Advice on the track to RN

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2013

Dive right in, door number three. You'll be licensed sooner at a higher level, and able to repay the loans you'll take out to make it possible to be there. :)

(My student loans went largely to day care and gas for the vehicle)

ixchel · Aug 30, 2013

I agree, and here is why.

I also debated the route to go for my RN. Ultimately my goal is NP or DNP, so BSN will ultimately be a step along the way. They tell you that LPN is one year, ADN-RN is two years and BSN-RN is 4 years, but that is a fallacy. You still need to complete pre-requisites for the LPN, and then the ADN. Realistically, if your local programs are structured like mine, you end up going for 3 years to get your ADN-RN. If you ever consider advancing beyond the ADN, you will need to complete a bridge BSN program. This will typically require all of the general education requirements that a regular bachelor's degree will include, like history, or art. You're looking at at least 2 more years in school. So, basically, 5 years for the BSN, which you could have initially completed in 4.

Now, let me add the other side to the equation. A person who has done the LPN-ADN-BSN track will tell you that it's a good thing. You can work sooner, and take your time getting to that BSN. As a mother myself, though, who is in the midst of a nursing program now, I will tell you there is no way in h*ll I would be able to work, take care of my kids, AND go to school at the same time. Nursing school is hard. It is demanding of your time and effort, far beyond anything I've have ever experienced (except maybe a baby with colic, and even that was over in a few months). So that advantageous time difference ultimately may not be a large advantage for you. Would you really start working as an LPN in a couple of years, while going to school full time to become an RN, and also balance motherhood on top? I wont say its impossible because others have managed it. But if you truly have a choice right now, I would recommend with all of my heart to just go through a BSN program, get it done in 4 years, and then you wont be tempted to stop short because of the almighty paycheck and family obligations pulling you from your ultimate goal.

For financial aspects, I went to community college until I had to jump ship into the university. Pell grants and state grants paid for it and gave a little kickback to buy books and help out with bills. When I reached university, my school bill doubled, so I needed to take out a stafford loan to get through Junior year. This year I managed to land a full scholarship, plus the state and pell grants. So ultimately, my entire education will be costing us $12,500 plus interest. The kickback I have gotten from aid the last two years has been absolutely necessary to make us be able to afford me going to school. This semester I ended up with $6500 coming to me, which I immediately put into bills.

I would recommend, while you have a little one, trying as many online classes as possible, putting off the face to face ones until you know you have a reliable helper to watch him or her, or until he or she is in school full time, so you know you will be able to be present for every class. Good luck to you, love!

juniperpearl · Aug 31, 2013

I appreciate your feedback so very much! I think you're both leading me in the right direction & I can see how the money would draw me into staying in a position instead of continuing on to get my RN.

I still have some figuring out to do as far as daycare goes & whether I'll be able to work + go to school or just pay bills with loans & grants.

Thank you!!

swansonplace · Sep 1, 2013

Some schools have daycare centers on campus, or they are affiliated with day care places for the children.

lisajtrn · Sep 1, 2013

I became an RPN while working fulltime weekends. I went to school part-time a few nights a week. Clinical was difficult as it was every other weekend, and then I just didn't sleep much if at all. Luckily my fulltime job was nights and I was allowed to nap when it was quiet. I worked in an office 12 hour nights and could go hours without seeing a soul. I had to process paperwork for commercial trucks crossing the Canada/US border.

I then became an RN while working part-time as a RPN which paid more than my old job at the border. I never took out any loans but did have to use my credit card some. I paid for each semester as it came and then saved up for the next one. It was difficult and we were definitely not in a great financial state, but I did it and am glad that I did.

juniperpearl · Sep 7, 2013

My school doesn't have a daycare center but they do have daycare assistance & I'm sure we will qualify. The perk of LPN before RN (other than the experience) is that only LPN are offered nursing classes in the evening. Daycare closes at 6pm & my fiancé doesn't get off work until then.

Hurdle after hurdle, but I'm a girl who likes a challenge! I'll figure all this out yet! Thanks for your replies!

ixchel · Sep 7, 2013

My school doesn't have a daycare center but they do have daycare assistance & I'm sure we will qualify. The perk of LPN before RN (other than the experience) is that only LPN are offered nursing classes in the evening. Daycare closes at 6pm & my fiancé doesn't get off work until then.
Hurdle after hurdle, but I'm a girl who likes a challenge! I'll figure all this out yet! Thanks for your replies!

Love, ultimately it ends up being a balance of the sacrifices you are willing to make, and the advantages that will make those sacrifices feel worth it. I'm glad you have found your path, and I wish you the best of luck with it ❤

juniperpearl · Sep 13, 2013

Thank you so much! I'm still figuring things out but I'll make it work! I know the end result is whats important & the sacrifices I have to make will be well worth it.