Continue from LPN school to RN??

RN34TX · Nov 1, 2004

I was an LPN for 6 years and happy as one for about 4 years of it. A few clueless dingbat RN's later who passed me up and made more money than me made me mad enough not to be content any longer being an LPN.

You may not understand this now as you have not yet graduated and worked out in the field but those experienced LPN's know what I mean.

Someone gave me some great advice and put it into terms that would motivate me and it stuck with me..."Every year that you are not an RN it costs you roughly $10,000 dollars."

That is not even to mention the dumb @#$ RN's you will work with in the future who don't know what they are doing and yet get paid better than you.

You will graduate from ADN school at the age of 49?

If you work as an LPN instead until the age of 65 I would say you will be shorting yourself about $160,000 if not more.

Now how does that compare to your student loan debt?

Mandylpn · Nov 1, 2004

Thank you, you put it into perspective. My student loan is much less than $160,000. Makes sense :eek:

NurseKandi · Nov 4, 2004

Hello: Probably has been posted before, but I need advice from the experienced LPN's on this thread. I am graduating in Dec. '04 from LPN training. It took me three years to do it. In our state we have to go through the CNA program first. My dilemma is this, I am 46 years old, I owe quite a bit in loans, do you think it would be financially worth it to continue to an accelerated RN program? I mean I would probably would be 49 when I graduated from an ADN. I know deep in my heart I would rather have the RN degree, but just do not know it is profitable to continue on. Please advise. :uhoh21:

Hi there, I am an LPN from FL. I am a dialysis LPN and right now I have RNs making around 26 and hour for the same things I do. It seems rather useless at first but then you do see the money difference and the amount of work you will do as an LPN for less money and it upsets you. But the good news is, it may take you a while but when you finish you will not only be proud of yourself but you will make it all worth while when you get the pay raise. I am currently working on my RN as well. I am doing the Chancellor;s. It may be something you might find convenient for you. Best wishes and I hoped I have helped. NurseKandi :)

Pbelle · Nov 4, 2004

I'm graduating on 12/16, and depending on which of two schools I go to, have 2-3 prerequisite courses to get into an LPN-RN mobility program. This isn't even an option - I want to be an RN, and it was easier to get my LPN than wait for an opening (there were5 year waiting lists here!) in any RN program - ASN or BSN.

If you don't do it now, you might never have the opportunity to do so - go for it! Good luck!

Ruqayyah · Nov 5, 2004

to thy own self be true
Yes dear, go for the RN if this what you want. I had the same problem. I was a CNA for ever, just graduated LPN 5/2004..did not stop...began RN course thru RUE/EXCELSIOR. This program will take me about 3 yrs but I will do it and I will be 52 when i'm thru. I do not have time to wait for entrance exams (RN), high test scores and all that, RUE/EXCELSIOR accepts LPN as requirement. GO FOR IT!

ashemson · Nov 6, 2004

I wonder that same thing all the time! I am 34, 3 children, starting an LPN program in January. The course is 17 months, then I would like to bridge and get my RN. I will be 40'ish and wonder also if I really want to have all those student loans at that age.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2004

Your going to be 49 anyway, you might as well be 49 with an RN!

Fiona59 · Nov 8, 2004

Yes, you'll always be 49, but some of us are having to consider attending university while we have kids in grades 11 and 12. Let's see, Mum with student loans, kids with student loans.

So, its not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes you have to remember that you don't always come first.

Oh, and don't forget about trying to save for retirement while repaying student loans, paying the mortgage....

Some of us don't have the option of doing ADN, its straight to BScN in Canada for LPN's who want to bridge.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 8, 2004

I did the LPN to ADN bridge program in my mid 30's. At least for me it was well worth it. I'm now 46 have completed a BSN and am in an MSN program and yes - even when I finish in June 05 - I figure that with 20 years left to work - I'll more than make up for the expenditure of money spent on my education. Good luck.

bcjams · Nov 8, 2004

Its not about the Money...education changes you as a person and gives you the opprotunities to see how far you can go. I was a happy dialysis LVN (texas) until I got into ICU acute hemodialysis and realized I could be one of them(ICU RN) IF I had the education and license...3 years later and about 7000 hours of class and study time I will graduate this Dec 9th 2004...next is PA school..class of 2009..my nursing education has taken me to the very edge of my ability and then showed me how to fly.....