Am I rushing? Thinking LPN instead of RN

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jul 6, 2012

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.

Yeah I was working 40 hours a week and still managed to take anatomy and chemistry and an online course with excellent grades and a healthy bank account compared to my classmates.

Even when I was in LVN school I was taking all my humanities online at the same time I was going to class/clinicals 5x a week. Oh and I still had my own business back then. When you want it you want it.

However as you can tell from the above your probably going to miss out on times with your kids either way. If thats your only deciding factor then maybe getting it all out of the way might be the way to go.

Whatever your decision is you'll be fine. Even if your not ok you'll still be ok.

azcna · Jul 6, 2012

It's also a myth that new grads have student loan debt

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2012

I agree you should check out job availability in your area. From what I read here, tons of new grads simply aren't finding jobs. Most of the hospitals in my area do not utilize LPN's. My hospital still has a few, but as they quit or move on, they are being replaced with RN's. Personally, I would go ahead with the RN route, but ultimately, it depends on your finances, and the job availability in your area. Think about where you want to work, and what type of job you want. Pull up different hospital websites in your area and see what jobs are out there. Good luck.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2012

Another thought: keep in mind that with a small child, you will still more than likely be required to work holidays, weekends, and possibly 12 hour shifts, overnight, etc.

Wild Irish LPN, LPN · Jul 6, 2012

I am a fresh, new LPN and I would say stay the course you are on....the skills you will learn as an LPN student will be incredibly valuable down the line should you decide to go on for your ADN, BSN....I am going to work fulltime and will also be pursuing my BSN at the same time....I was lucky to pick up 3-12h shifts back to back, so I will have ample time for school and study....I have two teenage boys as well, but with proper planning it can be done....Best of luck to you!....and one other thing, the LPN and RN have very special skills that we both bring to the table in nursing.....bottom line is that we are all nurses, period....don't get hung up on the letters after your name!:)

Seas · Jul 6, 2012

I would just go for RN be done with it. It is a waste of time to go to different schools/bridging one after another if you already plan to end up as RN.

sauconyrunner · Jul 6, 2012

If you already know your goal is to become a Registered nurse, I would say do it. one reason I say this is that life has a way of getting in the way of some goals. So many people I meet tell me, "Oh I intended to go back to school, but then I just go so busy with the kids...etc"

You can do it either way. I really wanted to challenge the LPN boards during my last year of nursing school...but then I look at the market and found I could not work my nice Emergency Department tech job any more, and I'd be working in LTC (Nothing wrong with LTC- but it isn't for me.) And I'd be making about 2.00 more an hour...wasn't worth it for me.

Very easy to explore jobs in the area, but be very aware, some hospitals post shifts that they do not intend to fill- it's a way to keep applications coming. I got burned going on an interview a few years ago- the web site said they had days and nights...got there and found they had nights only.

peppapig123 · Jul 6, 2012

Wow, you guys are all so helpful. Thanks for all the replies. I won't have much (if any) loan debt because I'm at a cc right now. They're very affordable, one of the cheapest in my state. I'm just going to continue taking pre-reqs +& gen ed courses. Hopefully I find a job when my cna course is over so I can network, and see how things are for lpn's/rn's in my area. Also, does anyone know how I would go about shadowing a nurse? I've heard of people shadowing in hospitals, do any of you think it would be possible for me to also shadow an lpn in ltc/assisted living/rehab?

JZ_RN · Jul 6, 2012

Unless you can get a BSN, you will be in the same boat I was most likely, stuck working in a LTC facility. I found a new job while I finish my BSN but spent a year wanting to quit nursing while I working in the nursing home.

suzilks1 · Jul 6, 2012

I know that I did some research here in GA and our hospital is no longer hiring LPNs at all and most are employed at long term care facilities so I would check in my area. You can probably go on the hospitals' websites and look under job opportunities and you can tell if there are LPN jobs available or you could call Human Resources.

One other thing I would say is that everyone is different. Some choose to work full time while going to school and raising families and that's great..others may choose to focus on school only in addition to their other committments in life. Either way... it doesn't make you more or less whichever path you choose. You have to do what works for you and your family. The end goal is the same. :) Best of luck to you!

sauconyrunner · Jul 6, 2012

Hopefully,

to shadow a Nurse, it should be fairly easy- you could either ask one of your instructors (if they are involved with the nursing program) or your Advisor to help you set it up- or you could simply call the nursing facilities and ask to speak to Human resources, or in the case of a Long term care, maybe the Director of Nursing. Be sure to ask what appropriate clothing will be for that.

kjk1051 · Jul 7, 2012

Wait and go for your RN. It will be well worth the wait in the long run!