Does anyone have a Bachelors and still pursuing LPN??

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I have a Bachelors degree and Im currently pursuing LPN, and the common question from RNs is, why not be an RN. Is it uncommon for someone with a Bachelors degree to pursue an LPN? I just went on an interview for a CNA position and the interviewer looked at me like I was crazy because I am pursuing LPN over RN. What is wrong with being an LPN over an RN?

I think everyone should think about what their ultimate goal is and do the research on their own! I love talking to my fellow nurses, nursing students, and those interested in nursing but one thing that I have learned is that there is a lot of contradictory and inaccurate information going around. I was told by my own professors that having a non-nursing bachelors means nothing and that I would have to return to school for at least 2 more years to become a BSN and then I could for the MSN. When I started contacting schools and reading their catalogs I found out that they were wrong.

I also think that if you know that you are not interested in going beyond the LPN then you should go to a vocational program that is 10-12 months long. If you know that you want to do the RN in the future then try to do the LPN at a college because then you will get college credit for your pre-reqs and will be able to go into an RN program without backtracking. If you can find a 1+1 program which I think are pretty rare then that is great too.

The main idea is that you should think very carefully about what you want to do and do the research on your own.

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Specializes in Just passed the Boards :).
I have my bachelors degree and I did the LPN first. The program I did was a 1+1 program that accepted me with no pre-reqs completed because we did them while completing the LPN. I got my LPN license in '08 and I have been working as an LPN while doing my RN. I am finished in one week and expect to take the NCELX RN sometime in May or June. The entire process has taken me exactly 2 years and 3 months. :wink2: For me it was faster than doing 3-4 semesters of pre-reqs and then doing 12-18 months of an ASBN program.

For me going the LPN route worked out really well. I have gained experience as a nurse before I get thrust into the role of RN. The nurse managers that I have spoken with at clinicals do accept LPN experience and I will not be considered a new grad which is an advantage in this tough job market. Also I have been doing my research and I have found several colleges and universities in my area that accepted ADNs with a non nursing bachelors directly into their masters programs. So I don't even need to BSN to move on in my career.

I am so glad it worked out for you that way, but in my area(NYC) even after you take the LPN you must work for a year before you can go to that second phase of the 1+1 program, to return back to school to get an ADN you still have to do those same Pre reqs you were trying to avoid in the first place because the LPN schools do not give you any college credits or the pre reqs required to move up the lattter. some schools to provide some work experience credit or you can take a test to be exempts from certain pre reqs but for the most part everyonetakes them. And I find it very shocking that a university will give you a masters with out a bachelor's first. I am pretty sure the program you are referring to is an BSN-Masters program you are doing both in one which still is longer

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Specializes in Just passed the Boards :).
The accelerated BSN option means nothing to people like me who have to take 5-6 prereqs before entering such programs. And not everyone has the resources to stop working for an entire year. By the time I finish my prereqs, I could be an LPN!!

You are right about the pre reqs but if this is something you planned for you could have done the pre reqs at any local community college in the summer which is usually two semesters avail (in the summer) so that's four classes already, and most people still work while they are in these programs and have families believe me I know its a struggle my kids did not know me for two years but now I can enjoy them and make more money and I dont have to back thru all of those other steps to have a BSN in my area most LPNs work in nursing homes which I did not want and MOst prestigious hosp will no longer hire ADN nurses anyone who already works for them as ADNs must return for their BSN.

by all means everyone should do their research for their area and do whats best for them

Good luck

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I know I'm probably late on this. I graduated with a BS in Communications 5 years ago. I strongly considered going for my BSN and was confused. This thread helped me alot!! Also, for those with a Bachelor's, I hear that you may be able to incorporate in the nursing field. Just a thought. I also heard from some people working in hospitals that some..not all..Rn's need more training because they don't get enough clinicals..this is just what i've heard. Regardless, LPN is still a nurse, and you have no where to go but up. Good luck!

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I'm from NYC too (BX=Bronx RN 2be).

I'm really not here to argue or debate my point. I'm just telling others about my educational background and how I went about getting into nursing school. I am also here to share what I have been finding out about advancing my education beyond the ADN level. I'm not telling people what I think i'm pretty sure about I am telling them what I actually know for a fact. In any event in my last post I advised everyone to do their own research because what is available in my neck of the woods may not be available in theirs.

I went to a true 1+1 program in NYC that accepted me without having any pre-requs completed. I completed all of the pre-reqs for college credit while simultaneously completing my LPN year. After that year I had a three month break in which time I began my career as an LPN. I was required to take the entrance exam to fast track into the RN year but I was not required to work for one year or do anything else. I began the RN year in April of '08 and this week coming is my last week. All I have between me and my RN is a final exam and the NCLEX RN.

Now as far as what I wrote about going from ADN to MSN if you have a bachelors in another area I will use Columbia University as an example. http://sklad.cumc.columbia.edu/nursing/courses/programs/acnp.php Here is the link to the ACNP program please note that under admissions requirement it clearly states *RN's with an associate degree and a non-nursing baccalaureate degree are required to complete 5 credits in community health in addition to the course requirement listed. Meaning that in addition to the regular courses that BSNs have to take an ADN would have to take 5 credits of community health nursing. Considering that Columbia's community health nursing courses are two or three credits this is hardly an onerous requirement. Two extra classes are certainly not going to take the two additional years that an ADN w/o a bachelors would have to take to get the BSN first and then go into an MSN program.

Those are just Columbia's requirements and I selected that school because of it's widely recognized name and credibility. I have found other schools that are not as well known nationally that have similar requirements but please don't ask me to list them all because it's very late and I'm rather sleepy right now. The point I am making is that becoming an LPN isn't a dead end if a person goes about it the right way.

Also what would be so terrible about a person with a bachelors wanting to become and remain an LPN? In this horrible economy I am hardly suffering for work or for money as an LPN. Trust me I am better off as an LPN than I would have been had I not gone for that little 11 month certificate that a lot of people seem to look down on. The work is hard but I am making an honest living that is feeding me and my family. I have a union job with great affordable health insurance and I get tuition reimbursement. I have also had the opportunity to put what I am learning during my RN education into practice at my job and I think this will really help me during my first year as an RN. I think I did the right thing for me and I am no regrets. There is NOTHING wrong with a being an LPN and I think it was one of the better choices I have made in my life. No matter how far I go in my career as a nurse I will always remember and be proud of the LPN license that I worked really hard for.

I am so glad it worked out for you that way, but in my area(NYC) even after you take the LPN you must work for a year before you can go to that second phase of the 1+1 program, to return back to school to get an ADN you still have to do those same Pre reqs you were trying to avoid in the first place because the LPN schools do not give you any college credits or the pre reqs required to move up the lattter. some schools to provide some work experience credit or you can take a test to be exempts from certain pre reqs but for the most part everyonetakes them. And I find it very shocking that a university will give you a masters with out a bachelor's first. I am pretty sure the program you are referring to is an BSN-Masters program you are doing both in one which still is longer
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Specializes in na.

Well said! I think you summed it very well.:yeah:

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Specializes in Just passed the Boards :).

By all means I am not looking down on PN's as a career, I m mainly stating for me if I had a choice I would rather go for the BSN because I want my masters and I did not want to go thru all these different programs to get to my goals. Hey BX_RN2B if you don't mind me asking which PN school did you go to ,I am curious because I 've never heard of one who gave you college pre reqs whilel in the program. I know a lot of people who can benefit from it. The only ones I know of is through the community colleges that give you credit for the lpn towards your RN and I know someone who went thru BCCand it took her 18 mths

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Specializes in geriatric, dialysis.

Bx_RN2B I rarely make post, but thank you for inspiring those who want to follow in your footsteps. I see all that you have done and been through as motivation to continue on in my path and I would like to encourage you to maintain that spirit as you find different paths to attain your goal. Never take no for an answer. Never leave any stone unturned. Bravo!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.
I have a bachelors, too and am starting an LPN program this month. Although I am going to get my RN, there are several reasons for getting my LPN first. To start with, I was able to get in and get started without having to apply to a million programs, while having no clue if I would get in them or not. Plus, by the time I would found out IF I got in, I could be almost finished with my LPN. If you don't get in, then there you are with lost time on your hands.

Also, by getting my LPN first, I can enter the workforce sooner. The pay and job field for my bachelor's is insulting.

There are obviously financial advantages to being an RN and I suspect the job market is better, but you have to do what works for you because you are the one who has to live with it.

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I could not have said it better Miss Gwen. I have an undergraduate degree in business and decided the LPN route. My scores are high enough to get into the RN program, but the way the cirriculum is set, I would be in school for an additional calendar year before being able to get into the workforce. So, I figure I will be able to work for one year so that I can continue meeting my financial obligations AND have the facility to help pay for the RN...so I don't think it is silly at all.

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Hi. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from the University of New Orleans & decided on a career change to Nursing (from real estate) last year. I took 3 prereqs in the Fall of 08 (was pregnant), 2 this semester (had a newborn) and will be taking another couple of classes this summer. I have applied to 2 different programs: 1 accelerated 10 month RN (ASN) & 1 12 month LPN Certificate program. The accelerated RN seemed like a good fit b/c I have already been at the prereq's for one year and the program is 10 months. If I get accepted, I will start this September. I feel that I have a competitive GPA and serious motivation, but I have no healthcare experience, and could I possibly learn what is needed in 10 mos? The program would be rigorous and stressful, and I might very well miss my new baby's first steps, but I am up to the challenge and committed to seeing it through if accepted. My only real backup plan, however, if I don't get in, is the LPN Certificate program at my local community college. It's about 10 minutes from my house, and the program is 12 mos long to LPN. Now, I could apply to one of the other hospitals and keep playing the waiting game if I don't get into my first choice, but I don't want to play the waiting game. If I don't get into my 1st choice, then it's on to LPN, and the reason is because I could be starting as soon as this August and be done in 1 year. I have every intention of pursuing higher education. In a way, I feel like it's kind of the long way, but at least I can start to gain experience in healthcare, which I presume would make me more valuable in the long run.

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Everyone must do what they gotta do. I do remember in my former life and naval career, that the newbie Ensigns officers (w/ college degrees) did not impress any of us sailors (Enlisted), who had months or years out to sea under our belts. Kinda goes the same with this discussion, Lpns get more clinical time than any BSN, so, if you start both in the same job, at the same time, the BSN would make way more money with less experience, because of the Degree they hold in hand and supposedly the leadership skills learned to lead those below them. It boils down to respect, on a personal level. But, who would you rather have take care of you? The BSN with very little clinical time, or the LPN who has more clinical time?

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Oops, don't get the wrong idean here, if the BSN has not gained the ADN first. Who would have more clinical time BSN vs LPN?

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