Please offer some advice. LPN to RN OR straight to RN

[RosemarieTheresa]

I am hoping to get some advice. I am 47 years old and I returned to college to pursue a nursing career after I tragically lost my 22 year od son. I wanted to do something meaningful with my life in his honor. I always wanted to become a nurse. Right now I am working as a PCA/CNA for the trauma/ortho/med surg unit off a hospital. I started taking my pre reqs and general education courses for the RN program. Since the beginning though, I have tossed around the idea of getting my LPN and then bridging over. Everyone at the hospital I work at says not to do it, just go right for the RN. I am still considering going for my LPN first because working as a PCA is extremely physical work for minimal pay. 17 pts, many bariatric, we do not use hoyer lifts at all, we do not even have them. I have injured myself twice. I don't mind working hard, believe me, but working full time, going to school 3/4 time and raising my 18 year old daughter all at the same time while struggling financially on a PCA salary is rough. It is hard on my body and my finances. If it weren't for financial aid and student loans I wouldn't be able to keep my head above water. I'm barely doing so as it is. I also know it is a very physical job for PCA's, LPN's, and RN's alike at times. I know none of these jobs are a cake walk! lol

This is my current academic situation:

If I continue towards the RN, I would have 3 more semesters/7 classes (MATH022, MATH026, MATH150, MICRO, A&PI, A&PII, PHIL202) to complete the general education courses, then the nursing program itself, which is an additional 2 years. So I'm looking at around 3 1/2 more years working on a PCA salary of about $12.50 an hour.

If I decide to take the LPN route, I have just 2 more classes (MATH022, BIOS160/HUMAN BIOLOGY) which I can take the upcoming semester in January and then the 1 year LPN program, which starts the following semester in the fall. That would be around 1 1/2 years living on my current salary, then I could be making more money as an LPN, gain experience, continue taking gen eds required for the RN and apply for the LPN to RN advanced placement program. I know my current school offers this (Northampton Community College in PA) and have been trying to see if any other schools have such programs as well.

Does anyone have any advice? Are there things I am not taking into consideration that have slipped my mind? So many people try to discourage me from doing it this way. I don't know if it's "RNitis" or not.

[~Shrek~]

Go straight for your RN. When you get your LPN it will be harder to go back to school, and the pay for an LPN is not as high as the pay for an RN. With your RN you can get a better paying job and will complete your education faster.

[heavenlydm]

I was an LPN first. Both programs are stressful so in hindsight I would have gone the RN route and gotten it over with. It is a sacrifice income wise but if you're determined you'll be able to make it.