At the crossroad, which path to take?

[Debz1117]

Hello all,

A little information about myself. I have been an LPN for 34 years working in LTC, subacute/rehab and peds. By doing the math, you all can see I'm no longer a youngster, and after working 40 hrs. a week I feel it both physically and mentally. My dilemma is should I pursue the additional one year very intensive LPN to RN bridge program that is available at my local comm. college, or continue working as a full time LPN without the extreme stress of school. Because I have many years of experience, I have never had problems finding work in this very tough economy and by reading posts on this board, finding an enty level RN position is impossible in my home state of NJ. I am assuming that I would be considered an entry level nurse as an RN and that 34 years as an LPN would not be considered as experience. I have completed all the needed pre-requisistes except A&Pll (which I am currently registered to take in the Fall 2009), and have taken the challenge test which I passed with a 92%. By attending school for the one year bridge, would also affect me finanacially because I would have to cut my work days to 4 days instead of 5. Opinions please!

P.S. I also plan on working as a nurse for 12 more years until I am 67 yrs. old!

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Listen, I'm only 28, but I'm no dummy. I'd like to think I'm kinda smart. I say, if you still have another 12 years before you retire, it's DEFINITELY worth it to give up one of those years to stress and school for the benfits you will recieve afterwards. Your experience will give you the advantage that us with no experience would kill to have.

You said you will have to take a cut in pay - do you have any dependents to care for? That can make things more complicated. If it's just a matter of eating in rather than eating out for a year, those kinds of sacrifices, DO IT! The rewards will be worth it in the end. You will get a pay increase and a higher ranking position...and it sounds like you deserve it after all the years of hard work you've put in!

Go for it! Oh, and let us know what you decide! Lol*

[CandyGyrl1985]

i would say - go for it! if worse comes to worse- you can always drop it....

i would consider the following:

do you have the finances to go and or will you be able to get fin. aid?

do you have the availability to go? do you have dependents you care for?

since you have been an lpn for a while - do you want to do the work of an rn?

think about all the additional duties and the compensation... is it something you would like doing?

only you can decide if you want to be an rn. it sounds like you do - maybe you are just a little scared about failing or the stress. but if you have been an lpn this long - you can handle the rn school. you can do it!!!!!