For those who went from LPN to RN

Published

I have four children and I was wondering if those who went from LPN to RN can help me decide on a route to become a nurse? In your opinion, would I be better taking a part time LPN program that takes 2 years to complete or would it be better for me to take all prerequisites for an RN program in advance and then just take the 1 clinical course each semester (for 4 semesters) which would be 2 years also? The lpn program would be 2 to 3 days a week from 8 to 3. The RN program's nursing courses would be four days a week. Two of the days would be from 7 to 12 for clinical and the other two days a week would be from 8 to 12 for lecture and lab.

I need the program that would be the most doable with 4 children ages 12, 8, 4 and 1. I really like the flexability with nursing and it would work out well with my large family and all. However, I need to know which route would be easier on my family.

Also, I could start either of these programs at about the same time. So I don't have to worry about being on a waitlist for a long time.

Thanks so much,

Marci

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi. I can give you a my opinion.

I think it is the best way to go if you are in that situation..I am also a mother and decided to take the LPN progam first (I am still in it) and take the LPN to RN mobility afterwards. This way I can work as an LPN while going to school for RN.

My mother is and RN and my aunt also and they both thought this was the say to go. My aunt did it that way and said being an LPN first helped her. My mom went straight to RN school,but that was before she had kids.

LPN jobs are plentiful and the way is good...at least where I live.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Physical Rehab, Psych, MMTP, HIV/HCV.

I went to school for my LPN with the intentions of working and going back to school for my RN. I think this is a popular option for moms. But if you will be going for 2 years anyway I would just say go for your RN. When I was in the LPN program it was 1yr full time so it went quick. 4 yrs later I am just now getting ready to go back for my RN. If your goal is to eventuall get your RN then just go straight for it. 2 yrs in school is 2 yrs right? Get the most out of it. I have LPNs and RNs in my family and everyone did what worked for them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks so much for the replies so far.

I just worry about the workload in nursing school with having 4 kids at home. I've been leaning towards the part time lpn program because I feel the nursing information would be just that, part time. I worry that even if I had my prerequisites done, the actual nursing courses would still be full time in an RN program. Does this make any sense? I need a slower paced environment while still achieving a nursing license. I'm not worried about it taking me two years either way.

If anyone else has some advice, I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Marci

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know what your significant other's status it. I will assume that you're married, because my situation with 5 (yes, five) children REQUIRES that I have a super supportive wife. I am currently going from LPN to RN. I begin in the Fall and I only have to go through a program that takes a year. That is one thing. Another thing, I don't work. I won't work until I am an R.N. I didn't save up for it. I am just biting the bullet and doing it. Our whole family is going to school. What I mean by that is while my kids are 10, 8, 6, 4 and 1, we are all working, sacrificing , praying , hoping and learning with the common goal to get papa through nursing school. It's been our approach the whole time (first with LPN schooll, now with RN school). It works. We are a family who prays together, learns together and pays together. In all that we do. I probably, no we probably couldn't do it any other way. Nursing school is just plain old HARD. Difficult. Nothing else but just hard, grueling work, sweat, worry, wor, work, work! Ugh. The whole family will pay the price no matter which way you want to get through it. I know my whole family is paying the price. But we have decided on it together. We have given everybody a job to do. We have laid out the expectations for everybody and that all will just have to wait until nursing school is done. One that note, I prefer to just go to school - no work. No job to worry about. With the number of kids you have, I think you'll be spread thinner and thinner than you might expect. Don't be spread so thin that you're not there. Bills still need to be paid...but there is a way. We are doing it. It's hard, but definitely doable. GO Go GO! Check on my web site - nursemike.wordpress.com

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion