Advice on going to school for my lpn or rn!!

sjalv · Jul 25, 2013

Would you rather be an LPN or an RN? They are both nurses, but they are different. If you think you will eventually want to be an RN, just go for the RN first. Spending time commuting sucks, yes, and your RN will generally require an extra year, but if you obtain your LPN then go back for your RN, it's generally 1.5 years (where I'm from, anyway). So go for the one you want to do.

dannygurl84 · Jul 25, 2013

Thanks for the advice. I'm just so confused right now. It's about a year here and it depends on what classes you have to take also.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2013

Good day, dannygurl84:

I'm trying to take the prerequisites for the LPN and RN route at the local community college I'm attending. The way it works out, there is only one course that RN's don't have to take as a prerequisite (there's a overlap on the early courses); and, I'm planning on taking that course this fall.

Check if there's overlap in the courses, and if you feel you can do it financially, time wise, etc., then take both set(s) of prerequisites.

Worse case if you want to buy yourself time to think things through, go for courses that apply to both programs.

Thank you.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2013

I can relate. My school is both RN and LPN. I start RN in August. The school is about 35 minutes away, rural roads. Most of our clincal sites will be an hour away. It's only two years of my life though, so I figure I've come this far with dogged determination, so what's two more years. Good luck in whichever path you choose!

rubato, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2013

If you want to be an LPN, go that route. If you want to be an RN, go that route. The distance of schools has very little to do with anything. What do you want for your future? LPNs are limited in what jobs they can take. But, if the jobs they can take includes the job you want, there you go. If you are eventually going to want an RN job, do that now. Why get your LPN and then bridge?

I chose RN and then, bridge to BSN and I wish I had just gone straight for my BSN, even though the money and driving would have been drastically increased.

dannygurl84 · Jul 25, 2013

To lorirntobe and robato I'm in a situation right now to where I can't afford the gas money to travel to the R.N. school. I have so many credit hours for when I do bridge over it won't take me long to finish..

dannygurl84 · Jul 25, 2013

Sorry for the spelling lorirn2b and rubato

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Jul 25, 2013

If you can't afford the gas $$$$ to drive to the program then you cannot afford it, and go with the program you can afford. You can do the bridge program later if that is financially better for you.

dannygurl84 · Jul 25, 2013

Yes I was thinking the same thing kellerev. By the spring semester somethings should change. Hopefully I have a job by then so I can afford it.

whattodo4 · Jul 27, 2013

Assuming you got into both and could afford both i would go rn. If you do end up going lpn, then do lpn-rn as soon as you can, reasoning being that at least where I live , lpns don't get hired in hospitals anymore

amelia_sn · Jul 28, 2013

Definitely go with what you can afford. Putting unnecessary financial stress on yourself isn't going to help you at all. Once you've finished LPN you can work while you bridge over, giving you the extra finances and experience as well! Good luck on your journey!