Questions about LPN/RN career? I'm a CNA in FL

[Bluemoon576]

Hello there, I am excited to start as a CNA. I'm waiting on the results of my interview on the local nursing home, and I'm eager to start! I'm kinda nervous too... Anyway, I wanted to take the LPN course in the local vocational center, but a lot of people are telling me to go to RN school instead. Some others tell me go first to LPN because RN school is too hard. Also, I could never afford RN school. I have many doubts in my mind to what I really want to do. It's hard when you hear too many opinions and you can't decide! But I'm happy enough to have passed my state board as a CNA and be able to have this interview. I was looking into Nuclear Medicine Technology, but it's out of the question financially for me. I love to study and do research. Someone told me to work in the local hospital (they are not hiring CNAs, only PCTs now) and work my way there, maybe they would like to sponsor me one day. Wouldn't it be nice? What can you guys tell me?? Thanks a lot for your words!!

[Jules A, MSN]

Congratulations on getting your CNA! If you need to work getting your LPN first sounds like a great choice. Once you have your LPN you can make a decent living while you pursue your RN and many facilities will pay for you to go back to school. Wishing you all the best. Jules

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

A course you can afford (the LPN, according to what you are saying) would win hands down for me. Do what you think is best. As Jules stated, you get to earn a decent salary while pursuing the RN, and also, you get to see what it is like to be a nurse before you get in too heavy, so to speak. If you like it, you may go for the gusto, with a bit more confidence, because you got two levels of nursing under your belt. Good luck!

[2bnursekemmie]

I would choose the lpn program if it is cheaper. I was attending rn school and I didn't pass so now I have to pay back student loans. I am currently attending lpn school, I am doing well and i can afford the tuition and the books. I think i spent about $700 total this semester, which reasonable for full-time. Good luck on your decision.

[elkpark]

Before you commit to a particular choice, be sure you thoroughly investigate all your options. You will have more professional opportunities as an RN, and there may be scholarship/financial aid opportunities which would make an RN program more affordable than it seems at first glance. You mentioned you're about to start work as a CNA; does your potential employer offer any tuition assistance as a job benefit? Are there state scholarship programs to help people who want to become RNs for which you would qualify? (Many states have programs like that, and often you can "work off" the loan after graduation instead of having to pay any money back -- it's a great deal.) It would be well worth meeting with the financial aid counselor of any RN programs near you to ask about what assistance/opportunities might be available to you.

Also, if you go the LPN route first with an eye to continuing on to RN later, be careful of what school you're attending. I don't know what you mean by the "vocational center" in your area that offers the LPN program, but there are schools/training centers "out there" that offer LPN training which meets the state BON requirements for licensure, but, because the agencies do not meet the same standards and carry the same accreditation as "regular" colleges and universities, none of the courses they offer are transferable into a college later on if you want to return to school. If that were the case for you (and I'm not saying it is, but that's something you should find out about before you make a decision), that would mean a whole lot of extra/repeated courses (and the time and $$$ to take them) later on when you want to become an RN -- you would have to start over from scratch. (Of course, if the LPN program is appropriately accredited, then that's not a problem.)

Be sure that you're "comparing apples and apples" (not apples & oranges :)) before you make a final decision. We all know that things are often not what they appear at first glance, and you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find out! Best wishes, in any case --

[missi30]

May I add that even if you attend a LPN program that is only approved by BON and not accredited, that LPN school may have an articulation agreement with local colleges/universities, which means that that college/university will allow you to test of certain courses. Therefore, you can avoid repeating basic nursing courses you took in your LPN program. I hope that made sense.