Lvn verses RN

[jtorres11]

I am in need of help. I have never worked in the medical field but am doing my pre -requisites for the nursing program. But i am only on my first biology class so I am not very far. Any ways to my point, I wonder if i should do the lvn program so that i can get into the field and work for a while to have experience or if i should just stick it out and go straight for the RN? I am still pretty young and thought maybe later i can go back for RN. Can i get some advice...please?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I assume you're in California or Texas.

I was an LVN for 4 years before becoming an RN. However, I would not recommend attending an LVN program at any of the ridiculously expensive trade schools that are located on every other corner in Southern CA because there's no guarantee that you will even land a job after having accrued $30,000+ in student loans. Just imagine being unemployed with a $500 per month student loan payment looming over your head. Contrary to popular belief, the LVN job market in CA is saturated with too many nurses competing for too few jobs.

I would recommend attending an LVN program offered by a local ROP (Regional Occupational Program) because the tuition is usually around $5,000 per year. Good luck to you!

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I'd say that you should do your prerequisite coursework for RN and if an LVN program needs something more than that, throw that in too. Then apply to both types of programs, or at least apply to RN programs and take an LVN program through ROP. Then if you do get in after you get your LVN, you may be able to take an LVN -> RN program and skip a semester or two. Just make sure that you've met all grad requirements so that all you have to do the coursework and you can upgrade to RN.

One college that I know of essentially has you become a CNA to appy/qualify, then you become an LVN and then you take the last 2 courses and you're good to go to take the NCLEX-RN. In total, it's about a 6 semester process. 4 for LVN and 2 more for RN. Their program is apparently geared to work with a working student though...