better to be an rn or an lpn?

TazziRN, RN · May 7, 2008

It's not what we think is best for you, it's what you think is best. For some it's better to be an LVN because that is what they want. It's an individual decision.

jenn-jenn · May 7, 2008

I guess my only concern is that some ppl have told me that it is very hard to go to school ft and work ft. I think I would be able to handle it though because as long as I am motivated to do it I just dont know how hard the classes truely are.

czyja, MSN, RN · May 7, 2008

I guess my only concern is that some ppl have told me that it is very hard to go to school ft and work ft.

Speaking for experience it is not easy to work ft and go do school ft. It is possible but not easy.

No matter what program you are in I would advise that you don't bite off more than you can chew in terms of coursework. Be realistic about you schedule.

Tazzi is right - she pretty much always is... You need to make the right choice for you.

And good luck!

sample24 · May 7, 2008

I can only relate my own experience to you. I was an accountant and wanted to make a carrer change to something in the medical field. I already had the pre-reqs for the LPN program done (I was pre-med before) My program took me 1 year to finish. 5 years later I finished my RN online through a local program. Nursing school is tough all around no matter which way you go. It takes up much of your personal time. You just have to weigh out what's best for you and yours..

BTW, I did work some full, mostly part time through both programs and raised 3 kids and a spouse!!

november17, ASN, RN · May 7, 2008

I guess my only concern is that some ppl have told me that it is very hard to go to school ft and work ft. I think I would be able to handle it though because as long as I am motivated to do it I just dont know how hard the classes truely are.

I'd advise working part time and going to school fulltime for an RN degree. Look at it this way;

1) You won't have time to spend money if you're studying for your RN degree anyways

2) In that case, you won't need to work fulltime.

edit: I guess it is possible to do full time for both, but I certainly would not recommend it from a mental health point of view. Take it easy on yourself. you have plenty of time to earn money after you get your degree.

I'm not knocking LPNs, I love you guys, but if you want to move up the career ladder then RN is the way to go right off the bat.

helo, nurses!! ]ahm, its not d degree dat counts..its d quality of being a nurse.

Hahahah what planet do you live on???? You ever work with nurses with Associates degrees alongside Bachelor's degree??? you won't see much difference

showbizrn · May 7, 2008

It's not what we think is best for you, it's what you think is best. For some it's better to be an LVN because that is what they want. It's an individual decision.

*******************************************

Ditto.

RN is NOT better than LPN

and vice versa...

It's what YOU WANT to do that counts..

:up: MUCH SUCCESS TO YOU!!!

caprisonne · May 7, 2008

I am an LPN. I got my training directly from the Army so for me it was easy because I got paid while I learned to be an LPN. But, I always try to encourage people to go for the gold ... so many more doors open when you are a RN, specifically when you are a BSN (4-yr.) prepared RN as opposed to an ADN (2-yr). If someday you decide to try something not involving direct patient care, more opportunities will be open to you if you are a RN-BSN than an LPN or RN-ADN. Also, RN's typically get higher pay with benefits at any job they have while LPN's pay is not as high and benefits are not always offered (the work is the same ... I carrry the same pt. load as a RN with minimal "supervision" -- I may need them to push a med or check my charts at the end of the night ... simple stuff I am actually capable of doing, but I am not allowed to do outside of the Army setting). As an LPN I find high paying jobs are sans benes and low paying jobs come with benes. My final thought is on pursuing an advanced degree (master's in nursing ... can lead to being a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthesist, etc.) ... which would have been much easier for me if i was already a BSN prepared nurse. I applyed, accepted and started a BSN program, but I was sidetracked by health issues ... it was a blessing in disguise because I realized that my end goal was obtain my master's and be a practitioner. I really didn't specifically want to be nurse. I already have a bachelor's degree (sociology) ... so I dropped out of the program and will be pursing a master's degree to be a physcian's assistant which will save me TWO years!

Having said all that, deciding how and when to go about becoming a nurse is a very personal decision. I wouldn't dream of trying to work ft and go to school ft unless I absolutely had to ... too much stress, and I'd rather be putting all of my energy in school so that I can get the most out of it (and because grades are important if I choose to move further up the school ladder). You could always get your LPN or ADN and pursue your BSN at a later date if that works for you ... but, if I had it to do all over again knowing what I know now, I'd just knock out the BSN all at once!

that my 2 :twocents: !

c.

wearingmanyhats, RN · May 7, 2008

My take on it.... use it as a ladder..... Go for your LPN (better pay) then work on RN (if that is what you decide is your ultimate goal)

That way, you are making more money, and learning about your career, as you work on your career....

I am an LPN, but was a CNA before I went to LPN school..... If I was younger, and my kids weren't just out of college and on their way to college, I would absolutely be pursuing my RN....

Faye

nursegreen · May 7, 2008

This is definitly a personal decision for you to make. I am an LPN to RN transitional nurse, and my LPN program was Monday through Friday from 7a-2p. On clinical days it was anywhere from 6:30a-2p and somtimes later depending on the day. My RN program was different in I didn't have to be there M-F all day. It took me three semesters to transition because all of my prereq's were complete. People do work full time during school but they also struggle. My opinion is to find the best program that fits your needs. As for LPN vs. RN, there are more opportunities available for RN's and this mostly depends on the area you live in. Good luck!!!!!!! :nurse:

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 7, 2008

It totally depends on you. An LPN program is VERY condensed, though. Most of them are full time, 4-5 days a week, and are cramming alot (not all) of what RNs are learning in terms of task assignments within one year, with few breaks. An RN program would at least have a summer semester off, winter/spring breaks and possibly more holidays. LPN programs go straight through. I guess what I am saying is that working while attending an LPN program may be harder than you think (but, not impossible).

If you are comfortable with going step by step on the career ladder, then, maybe beginning as an LPN may be great for you. You can decide if nursing is for you at all, and you can bridge over to an RN program right after. If you wish to go straight for the RN, you can (depending on where you live) take NCLEX-PN sometime in there, get a job and still complete the RN. Bottom line is that you have to know yourself, what you are comfortable with and your capabilities. RNs do have more opportunities and better pay, that is a major consideration.

allnurses Guide · May 7, 2008

It also depends on where you want to end up. In my state, LVN's mostly work in Long-Term Care. There is one awesome LVN in acute but I as the RN have to do her assessment on her patient because of licensing laws. That would stick in my craw if I was an LVN . . .

Where do you want to work?

I would also recommend working part-time - have you looked at student loans?

steph