Choosing a new career path in nursing, so many questions?

sweetiepeas · Jun 15, 2011

If it were me I would do the RN. I know a lot of hospitals here aren't even hiring for LPNs and the ones they do have they are having them get their RN.

Plus if you are going back go for the gusto! Good luck!

iPink, BSN, RN · Jun 15, 2011

There are a couple of avenues you could pursue, but it has to be based on a few factors: money, time, and your future goals.

If you want to get a feel of the health care field, you can opt to go for the LPN. I was actually thinking of going that route first when I decided to go into nursing, but chose not to. However, many people feel being an LPN first was the best decision as it has helped in succeeding in RN school. I believe LPN programs are about 1 year in length. Unfortunately, LPNs are being employed more in Long term care facilities as opposed to hospitals. There are LPN-RN bridge programs you can do when you are ready to pursue that avenue.

I would encourage you to go the RN route though. You never mentioned if you have a previous degree or not. But, if you do, there are accelerated BSN programs available to those who hold a non-nursing degree. However, these programs are more expensive and depending on program can last between 12-16 months long, making them very intense.

If you don't have a previous non-nursing degree, you can take the less expensive route, which is the ADN program. These program are being offered at a community college. These programs are very competitive and in some states there is a waitlist. Try to avoid those waitlisted programs, but if you have no choice, I would apply to all ADN programs in your area in hopes you'll get in. I've seen people on here who have waited 2-3 years.

So factor in the time it'll take you to complete the prerequisites and complete an ADN program and should take you roughly 3 years to complete.

Also to add, take those prerequisites seriously and do your best in all of them.

hannah87 · Jun 15, 2011

Hi! I'm a second-career potential nursing student as well, formerly a high school teacher. I have decided to go for ADN instead of LPN due to my school's requirements/admissions process. I'm currently attending Southwest GA Technical College, and they accept students into their LPN program based on how long they have been attempting to get into the program. Since I am a second degree student I have not been waiting to start the LPN program long enough and was unable to be accepted for the most recent program in April. I decided instead to try for the ADN program, which starts this August. We don't get our acceptance letters until the end of July so I'm anxiously waiting to hear. All of that to say, be sure to check the program requirements and admissions process for the school(s) you're looking at. The required criteria may surprise you and completely change your plans like they did mine. Best of luck!