RN or LPN then RN

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 24, 2011

It all depends upon your goals, timeline, whether you have to work... and so on. Many of the LVN programs that I'm familiar with are 3 semesters, RN is 4... So if the difference between the two programs is literally 2 semesters or less, you might consider just going straight for RN. Otherwise, you might be looking at a bridge course and an additional 2 semesters - making that 6 semesters for a normal 4 semester program.

TanishaW · Sep 25, 2011

Well I really want to be an RN, I have to work at least part time to help with the bills because my husband is in the military and would be in Japan. We also have 3 kids so I need to be able to be home with them at night. I thought about going lpn first because I would have some experience in nursing so hopefully it would help in getting hired faster, because most if not all employers want some experience.

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2011

just do it all the way thru. you can get your RN in 2 years if you go to a community college and then maybe work 9-5 in a doc's office and be home with your kiddos at night :)

xoandi816x · Oct 5, 2011

I am having the same thoughts, I would love to go straight to RN, but the wait it so long that it might be 4 plus years before I would be an RN. In that time i could already at least have some experince in the field if I am in LVN.

Any one else have some advice?