B average - RN or LPN?

[Jmiami]

Here I am:

Previous BA in Theater.

A+P1: withdrawn from in 2005 due to death in the family. Passed with a B in 2006.

A+P2: withdrawn from in 2006 due to another death in the family.

Other pre-reqs except for A+P2, Micro/lab, Chem/lab and a math class have been filled by previous BA.

To get from point A (here) to point B (nursing) I can:

Option 1: Right now I am taking a CNA course and two other pre-reqs not listed above. Fall semester, take A+P 2 while I wait for LPN program to start. Start an LPN program in January 2013 and work PT through it. 18 months later be an LPN and God willing, find a job as one. Once working as LPN, finish my two pre-reqs and bridge over to RN before 2016 (my A+P 1 expires then and if it does, I have my limit of times to enroll filled.), then BSN, then MSN.

Option 2: Finish my pre-reqs this summer. A+P 2 in the Fall. Chem and math in the Winter. Micro in the summer. Apply for January 2014 RN. Finish RN June 2015.

The RN program here pretty much asks for 3.8-4.0 in your natural sciences to be competitive, plus an upper 80s-90s score on the TEAS.

The LPN program asks for a lower TEAS score and only has a less competitive GPA requirement.

My GPAs are 2.9 on my first BA (oh did I party). 3.3 on my sciences (biology, A and anatomy/p, B) from a CC. I'm getting A's so far in my other pre-reqs this semester, but they're super easy. A lifespan development course. CNA, and an Intro to Healthcare course. I'm wanting to go for the LPN because it's a sure shot through to RN, but when I mention that, eyebrows raise and questions are asked as to why not just the RN. I don't know if I can pull the 3.8-4.0 that they want.

I work full time now at an unnamed coffee shop that has great benefits. I hate it and need to get out as soon as I can. I've been looking for healthcare jobs, but I make about $13/hr and can't make less since I support my whole family (2 yr old daughter and husband) right now on that. CNA's make $9. We couldn't keep the lights on with that. I want to find the quickest, smartest, safest way to get out of coffeeland and into my dream career. What would you do?

[Stephalump]

You absolutely cannot pull a 3.8 with as many credits as you have already. I'd hazard a guess that you'd have to ace at LEAST 400 more credits to even have a shot at that. Unless thst gpa only applies to your prereqs but I dont know So let's just accept a non-competitive gpa as a given.

The safest, smartest way to become a nurse is to apply to the schools that will accept you. If you don't think you can get into the RN program with your stats, you can either skip it or roll the dice and apply anyway. Rolling the dice may not be safe or smart, but you could hit the jackpot if yo shine in other areas.

Going the LPN route is the simple way, but you'll have to deal with some eyebrow raising and be more patient with the payoff.

[Jmiami]

I think if I'm just "nursing" in any capacity, I'll be happy. So LPN will be just fine with me until I get my RN. I'll still be "nursing" and not working in a coffee shop. I'll have a career that I love and a direction to head in. Yes, I know, my gpa stinks. boo. If I could do it over again now, I'd be one of those 3.8'rs )