better to be an rn or an lpn?

[jenn-jenn]

I am currently a cna and I would like to go back to school for either my lpn or my rn. I do need to continue to work full time and I was wondering what current nurses thought would be best for me.

[ann945n, RN]

I would say go for the RN if you can. LPN programs are 4 quaters and RN programs are 6 quaters. If you want to bridge from LPN to RN it is 3 quaters. So doing a bridge is one extra quater. For me when I am in school mode I go full throttle and get it over with. That extra 2 quaters (or 6 months) in a RN program will go by in a flash. And when you are done you will be making much more money. When I got my RN my pay jumped up by 7 dollars. Not to bad of a raise in 2 quaters. For me it was not a matter or which one is 'better' both are nurses. For me it was a matter of most bang for my buck (pay wise). Just my opinion though, do what is right for you.

[fusster]

I would suggest you go for the RN. Since you're tyring to work full time and go to school full time, I'm guessing money is a factor for you. It isn't that much more schooling to get an ADN, and the top pay for a LPN is usually about the same as the base pay for an RN. LPNs work just as hard as RNs, there are some things LPNs can't do that RNs can, but to me it doesn't justify the pay difference Overall, however, weigh the pros and cons of going LPN against the pros and cons of going RN, and make the best choice for you.

[Perpetual Student]

I'm an LPN, hoping to be an RN in a touch over a year, and will say without hesitation that it is better to be an RN. You can make much more money for doing fundamentally the same job, plus you have a much wider array of possible positions to choose from. There's nothing wrong with LPNs, and many are extremely professional, competent nurses. Some of my coworkers who are also LPNs regret that they did not continue their education earlier in their careers. Nobody I work with has ever stated to me "Gee, I wish I had become an LPN instead of an RN," but several have expressed their desire to become RNs.

That said, an LPN program can be a solid springboard from which to begin your nursing education and career. If I had not done the LPN program, I likely would not currently be a nurse, nor would I be likely to get into an RN program any time soon due to the competitive nature of admissions in my area.