Better to go LPN THEN, RN?

BlkQueen8 · Apr 25, 2012

I'm half way through my LVN course and wish I had gone straight to RN. However my experience in LVN program has made me realize that I want to be nurse for sure. So I do not regret my decision one bit and feel that the experience of working as an LVN while going to school for my BSN next year will difinitely be invaluable when I search for my first RN job.

VioletKaliLPN, LPN · Apr 25, 2012

You should consider becoming a CNA to learn more about the health care environment, it will also give you a peek into what a nurse does. You will have the opportunity to see them in action, so to speak.

Go into Nursing because you 100% want to, because you love it, otherwise you will be miserable. This can be said for any career, really, but iy is especially important in healthcare.

heynurse1971 · Apr 25, 2012

I agree...if you're not 100% sure you want to be a nurse, get some experience 1st. I do agree with going through the LVN (or LPN, depending on where you live). I have been an LVN for 14 yrs. and am very happy. I learned alot of skills that most R.N.s don't learn, and have taught them what I know. Just as they teach me what they know, it goes hand in hand. :)

mindyfromcali · Apr 25, 2012

I agree with all previous posters, definitely do something first to see if you want to be in nursing or not. The coursework required as prerequisites for nursing are hard to do, take a lot of time and money, and it would be a shame to go through all of that for something you weren't sure you wanted. I have been a CNA for 3 years, and am just now going for my LVN. I started really wanting to be a nurse, wasn't sure for the first year, but after working in different environments of nursing I have decided it really is my calling. A good nurse doesn't mind doing bedside care, which is essentially what CNAs do. We're there to assist them, but there are so many patients or residents in a unit that we can't be everywhere at once. If bodily fluids, functions, and smells aren't your thing, then nursing may not be the right career choice. There is definitely responsibility and paperwork for RNs and LVNs, but the interaction with the patient is the most important part. As far as going for your LPN before RN, it depends on where you live and what the situation is for school. I chose to do LVN first because nursing schools here are impacted. I see more opportunity for myself doing it this way. If you are going to go straight for RN (my sister did that) check to see what the wait lists are like for the schools you're looking at attending. Either way look into the CNA thing, it's also good work experience for a resume after graduation.

jade45 · Apr 25, 2012

Follow your heart!! If your heart is not there then it would a waste of your time.