Am i doing things right...?

ms_sgr, BSN, NP · Jul 9, 2010

Don't feel bad about bouncing around. Just there as long as you can. You can always get a loan to support you while you are in school.

JonJon88 · Jul 9, 2010

thanks ms_sgr, i guess it really is all about the financial aspect of things that i'm worried about.

ms_sgr, BSN, NP · Jul 9, 2010

I can understand, I' m already $30,000 in debt from my first degree. Just an FYI, word is going around that they are getting rid of LPN and pushing them to get their BSN. They are trying to make BSN the entry level position. You can work at the hospital after your first semester. You are young, don't worry about the finances, a lot of hospitals have repayment plans, also go to the Sallie Mae site and sign up with UPromise and get your friends and family to link to your account. Once you become a nurse you can work OT to pay off your loan. Don't let your finances be the reason for you taking the shorter route. Also since you don't have a degree you might be able to get a grant.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 9, 2010

I want to go for my RN, however I could not imagine letting my fiancee support both of us while I go to school for 2+years. Is it alright for me to feel this sort of way, am I getting ahead of myself? Any advice... criticism, lol chastisement would help...

I think this is an excellent path to take. Getting my LPN first allowed me to actually have something in my hand after only a year and make a decent buck while I went back for my RN. Since I was older there was no way I was going to stop working for school. I know a couple of RN students who failed out in their last semester with only their CNA to show for all their time and hard work! Good luck, you sound like a smart cookie. :up:

Jules A, MSN · Jul 9, 2010

I can understand, I' m already $30,000 in debt from my first degree. Just an FYI, word is going around that they are getting rid of LPN and pushing them to get their BSN. They are trying to make BSN the entry level position. You can work at the hospital after your first semester. You are young, don't worry about the finances, a lot of hospitals have repayment plans, also go to the Sallie Mae site and sign up with UPromise and get your friends and family to link to your account. Once you become a nurse you can work OT to pay off your loan. Don't let your finances be the reason for you taking the shorter route. Also since you don't have a degree you might be able to get a grant.

"They" have been talking about phasing out LPNs for over 20 years now. Being $30,000 in debt is not something I would advocate if someone has the option of not taking out huge loans and instead working while continuing in school. :confused:

JonJon88 · Jul 9, 2010

I think this is an excellent path to take. Getting my LPN first allowed me to actually have something in my hand after only a year and make a decent buck while I went back for my RN. Since I was older there was no way I was going to stop working for school. I know a couple of RN students who failed out in their last semester with only their CNA to show for all their time and hard work! Good luck, you sound like a smart cookie.

Thanks Jules. Yea, I figured I could most likely try and apply for an RN program with a license already under my belt "Just in case". Unfortunately one of my pts today explained to me how she absolutely loved being an LPN, and cried every day after getting her RN. I know everyone does not have the same story but it's becoming more familiar to hear how RN's are so overburdened to the point that the majority of their day is paperwork, and just a fraction of direct pt care. I know that's not all aspects/specialties of nursing but I do know that it's not making me regret the decision to start with my LPN. I really appreciate everyone's input, helps me clarify things much better!

I've done a lot on my own but it's such a big relief to have a lot of people here that have gone through the same things I have, as well as having their support. I know all of you aren't holding my hand, but this helps. thanks!:redpinkhe

elkpark · Jul 9, 2010

I can understand, I' m already $30,000 in debt from my first degree. Just an FYI, word is going around that they are getting rid of LPN and pushing them to get their BSN. They are trying to make BSN the entry level position. You can work at the hospital after your first semester. You are young, don't worry about the finances, a lot of hospitals have repayment plans, also go to the Sallie Mae site and sign up with UPromise and get your friends and family to link to your account. Once you become a nurse you can work OT to pay off your loan. Don't let your finances be the reason for you taking the shorter route. Also since you don't have a degree you might be able to get a grant.

"They" have been talking about phasing out LPNs for over 20 years now. Being $30,000 in debt is not something I would advocate if someone has the option of not taking out huge loans and instead working while continuing in school.

I agree that LPNs are not going anywhere any time soon -- they are the backbone of LTC, assisted living, etc., and that's only going to be an increasing proportion of healthcare as time goes on. Also, while some people and groups within nursing have been pushing to make the BSN the minimum preparation for RN licensure for >30 years, they're no closer to making that happen than they were 30 years ago.

I also would not recommend anyone take on significant student loans to attend nursing school at this time -- many healthcare employers have cut down or eliminated their tuition reimbursement or assistance programs as part of their overall "belt tightening" in this horrible economy, and, with the flood of new graduates coming out of the schools each year desperate for jobs, my own cynical guess is that, even once the economy improves, they will not feel it necessary to reinstate those programs because they won't need to -- they'll have plenty of nurses competing for the jobs available and won't need to offer inducements to attract employees. A nursing education and license is no longer a guarantee of a comfortable paycheck for new grads, at least for the time being, and you can't assume that you're going to be able to pay off student loans without problems because you are going to be a nurse.

IMO, only of the good things about nursing is that there are usually several different paths to get to where you want to go. :) I'm sure you'll be able to find a path that's going to work out for you. Best wishes for your journey!

LoveANurse09 · Jul 10, 2010

You love your job right? Try to stick it out while going straight for your RN. Where I live LPN's are not used in hospitals. Take an extra year to obtain your degree and then you can work LTC as an RN supervisor after a few months. I know many who have done this.

I orginally went for my ASN with a similar plan as yours, thinking once I start working then I'll go back. Honestly, once I graduated and the stress of nursing school was over I didn't want to go back! Now most hospitals in my area prefer BSN's and I'm dreading going back. Plus once you get married have babies, you won't want to be studying all the time!

Heck, with the way healthcare is nowadays skip Nursing altogether and become an ophthamology tech! okay enough of my rant....

chloecatrn · Jul 10, 2010

There are a couple of options here:

1. Go to school to be an LPN, finish in a year.

2. Go to school to be an RN, get an associate's degree or diploma (you don't have to get a BSN!), and be done in 2 years. You'll be eligible for grants and loans to help you pay for the cost of school and living expenses for the two years.

For instance, I took out enough money to pay four months worth of rent per semester, and then paid my landlord for four months at a time. That lessened the load of needing to work so many hours while I was in school. This advice also works for your LPN program, for what it's worth.

3. Go to school to be an LPN, finish in a year, and then go back to be an RN if you decide that's what you'd like to do. You're not limited to staying an LPN at all.

Have a long discussion with your fiancee. See what her input is. She may prefer to support you both for two years now, if you think that you're going to want to become an RN, instead of having to figure it out once there's a baby in the picture or on the way. You may be better prepared to handle this as a couple now, while things are more flexible, and there are fewer demands on your time, than once you're married. It's hard to be in nursing school and be engaged, I can't imagine being in nursing school and being married, and forget doing it with kids. I always admired my fellow RN students with multiple children. Figure out what's best for both of you... don't just do what you think is right as one of the providers in the relationship.

Good luck. This is a difficult decision to make. Together, you'll come up with what's right for the both of you. :nurse:

JonJon88 · Jul 12, 2010

thanks so much guys and gals. I really appreciate all the input. It's really helped me relax a bit more about the situation. Another good thing is, my fiancee is male and we aren't going to adopt until we're ready. That takes some pressure off of the being engaged during schooling. I know it still doesn't make me feel any better about having him work full time but knowing that I'll be able to have financial aid help with living expenses definately helps with the nerves. :redpinkhe you all!

Mrs.S1071 · Jul 13, 2010

Im a beginning Nursing student ( I start in Aug). I want to eventually get my RN and maybe my BSN. I am starting LVN first one cause Im afraid it will go to fast for my and I will fail out. So, I figure get my LVN and then Ill have knowledge under my belt before going through RN. and two, Im honestly not sure if I truely want to go after my RN. I figure I get the LVN, see how the RN positions are in the real world vs what the schools and career centers tell you ( some sugar coat it) and see if I do want to be an RN.

I dont see anything wrong with going after your LVN first. Ive heard a lot of people on here say they are glad they went LVN before RN and some of them now have their BSN. JMO, I feel it will make me a more well rounded nurse if I have gone up the ranks from the little man all the way up ( no offense to anyone). I will more understand where they are coming from, because I have been there.