which route to take myself, but I finally decided to do LPN first because it is SOOO competitive to get into the RN programs around here that I could have ended up waiting 2 or 3 years before being accepted. Also, in 12 months time I'm a nurse instead of 2 - 3 years and if I find out I HATE it (which could happen if you have no health care experience), I've only wasted 12 months of my life: not 2, 3, or 4 years. Also, I figured if I could do LPN in 12 months and then get my RN through Excelsior in 1 to 2 years, then I've still gotten my RN in the same amount of time that I would have going the community college route! But I would have been able to work as a REAL nurse for the majority of the time. And of course the chances of getting your education paid for are much, much better if you've already got "something" to offer your employer. If you're naive, then I am too!! But I've got a job lined up starting next week, so I'll just keep on being naive!!!

Been advised numerous times to skip the LPN and go for an RN (especially on this board). Other than the money and the responsibilities , why wouldn't I want to be an LPN first? I have to work quickly, it's easier to get into the program then the RN program (Note: I didn't say stay in!) and I can bridge to RN while I work and maybe have my employer pay for my ADN school. Am I too naive? Be honest and let me have it.

dosamigos76, RN · Sep 16, 2004

I was in the ADN program going for my RN. But once I completed my LPN and got my license, I began working on the Surgical floor at our local hospital for experience I realized that I wasn't ready to go to the next level for my RN. I plan to return in the fall for my RN. For me, it was the best possible decision. I have not worked in this field before and because of the shortage RN's are put to charge nurse quickly. I NEED more experience and confidence as well as exposure to different procedures and conditions.

You'll make the right decision for you!!!

Cheryl

Godswill · Sep 16, 2004

Good luck to you:):):)

everytime i doubt my choice of LPN first i hear my pastor voice in my head saying sometime GOD uses a different route to gets us where we want to be it may not be the route we orignal thought we would travel but it the route God took us down to get what we need;)

kailucan · Sep 17, 2004

I need help finding info on Nurses Unions that also accept LPNs as members. I am going back to school next fall for my ADN when my youngest starts school. Until then I need to find protection for my fellow LPNs and myself. I have found numerous organizations for RNs but it's as if LPNs aren't nurses of any kind. Please HELP!!! (if you can):chair: