Does anyone have a BA/MA, etc already?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hiya! This is my first post after lurking for a while. Okay, I'm just wondering if anyone has a previous degree, and still decided to take the LPN route, instead of waiting to get into an acc.BSN program? I'm in NYC, and have a BA in English :bugeyes:, so therefore I have zero science classes.

It seems like in order for me to apply to a BSN program, I'd have to take two years just for the prereqs, then hope to get into an acc.degree. My goal is to eventually have a BSN, but at the same time, I really need to work and I'm getting older(26 in a few mos), and it seems that several of you are able to work as a LPN/LVN while pursuing your RN. Any and all info/advice is immensely appreciated..blessings! (sorry if this is like the 100th post asking this question...)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

While I personally do not have any baccalaureate degrees under my belt, my friend earned a BS degree in public health back in 2001 from a private university in Louisiana. Since her 2.3 undergrad grade point average was not competitive enough for most RN programs, she enrolled in an LPN program.

She has been an LPN for a little over 2 years, and is earning more money with that LPN licensure than she ever earned with the public health degree.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
it seems that several of you are able to work as a LPN/LVN while pursuing your RN.
Well, the scheduling is flexible in my region. I worked weekend doubles for 2 years (two 16 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday). My workplace paid me for 40 hours per week, and I always received 5 days off in a row to attend school full time during the week.
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I have a BS degree in education. I got accepted to an accelerated BSN program and a community college's RN program. However, I chose to take a part time LPN program instead. I have four children and I figured it would be the best fit for myself and my family. I'm happy with my decision. Although I think I will someday pursue my RN, either online or traditional classroom, I'm glad I decided on my program. It's what fit my current needs and educational pursuits.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Take Care,

Marci

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Specializes in Rehab, CICU, ICU Pulmonary, ER, OB.

I got accepted in to 3 different nursing programs before I chose to go the LPN-RN-BSN-MSN route. I got accepted to 2 bsn programs and one RN program. Yeah it's going to take longer and cost more, but with having to work, 3 kids, a house and a husband it's what suited our family.

I have a associates in medical office management/medical assistant, certified phlebotomist and a medic.

Good luck.

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I live in NY too and I have a BA. It was so hard to get into a nursing program without the science pre-reqs so I'm doing the LPN route now and really don't regret it. I'll be able to work as a LPN, do an online RN program and MAYBE, MAYBE do the ADN to MSN bridge since I have the BA. I'll cross that bridge when I get there. My main goal right now is to pass the boards work as a LPN and get the RN. The LPN money I'll be making is more than the job I left to do this, which by the way REQUIRED a bachelors degree.

COMMUTER, did you get my PM? Needed your advice on something.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
COMMUTER, did you get my PM? Needed your advice on something.
Yes, I received your PM. I've just been busy lately, since I have 3 jobs (2 full time gigs, and 1 part time).
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Six courses away from completing my BA. My co-workers are appalled that I didn't do my BScN.

In my province their is very little difference in our scopes of practice, our wages are becoming fairly close. I work in acute care in the hospital setting. I enjoy what I'm doing but I plan on getting out of nursing.

It is just not worth it to me. The acuity of our patients is ever increasing, the patient load, the size of our patients, the craziness of the families, all increasing.

I want to have a life outside the hospital and figure I have maybe five to nine years left in me as a nurse. Why would I want to spend three of them as a full time student.

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While I personally do not have any baccalaureate degrees under my belt, my friend earned a BS degree in public health back in 2001 from a private university in Louisiana. Since her 2.3 undergrad grade point average was not competitive enough for most RN programs, she enrolled in an LPN program.

She has been an LPN for a little over 2 years, and is earning more money with that LPN licensure than she ever earned with the public health degree.

Thanks for responding! This is my dilemma, my overall is only a 2.9, though my last 60 cred. is 3.5. I'm sure she is very happy with her new career huh?

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I have a BS degree in education. I got accepted to an accelerated BSN program and a community college's RN program. However, I chose to take a part time LPN program instead. I have four children and I figured it would be the best fit for myself and my family. I'm happy with my decision. Although I think I will someday pursue my RN, either online or traditional classroom, I'm glad I decided on my program. It's what fit my current needs and educational pursuits.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Take Care,

Marci

Congrats on your choice! That does sound like an excellent choice considering you have such other obligations. Did you have prior courses in the sciences, I'm assuming maybe not being that your degree is in education? My head is literally spinning, there are so many pathways..I feel so confused :scrying:

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I got accepted in to 3 different nursing programs before I chose to go the LPN-RN-BSN-MSN route. I got accepted to 2 bsn programs and one RN program. Yeah it's going to take longer and cost more, but with having to work, 3 kids, a house and a husband it's what suited our family.

I have a associates in medical office management/medical assistant, certified phlebotomist and a medic.

Good luck.

Good luck to you as well! You seem to have a nice plan going on!, I don't have any other obligations, single/no child, but I'm kinda leaning towards the same step ladder as well.

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I have a BA in a non nursing field and I chose to take the LVN route because it was the quickest and fastest way to get accepted into any nursing program....I will continue on for my RN once I graduate from VN and pass my boards....I'm glad I chose the route I did because I didn't want to wait on the waiting list in order to get into a nursing program...This way I can make money as an LVN vs CNA while persuing my RN degree.....the one thing that we (as people with degrees in other fields) going for us that when we apply to a BSN/MSN, we have most of our general education out of the way....and have nursing components, and some general ed left to take.....there are some programs out there that allow you to go on to a MSN program w/a BA in another field.....There are various ways you can do this....but for me the LVN route works best for me....Good Luck!

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