LPN or RN

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jun 1, 2016

Without information about cost, program hours/requirements, your odds of acceptance, the market in your area, or your personal circumstances, it's difficult to say. My first instinct is to go for the ADN, though.

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · Jun 1, 2016

If your ultimate goal is to be an RN, then I would go for the ADN program. Most nursing schools that I looked into only gave credit for the fundamentals course when transitioning from LPN to RN. In the end the transition route takes longer plus you would be starting RN classes while adapting to the new role as a new grad LPN. So, if you can get into either program and want to be an RN, then I would recommend just going straight for it from the start.

soyoureanurse · Jun 2, 2016

Lots of factors to consider. If you want to start working sooner, then maybe LPN is the route for you. There are advantages to both. I got my LPN first and worked in LTC. I am grateful for that experience as it helped me really hone in on basic nursing skills, communication with doctors, etc. In LTC there's a big possibility you would be placed in a charge nurse position, which will help you communicate with staff and learn to delegate appropriately. Working in LTC as an LPN you learn to work autonomously and to trust your own judgement. All of those things were a big help when I went back for my RN (which I did as soon as I graduated from the LPN program.) The bridge program was only three semesters, and my LPN program was more rigorous and intense than the RN program. I am, however, 20,000 more in debt because of the cost of the LPN program.

Nienna Celebrindal · Jun 2, 2016

I was an LPN for 12 years. Get your RN. Not that being an LPN sucks. Its just that you make less, you get way less respect and your options are far more limited. An RN will open soooo many doors for you. I didn't even realize how much life would change getting my RN. If I knew now what I knew then...

allnurses Guide · Jun 2, 2016

The RN will be better for a career choice long term.

HeySis, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2016

Where I live now has an excellent LPN program that seamlessly bridges into a local RN program, so no worries about transfer of credits and it's set up so you can go right in as long as you do it continuously. The nurses that do that seem much better prepared and their skills more solid.... back in NY there was an excellent ADN program that everyone wanted to hire their grads... so programs will vary.

Our ADN program was set up so that at the end of the first year you could sit for your PN-NCLEX and then continue right on through.

Which ever way you decide, Do not stop at your LPN!!! I did (for over 20 years) and I thought I would get back sooner... but life happened and school didn't for a long time.

Like others have said, it's not that being an LPN is bad, It's that the money is less, and the scope, employment and opportunities are limited.