Cant decide if should start out as LPN or go RN?

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Specializes in EMT emergency/ all Clinical types/ l&D.

Im a Medical Assistant, not certified. Im wanting to do this online. I want to be an RN Im not getting younger so would like to go the quickest route. Im very experienced now over 10 years. Do you think it would be faster to just do the RN and get it done and over? Or Do the LPN and work as one while doing the RN. Either way I want to get the RN done within 2years if possible. And figured that getting the LPN isnt where I want to stay so thought going all out and do the RN online and what I cant go do else where would be the thing to do. Would appreciate some remarks on those that did it either way. And if you were sorry you did it the way you did.And any other tips that will help me decide. Im so ready to get this done!! I was married and my ex wouldnt let me finish school, so now we are done and older I can finally finish my dream! Thank you all so much, I can't wait to read your remarks!:stdnrsrck:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Personally I would say if you can afford to go direct to RN then that is the route to go especially if LPN isn't really what you want to do

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I will be going to school for LPN this fall (fingers crossed when I take the TEAS) and I plan on working as an LPN while I do LPN-RN or possibly BSN on-line. That way I can work, gain some experience, and get my RN in the process on -line. I have been a CNA for 17 yrs and I feel that (for me) it is more of a learning experience to go from CNA-LPN-RN. That way I can experience the workplace working as all three at one time or another. I would better understand the roles and responsibilities of each job. As a CNA I have worked with nurses who have been former CNA's and some who have not. Thru MY EXPERIENCE, those who were former CNA's were more understanding of my job and had more patience with me. I feel that ( for me ) I would make a more empathetic nurse when I can say to a CNA that I understand the frustrations and the pressure and I know where they are coming from. But that is my opinion as what would be best for me. Everyone is different and what you decide to do is what you feel is best for you.

Good Luck !

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Specializes in MedSurg, peds, home health, Drs office.

There are some LPN schools here that have a 1 to 1 program with OCCC and OSU-OKC. You go to the TECH school for your LPN, and then are guaranteed entranced into the RN program immediately following. This way you can work as an LPN while getting your RN, but you are also getting your RN in the same shot (no time in between). I did not do this, so I can't give you anymore info about it, I just know others who have gone this route. Personally, I did LPN first, and then spent 5 years getting my pre-reqs for RN done, and am now doing LPN to RN. I don't like how I did it, but don't know how I could have changed what I did.

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Specializes in corrections.

me personally...i went to ma school, did ma/phlebotomy for 7.5 years, then went to a private school to do lpn....i have been a lpn for almost 1 year and i wish i would of just went to rn school and gotten it over with....since lpn school and credits don't apply to any colleges here in this part of oklahoma (ne) i have to start with my prereqs unless i go to a private college and spend quadruple to do it a few months quicker. there are not many jobs for lpn's, esp if you are looking at specialties. i have had the hardest time finding a decent job with decent pay. so that is just my opinion, but i hope it helps.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Im a Medical Assistant, not certified. Im wanting to do this online.
I know that my response is coming somewhat late, but be aware that you cannot do this completely online. Even if you take online classes, the state requires all nursing students to attend a predetermined number of clinical hours in person. Your clinical rotations involve direct, hands-on patient care that you cannot learn through the internet.

I had to complete 954 clinical hours for my LVN/LPN program since this type of nursing license has more of an orientation to the completion of skills and tasks. Therefore, I had to attend three 8-hour clinical shifts per week for one year.

I completed about 300 clinical hours during my RN bridge program. This consisted of attending one 8-hour clinical shift per week.

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me personally...i went to ma school, did ma/phlebotomy for 7.5 years, then went to a private school to do lpn....i have been a lpn for almost 1 year and i wish i would of just went to rn school and gotten it over with....since lpn school and credits don't apply to any colleges here in this part of oklahoma (ne) i have to start with my prereqs unless i go to a private college and spend quadruple to do it a few months quicker. there are not many jobs for lpn's, esp if you are looking at specialties. i have had the hardest time finding a decent job with decent pay. so that is just my opinion, but i hope it helps.

i am in ne ok also..i have my interview tomorrow for lpn school.

what kind of problems have you been experiencing finding a job ??

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Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.

I'm assuming (hoping) you've made some decision by now? Anyhow, I'll toss this out:

If your current job will work with you, go for the RN. I just finished my ADN with Rose State (on-line), and while doing that while working (mostly) full-time wasn't easy, it would have been impossible without time-off, and encouragement from my boss- as well as my wife!:)

If your current job may not be willing to work with you over the next 2-3 years, I'd go LPN, and get a job with a clinic or hospital. they're generally happy to have you go to nursing school, and many have tuition reimbursement and/or scholarships. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I'm assuming (hoping) you've made some decision by now? Anyhow, I'll toss this out:

If your current job will work with you, go for the RN. I just finished my ADN with Rose State (on-line), and while doing that while working (mostly) full-time wasn't easy, it would have been impossible without time-off, and encouragement from my boss- as well as my wife!:)

If your current job may not be willing to work with you over the next 2-3 years, I'd go LPN, and get a job with a clinic or hospital. they're generally happy to have you go to nursing school, and many have tuition reimbursement and/or scholarships. Good luck!

How was Rose states RN program? Was it challenging to do it online?

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How was Rose states RN program? Was it challenging to do it online?

I am wondering this as well. I will start the online program (hopefully) in January. I will be working full-time (I have no choice, but my boss is very understanding) and I am a single mom. I would love to hear about your experience with the program!

Amanda

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Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.

Sorry, folks, I haven't checked in in awhile.:o

What do I say?

I went in as a 36 y/o non-degreed professional. Former EMT/Phleb/AUA/lab tech. I was blessed with a self-motivated, disciplined peer group, on-line, 6 total and I was the only guy.

My criticisms, from what I am able to find, are not exactly unique to RSC, but are something to consider. One of the professors was not overly adept with on-line instruction, and frankly had too many resources/asignments. I believe this has changed. While it is true that you have to know "all the stuff" in nursing, it is possible to narrow the resource material, teach fundamental concepts, and build critical thinking in a much more limited framework.

I had a couple of discussions with faculty about this. The first time, because it suited political aims within the HS department, my concerns and those of our group were "carefully considered." The second time, I was told that I was impertinent, a trouble-maker, and extremely gauche for calling into question the abilities of the professors. (My step-father and father-in-law both taught at Annapolis, FWIW.:rolleyes:) Whinewhine, moanmoan.

It is survivable. It is not overly challenging, if you are able to synchronize with the instructors' thinking on the exams. The majority of questions are taken from NCLEX texts, though one difficulty we experienced was the re-phrasing of questions from a published text in ways that did not necessarily manitain connection to the "correct" answer and its rationale.

Tests and grades for campus and on-line are seperate, so it is a bit of a stretch to say that both groups receive equal instruction, but if you are self-disciplined and do the work(and figure out which work for you is unnecessary), it won't be hard.

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Specializes in thoracic ICU, ortho/neuro, med/surg.
There are some LPN schools here that have a 1 to 1 program with OCCC and OSU-OKC. You go to the TECH school for your LPN, and then are guaranteed entranced into the RN program immediately following. This way you can work as an LPN while getting your RN, but you are also getting your RN in the same shot (no time in between). I did not do this, so I can't give you anymore info about it, I just know others who have gone this route.

Yes, I agree that the 1:1 programs are really good. There was at least one person in my tech school class who was in a 1:1 program.

For me it came down to pre-reqs. I wish now I had just gone through pre-reqs and gone for my RN first, but I will appreciate the money raise I am getting from CNA to LPN, as I am paying my own way through school.

I am hoping to do LPN to RN at Rose.

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