Any NPs start from LPN?

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.

Hey there all you AP nurses!

Just considering all my options in returning to school to further my nursing career. I've most recently been debating between stopping at BSN or going for NP. My ultimate goal when I first knew I wanted to be a nurse, was be a NP OB/GYN. My passion has always been for mothers, mother-to-be and womans health. Peds has a special place in my heart as well. In general, of course, I'm just happy when I'm helping people.

I love what I do as an LPN, but I am not content on making this my life long career. I have 2 awesome kids in grades 1st and 2nd. My husband and I both work full time just to keep our heads afloat month to month. I want to return to school ASAP!!!

I just wanted to know if any of you were in similar circumstances when you started on your way to become a NP. Maybe you are considering the journey right now and have anything to add? Did you wait until your kids were older? Did you work and do school full time? If not, what worked best for you and how long did it take you?? Do you like where you are at now in your professional life and/or personal life? Please share your experiences with me. Any feedback is super appreciated!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

lol - I was an LPN from 1990-1992 just long enough to finish my ADN, then I worked as an RN till 2002 when I went back to school for a BSN, graduated in 2004, did an MSN (generic, non-clinical) graduated in 2005, post-MSN adult CNS graduated 2006, worked for awhile, then did another post-MSN peds CNS and graduated in 2010. I started a DNP in 2015 but dropped out as I felt it was a waste of my time, energy and most of all my money!

My step by step career path was due to my husband's military career and our very frequent moves. I would advise to skip the ADN and go straight to the BSN.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I did also. I went LPN, ADN, BSN to NP. The raise I received from LPN to ADN was significant, like $14 an hour as I recall. The step wise approach served me well because I was able to make money the entire time and had years of actual nursing experience in the specialty I pursued for my NP. With the brief NP education we receive especially with regard to prescribing it blows my mind that actual nursing experience in the specialty isn't required let alone even appreciated more among academia. My guess is the University's bottom line is more important and we know overall goal now seems to be retention of undergraduate tuition.

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
lol - I was an LPN from 1990-1992 just long enough to finish my ADN, then I worked as an RN till 2002 when I went back to school for a BSN, graduated in 2004, did an MSN (generic, non-clinical) graduated in 2005, post-MSN adult CNS graduated 2006, worked for awhile, then did another post-MSN peds CNS and graduated in 2010. I started a DNP in 2015 but dropped out as I felt it was a waste of my time, energy and most of all my money!

My step by step career path was due to my husband's military career and our very frequent moves. I would advise to skip the ADN and go straight to the BSN.

OK, thanks for that point of view! Do u have kids??

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
I did also. I went LPN, ADN, BSN to NP. The raise I received from LPN to ADN was significant, like $14 an hour as I recall. The step wise approach served me well because I was able to make money the entire time and had years of actual nursing experience in the specialty I pursued for my NP. With the brief NP education we receive especially with regard to prescribing it blows my mind that actual nursing experience in the specialty isn't required let alone even appreciated more among academia. My guess is the University's bottom line is more important and we know overall goal now seems to be retention of undergraduate tuition.

I would definitely just go straight for my BSN, sounds very doable though. I'm a little surprised actually to hear about how quickly they skim through NP practicum, it's a major break between the two?!?! I just wanted to know from you as well if you had any kids?

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
lol - I was an LPN from 1990-1992 just long enough to finish my ADN, then I worked as an RN till 2002 when I went back to school for a BSN, graduated in 2004, did an MSN (generic, non-clinical) graduated in 2005, post-MSN adult CNS graduated 2006, worked for awhile, then did another post-MSN peds CNS and graduated in 2010. I started a DNP in 2015 but dropped out as I felt it was a waste of my time, energy and most of all my money!

My step by step career path was due to my husband's military career and our very frequent moves. I would advise to skip the ADN and go straight to the BSN.

Also, I just found an old thread where you explained the difference between CNS and NP, which was gonna be my next question lol. So thanks !! :up::woot:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

You're welcome....although CNS seems to be a dying breed....

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Specializes in Huntingtons, LTC, Ortho, Acute Care.

I started as an LPN and now I'm in school for FNP

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Specializes in Huntingtons, LTC, Ortho, Acute Care.
I started as an LPN and now I'm in school for FNP

If we want to really dig I was a CNA first :)

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
If we want to really dig I was a CNA first :)

That's awesome. Any school age children when going to school?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

When I was in LPN school, our sons were 5 and 10 years old.

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Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

I was a nursing assistant before they had certifications, my CNA number was a 2 digit number when we did have to get certified.

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