Hi Everyone - Considering Nursing, have some Q's

SierraMoon, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2009

As an LPN, your advancement possibilities are not as good as for an RN. You can't be a charge nurse, you can't go into management, that kind of thing. Many LPNs work in long term care or home health. I've never seen a hospital in Louisville hiring LPNs, for example. RNs are typically paid more.

The best route for the most opportunities would be, IMO, an accelerated BSN program. There are direct entry master's programs, too.

It depends on what your personal goals are. Lots of happy LPNs out there.

nohika · Jun 16, 2009

While I'm not yet in Nursing School myself, I believe there are Accelerated MSN programs that are specifically made for people that have Bachelor's degrees in other areas. Good luck with whatever you choose!

MurseHarley · Jun 16, 2009

I would look at an accelerated BSN or entry-level MSN program. They'll take your previous Bachelor's degree in lieu of 2 years of general education and fast track you directly in to the nursing curriculum. In many hospitals with a BSN you con progress as high as a nurse manager. The RN license affords you a lot more opportunities also in terms of jobs and growth opportunities.

nohika · Jun 16, 2009

-nods- I agree with MurseHarley. LPNs don't give you nearly the advancement opportunities that, say, an accelerated BSN program or MSN program would give you. RNs will always be in demand. =) Good luck making your decision!

MsLoriRN, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2009

Hi,

I'm going to advise you a little differently that some of the other posts have. I don't know how long everyone else who responded has been in nursing, or if they are even nurses yet...nor do I know what your goals are. But simply from what you shared in your question, I think the advice to jump into an "accelerated Masters' degree program" may be premature. Not to mention a very big step, both in time commitment and financially.

I receive questions like yours often, and my advice always includes this: figure out why you want to become a nurse first. That will drive the "how" part of the equation. There are several paths you can take to becoming a nurse, and yes, LPN is one of them! If you want to become a nurse quickly, work primarily in long-term care or a doctor's office or perhaps an urban clinic, and are not interested in management (which can be its own nightmare, if you are not cut out for it) or high-tech settings, then an LPN may be a fine way to go. If you want to work as a nurse in any another setting, and aren't interested in management or advanced practice, then an ADN program will give you the same RN license as a BSN program will with far less time and expense.

Again, figuring out why you want to go into nursing will go a long way towards helping your figure out how to go into nursing! I hope this helps some, let me know if you have other Q's.

Best of luck to you,

Lori RN, BSN:nurse:

metal_m0nk, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2009

I appreciate the responses :)

Lori, I really connected with yours in particular. Especially what you said about it being a big step and a large financial commitment to go into a Masters program. I agree with you there. As of right now, I have very little experience in the field (aside from a short term live-in elder care position I held while in college). I'd like to experience the nitty gritty of the job before making such a large financial commitment, and I hope that my experiences as an LPN will inform and enrich any decision to climb the occupational ladder. This is all speculation of course, as I haven't been accepted to a program yet :) But it doesn't hurt to consider such things, does it? :)

Some of the reasons I want to go into nursing are:

1) I am naturally altruistic but have had few opportunities to put it to widespread use. So much of my adult life has been spent scraping and surviving - I worked all through undergrad because it was the only way I could afford it. I'm in a position now that I can really focus on nursing and I want to strike while the iron is hot!

2) I think it's an excellent way to fulfill my innate need to help others, while also setting an example for my son (especially in this day and age) - that helping people is rewarding and honorable.

3) I have a mind for the technical side of it. I often tell people that the best way to describe me is as "A creature of habit and a lover of systems". I find routines, tedious details, and repetition comforting and motivating (weird huh?). I *really* enjoy a job that has the potential to be fast paced while also requiring a lot of multi-tasking and I don't mind being on my feet. Most times, if I'm sitting down while I'm at work it's either because the job requires it, or there's something terribly wrong. I like to spend my free time researching my field. I am also fascinated with physiology - which is why I chose Biology as my baccalaureate focus.

I don't know enough about nursing to know if those characteristics and motivations would be advantageous. But I would imagine it takes all sorts :) I hope I would be an asset somewhere!

MsLoriRN, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2009

I don't always discourage people from the LPN course, especially if they really understand what their likely role in nursing will be, but from what you just wrote I would advise you to research it carefully. If you like technology, and enjoy physiology (my personal FAVORITE in school...I couln't get enough of that class, I find how our bodies work fascinating!), my gut feeling is that an LPN role will not be enough for you. I would advise you to get your RN, but don't bother with a BSN due to the cost, unless you're 100% sure you're bent on management or want to get into nursing research (PhD=bound). I'd go with an Associate's degree. You will be the SAME RN as someone who has a BSN, but without the debt load. You will be able to do everything the BSN can in terms of patient care and the work of the bedside/office nurse. You can be a "charge nurse" (the one who is in charge on her unit that particular day and shift...this is NOT a unit manager, who isn't delivering patient care). You'll be experiencing the "nitty gritty" of the job, as you put it, right up there with everyone else.

The LPN job will NOT be the same as the RN...you will be quite restricted in what you can and cannot do, and, as I've worked with a lot of potential students, students, and nurses, I have a gut instinct that is telling me you wouldn't be happy as an LPN. It's not because LPN's aren't smart or aren't valuable--some of the best nurses I've known were LPN's! It has more to do with the role they typically have to assume and a serious lack of time due to the workload and nature of the job, plus the limitations that are put on their practice of nursing. You seem to be one of the ones who wants to "dig deeper" and get into what you are doing more, to understand not just what you have to do, and how to do it well, but also why. Your early years (like the first ones out of school) will probably be difficult/frustrating, because you won't know what you're doing...new grads never really do, as nursing is a profession that is learned largely on the job, NOT in school (that's a book in itself, I know...I written it!). But once that first year is under your belt, you have the potential to be an awesome nurse! Just be sure you do your research, keep soul-searching, and know your "why." Given your stated personality traits, nursing could take you to some really cool places that would be life-changing-fulfilling, beyond the hospitals and they typical jobs!

Best wishes in your search,

Lori RN, BSN

metal_m0nk, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2009

Very good points, Lori. You are right on about my wanting to dig deeper, but with one caveat...eventually :) Thanks again for taking the time out to respond!