Are you glad to be an LPN/LVN first?

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Specializes in CNA.

I will be applying for 2 LPN schools soon that start next Fall, and I am also working on pre-reqs for the RN program. However, as the LPN schools are either a lottery or grade-based, I feel like I have a chance of getting into the LPN school much sooner then the RN program.. (which is like a 2 year wait after you apply with all your pre-reqs done).

Just wanting to hear from folks if you were glad you did the LPN program first, or if you wished you just did the RN program?

One of the "pros" I can see is that I can work as an LPN and get experience while I get into a lpn-rn program.

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Personally, I am. I don't have a lot of health care experience, and want to eventually be an NP. I don't want to have to work for years after getting my BSN in order to feel I've developed practical nursing skills. So, I'm going to work as an LPN while doing RN, RN while doing BSN, and BSN while MSN as I've planned it. Not only the experience, but I'll be earning a reasonable income along the way. I don't want to be in thousands of dollars of debt when nursing is so unique in offering the step-by-step route.

Just figure out your particular goals, and see if the LPN route first fits. One thing I'd recommend-make sure you're not over-paying for a LPN certificate...just because the time frame to get into a RN program might be longer-the math might work out to where you'd be better off waiting rather than paying $20K+ for a program that will take 6 months of full time LPN work to pay off. It's all very individual, and dependent on opportunities in your area too.

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Specializes in ER, OR, Geri-Psych, Med-surg/Post-trauma.

Some people feel like becoming a LPN first is a waste of time, but it was the best decision I have ever made as far as my education goes. I am very confident in all my skills and that helps in the clinical aspect and by working in different areas of the hospital that has in the lecture portion because I understand how the body systems work.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm also happy I got my LPN first. When I joined the RN students I had a huge weight lifted off my shoulders because no matter what happened I was already a nurse! I went with a student that had quit work and lived off loans only to fail out in the second year with nothing more than a CNA cert and a ton of debt. :o

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Specializes in LTC.

I am glad I got my LPN first. I echoe Jules A's reasons. Also I never had healthcare experience and it's helping my confidence while in the R.N. program. I'm already a nurse! Also I think the RN's respect us in clinicals.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

One thing that has taken a little stress off of me is if I have a pt code during a clinical--I've already been in codes. We had students from another RN program on our floor, one of them's patient unexpectedly coded. The poor thing was so freaked out, she never came back.

Conversely, I worry that I'm going to walk in, see an IV beeping, or a line that needs flushing, and do it automatically without thinking -- and since I haven't been officially "checked off" on that yet, I could get in deep trouble for doing what I automatically do.

I also have a license to look after. If something goes really wrong on a clinical, I don't just have to worry about getting kicked out, my license could be in peril. The one thing I DON'T want to have happen is a pt code and die, and because I can't intubate as a student, or push cardiotonics as a student, etc., I'm in court two years later with a judge saying something like, "Okay, let me get this straight, you let Mr. Smith die because you didn't want to get kicked out of school?!"

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I HAVE BEEN AN LPN FOR 17 YEARS, SO OF COURSE, WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD, THE ONLY LITTLE REGRET IS; WISHED I'D RETURNED TO SCHOOL ALOT SOONER, HOWEVER THERE IS A REASON FOR EVERY SEASON, SO IN ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION; DEFINITELY YES--IT MADE ME A STRONGER NURSE AND YOU WILL HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A LEVERAGE OVER YOUR PEERS, BUT OF COURSE LET YOUR INSTRUCTOR INSTRUCT AND JUST ADD TO WHATEVER YOU ALREADY HAVE UNDER YOUR BELT, HOW IS THAT!!!

:typing :typing :typing

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Definitely glad to already be a nurse cause I have been exposed to more things that have prepared me for what's ahead. I am happy because I am able to handle the stress and like most mentioned even if I don't make it I am still a nurse.

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Specializes in OB (with a history of cardiac).

Oh yes, definitely. See I wanted to work in a clinic, in pediatrics for a long time, and I was disappointed when I learned that RN's in clinics do mostly phone triage, and only a little hands on patient care. So I learned a LOT of skills as an LPN, and confirmed that I do indeed love working in peds, and I developed good people skills (I'm naturally pretty shy and mousy) and just got a good feel for nursing in general. Granted RN's do different things than LPN's- I'll probably find myself in a different setting than a clinic when I finish school- but I'm excited to expand my experiences.

Another thing is, and I don't know how it is where you are, but where I am it's VERY competitive to try to get into an RN program, be it BSN or ADN. Being an LPN and having the advantage of the mobility program sorta lets one bypass the long wait and you end up being done faster and you have a leg up. Now, I'm not saying get your LPN specifically to do THAT, because I know a lot of gals I graduated with were going to go right into an RN program (after working the obligatory 4-6 months as an LPN) and I think those ladies really missed out on a good opportunity.

Even just being in school for my LPN- it's a hard program, you learn what to expect when you go for your RN. I'm not anticipating that any of my teachers for RN are going to be too easy, or even kindly for that matter. Really, I'd describe my LPN school experience as a sort of boot camp that got easier the closer I got to graduation! So there's another thing- toughens you up!

So all in all, yes I'm very glad I went the way of LPN first. :pumpiron:

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Yes I am SO glad I was an LPN first! I was able to have my first job in nursing, as an LPN on a med/surg floor, and make good money while returning to school for my RN. I also felt like going back to school for my RN was much easier having all the great work experience behind me! I started out as a CNA, then LPN, then RN, then my BSN, and now I will be starting back to school Jan. 12th for my MSN in nursing education. I would have to say I have learned a lot in each phase of my career and I wouldn't want to have done it any other way. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in OB (with a history of cardiac).

I'm surprised to read so many people saying they work on Med-Surg units as LPN's! In MN as far as I know, hospitals have totally phased out LPN's and are kinda pushing the existing LPN's in the hospitals to get their RN's.

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

I'm glad to be an LPN first, because I had no patient care experience whatsoever. It used to take me forever to clean up a pt, now it's just second nature. I also didn't have to kill my self studying in RN school. I've decided to switch over to Ecelsior online to finish my RN, so being an LPN gave me many options I wouldn't have had otherwise!:heartbeat

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