Advice Please...

U.S.A. Kentucky

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Specializes in n/a.

Okay here is the deal, I am 28 and going to Gateway Community and Technical College in NKY. I applied for the ADN program last semester and didn't get in. So I applied for the LPN program and did get in. Now, I have all my prerequisites for ADN. I am starting to feel like I am making a mistake. I was worried about missing my opportunity to get into the field that I love. But, EVERYONE, EVERYONE says oh you should get your RN.

I have full intentions of doing this, but now everyone has made me worry that LPN's only start at 12.00 and hour ($2.87 less than I make now at my current job). So, I am worried that if I have to take a big pay cut, that I might not be able to cover my bills, and I will feel so stupid! I don't know what to do. Please help if you can give me some advice.

Thank you!

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People are going to tell you things, and you cannot listen to all of it. I live in Ohio near the Kentucky state line (Milford), and I am getting my LPN at Cincinnati State/Great Oaks. I've had people tell me the same thing. I currently make around $12/hr as an aide in a LTC facility, so I'm almost certain I will start out much higher than that as a LPN. In fact, I have a friend who is a LPN and she is making $22/hr in a nursing home (that includes shift differential--I think the base rate was $18/hr). It all depends on where you want to go with your LPN. I plan to get my RN but maybe not right away. I have young children at home on top of working and school, and I need to regroup before I go back for my RN.

To make a long story short, I don't think there's anything wrong with earning your LPN and then continuing on for a RN. Either way, you will be a nurse. Think of it this way. You've already been accepted for the LPN program. What if you turn that down, reapply for the RN program, and DON'T get in. Then your left without a Nursing degree at all. Ultimately it's YOUR decision, but that is what I would do. Good luck!

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

I ditto what Heaven said!

All through high school i was told LPNs were nothing, and to get my RN...i failed out of college, got married, got divorced and finally ran into an LPN who happened to have gone to HS with me and she was doing great! I was remarried with a baby when i went to LPN school! I am now working on my RN through Excelsior College I've been an LPN for 4yrs. Depending on the area yes pay can be lower and/or higher. I did home health in TX making $21/hr, a podiatry doctors office in TX making $15, then moved back to OH where i was making $25.50 working 3rd shift at a LTC, then when hubby got transfered to KY I got a job teaching CNA at the local Job corps making $38,000 salary (approx $19.79 hr) so it really will depend on where you go and what you do!

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Something to consider however, alot of people who get their LPN and swear they will continue to get their RN DON'T or they wait a long time before they do.

Not everyone, but statically speaking.....

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I would Not repreat Not go to Gateway Nursing school In KY. They have alot of problems with the program they are fine tuning. My biggest problem was having enough points to pass the Mental health class at a 78% which semester after semester they loose half of the nursing class but yet these students pass the ATI exam with a level II and still fail the nursing program. Gateway only passes a handfull of students for fear they will looses the NCLEX pass rate percentage. When you fail a class you may remediate but thats a whole semester off then you need to do all the same classes again even if you have passed those classes. which is another year of your time and money. I hope this will help anyone searching for a good school. Gateway is a cheap school you of coorifice get what you pay for to say the least. Good Luck! :)

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