(not)Another LVN or RN post!

[Kenrb27]

Ok so we've all heard the delima before, LVN or RN. Heres my story. I am 25 and my ultimate goal is to become a Nurse in the Navy so I know I need my BSN for that. Just looking for a little advice. I'm finishing up my pre-reqs for nursing as well as the Health Science Degree. I have an "A" in English "B" in Anatomy "A" in Physiology and I am currently in Micro and it's looking like an "A" as well. I just took a CNA course so I'm am a CNA but don't plan to work as one. However I feel like I have my life on hold waiting to get into a RN program. I want to have babies and get married!:redbeathe

I currently work in an office about 15hrs a week and they are super cool about my school schedule. My fiance supports us financialy and while he is very supportive and knows our goal of becomeing a nurse will take some time, I know he is nervous as the main breadwinner. I would be kinda screwed if we broke up as most nursing programs don't want you to work full time. I will be applying to programs at the end of this year and they would start in next FAll 2011. That just seems so far away when I could jump in a LVN program that starts in October of Jan and be done in a year. I am not one of those people who wouldn't go back and get the RN, I know myself pretty well. Just tired of all the competion and drama of pre-nursing! Plus I'm ready to start making some money and get some experience LVN here in Cali start off pretty good in the state prisions. Plus what happens if you invest all that time in nursing school and fail at the end? (or get sick or whatever) Then you got nothing but wasted time.

[Justanotherday]

Wow, how does your fiance feel about you joining the Navy? When would you do that? I am super "pro Navy" (my son has been in for two years) but I am just wondering when and how you would fit that into your life.

[Kenrb27]

I would join the Navy as soon as I was done with my BSN. At this rate that will be sometime around when I'm 31 or so. (I'm 25 now) My fiance is former navy and a navy contractor currently so we're used to being apart. I've allways wanted to join but was discuraged by my parents after 9/11. I love the fact that it will also provide me the opportunity to "return the favor" to him. And let him chill and go to school with out worrying about bills.

[Nurse Smiley]

Hi Kenrb27,

Congratulations on your ambitious goals. You might want to sit down with good old fashion paper and pen and write your realistic goals with priorities. All of your choicies are admirable and are certainly attainable, however, you need to decide which has more merit and satisfaction for you first.

There is nothing wrong with working as a CNA first to gain the initial experience of working in a clinical setting, interacting with staff and co-workers, and earning an income! This may lend insight to your decision. Emotions and finances do go "hand in hand".

Good Luck,

Nurse Smiley

[melement]

I also have gotten impatient with the wait to get into an RN program and contemplated just doing an LPN program then returning for an RN-LPN bridge, but after doing some research I have found that it is easier to get into the RN program at my school than to get into the RN-LPN bridge. The bridge program has fewer spots and is therefore way more competitive.

I think you should stick it out and wait for the RN program, and work as a CNA if you need to.

Just my

[Kenrb27]

I am leaning more and more towards LVN so I can get my life started but I will apply to the local RN programs to see if I get in. I really would rather not work as a cna. It's just not my thing. I work at an office but I'm a cosmetologist so I would do that before I did anything else. Melement my school's LVN/RN bridge is MUCH easier to get into than the RN program.

[Kenrb27]

Melement, does your school give points for health care experience? What will you do if you are done with your pre-reqs but don't get in the first time you apply?