Am I rushing? Thinking LPN instead of RN

Published

After this summer semester, I'll be eligible to apply for the lpn program. I would start fall 13 and finish summer 14. I can apply for the rn program spring 13 and start probably spring 14. I would finish spring 16..I know nursing is a long process.

My ultimate goal is to be an rn and work in a hospital. I have a daughter though, and would like to start my career sooner. If I do lpn, she'll be 3 when I finish. If I do rn, she'll be 5, starting kindergarten. I just don't want to miss out on too much of her toddler years. I just don't know what to do. Also, everyone is telling me to go straight for my rn. I want to start working as soon as possible though. I'm doing a cna course also so I can work and get some experience. What would you do in my situation? Go for lpn, or go straight for the rn?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you cannot move, you MUST scope the area if there are actually LPN jobs (read: ... almost guaranteed) available in your area, otherwise your education is going to be a waste and if you do get a LPN job it could take a year as it is ...

Same for your ASN. Think hard, ... the economy still has no foreseeable recovery ... especially with elections coming up. Do some research about your area ....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would go for my RN... thats what I am going to do an that is advice I have gotten from people that are LPNs right now they would rather have just gone for their RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How do I find out what the job market is like here? I live in cleveland, oh. I don't know any nurses. Do I just do job searches online?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

If you want to work in a metro hospital, they are likely going to require a BSN, or at least an ASN. Job searches should show you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would be patient and go for your RN. If you went for your LPN, you wouldn't be able to work as an LPN and go to school as an RN at the same time. I also agree with what everyone said above, LPN jobs are harder and harder to come by.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Agree with everyone else. Just wait to apply for the RN program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I would be patient and go for your RN. If you went for your LPN, you wouldn't be able to work as an LPN and go to school as an RN at the same time.
This is not accurate. I was an LPN who worked full-time while attending an RN completion program. In fact, I earned nearly $50,000 during the year that I attended the RN program, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Everyone in my RN completion program was an LPN. The vast majority worked at least part-time, and most worked full time. It is a myth that a person cannot work while attending school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
This is not accurate. I was an LPN who worked full-time while attending an RN completion program. In fact, I earned nearly $50,000 during the year that I attended the RN program, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at.Everyone in my RN completion program was an LPN. The vast majority worked at least part-time, and most worked full time. It is a myth that a person cannot work while attending school.
I also thought the same, because I see many people here say that they do both. I have also been reading your articles about lpn's and they have been very helpful and informative. I didn't think being a lpn was such a bad option for someone my age. Seems like everyone else thinks otherwise :(
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I didn't think being a lpn was such a bad option for someone my age. Seems like everyone else thinks otherwise
Pay attention to the sources. Many of the people who advise you against becoming an LPN have never worked one single day as an LPN and are giving advice based on stuff they've heard.

Now, keep in mind that I've been a nurse for 6.5 years (4 years as an LPN and 2 years as an RN) and have never worked in an acute care hospital. I never had the burning desire to work in the hospital, so I worked in LTC for 4 years and have spent the last 2 years in acute rehab.

If you are fine working as an LPN in a setting outside a major hospital, then go for it. However, if your desire is to work in an acute care hospital, bypass the LPN and pursue the RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

Don't rush any decision when it comes to going to school and accumulating student loan debt. Do lots of research on the job market for LPNs and RNs before you consider a career in nursing. AllNurses has lots of threads about unemployed new grads and student loan debt.

Get a job as a CNA then keep your eyes and ears open. Talk to people in different medical fields and observe what they do. If I'd done this I'd have picked a different medical field such as prosthetics or speech therapy.

I'm an LPN and will stay an LPN because I don't want to continue on with school. I'm fortunate that where I live there are more available jobs for LPNs than RNs. We are employed in just about every setting. I've just started a new job supervising HCAs (CNAs) in a geriatric lodge.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not going to offer advice but my experience.

I had my son, decided to go back to school when he was 9 months old. Left my job of working 50+ hours a week, had savings and etc to get by on for the first year or so...

I took all of my Pre-reqs for the ADN program. I started fall of 2008 and I applied for ADN in 2009. I was accepted my first try - started ADN in 2010 without success. I'm now three weeks away from

Finishing the Lpn program. For me if I had started the LPN program in 2009(or 08) I would be working and going to school. It's possible - some say it's not I say it's in what you're determination level is. I work now as a CNA in home health and go to school in the evenings for my LPN. I've missed a lot of time with my little boy who is now 4. My goal was to become a nurse by the time he started school - I will but not the nurse I wanted to be. Everyone told me to just do RN dont worry about LPN. If I had it to do all over again I would have did LPN it only requires three Pre reqs and the ADN many many more. If I had success if I had chosen LPN I would have been able to

Provide more then what I have for my son(I'm

Blessed with awesome parents for helping me so much the last two years) I love my LPN program and know that my options are limited to LTC or PCP offices and home health.

I plan on applying to our bridge program that starts next may and hopefully will have my ADN by 2014 and work at the same time(my school for the bridge is mainly online with a few on campus classes during the evening and you pick sat or Sunday to do a 12 hour rotation) after that I'm going on for my BSN. I want to be a LD nurse - its my dream and it's a very competitive position to land at any of the hospitals around here.

Take your time weigh the pros and cons for yourself, your child and your situation. For me I wasn't informed enough as far as LPNs go. Yes the pay isn't as high as an RN, but it's more than I make as a CNA in home health. I will be able to support myself and my son and gain back some

Independence lost when I decided to return to school.

Good luck and wish you lots of success!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion