Any advice? Considering LPN as an alternative...

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Hi everyone!

I'm in one of my pre-req's for the local RN program...the dreaded A&P. I am doing ok, but this is my first class in over 10 years in a college setting & I am pretty darn sure I'm gonna get a B.

On top of that the wait list for RN programs around here is long. I thought about doing a direct entry MSN program, but here's why it's likely not going to happen:

a)I'm not rich.

b)I'm not rich.

c)I'm not rich.

d) all of the above

Ha! Can you tell today was test today in my class. ;) Anyway, I've been talking to people at my school. I am starting to get interested in the LPN program. I like it because I could still just drive to the local branch of Northwest Mississippi Community College in Oxford, MS for a year. That saves money. I wouldn't have to relocate & spend extra money on living expenses. I am technically a dislocated worker, so I qualify for the WIA program. I like that! I have a 28 on my ACT and a bachelor's degree. My field basically dried up & we were hit really hard. I'm switching careers. My goal is to become an RN and get my MSN after I get some experience. I am very interested in psych nursing.

SO, do you think the LPN route is a good way to get my feet wet? I am hoping I can apply this Fall & start in the Spring while I continue to take A&P II, Micro, Psych, Human Growth & Dev before I'd start the program.

Also, is it ok to apply to the program with a B in A&P I? I know RN programs are so overloaded with applicants, you pretty much have to have all A's on pre-req's.

Also, any experience with LPN-RN bridge programs at a community college & greatly appreciated! Also, anyone having any real info about the Mississippi LPN job market is welcome to chime in!

Thanks! :redbeathe

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If you have a bachelor's degree already, you don't qualify for most financial aid for undergraduates, right? In that case direct entry MSN might actually be a better way to go, because you will have access to graduate student loans regardless of credit and income.

However, some people would not be comfortable taking out that many loans, especially in this economy...so perhaps LPN would be best as you could start working quickly. I'm in the same boat, btw :) I don't have a degree, but I am finishing nursing pre-reqs and trying to decide what to do. I am pretty sure I will just apply to a variety of programs -- RN, BSN and LPN. There is no harm in applying to multiple programs.

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This is just all pretty overwhelming. There seem to be so many paths to nursing. I'm pretty sure if I really applied myself to get in a direct entry MSN. I really don't want to move to go to grad school. I'm living rent free. I lost everything during the recession, so gradplus loans aren't an option. I'm just not sure where to go. I didn't use all my loans from undergrad.

What did you make on your pre-reqs, especially a&p? It's making feel dumb, and I know I'm not. My average in lab is 99, but my lecture professor is terrible. He makes really terribly worded exams. I think I made a good grade on todays test, but I'm expecting a B in the class. I know how many people are applying to RN programs. I've heard 800 applying for 50 spots. That's crazy! I've read LPN is getting slowly phased out. My thing is I love working in caregiving, personal care and psych related settings. Part of ne thinks, get the LPN, work in a behavioral hospital while I bridge to RN. I really want to be a psych np.

Another thing about the direct entry that worries me is the stress factor. Maybe going slow into nursing will be better for my mental health! I'm gonna meet with the LPN advisor Monday to discuss my options. Good luck to you!

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This is just all pretty overwhelming. There seem to be so many paths to nursing. I'm pretty sure if I really applied myself I could get in a direct entry MSN. I really don't want to move to go to grad school. I'm living rent free. I lost everything during the recession, so gradplus loans aren't an option. I'm just not sure where to go. I didn't use all my loans from undergrad.

What did you make on your pre-reqs, especially a&p? It's making me feel dumb, and I know I'm not. My average in lab is 99, but my lecture professor is terrible. He makes really terribly worded exams. I think I made a good grade on todays test, but I'm expecting a B in the class. I know how many people are applying to RN programs. I've heard 800 applying for 50 spots. That's crazy! I've read LPN is getting slowly phased out. My thing is I love working in caregiving, personal care and psych related settings. Part of ne thinks, get the LPN, work in a behavioral hospital while I bridge to RN. I really want to be a psych np.

Another thing about the direct entry that worries me is the stress factor. Maybe going slow into nursing will be better for my mental health! I'm gonna meet with the LPN advisor Monday to discuss my options. Good luck to you!

Pros of starting at the bottom:

Program paid for

Can get to work in a year...so I can get back on my feet

Experience

Cons:

Take 5 years+/- to finish np

Feeling a little lame for having to start all over

Pros of direct entry MSN:

Fast track

Feeling more accomplished

Cons:

100k+ debt

Extreme stress

No experience

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Specializes in Public Health.

who says extreme stress? direct entry is 2 yrs of RN coursework after which you can work as an RN then the other half is Masters level work....win win

PLUS you can get your CNA in the meantime and work in any setting as opposed to being limited to LTC or doctors offices as an LPN.

I actually have a friend in NS who is working as a CNA in a Psych facility and Hospice!

Please look into this option more! There are so many opportunities

Pss Plus getting your Direct entry MSN means you can go directly into your desired specialty once you finish!

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Ok, what online direct entry programs are out there?

I know vandy, but it's too expensive!

Any info about Xavier? How much does it really cost?

I like USA. Any more???

Don't get me wrong...the dream is direct entry, but It's so expensive. There has to be a way around the huge tuition.

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I have responded to other similar questions on this board before, and I always like to remind people in situations like this that:

1) If you already have a degree, sometimes you can challenge/transfer some of the course credits.

2) There are tax advantages to going to LPN school first, and then getting any job you can as an LPN, then going to RN school, because it will then be deductible on your federal income taxes. (every little bit helps).

3) Don' t write off going to a diploma school of nursing (if there are any left in your area). I am biased, but you get a better nursing education there, more quickly. You probably already have the liberal arts part downneede for your BSN/MSN if you already have a degree, and you can get the other nursing courses later when you return to school. Also, if you get a diploma, you can go to an RN-MSN bridge program later.

4) in terms of finding a job--look into correctional nursing. It is really not dangerous at all (or at least not aany more dangerous than other nursing positions), and there is an almost unlimited supply of incarcerated people these days, and they all need medical care.

Best of luck in your decision-making!

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Thank you! That was great advice. I am seriously considering lpn then bridging to rn. Correctional sounds great. There would probably be a huge psych component as well.

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Actually, that was my last nursing spot for almost 10 years before I went on disability for chronic kidney disease--I was the night shift psych nurse on the inpatient psych unit of the Philadelphia, PA, jail system. Our unit was bigger than a lot of regular hospital units--65 beds (only 1 RN and 1 tech on night shift--luckily most of the patients slept all night). Psych is very interesting and challenging, but for some reason some nurses are scared of it. It is really not that dangerous, if you use your gut feelings and some common sense.

Even though the economy and healthcare reforms are changing the outlook for nursing jobs, there is always some little niche you can find that will suit you, if you look hard enough. If you do eventually go to LPN school, you might want to look into correctional nursing, because there might be positions available in your area--the prisons/jails here in PA use LPN's exclusively for med passes and treatments.

Once again, good luck!

Dave Dunn, RN

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Specializes in Public Health.

Im sorry I can't help but try and (maybe not the right word) but deter a person with a previous degree from going the LPN-RN route just because it feels faster. I understand the need for income however I can't tell you how many LPN's I know who get stuck as LPN's for years because they get comfortable and never go back to school. All the LPN's I work with say STAY IN SCHOOL and GET YOUR RN...they all can't be wrong. JMO.

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Thank you slinkyhead! The last thing I want to do is get stuck. :eek: I do have a couple concerns. I am living and eating for free right now. I can drive 18 miles to my local cc branch. There is one rn program 30 miles away. This year almost 800 applied and 50 were accepted. Yikes.

I have a 28 on my ACT and around a 3.4 or so from undergrad. I'm in a&p 1 now, but I'm likely getting a B. First bio science class since 1997 and in the summer...bad idea. I'm not sure if the lab averages into the grade. I have a 99 average in lab, so maybe that will offset the c on my first test.

The positive of going for rn is I will have more time to take pre reqs for rn to MSN which is my goal. Another good thing is I can volunteer over the next year, work on a non profit idea I want to pursue (art therapy for Ltc pts). I'm just really nervous about getting accepted in an RN program. I'm eligible for WIA grants. So, that's not a worry. I've decided to take a&p 1 again in the fall if I don't get an A. I like to think if this first semester as a readjustment to being in college again.

I know competition is high for AND programs, but with my ACT score, hopefully good pre req grades and volunteer leadership, do you think I'll have a chance? I don't want my undergrad experience to count agaibst me.

*sorry about spelling or grammar. Typing on my Android is a pain!

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Thank you slinkyhead! The last thing I want to do is get stuck. :eek: I do have a couple concerns. I am living and eating for free right now. I can drive 18 miles to my local cc branch. There is one rn program 30 miles away. This year almost 800 applied and 50 were accepted. Yikes.

I have a 28 on my ACT and around a 3.4 or so from undergrad. I'm in a&p 1 now, but I'm likely getting a B. First bio science class since 1997 and in the summer...bad idea. I'm not sure if the lab averages into the grade. I have a 99 average in lab, so maybe that will offset the c on my first test.

The positive of going for rn is I will have more time to take pre reqs for rn to MSN which is my goal. Another good thing is I can volunteer over the next year, work on a non profit idea I want to pursue (art therapy for Ltc pts). I'm just really nervous about getting accepted in an RN program. I'm eligible for WIA grants. So, that's not a worry. I've decided to take a&p 1 again in the fall if I don't get an A. I like to think if this first semester as a readjustment to being in college again.

I know competition is high for AND programs, but with my ACT score, hopefully good pre req grades and volunteer leadership, do you think I'll have a chance? I don't want my undergrad experience to count agaibst me.

*sorry about spelling or grammar. Typing on my Android is a pain!

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