Making a huge decision; HELP!

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Cardiac & Medical ICU.

So I'm 17 and currently about to graduate from my LPN nursing program in 3 short weeks.

My original plan was to do an LPN-RN program at a local college of mine and get my RN Associate's and then stay there or go to an university to get my RN Bachelor's and then do the Post-Bachelor's DNP program to become an Adult Nurse Practitioner.

However, I didnt like having such a limited opportunity, one way street kinda route and I looked around.

Would it be better for me instead to redo everything and go to a 4 year university instead and do the traditional/generic RN BSN program and THEN just do the Post-Bachelor's?

I've done pros and cons of each route but they need clarification. I also did my own estimations of the time it would take for each and they're around the same for both.

My mom thinks it's ridiculous for me to give up my golden opportunity of becoming a nurse in high school and then moving to other things.

However, in terms of the future, what would be easier to do? Which way would benefit me more in the long run? Which would be more affordable? Is it better to give up getting a real college experience at a four year university with dorms and all that stuff versus being able to work as an LPn straight out of high school and save myself money somewhere?

I have so many questions anybody who has become an nurse practitioner or gone through any of these routes to get there is welcome to offer any advice.

17. 3 weeks away from a being an LPN grad, 5 months away from being a high school grad. Help? :(:eek:

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Specializes in Cardiac & Medical ICU.

I'm just afraid of burning out in the middle of the longer route even though I am so ambitious :/

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The college experience (with dorms and stuff) only comes once in a lifetime. You've got your whole life to work. Lol. That said, depending on your individual situation, that LPN will probably come in really handy. You could work part-time while in college. It would be better money than McDonald's and good experience. Career wise if your goal is a NP then you may want to skip the ADN and go straight for a BSN. And who knows your plans may change along the way.

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Specializes in Cardiac & Medical ICU.

The issue is that no place offers the straight BSN program except one very expensive private university over in the state of Florida here. The only other place is doing it online via College Network or one of those other online hoosies.

I just need somebody to put things in perspective for me.

Thanks so much :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, Psych.
The college experience (with dorms and stuff) only comes once in a lifetime. You've got your whole life to work. Lol. That said, depending on your individual situation, that LPN will probably come in really handy. You could work part-time while in college. It would be better money than McDonald's and good experience. Career wise if your goal is a NP then you may want to skip the ADN and go straight for a BSN. And who knows your plans may change along the way.

I agree with this. I would go get my BSN and enjoy dorm life, not too much though... Work PT or per diem as an LPN while in school.

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If there is an associate program close to you that you could attend while living with your parents (to save money) then you could do that and then an online bsn program. You would have to research tuiton costs for online programs in your state though to see how much that would cost you in the long run. I didnt do the dorm college thing, I think it is overrated, you don't have to be in a dorm to have fun as a young adult. Also, if you do an associate program close to you; look at getting a job that will pay for half your education for the online BSN. My hospital pays 100% tution, up to 5000 per year, to part time employees who go to nursing school for their initial RN; and then 50% for BSN completion.

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i agree with above post. get your bsn and then keep on going. enjoy college, dorm life, and work part time as lpn. you sound like a go getter. my recommendation is that you go to school and achieve the highest degree possible. this decision will lead to a lifetime of expanded career choice, significantly higher salary and increased autonomy. just go for it! congratulations for being only 17 and so focused.

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Specializes in Cardiac & Medical ICU.

Thank you so very much for all your input; its wonderful to get so much advice from knowledgeable people :)

I'm actually graduating in a week so it's a pretty exciting thing for me.

I'm just so afraid of not getting hired as well.

I hear the stories around this website of people just not making it in this career field and it gets me antsy.

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I'm actually graduating in a week so it's a pretty exciting thing for me.

:ancong!: in advance! What an exciting time for you. I agree with the above,

go ADN , then pursue BSN online. That way you can work and continue your education toward

your career goals. Don't worry about stories about the field, graduate and create your own

path. Even with challenging times, you can navigate your way to your ultimate goal.

Best wishes to you!

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Specializes in Cardiac & Medical ICU.
:ancong!: in advance! What an exciting time for you. I agree with the above,

go ADN , then pursue BSN online. That way you can work and continue your education toward

your career goals. Don't worry about stories about the field, graduate and create your own

path. Even with challenging times, you can navigate your way to your ultimate goal.

Best wishes to you!

Thank you so much! You're the sweetest :):redpinkhe

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GO TO COLLEGE. Live in a dorm, pledge a sorority if you like. You only have one shot at this part of your life and you shouldn't "waste" it on working. I became an LPN at 19 and have forever regretted working and skipping the college experience. You will have YEARS to work and worry about money. Don't be burdened with that too soon. Go to school, work PT and enjoy these years. They don't come back. I tried going back to a traditional college at 24 and it was ok but the timing was too late. No one can say the experience is overrated if they have never done it. You have time. Use it to your advantage. If you are in Florida there are plenty of 4 year universities that are affordable. Find one and enjoy it. Just think, if you go for a year and find you don't like it you can leave and take your completed ADN pre-reqs with you. You don't want to look back on your life with a bunch of what ifs. Congrats on the LPN.

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