Choosing LPN or RN

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Hello all,

I am a prenursing student knocking my prerequisites out of the way. I was just wondering why some of you chose the RN program and some chose LPN programs. What were the factors in your decision? Are you happy with your choice or would you go back and change it if you could? 

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Never been an LPN,  but they work as hard as RNs and get paid way less.  They still work 12s..they still take patients.  Financially you will make much more money as an RN.  Unless there is some specific position you want that will only take LPNs I would go straight RN. 

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Specializes in Emergency Department, Pediatrics, Home Health.

People choose LPN vs RN for different reasons. For some people they need to get in and get out of school quickly to gain a paycheck. There are many different reasons. I have been both an LPN and now an RN. I went into an RN program that allowed me to get my LPN half way through the program. In the role I was in with my LPN, there was no real difference in job role between LPN and RN. However, I wanted to get my RN and BSN because I planned to to go NP school. It really depends on what your personal goals are. They both have specific job opportunities within the region you are living. Look up jobs in your area for LPN and RN. Then, look up wage difference. 

I am happy with my decision to get my BSN and continue onto NP school. I think I pushed too hard too fast. I would not recommend doing a residency while getting your BSN - many nights I cried from the stress. 

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Poverty and being almost an orphan. I lost my mother when my siblings were too young even to remember her face. I was just a tween, caught in the turmoil of grief, while the other parent neglected us, leaving us in the shadows. I became the caretaker, shouldering the responsibility of raising my siblings while navigating my own life and pain.

School became a distant dream—my attendance plummeted to about 30% in secondary school. Yet, compassionate teachers recognized the struggles we faced. They brought books and workbooks to our home, offering a lifeline when I felt so lost. Despite their efforts, I was often left feeling overwhelmed, juggling the needs of my siblings with my education. Every day was a battle to hold our fragile family together, and the weight of it all still lingers.

The best thing about me is that I've been a good student.  When I relocated, I kept my life to myself. I didn't want my teachers to pity and help me. I wasn't prideful. I wanted to prove to myself that I could get through life without being pitied because of the life that was given to me.

I took a student loan out enough to keep me in school and worked to keep my head warm and full stomach.

I got my LPN and came back to school for the RN. I can't believe I'm taking my NCLEX soon.

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Specializes in CEN, Firefighter/Paramedic.

My wife is an LPN and I am an RN.  I have the highest respect for good LPNs, they are an extremely valuable asset to patient flow.

Observationally, my wife has managed to find good jobs, but her options are MUCH more limited and she makes significantly less than me despite hustling as hard if not harder than me. 

My recommendation - if you can swing RN from the beginning, just do it.  Nearly limitless opportunities no matter what your interests are.

 

 

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology Student.

For what my I envisioned for myself and my future career, a BSN was a must and non-negotiable. 

No regrets getting a BSN as a second degree student. I was in and out within 12 months. Any longer than that and I probably wouldn't have made it.

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Majie RN said:

Poverty and being almost an orphan. I lost my mother when my siblings were too young even to remember her face. I was just a tween, caught in the turmoil of grief, while the other parent neglected us, leaving us in the shadows. I became the caretaker, shouldering the responsibility of raising my siblings while navigating my own life and pain.

School became a distant dream—my attendance plummeted to about 30% in secondary school. Yet, compassionate teachers recognized the struggles we faced. They brought books and workbooks to our home, offering a lifeline when I felt so lost. Despite their efforts, I was often left feeling overwhelmed, juggling the needs of my siblings with my education. Every day was a battle to hold our fragile family together, and the weight of it all still lingers.

The best thing about me is that I've been a good student.  When I relocated, I kept my life to myself. I didn't want my teachers to pity and help me. I wasn't prideful. I wanted to prove to myself that I could get through life without being pitied because of the life that was given to me.

I took a student loan out enough to keep me in school and worked to keep my head warm and full stomach.

I got my LPN and came back to school for the RN. I can't believe I'm taking my NCLEX soon.

Congratulations 🎊🎉 

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As someone mentioned before LPNs is a quick get in and out but.... Lpn is the first 3 semesters of RN... 2 more semesters and you will have your RN. I advise if you want to be a nurse. Become an RN it's only 5 semesters in a community college.
 

As mentioned many times in this forum lpns work the same job as the RN but get paid way less.
Ex: working on the same unit. Taking the same patients. The company will give an LPN $20 and give an RN $30. 
 

I am currently an LPN will be graduating this year as an RN. And I'm still trying to figure out the difference. But I wouldn't take anything back. I prayed to be here and God got me there. So it's my gift to future nurses to teach them what I know so others can take a better route if they can afford to.

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